Peri Chats

Episode 7: How do I know if I'm in Perimenopause??

Podcast Episode Description
How do you know if you're in perimenopause… or if something else is going on?
In this episode of Peri Chats, we’re talking about the phase of life that so many women experience but very few truly understand — perimenopause.
For many women, this transition begins years before menopause, often showing up in subtle ways long before periods stop. Anxiety that feels new, sleep disruption, brain fog, changes in weight or energy, worsening PMS, or simply feeling like your body is no longer responding the way it used to.
The frustrating part? Many women are told their labs are “normal” and that everything is fine — even though they clearly feel different.
In this episode, Erin breaks down:
• What perimenopause actually is and when it typically begins• The most common early symptoms women notice• Why hormone testing during this phase can be confusing• What underlying hormone changes may be happening• Lifestyle and treatment approaches that can help support your body through this transition
We also begin the conversation around estrogen and why it matters so much during perimenopause — not just for symptoms, but for long-term health including the brain, bones, and cardiovascular system.
Perimenopause isn’t the beginning of decline. It’s a biological transition — and when you understand what’s happening in your body, you can support it in a much more intentional way.
If you’ve ever thought “Something feels off but no one can explain why,” this episode is for you.
Follow Peri Chats for more conversations about hormones, healing, and navigating midlife with real science and real support.

Episode 6: Hair loss in Perimenopause and Menopause with Stacy Kestin Founder of Well Bel

In this episode, we sit down with Stacy Kestin, Co-Founder and Owner of Wellbel — the hair wellness brand redefining confidence from the inside out.
With over three decades of experience as a life coach and entrepreneur, Stacy has built her career around helping people align their internal health with how they show up in the world. Her approach blends emotional insight, sharp business acumen, and a deep belief that confidence isn’t cosmetic — it’s foundational.
In this episode, we talk all about hair loss in perimenopause and menopause — why it happens, what’s actually driving it, and what most women are missing when they try to fix it.
We dive into:
The root causes of hair thinning beyond just hormones
Why we recommend Wellbel over other hair supplements
The truth about high-dose biotin (and what it can actually do)
Key ingredients that truly support hair growth
What makes Wellbel different from everything else on the market
If you’ve been dealing with hair changes and not getting real answers, this conversation will give you clarity — and a path forward.
Join us as we break down how to restore hair health, rebuild confidence, and achieve that Wellbel bounce from the inside out!
Ready to get started?
Use code PERICHATS for 10% off your purchase at Revive wellness store
Purchase Well Bel here
 
 

Episode5: From Frustrated to Empowered:Navigating Perimenopause & GLP1-S with Mandy Bazemore

In this episode of Peri Chats, Erin sits down with Mandy Bazemore to talk openly about the reality of perimenopause and the changes so many women experience but often don’t understand.
Mandy shares her personal journey navigating weight gain, hormone shifts, and the frustration that can come with feeling like your body suddenly starts working against you. Together, Erin and Mandy break down what is actually happening during perimenopause and why so many women struggle during this transition.
They also dive into the truth about GLP-1 medications—what they are, what they aren’t, and why there is so much confusion around them. Erin explains when these medications can be helpful, the biggest myths circulating online, and how to use them appropriately for weight loss while still protecting muscle and supporting overall metabolic health.
This conversation is honest, educational, and empowering for any woman navigating perimenopause and trying to make sense of the endless information about hormones and weight loss.
In this episode we cover:• What perimenopause really is and why symptoms can feel so confusing• Mandy’s personal journey through hormonal changes• Why weight gain happens during perimenopause• The truth about GLP-1 medications• Common myths and misconceptions• How to use GLP-1s in a way that supports muscle, metabolism, and long-term health
 
Follow Mandy on Instagram @the.charlotte.injector
For more info on GLP1-s Visit www.revivewellnesssc.com

Episode 4: Nervous System Regulation: The Missing Piece to Healing, Inflammation & Alcohol’s Impact with Laura Oakes

In this powerful conversation, Erin sits down with Laura Oakes to unpack what may be the most overlooked factor in women’s health:
Your nervous system.
For so many high-achieving, driven women — the missing piece isn’t another supplement, stricter macros, or pushing harder.
It’s regulation.
We dive into why nervous system regulation is often the foundational step that must come first — especially if you feel stuck despite “doing everything right.”
Inside this episode, we cover:
✨ What nervous system regulation actually means✨ Why so many women are living in chronic fight-or-flight✨ How chronic stress elevates cortisol and drives inflammation✨ The cortisol → blood sugar → insulin → belly fat cascade✨ Why stress keeps the body in a protective, survival-based state✨ How a dysregulated nervous system disrupts sleep, energy, and mood✨ Why stress suppresses libido and slows metabolism✨ The connection between alcohol, inflammation, and stress signaling✨ Why alcohol keeps the body in a heightened stress-response state✨ Why your body cannot heal, lose weight, or truly recover when it doesn’t feel safe
We break down how a chronically activated nervous system impacts the entire body — altering stress patterns, impairing blood sugar regulation, increasing inflammatory signaling, disrupting sleep architecture, and keeping you locked in survival mode instead of repair mode.
If you feel like you're constantly pushing, wired-but-tired, inflamed, stuck with weight, or reaching for alcohol to unwind — this episode will likely hit home.
Because healing doesn’t start with doing more.
It starts with safety.
Follow erin on instagram @erinlynnewellness
To learn more about revive Wellness visit www.revivewellnesssc.com

Episode 3: Midlife weight gain

Midline Weight Gain: What’s Really Happening as Hormones Shift
In this episode of Peri Chats, we’ll discuss why weight so often shifts to the midsection as hormones begin to change — even when your habits haven’t.
We’ll talk through what’s actually happening beneath the surface, including:
How changes in estrogen, progesterone, insulin, cortisol, and thyroid influence fat storage
Why belly weight can increase even without significant changes on the scale
The difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat and why midline weight gain matters for long-term health
How chronic stress, under-eating, poor sleep, and overtraining can worsen abdominal fat storage
Why many women are told “it’s just aging” — and what’s being missed
In this episode, we’ll also discuss what women can do about it — from nutrition strategies and strength training to sleep, stress regulation, and hormone support — so you can work with your physiology instead of against it.
This conversation isn’t about quick fixes or shrinking your body.It’s about understanding your hormones, your metabolism, and your options — so you can make informed decisions for your health now and for years to come.
Visit www.revivewellnesssc.com to learn about our metabolic program or to become a new patient! 

Episode 2: Why you feel off and no one can explain why

Perimenopause Symptoms Explained: Why It’s a Transition, Not a Diagnosis
Perimenopause is not a diagnosis — it’s a hormonal transition. And yet, millions of women in their 30s and early 40s are dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told their symptoms are “normal” or “just stress.”
In this episode of Peri Chats, we break down what perimenopause actually is, why it often begins earlier than expected, and how hormonal volatility — not hormone deficiency — drives many early symptoms. We discuss the early signs of perimenopause most women don’t connect to hormones, including anxiety, mood changes, weight gain, sleep disruption, fatigue, brain fog, and immune changes.
You’ll learn how shifting estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone impact metabolism, mental health, inflammation, and immune function, and why standard hormone labs frequently appear “normal” despite significant symptoms. We explain why symptoms matter more than labs, how perimenopause is commonly missed by conventional medicine, and what women actually need during this transition.
This episode is for women who feel unheard, overlooked, or confused by what their body is doing — and for anyone searching for real answers about perimenopause symptoms, hormone imbalance, and midlife health.
🎙️ Peri Chats — honest conversations about hormones, healing, and real life.

Episode 1: My Story & The Healing Lessons That Changed Everything

In this first episode of Peri Chats, Erin Gagné shares the personal journey that led her into functional medicine — and ultimately inspired this podcast.
What started in 2017 as chronic exhaustion and being told her labs were “normal” quickly turned into years of unanswered symptoms, autoimmune diagnoses, early perimenopause, burnout, and feeling deeply disconnected from her body. Through gut health challenges, hormone disruption, and the courage to leave a toxic work environment, Erin’s healing journey reshaped not only how she lives — but how she practices medicine.
In this episode, Erin reflects on the pivotal moments that changed everything and shares the five healing lessons that helped her find lasting wellness, including:
Why feeling dismissed is never normal care
The role of gut health in hormone and immune balance
How hormones adapt to stress rather than “fail”
Why lifestyle and environment matter as much as protocols
What real healing looks like when it isn’t linear
This episode sets the foundation for Peri Chats — honest, science-backed conversations for women navigating perimenopause, burnout, and chronic symptoms who are ready for deeper understanding and real healing.
If you’ve ever felt like something was off but couldn’t get answers, this episode is for you.
 
check out Revive wellness
www.Revivewellnesssc.com

Trailer- Peri Chats

Welcome to Peri Chats a space where hormones and healing finally get an honest conversation, led by Erin Gagne, nurse practitioner and owner of Revive Wellness. Erin has a passion for all things wellness in full body healing after experiencing her own health struggles. In the space, we will share honest conversations so that you can find deep healing and empowerment to fill your best inside and out welcome in!