Should You Aim for the Minimum or Optimal HRT Dose? Should women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use the minimum dose to manage symptoms—or aim for an optimal dose to support long-term bone, brain, and heart health? This is a common and important question. In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki break it down in a clear, practical way. Static vs. Rhythmic Hormone Dosing Not all hormone dosing approaches are the same. In this episode, we explain the key differences between static dosing and rhythmic (cyclical) dosing, and why this distinction matters—especially during perimenopause. We also discuss why perimenopause and menopause require different strategies, and why individualized hormone therapy is essential. A Viewer Question We Answer One viewer asked: “Why would we benefit from the minimum amount of estrogen for long-term bone and brain health? Isn’t that like taking half a Tylenol for a headache?” This question opens the door to a much deeper conversation about symptom relief versus long-term health optimization. What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode, you’ll discover: The pros and cons of static dosing versus rhythmic dosing Why “optimal” estrogen levels look different for every woman How hormone dosing affects long-term risks such as: Osteoporosis Dementia Heart disease Why perimenopause is often more challenging than menopause How to balance symptom relief today with future health goals If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.

Exciting Announcement! We’re launching the Progress Your Hormones Community today—a space designed to empower women with expert guidance and support for navigating perimenopause and menopause. Get access to live office hours, hormone hot seats, lab interpretation, and more! If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.

Launching August 11: Join our new Progress Your Hormones Community! Get expert guidance, real support, and answers to your HRT questions—together, not alone. Get expert guidance, real support, and answers to your HRT questions—together, not alone. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.  

Welcome to Episode 2 with our upgraded video setup! Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki from Progress Your Health answer a thoughtful listener’s question: Why are my progesterone labs always low even on 200mg oral HRT? If you’re taking progesterone and worried about low numbers or uterine protection, this episode is for you. 💡 We cover: ‘ ● ⏱️ Why timing your blood draw makes or breaks your lab results ● 💊 The difference between sustained-release vs. instant-release progesterone ● 🧬 How genetic variants (like CYP enzymes) impact progesterone metabolism ● 🩺 When to get a transvaginal ultrasound to assess uterine lining health ● ✅ What blood level to aim for—and when to test it ● 💡 Bonus: How your detox pathways (and even caffeine tolerance!) can affect hormones If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.

In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki answer a listener’s question about spotting and night sweats after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lisa, age 55, shares her experience using Bi-Est cream, oral progesterone, and testosterone—and why she’s now experiencing unexpected bleeding and sleep disruption. We break down: ● Why spotting can happen after starting HRT—even with low estradiol levels ● The difference between estradiol and estriol in Bi-Est cream ● How progesterone protects the uterine lining ● When to increase vs. decrease HRT doses ● The role of cortisol and adrenal health in night sweats ● When to order a transvaginal ultrasound ● How body type, menstrual history, and hormone sensitivity influence dosing ● Why cookie-cutter HRT doesn’t work for most women 💡 Plus, we share details about our upcoming Progress Your Hormones Community, launching in August 2025—a safe space for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, longevity, and personalized hormone education. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.  

In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki dive into a question from Sabrina about the accuracy and usefulness of saliva versus blood testing for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). 👉 Is saliva testing more accurate for transdermal Bi-Est creams? 👉 Why does your estradiol look low in bloodwork but high in saliva? 👉 Does skipping your hormones before testing give a better result—or just confuse the picture? 👉 What’s a true 80/20 Bi-Est ratio, and how can you read your prescription dose properly? 👉 Why might oral progesterone make you anxious instead of sleepy? You’ll learn: ● How to interpret blood and saliva test results when you’re on HRT ● The pros and cons of different testing methods (serum vs. saliva vs. urine) ● The real reason your progesterone might backfire and worsen sleep ● Why your estrogen dose may be too low—even if your labs say you’re “in range” ● How to work with your practitioner to adjust your HRT plan safely This episode is perfect for anyone on HRT who’s feeling confused about their labs, frustrated by persistent symptoms, or stuck between conflicting advice. 🧠 Bonus: Dr. Davidson breaks down estrogen ratios and cream dosing using real-world examples. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community  Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition before undertaking a new healthcare regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If your healthcare provider is not interested in discussing your health concerns regarding this topic, then it is time to find a new doctor.