Brain fog, sudden chin hairs, mood swings, and feeling like you are losing your mind—if you are a woman over 40, it’s not just stress. It’s perimenopause.

In this episode, women’s health specialist Dr Shauna Watts breaks down the wildly fluctuating hormones that cause these unexpected changes. Host, Mel Histon, and Dr Shauna dive deep into the signs doctors frequently miss, how dropping estrogen impacts your brain, and the honest, evidence-based truth about Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) so you can finally get relief.

If you have been feeling uncharacteristic anxiety, fatigue, or just not like yourself lately, this conversation is the validation and medical clarity you have been looking for.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• The "Zone of Chaos": What perimenopause actually is and when it starts.
• Brain Fog Explained: How dropping estrogen levels physically impact your brain health, memory, and cognition.
• The Hidden Symptoms: Why changing hormones lead to unexpected changes like body composition shifts and chin hairs.
• Demystifying Hormones and HRT: An honest, evidence-based look at the safety, side effects, and benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy.

About Our Guest:Dr Shauna Watts is a respected Australian General Practitioner specializing in women's health, lifestyle medicine, and menopause management. She is passionate about empowering women with evidence-based education to navigate midlife changes with confidence and clarity.

Connect with DR SHAUNA WATTS: 

• Website: https://youbydrshaunawatts.com.au/ 
• Dr Shauna's podcast 'All About You' - https://www.allaboutyoupod.com/
• Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/3YhnZ3pO6zaEOgFvIUo99b
• Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/all-about-you-with-dr-shauna-watts/id1720112408  Facebook  @YOUbyDrShaunaWattsNewcastle 
• Instagram @youbydrshaunawatts

Connect with MEL HISTON: 

• Subscribe to make sure you hear the next instalment of Hey Soul Sista! 
• Instagram @melissahiston
• Instagram @heysoulsistapodcast
• Watch the podcast video on YouTube: @heysoulsista
• Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/6niLZqnSLAdilLmwzgWbgg?si=cfa5ec0db2154cdc
• Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/hey-soul-sista-with-mel-histon/id1479778469
• Website: heysoulsista.com 
• Website: gotyourbacksista.com