Episode 107

Published June 3, 2025

In this episode, Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton and Dr. Kelly Ruef discuss the importance of education on perimenopause, a significant yet often overlooked phase in women's health. They explore the physiological changes that occur during this transition, the common symptoms women experience, and the need for effective hormone therapy. 

This conversation also highlights: 

• The development of our new educational course, Perimenopause Management, aimed at helping practitioners better support women during perimenopause 
• Clinical gray areas surrounding perimenopause treatment options 
• The importance of understanding physiological changes during this stage
• How practitioners can support perimenopausal women through education and tailored treatment approaches 
• The need for comprehensive education in women's health, particularly regarding perimenopause

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can sign up for the Perimenopause Management course?

     This course is available to registered DUTCH Providers.

Can I get access to this course if I'm not a DUTCH Provider?

     Non-DUTCH providers cannot access this course, but can sign up for our Introduction to Functional Hormone Testing course or become a DUTCH Provider today.

Will this course always be available?

     Yes, this course and all of our DUTCH Education courses are available on-demand through your DUTCH Education library.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction to Perimenopause Education 

01:00 The Need for Perimenopause Education 

03:04 Understanding Perimenopause Physiology 

08:04 Common Symptoms and Challenges 

11:48 Hormone Therapy Considerations 

18:04 Insights from Course Development 

23:47 Adrenal Health and Hormone Production 

30:09 Course Structure and Content Overview 

36:55 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

About our speaker

Dr. Ruef is a licensed naturopathic doctor who completed her medical education at the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in Portland, Oregon. She completed a private residency at Pearl Natural Health in downtown Portland, where she specialized in inflammatory bowel diseases and women’s health.  

Currently, she is a clinical educator for Precision Analytical, makers of the DUTCH Test where she spends most of her time educating on how urine testing can improve the field of women’s and men’s health. With her background in biochemistry and cell biology, Dr. Ruef loves learning about the hormones and biochemical pathways in the human body, and she makes a point to share what she has learned through videos, blogs, social media posts, and podcasts with the hope that her education will help us all find happiness in health.  

Show Notes

Our new educational course, Perimenopause Management, is exclusive for registered DUTCH Providers. Get access by becoming a DUTCH Provider today or by logging in to the Provider Portal!

Disclaimer: Special offer of 50% OFF first five kits is invalid 60 days after new provider registration.