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Podcast Episode

72: Solo Q&A: The Truth About Herbs for Perimenopause and Menopause

Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones··5 August 2026·27 min

About this episode

Hot flashes, poor sleep, mood changes, irregular cycles, and lower stress tolerance can make women over 40 feel like their hormones changed overnight. That is often when the search for a "natural" solution begins, but herbs are not commonly used to replace the estrogen and progesterone declining during perimenopause and menopause. So what can they actually do? In this solo Q&A, I am answering the questions midlife women keep asking. Are there herbs that may help with low-estrogen symptoms and hot flashes? Can progesterone be supported naturally when ovulation becomes less consistent? And is there any herbal option that can truly work like HRT? We also talk about saffron, ashwagandha, vitex, and shatavari, including where they may fit, what their limits are, and what to look for before spending money on another supplement. Plus, I walk through a listener case involving debilitating period pain and why severe symptoms should never be written off as "just perimenopause." What's Discussed: 2:01 Herbs for low estrogen and hot flashes 4:27 Natural support for progesterone in perimenopause 8:44 Whether any herb can truly work like HRT 10:20 Saffron versus ashwagandha 12:50 What to do when ashwagandha makes you feel worse 16:23 Shatavari, vitex, dosing, and combining herbs 19:17 A listener case involving debilitating period pain ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101 The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Thank You to Our Sponsor: OmneDiem: To give your body the histamine support it's been missing, head to omnediem.com/chfmdl explore their full range of products, and use code DRJONES for 25% off. Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones Pinterest: @drcarriejones Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.