Talking Hormones, Longevity, and the Science of Thriving

From podcasts and panels to press features and bylines, I’m on a mission to make hormones, longevity, and sexual health part of our everyday conversations.

The Conversations I Keep Coming Back To

Women’s longevity
Menopause & perimenopause (including the Perimenopause Glass Ceiling)
Hormone optimization therapy in women
“SEXponential” health, the surprising relationship between sexual wellness and healthspan
Regenerative medicine (stem cells, exosomes) & advanced clinical therapies

Featured Podcasts

Also Seen On:

The Human Upgrade: Biohacking for Longevity & Performance with Dave Asprey
Boundless Life with Ben Greenfield
Digital Social Hour with Sean Kelly
The Dr. Hyman Show
The Mindvalley Podcast with Vishen Lakhiani
The mindbodygreen Podcast
Be Well by Kelly Leveque

The Broken Brain
Siim Land Podcast
Meisha Tate
The NORMAKAMALIFE podcast
The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy Pelz
Metabolic Freedom With Ben Azadi
Built for Growth by Miesha Tate

Featured Articles

Also Featured In...

Get in Touch

View Instagram post by dr.amybkillen

Mar 16

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I love you, but I gotta say it...

Biest is Bull$shit. 🤑

1) Even at concentrations of 1:20 (estradiol: estriol) the estriol doesn't bind the estrogen receptor in any meaningful way.
2) Even if estriol WERE binding the receptor, it would have agonist effects, not antagonist effects, like you're taught (because of the consistent serum steady state of estriol).
3) Estriol as a stand-alone is a crap systemic hormone. It requires very high doses (4-8 mg orally) to improve VSM at at least 2 mg to improve bone density.

Estriol doesn't help with insulin sensitivity, visceral fat, CV prevention, or brain health. ❎

For a full list of sources, see the free section of my Substack article. Comment SUBSTACK below for a link.

P.S. Biest isn't harmful. But it commonly underdoses estradiol, which is the hormone we care about.

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Mar 15

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Your patients are asking about hormones. Are you ready to answer? 🤔

I built the HOT Provider Course because I got tired of watching brilliant clinicians feel lost when their patients asked about hormone therapy. 23 video lessons. 300-page guidebook. 💥

Everything I wish someone had handed me when I started.

But first — grab the free HOT Quick-Start Guide. It's a one-page clinical cheat sheet covering:

✅ The SMARDT prescribing framework
✅ Baseline labs checklist
✅ Key contraindications for male and female hormone therapy
✅ Next steps

Comment "QUICK START" and I'll send you a link to my website. Scroll to add your email and I'll send you the HOT Quick Start Checklist.

Or visit dramykillen.com/hot-provider-course 💪

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Mar 14

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Estrogen has so many positive effects on the immune system! 🥰

During C0vid -19 menopausal women taking estrogen had a 72% lower risk of death compared to women not on hormones.

Wow! 💥

Have you heard about estrogen's immune effects before?? ❓

Source:
Sakulpaisal et al. 2023, Human Reproduction.

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Mar 13

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🫧Bubbly & delicious with 10g protein?
No way!
😎 (Yes Waay!)

Find @drinkwaay in the shelf-stable beverage section by the energy and protein drinks at Whole Foods, Sprouts or on Amazon!
Use code 'KILLENIT' for a discount on Amazon!

With 0g sugar, collagen peptides, no caffeine,
This is a daily ritual you can actually feel good about!

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Mar 11

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Sexponential Health has made it to the big screen! 💥

In 2016 I created the term "Sexponential" after attending an Exponential Medicine conference by futurist @peterdiamandis .

Today, it all came full circle when I stood on Peter's big stage at @abundancesummit and spoke to 800 of his closest friends about the link between sexual health and longevity.

Thanks to all who attended, clapped, laughed, and (at the end) stood, making it clear that in this AI heavy world , the next frontier isn't just exponential growth and MORE MORE MORE, but also Sexponential health and ... Damn, it sure feels good to be human. 🥰

Thanks to @renee.intuitiveliving for the 📷
Thanks to @humanauthealth for the slide deck and support.

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Mar 9

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Does estrogen help your face? 🙄

Topical estradiol and estriol have been shown to improve collagen production in several studies, including a small randomized controlled trial.

But, in one study, topical estrone made aging skin WORSE. 😵

Systemic estrogen may help slow bone resorption, which would be a BIG benefit. But, dose matters!

This week's Substack breaks it all down for you (and includes tons of sources).

Comment "SUBSTACK" for all the deets! 👇

Have you seen skin benefits from estrogen therapy? ❓

P.S. the only study on topical estrone was Yoon 2014, Acta Derm Venereol and did NOT show benefit after 24 weeks. It actually showed an increase in MMP, which breaks down collagen.

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Mar 8

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Transmenopause is a critical intervention window.

This is when we should be starting hormones. 💥

Not 5 years into menopause. Not after much of the damage has been done.

Yes, late start hormones can still have benefits but the most benefits will come when we learn to start prescribing during the critical window.

Save this video and share with your medical provider. ✅

SWAN data are available as multiple published studies - transmenopause was first described by Sowers et al, J Clin Endo Metabolic, 2010.

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Mar 6

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Labia's are back! 💋

I love a chance to talk about the very normal variations in women's "down under" tissues.

Thanks to @houseofmaher and @ilonamaher for this fantastic conversation. 😍

What do you think about the Puffy Labia trend? ❓

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Mar 4

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This is not what I thought I'd be talking about today!

Old to young mouse fecal microbiome transfers resulted in IMPROVED ovarian inflammatory markers and increased ability to get pregnant. 💩

This study is fascinating and reminds us of just how smart and interconnected every system of our body is.

Now, who wants an Old Feces Transfer? Im making a list! 🤣

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Mar 2

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Ah... estrogen and the immune system! 💥

Estrogen acts like a security director, telling immune cells when to attack and, just as importantly, when to stand down.

It also keeps your barriers healthy so pathogens and toxins stay outside your body (think: gut, lungs, vagina). 🫁

In some cases, an estrogen -activated immune response may be TOO STRONG (ex autoimmune disease)

But, in general, estrogen + immune system = love affair (#heatedrivalry ).

Have you noticed immune or inflammatory changes recently? ❓

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Feb 27

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Are you taking a GLP1 agonist? 🤔

Weight loss in menopause can be beneficial, but it can also affect estrogen signalling in women.

Too much, too fast may actually lead to MORE hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, dry skin, etc because you've lost a key source of estrogen. 😩

This is in women NOT taking hormones.

This is one reason I love GLP1's + Hormone Optimization Therapy (HOT) for midlife women needing weight loss.

And, don't forget to keep training those muscles so you don't lose them along the way. 💪💪

Have you tried the GLP1 + HOT combo? ❓

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Feb 26

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Progesterone isn’t a vibe.
⏰It’s a schedule.

If you still have a uterus,
progesterone = protection… but only if you take it correctly.

Not every other day.
Not “when you remember.”
Not menopause roulette.
🚨 Sporadic progesterone = unprotected uterine lining = real long-term risk.

Check out my (old) Substack article on this "The 411 on Progesterone: Forms, Routes and Dosing Strategies" from Feb, 2025. ✅

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Feb 25

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Can I take estrogen "as-needed?" 🤔

We used to say you should wait to start estrogen until after the cycles stopped since your own estrogen can randomly go high at any moment.

But now, I generally prefer to start estrogen (and progesterone) during perimenopause because the consequences of low estrogen (ex bone loss) happen early. ✅

Whether you take estrogen every day or just "as needed" make sure you're taking progesterone (cycled or daily).

And, always discuss with your doctor first.

How do you take hormones in perimenopause? ❓

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Feb 24

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Should we be checking FSH in women taking estrogen in menopause? 🤔

FSH rises at menopause from < 10 IU/L to > 40 IU/L as the ovaries become less able to make estrogen.

Estrogen therapy will often cause FSH to go back down as the pituitary gland stops SCREAMING at the ovaries to make estrogen.

We don't have an ideal number for FSH in menopausal women taking hormones but some physicians like keeping it < 20.

If you want to learn more, check out my recent Substack article on the topic. ✅

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Feb 23

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🌹 Your land down under is getting edited out.
And we're shocked women think painful sex is "normal?"

🤔 If the medical model doesn’t even include the full map, no wonder so many women feel lost.

Welcome to Part 1 of Lies You Were Told About the Land Down Under.
🚫 We’re starting with the organ that got edited out.

Comment "SUBSTACK" to get this week's free article sent right to you!

P.S. Oops.... O'Connell mapped the clitoris by MRI in 2005, not 2003.

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Feb 20

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New York! 🏙️

Thanks to all who attended my @ihsymposium talk, "HOT KISS" (hormone optimization therapy, keep it simple stupid) .

And thanks to the fabulous @louisanicola_ for inviting me onto her podcast.

My only complaint.... This NYC winter weather is brutal! ❄️

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Feb 19

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🤕 You shouldn't be battling menopause alone.
And you don't have to!

💞 Share these easy tips with your partner so they have a clear guide on how to make the most of this time,
For both of you.

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Feb 17

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Got Progesterone questions? 🤔

If you're having regular cycles, we generally recommend cycling progesterone so it doesn't mess up your cycles.

If you're having irregular cycles or no cycles, we usually recommend daily use.

In menopause, if you're on estrogen and have a uterus, you need at least 12 consecutive days of progesterone each month.

Make sense? ❓

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Feb 16

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🤯 Your hormone optimization for under $20/month?!
☎️ Hold the phone!

👀 Just as safe.
🔥 Just as effective.
‼️ Body-identical.

Sign me up!
Comment SUBSTACK to get the details on these money saving sites!

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Feb 13

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Does thyroid medication HAVE to be taken on an empty stomach? 🤔

We've always told people to take it this way because many foods can interfere with thyroid absorption.

But, this new study may offer another option for people who don't like waiting hours after awakening to eat breakfast. ✅

Obviously, talk to your doctor before changing how you take your medication.

Do you take your thyroid without food? Or with it? ☕

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41431302/

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