Struggling with sleep in perimenopause? Waking up at 3AM, night sweats, racing thoughts, or feeling exhausted no matter how long you're in bed? In this episode, Dr. Renee (double board-certified OB/GYN and functional medicine physician) breaks down exactly why sleep gets disrupted after 40—and what actually works to fix it.

You'll learn the real hormonal causes of perimenopause insomnia, what "sleepmaxxing" means, and the 6 key strategies that help women finally get deep, restorative sleep again. Plus, Dr. Renee shares her exact supplement protocol and when to consider BHRT for long-term relief. If you're tired of being told "it's just aging," this is for you.

Join my FREE webinar: "The Missing Link in Perimenopause"→ https://wellenstein.activehosted.com/f/145

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qyFBOmxLAmE

What You'll Learn:

• Why perimenopause causes insomnia and night waking
• The difference between sleep onset vs. sleep maintenance insomnia
• What "sleepmaxxing" is and why it's trending
• The 6 pillars of better sleep for women over 40
• Best supplements for sleep (magnesium, L-theanine, apigenin)
• How to stop racing thoughts at night
• When BHRT may be the missing piece

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. I put this video out for educational and informational purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Why sleep issues explode in perimenopause
• 00:58 – What's happening to estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol
• 01:29 – The 2 types of insomnia
• 01:50 – What is "sleepmaxxing"?
• 02:42 – Pillar #1: Morning sunlight
• 02:55 – Pillar #2: Cut alcohol after 6PM
• 03:07 – Pillar #3: Optimize bedroom temperature
• 03:20 – Pillar #4: Reduce blue light at night
• 03:31 – Pillar #5: Consistent sleep schedule
• 03:41 – Pillar #6: Supplements that actually work
• 04:07 – How to calm a racing brain at night
• 04:22 – L-theanine + magnesium stack
• 04:47 – Phosphatidylserine for cortisol spikes
• 05:03 – Breathing techniques for falling back asleep
• 05:27 – Nighttime nutrition tips
• 05:39 – When to consider BHRT for sleep
• 05:56 – Why HRT is safer than you think
• 06:16 – Next steps + free webinar

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*I do make a small commission from sales of the above products.

Book a Call

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🔗 Connect with me on social media @DrReneeWellenstein for daily tips, updates, and more!

📌 Helpful Links & Resource

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★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLibidoologist

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Are your supplements actually making your menopause symptoms worse?

Most women over 40 have a "supplement stack" they've built based on articles, social media trends, and health store recommendations. But as a double board-certified OB/GYN, I see the same pattern every day: women accidentally sabotaging their hormones with the very pills meant to fix them.

In this episode, I reveal the 7 common supplements that could be distorting your lab results, accelerating cellular aging, or even blocking your HRT from working. From the "Biotin Trap" to the dangers of high-dose melatonin, we're breaking down the science and telling you exactly what to take instead.

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. I put this video out for educational and informational purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2IGJY8FzcCA

In this in this episode, you will discover:

• The FDA warning about Biotin and your thyroid labs.
• Why taking Iron "just in case" after menopause can be toxic to your liver.
• The "Calcium Paradox": Why your bone supplement might be calcifying your arteries.
• How DIM might be making your Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) less effective.
• The "Physiological Dose" of Melatonin (hint: it's much lower than your current pill).

Stop guessing with your health. Watch to the end to learn how to audit your supplement cabinet and finally "test, don't guess.

CHAPTERS:

• 00:00 Is Your Supplement Stack Working Against You?
• 01:19Patient Story: The "Hair Loss" Pill That Ruined Her Labs
• 02:14 The Biotin Trap: Why 5,000mcg is Too Much
• 04:03 Iron After Menopause: The Pro-Oxidant Risk
• 05:56 The Calcium Paradox: Why Your Bones Aren't Absorbing It
• 07:19 The DHEA Warning: Acne, Anxiety, and Unfiltered Hormones
• 09:16 Vitamin A vs. Vitamin D: The Competition at the Receptor
• 10:27 The DIM Controversy: Is It Blocking Your HRT?
• 12:33 Melatonin Overdose: The 0.3mg "Goldilocks" Rule
• 13:55 Test, Don't Guess: How to Audit Your Cabinet

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Book your call here: https://www.drreneewellenstein.com/work-with-me

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Supplement Dispensary: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein

*I do make a small commission from sales of the above products.

🔗 Connect with me on social media @DrReneeWellenstein for daily tips, updates, and more!

📌 Helpful Links & Resource

💡 Work with me: https://www.drreneewellenstein.com/work-with-me

★ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drreneewellenstein/

★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLibidoologist

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I was wrong about HRT—and I am sorry.

For 15 years, I (Double Board-Certified OB/GYN and Functional Medicine Doc) followed the conventional medical wisdom that said Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was dangerous. Like thousands of other doctors, I was practicing out of fear based on the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study. Today, I'm setting the record straight.

If you have been told "no" to HRT, handed an antidepressant for menopause symptoms, or told you just have to "tough it out," this video is for you. I'm diving deep into the flawed science of the early 2000s, what the 2026 data actually says about bioidentical hormones, and why the "Timing Hypothesis" changes everything for women over 40.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UxIXBlpU2vM

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. I put this video out for educational and informational purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

In this video, we uncover:

• The 3 massive flaws in the original WHI study that misled a generation of doctors.
• Why "horse urine" hormones (Premarin) are NOT the same as modern bioidentical options.
• The "10-Year Window": Why when you start HRT is as important as if you start.
• New data on HRT and the reduction of heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia risk.
• What to do if your doctor has dismissed your symptoms.
• Stop suffering in silence. It's time to look at the actual science.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 The 15-Year Mistake I'm Ready to Admit

01:27 2002: The Year Women's Health "Blew Up"

02:22 Why I Sent My Patients Home Without Help

03:11 The Moment I Realized the Data Was Wrong

04:03 Problem #1: Why Age 63 is the Wrong Benchmark

04:41 The "Horse Urine" Secret: Synthetic vs. Bioidentical

05:25 The "Timing Hypothesis": Is Your Window Closing?

06:23 Can HRT Actually Prevent the #1 Killer of Women?

07:01 How about risk of dementia with the use of hormones?

07:22 The Truth About Breast Cancer Risk & Progesterone

08:30 HRT After 60: Why It's Not Always a "No"

09:45 The Cost of Doing Nothing: What I Wish I'd Known

10:00 How to Challenge Your Doctor (Respectfully)

Work with me!!

Book your call here: https://www.drreneewellenstein.com/work-with-me#waystoworkwithdrrenee

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Supplement Dispensary: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein

*I do make a small commission from sales of the above products.

📌 Connect with Me for More Hormone & Health Tips!

Follow me on all platforms → @‌drreneewellenstein

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Are you exhausted no matter how much you sleep… dealing with low libido, brain fog, mood changes, and feeling like you "lost your spark"—but your doctor says your labs are "normal"?

In this video, I'm breaking down the hormone that's often ignored in women's health: testosterone.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/brszxICJhKQ

DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

You'll learn:

* Why testosterone is not just a male hormone

* The most common low testosterone symptoms in women (and why they're often mislabeled as depression or stress)

* The real reason many doctors don't bring up testosterone (FDA approval gap + training + insurance)

* The exact labs to ask for so you're not dismissed again

* Your testosterone treatment options (pellets, creams, injections) and what "physiologic dosing" actually means

* Why I always look at the full hormone picture (estrogen, progesterone, thyroid, cortisol + testosterone)

If you're in your late 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond and you're struggling with weight gain, fatigue, low motivation, low sex drive, irritability, vaginal dryness, or hair thinning, this is a must-watch.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 – The patient story that started it all

0:44 – Welcome + who this channel is for

1:08– Watch to the end: what's coming

1:22 – Testosterone is not just a male hormone

2:23 – The FDA gap: 30+ products for men, zero for women

3:27 – Symptoms of low testosterone — and what gets misdiagnosed instead

4:54 – The other hormones: what else could explain your symptoms

5:21 – What a 10-year study of 78 women actually showed

6:35 – Why most doctors haven't offered this to you

8:14 – Labs to ask for: total T, free T, and SHBG

8:56 – Pellets, creams, injectables, and off-label gels — and what physiologic dosing means

10:22 – How Dr. Renee evaluates the full hormone picture

Work With Me 1:1 Support

Want help interpreting your labs and building a personalized plan for peri-menopause symptoms, hormones, metabolism, and longevity?

Apply to work with me here → https://reneewellenstein.typeform.com/to/qFyuRF?typeform-source=www.drreneewellenstein.com

Links + Resources

My Amazon storefront (products I personally use + recommend): https://www.amazon.com/shop/drreneewellenstein?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_2Q5HD01R6BW42HK05MSB

(I do make a small commission from sales using my link)

My favorite supplement brand: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein

(I do make a small commission from sales using my online dispensary)

📌 Connect with Me for More Hormone & Health Tips!

Follow me on all platforms → @‌drreneewellenstein

IG | FB | TikTok | Pinterest

If you're noticing hair thinning after 40, more shedding in the shower, or a widening part—but keep hearing "your labs are normal"—this video breaks down the most important lab tests for female hair loss and the order I recommend starting with.

In this episode, I walk through the key root-cause factors behind hair loss in women over 40, including low ferritin, thyroid dysfunction, testosterone imbalance, insulin resistance, and nutrient deficiencies. If you've been dealing with perimenopause hair loss, menopause hair thinning, diffuse shedding, or female pattern hair loss, this is where to start.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DDBDyTe09Lw

As a double board-certified OB/Gyn and functional medicine physician, I help women connect the dots between symptoms, hormones, metabolism, and lab patterns that often get missed in conventional care.

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. I put this video out for educational and informational purposes only. It is not to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

In this video, you'll learn:

* Why ferritin matters even when you're "not anemic"

* Why checking TSH alone is not enough

* How testosterone, DHEA-S, and SHBG can affect hair follicles

* Why fasting insulin may reveal issues before glucose or A1c

* Which supportive labs may matter for hair regrowth, energy, and brain fog

* A practical lab priority list you can bring to your doctor

If you're tired of being dismissed and want a more complete, root-cause approach to midlife hormone symptoms, hair loss, and metabolic changes, you're in the right place.

Book a Call

Book your call here: https://www.drreneewellenstein.com/work-with-me

Subscribe for science-backed education on perimenopause, menopause, hormone health, metabolism, weight loss, and functional medicine for women over 40.

Timestamps

00:00 Why hair loss after 40 deserves a deeper look

00:37 The first lab I check for hair shedding

02:03 Why your thyroid panel may be incomplete

03:07 How testosterone and DHEA-S affect thinning hair

04:39 The insulin connection most women miss

05:51 Supportive labs that can impact regrowth

07:10 The lab priority list to bring to your doctor

08:14 Why hair loss is not just "aging"

08:30 How I help women connect the dots

Shop My Favorites

* Shop My Page: https://shopmy.us/drrenee/shelves

* Amazon Favorites: https://www.amazon.com/shop/drreneewellenstein?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_2Q5HD01R6BW42HK05MSB

* Supplement Dispensary: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein

*I do make a small commission from sales of the above products.

📌 Connect with Me for More Hormone & Health Tips!

Follow me on all platforms → @‌drreneewellenstein

IG | FB | TikTok | Pinterest

If you've ever been told "your labs are normal"—but you're still exhausted, gaining weight, losing hair, and not sleeping—this video is for you.

In this episode, I break down 7 commonly missed lab patterns in women over 40 that traditional testing often overlooks. Because "normal" does NOT always mean optimal—especially in perimenopause and beyond.

We're diving into the real reasons your symptoms are being dismissed—and the exact labs I look at differently in my practice.

If you've been told everything is "fine" but you know something's off… you're not crazy—and you're not alone.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UOdt21cYpAY

What You'll Learn

✔️ Why standard lab ranges miss early dysfunction

✔️ The most overlooked labs for women over 40

✔️ How hormone changes impact thyroid, metabolism, and energy

✔️ Why you can feel awful even when labs look "normal"

✔️ How to start advocating for better testing and answers

Work With Me Want help interpreting your labs and building a personalized plan for peri-menopause symptoms, hormones, metabolism, and longevity? Apply to work with me here → https://reneewellenstein.typeform.com/to/qFyuRF?typeform-source=www.drreneewellenstein.com

Links + Resources My Amazon storefront (products I personally use + recommend): https://www.amazon.com/shop/drreneewellenstein?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_2Q5HD01R6BW42HK05MSB

(I do make a small commission from sales using my link)

My favorite supplement brand: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein (I do make a small commission from sales using my online dispensary)

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

📌 Connect with Me for More Hormone & Health Tips!

Follow me on all platforms → @‌drreneewellenstein

IG | FB | TikTok | Pinterest

Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the most frustrating symptoms of perimenopause and menopause—but what if you don't want to take hormones or can't use hormone therapy?

In this episode, I walk you through science-backed, non-hormonal treatments for hot flashes, including lifestyle changes, mind-body techniques, supplements, and prescription options that can help calm your body's internal thermostat.

Hot flashes happen because the hypothalamus (your brain's thermostat) becomes overly sensitive when estrogen levels decline. Even small temperature changes can trigger sweating, flushing, anxiety, and sleep disruption.

While hormone therapy is still the gold standard for hot flashes, many women either prefer to avoid hormones or have medical reasons they can't take them. That's why it's important to understand the evidence-based alternatives that can help reduce symptoms and improve sleep and quality of life.

In this episode, we'll cover practical strategies I use with patients in my practice to manage menopause symptoms without hormones, including nervous system regulation, lifestyle triggers, targeted supplements, and newer medications like VEOZAH (fezolinetant).

If you're dealing with perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, anxiety, or hormone imbalance, this video will give you a clearer roadmap of your options.

🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SzzsAD-2unQ

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Perimenopause and menopause hot flashes
• Night sweats and sleep disruption
• Non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for hot flashes
• Mind-body techniques for nervous system regulation
• Soy isoflavones and menopause supplements• Black cohosh safety and effectiveness
• SSRIs and SNRIs for hot flashes
• Gabapentin for night sweats
• Fezolinetant (VEOZAH) explained
• Lifestyle changes that reduce hot flashes

Want Personalized Help?

If you're struggling with hot flashes, hormone imbalance, low energy, or other midlife hormone symptoms, I work with women over 40 in my telemedicine practice to create personalized plans using functional medicine, lifestyle strategies, and when appropriate, hormone therapy. Learn more about working with me here: https://reneewellenstein.typeform.com/to/qFyuRF?typeform-source=www.drreneewellenstein.com

DISCLAIMER: Keep in mind, I am not your doctor. This video is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have a specific medical concern, please consult your own personal doctor or healthcare professional.

Links + Resources

My Amazon storefront (products I personally use + recommend): https://www.amazon.com/shop/drreneewellenstein?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_2Q5HD01R6BW42HK05MSB (I do make a small commission from sales using my link)

My favorite supplement brand: https://www.designsforhealth.com/u/drreneewellenstein (I do make a small commission from sales using my online dispensary)

🔗 Connect with me on social media @DrReneeWellenstein for daily tips, updates, and more!

📌 Helpful Links & Resource

💡 Work with me: https://www.drreneewellenstein.com/work-with-me

★ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drreneewellenstein/

★ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLibidoologist

★ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drreneewellenstein?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

★ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drreneewellenstein/