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Heavy Periods in Perimenopause: Risks of Hysterectomies and Root Cause Solutions
12/07/24 • 38 min
Let’s talk about the complex journey of navigating perimenopause, particularly the challenges of managing heavy menstrual cycles. Drawing from some of my personal experiences, I explore why common medical solutions like ablation, birth control pills, and hysterectomy may not always be the best options. We examine the consequences these treatments can have on hormone levels, gut health, and cognitive function. By shedding light on the root causes of heavy bleeding, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and hormonal shifts, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of all available options before having to consider significant surgical interventions.
In this episode:
- How heavy menstrual cycles are a common issue during perimenopause for many women.
- Why hysterectomy is often suggested for heavy bleeding but may not be the best option.
- How uterine ablation is a less invasive option compared to hysterectomy.
- Why hormonal balance and gut health are crucial considerations for menstrual health.
- What potential side effects are associated with hysterectomy, including early menopause and cognitive impairments.
- How the role of progesterone in regulating menstrual cycles can affect bleeding.
- Why endometriosis is more than just a hormonal condition and involves immune dysregulation.
- What role bioidentical hormones and supplements play in managing heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why testing hormone levels is essential to avoid assumptions about estrogen dominance.
- How fibroids and adenomyosis can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why uterine cancer and polyps should be ruled out as causes of heavy bleeding.
- How hormonal shifts during perimenopause impact progesterone levels and menstrual cycles.
- What misconceptions exist around the use of birth control pills for heavy bleeding.
- How removing ovaries during hysterectomy can lead to immediate menopause.
- What impact a hysterectomy can have on bladder, bowel, and pelvic support.
- How social norms influence women's health decisions and treatment options.
Try Hormone Balance by Essentially Whole at https://drmariza.com/karen and use code KAREN10 at checkout for 10% off a one time purchase OR 20% for life with Subscribe and Save
Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to https://timeline.com/KARENMARTEL and use code HORMONE to get 10% off your order.
LMNT: Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don’t even have to send it back! https://www.drinklmnt.com/KarenMartel
Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.
Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Individualized Weight Loss Programs
- Peptide Therapy for weight loss
Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.
Join our Women’s Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Let’s talk about the complex journey of navigating perimenopause, particularly the challenges of managing heavy menstrual cycles. Drawing from some of my personal experiences, I explore why common medical solutions like ablation, birth control pills, and hysterectomy may not always be the best options. We examine the consequences these treatments can have on hormone levels, gut health, and cognitive function. By shedding light on the root causes of heavy bleeding, such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and hormonal shifts, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of all available options before having to consider significant surgical interventions.
In this episode:
- How heavy menstrual cycles are a common issue during perimenopause for many women.
- Why hysterectomy is often suggested for heavy bleeding but may not be the best option.
- How uterine ablation is a less invasive option compared to hysterectomy.
- Why hormonal balance and gut health are crucial considerations for menstrual health.
- What potential side effects are associated with hysterectomy, including early menopause and cognitive impairments.
- How the role of progesterone in regulating menstrual cycles can affect bleeding.
- Why endometriosis is more than just a hormonal condition and involves immune dysregulation.
- What role bioidentical hormones and supplements play in managing heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why testing hormone levels is essential to avoid assumptions about estrogen dominance.
- How fibroids and adenomyosis can contribute to heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Why uterine cancer and polyps should be ruled out as causes of heavy bleeding.
- How hormonal shifts during perimenopause impact progesterone levels and menstrual cycles.
- What misconceptions exist around the use of birth control pills for heavy bleeding.
- How removing ovaries during hysterectomy can lead to immediate menopause.
- What impact a hysterectomy can have on bladder, bowel, and pelvic support.
- How social norms influence women's health decisions and treatment options.
Try Hormone Balance by Essentially Whole at https://drmariza.com/karen and use code KAREN10 at checkout for 10% off a one time purchase OR 20% for life with Subscribe and Save
Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to https://timeline.com/KARENMARTEL and use code HORMONE to get 10% off your order.
LMNT: Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don’t even have to send it back! https://www.drinklmnt.com/KarenMartel
Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.
Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Individualized Weight Loss Programs
- Peptide Therapy for weight loss
Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.
Join our Women’s Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Previous Episode

Quick Hits: Hypothyroidism, a New Look At What Causes It and How to Reverse It With Dr. Eric Balcavage
Welcome to Quick Hits: Blasts from The Past. Join Karen as she explores her podcast archives, offering you short, impactful excerpts from standout episodes. In just 15 minutes, you’ll experience the essence of past conversations, packed with valuable insights and memorable moments from our guests. If you want to dive deeper, you’ll find links to the full episodes in the show notes below In this episode, Dr. Eric Balcavage and I discuss the root causes of hypothyroidism. What is cellular hypothyroidism and how do we treat it? Why the conventional and the functional world may be looking at hypothyroidism in the wrong light. Is there a place for medication? What can cause cellular danger? Plus so much more! This is one you will want to grab a paper and pen to take notes on while you listen. Dr. Eric Balcavage is a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS), a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner, Board Certified in Integrative Medicine, along with being a licensed Chiropractor in Pennsylvania. Dr. Balcavage has studied under and consulted with several experts in Functional Medicine over the years, including renowned thyroid expert Dr. Datis Kharrazian and methylation expert, Dr. Ben Lynch. Dr. Balcavage trains and consults with hundreds of doctors on topics such as Thyroid physiology, GI physiology, Organic acid testing and Methylation. He also lectures locally and around the country on numerous other health conditions.
Listen to the full episode here: https://karenmartel.com/hypothyroidism-a-new-look-at-what-causes-it-and-how-to-reverse-it-with-dr-eric-balcavage/
Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don’t even have to send it back! www.DrinkLMNT.com/KarenMartel
Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada. Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Individualized Weight Loss Programs
- Peptide Therapy for weight loss
Next Episode

Quick Hits: Round Table Talk on The Hottest New Diet Trends with Matty Lansdown & Marty Kendall
Welcome to Quick Hits: Blasts from The Past. Join Karen as she explores her podcast archives, offering you short, impactful excerpts from standout episodes. In just 15 minutes, you’ll experience the essence of past conversations, packed with valuable insights and memorable moments from our guests. If you want to dive deeper, you’ll find links to the full episodes in the show notes below Listen to the full episode here https://karenmartel.com/round-table-talk-on-the-hottest-new-diet-trends-with-matty-lansdown-marty-kendall/ Get ready for an epic conversation on the latest diet trends from the top weight loss coaches in the industry! In this episode, I am joined by my two fav Aussies Marty Kendall and Matty Lansdown. We dive deep into some of the hottest diet trends out there today.
- Fasting when is too much and why women need to be careful.
- How do we reap the benefits of fasting without taking it to the extreme.
- Why high fat keto diets can make you gain weight.
- The benefits and the challenges of tracking your food and my own experience with it.
- Why it can be challenging to eat a lot of protein.
- How to get your body to release more fat.
- The energy from food and what you need to prioritize in order to optimize weight loss.
- What types of animal protein can make you more hungry and possibly spike blood glucose and which ones are best to eat for satiety.
- The pros and cons of the protein-sparing modified fast and how it can help you to jump-start weight loss.
- How to avoid rebound weight gain from any diet.
- Why diets work in the beginning but then plateau.
- What percentage of protein do you need to eat when dieting to maintain muscle mass.
- Realistic weight loss time frames.
- The giant missing piece of the majority of diets on the market.
- The role of dopamine in our life and how it could be negatively affecting our diet.
Marty Kendall is the author of the book Big Fat Keto Lies. Marty is an engineer who seeks to optimize nutrition using a data-driven approach. His interest in nutrition began eighteen years ago in an effort to help his wife Monica gain better control of her Type 1 Diabetes. But since then, he has worked to develop a systematized approach to nutrition tailored for a wide range of goals.
BEAM: https://www.beamminerals.com/discount/HORMONE Use coupon code HORMONE for 20% off your order. Marty Kendall's Website Listen to my interview with Marty 'Big Fat Keto Lies'.
Matty Lansdown is a scientist, nutritionist and health coach that specializes in weight loss and self-confidence for women and busy mothers. Matty's extensive experience with nutrition led him to uncover the deeper challenge people have with health which isn't about calories or kale but in fact mindset and behavior change. Having been on his own personal development journey, Matty is now super-passionate about showing people how to level up their health so that healthy habits and the best food choices are easy and natural.
Matty Lansdown's Website Listen to my interview with Matty Lansdown 'How to Change Your Poor Eating Habits & Self Sabotaging Behavior.'
Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada. Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Individualized Weight Loss Programs
- Peptide Therapy for weight loss
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