Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
All content for Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show is the property of Anne Hussain and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
Perimenopause: Navigating Hormones and Sleep with Dr. Laurie Alpert
Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show
42 minutes
2 weeks ago
Perimenopause: Navigating Hormones and Sleep with Dr. Laurie Alpert
Have you ever found yourself wide awake at 3 a.m., wrestling with anxiety and night sweats? Or, maybe you walked into a room with a purpose and completely forgot why you’re there? It could be the beginning of the transition to menopause. In this episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain is joined by fellow Naturopathic Doctor and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Dr. Laurie Alpert. They explore the complexities of perimenopause and menopause, highlighting the often-overlooked symptoms that accompany this time when hormone changes, chronological aging, and the stresses of life are all happening simultaneously, leaving you wondering what "normal" is. They discuss various aspects of health management during perimenopause, focusing on hormone therapy, lifestyle modifications like nutrition and exercise, and the importance of collaborative care so you can feel more like yourself now and set yourself up for the future.
Takeaways
Perimenopause is a significant transition with hormone change that affects many aspects of health and life, and it can present with a spectrum of signs and symptoms.
Menopause is defined as one day, marking the twelve-month anniversary of your final period ever. After this, you’re considered post-menopause.
Insomnia is a common concern in perimenopause that can affect energy, mood, appetite, weight, and memory! Difficulty falling asleep and waking up frequently can be due to hot flashes, night sweats, frequent urination, and even sleep apnea.
Tracking menstrual cycles and symptoms can provide valuable insights for healthcare providers
Lifestyle modifications, like working on stress, sleep, exercise, nutrition, and avoiding alcohol, can significantly improve quality of life during this transition including your metabolic health, breast cancer risk, bone health, and sleep.
Regular health screenings are crucial during midlife to monitor changes, and this may or may not include hormone testing. Hormone therapy is a primary treatment for menopausal symptoms but not the only option. There are supplements, herbs, counselling, acupuncture, and more that we can use with or without estrogen and progesterone therapy.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to perimenopausal hormone change. Collaborative care that centres you and your experience is where it’s at!
More About Dr. Laurie Alpert, ND
Dr. Laurie Alpert is a Naturopathic Doctor and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner with expertise in supporting women through perimenopause. Combining conventional standards of care with evidence-based integrative therapies, she provides strategic and collaborative healthcare to help you make the most of this transition. In addition to providing one-on-one clinical care to Ontario residents, she facilitates a Clinical Menopause Mentorship program for integrative medical professionals, and has designed a DIY 8 week Perimenopause Sleep Solutions experience to support the unique needs for sleep recovery during this significant lifestage.
Work with Dr. Laurie
Follow Dr. Laurie on Instagram
Perimenopause Sleep Solutions
Menopause Practitioner Circle
Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND:
https://phasetophase.ca/
https://annehussain.com/
(00:00) Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause
(02:36) Defining Menopause Terminology
(05:40) Common Symptoms and Changes During Perimenopause
(09:11) The Impact of Sleep on Health
(15:18) The Role of Caffeine and Alcohol
(19:09) Tracking Symptoms and Seeking Help
(24:56) Essential Health Screenings During Midlife
(27:22) Understanding Hormone Testing
(28:18) Lifestyle Modifications for Better Health
(31:14) The Importance of Nutrition and Hydration
(33:05) Exercise and Its Impact on Sleep
(37:23) Addressing Sleep Disruptions
(42:44) Collaborative Care and Evolving Perspectives on Health Care
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Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show
Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health.
Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook.
Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones.
Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share.
Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!
Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.
