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

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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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Feb 12

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🌊 Deeper isn't always better.

😜 When it comes to vaginal estrogen, duh!

🐠 Think snorkel, don’t scuba.
Swipe to see what I mean.

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Feb 11

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What do you think? 🤔

#hrt #perimenopause #menopause #hormones #womenshealth

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Feb 10

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Do you need testosterone? 🤔

By the time midlife hits, many women notice low T symptoms.

But, testosterone continues to get made by your ovaries and adrenal glands after menopause so not all women need testosterone therapy.

Have you used testosterone? What was the reason? Did it help? ❓

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Feb 9

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🚨 Are we missing a key hormone in menopausal women taking estrogen?

A new study just linked higher FSH to worse cognition and more Alzheimer’s plaque in postmenopausal women.

Yes—that FSH. The one we usually ignore after fertility ends.
If this hormone is showing up in the brain and bones… what else are we missing?

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

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Feb 6

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🫧Protein… but make it bubbly & delicious. 10g protein, 0g sugar, collagen peptides, no caffeine.

@drinkwaay is making it way too easy to hit my goals.
😎Obsessed with the taste, drinking it almost daily!
With one in hand, I’m already winning the day

Find Waay 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!

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