In this episode, we dive into the important topic of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) dosing. Our discussion is inspired by a question from Leah, a 56-year-old listener who is healthy, fit, and navigating menopause. Leah has been experiencing significant anxiety and wonders if her current estrogen dose might be too low. What You’ll Learn in This Episode  The difference between static vs. rhythmic HRT dosing and how they impact symptoms. Various HRT applications, including estradiol patches, transdermal/transvaginal creams, and oral HRT options. Key hormones involved in HRT: estradiol, estriol, testosterone, progesterone, and cortisol. Why anxiety is a common and often overlooked symptom of menopause—and how HRT can help.   Let’s Read Leah’s Question:  “Hello there! After 6 months of deep diving I found your site! I feel like no one here in Vancouver has a full hold on how to treat me. Your information has been so invaluable, but now I’m worried I’m not being cared for properly.  I’m 56, fit, work out regularly at moderate intensity with muscle training, normal weight, healthy my entire life-no menopause issues till March.  I was a week away from a big gig and suddenly got this weird, crippling anxiety. It started with a massive hot flash upon waking one morning, then this feeling like I had just missed being in a car accident … like a fright- for no reason. It was bad enough the first week that I didn’t want to drive. It settled to about 30% and so was able to function. But it recurs at this level now and it’s been 8 months. Its the most uncomfortable feeling, and little things bring it on, like getting ready to go out and always first thing when I wake up.  I started with an obgyne who put me on .05 estradot patch with 100 mg progesterone. Hot flashes went away but nothing else. Went up to .075, no change. Also started on 2 mg testosterone ordered perivaginally.  Then I went to see a naturopath. Did a DUTCH. Test, my hormone levels looked as if I wasn’t taking anything! Also adrenals were fatigued and low cortisol.Basically everything really low but progesterone ok.  My naturopath put me on 50:50 bi-est 2.0 mg vaginally applied. Progesterone 40 mg transdermal and staying on the oral progesterone. No change after 3 weeks. I feel like I need more hormones. My naturopath says she never gives more than 3 mg testosterone because it can raise cholesterol but all the research shows 5 mg starting dose?  I also asked her about vaginal application of biest and systemic concerns and she said because it was 50:50 the estriol would help regulate the estradiol.  After listening to all your podcasts and reading your case studies, I’m feeling like there’s so much contradicting info and I don’t want to apply it vaginally. I feel like my dose is too low, did I mention in addition to this weird anxiety, I’m also getting little hot flashes again?  I want to enjoy my life and feel like me again. This insane…  Would love to hear your thoughts and opinion?  Warmest Regards”   Whether you’re new to HRT or looking for insights on optimizing your hormone therapy, this episode is packed with practical advice and actionable tips to help you feel your best during menopause. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question.   Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter   Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe   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, we discuss a listener’s question regarding her hormone replacement therapy, testosterone dosing, and vaginal dryness. In this podcast, we discuss: Vaginal dryness and menopause Testosterone for women Testosterone injections, pellets, and transdermal cream hormone therapy for women Estrogen, estradiol, estriol, and biest hormone treatments Hormone testing for menopause   Question: “Hi! I am 52 currently on Cypionate 200mg/1ml 0.06 injection once a week, Progesterone 200mg orally, and Biest 50:50 1mg a day. I came off of pellets to this regime now. I was doing fine until the past 3 months. I all of a sudden got back my vaginal dryness pretty bad. My testosterone had gotten pretty high 334 from my normal 219 because the compounding pharmacy gave me Depo-Testosterone instead of my normal Cypionate. I know the depo is just brand name but it really through everything off. I have stopped the depo and have been on the Cypionate now for the past month. With that said I am still having vaginal dryness. Do you think it could have been due to being Testosterone dominate? Do you think I need to up my Biest Cream? I do use and have used the Estridol vagina cream for years and it’s not helping. I tried one night doing one and half pumps of my Biest cream and the next day I had more discharge. Any help is greatly appreciated!” If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question.   Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter   Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe   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, we discuss a listener’s question about estrogen cream causing nausea. ‘Betty’ is a practitioner with a client that is having severe nausea as a reaction to her biest/estrogen cream. While her client has experienced much improvement with her hormone therapy, she is having a lot of issues with nausea and vomiting. In this podcast, we discuss: What types of hormone therapy can cause nausea Why is HRT causing you to feel sick Estrogen therapy for vaginal dryness Blood work for menopause Blood work for hormone levels How HRT dosing is very individualized to each person Let’s read Betty’s question: “I have a patient with a history of hysterectomy who retains one ovary. She is currently on Biest cream 50/50, 1 mg daily. She is also on progesterone 100-200 mg orally HS. She initially did well: improved vaginal moisture, great sex and mood. Now she is experiencing debilitating N/V, which she did when taking synthetic estrogen from her gyn. Should I just have her maybe 0.5mg vaginally 3x/week? I have never had any patients experience this. BTW, she was not on progesterone when she was taking the synthetic estrogen so that’s why we think it’s the estrogen. Thanks.” If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe   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.

Our listener, Jackie, wants to know if she can take estrogen even though she is in her late 30’s and has not started menopause. She wants something to help with weight loss, hair regrowth after pregnancy, improving mood, and help with libido. In this episode, we talk about: Risks from taking estrogen before menopause When to start estrogen hormone replacement The difference between estradiol and estriol How to balance hormones in perimenopause Using testosterone therapy for women and libido DHEA and perimenopause How estrogen might not be the right fit for someone in perimenopause. What a women in perimenopause can do to help with hormone balancing. Jackie’s Question: “I am concerned that if I use estrogen cream, such as estriol, that I will gain weight and lose hair. I have seen conflicting accounts to whether this is true, and some say that it helps regrow hair and helps with weight loss. I have not started menopause yet, (I’m almost 40) and want something to help me stay youthful, lose weight and grow my hair which started thinning very badly and continues since pregnancy, help protect bone density, improve mood and memory, and get my libido back. Is estrogen cream a good fit for me? Thanks!” If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question.   Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter   Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe   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, we discuss progesterone capsules vs cream. We get many listener questions about what type of progesterone to use. Wondering should they take oral progesterone or topical cream progesterone when taking estrogen HRT. Not only is this important for symptom relief in menopause. It is also important as a healthy safety issue for women taking biest/estrogen/estradiol hormone therapy. This discussion will address: The difference between progesterone orally and cream. Different types of progesterone, such as creams, gels, troches, capsules, tablets, and sublingual. How does progesterone protect again uterine cancer when taking estrogen HRT? Progesterone capsules help with sleep. What about cream? Can progesterone cream protect the uterus when taking estradiol? Can progesterone delay periods? Can progesterone help with help with heavy periods? If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe 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.

Our listener, Jackie, wants to know if she can take estrogen even though she is in her late 30’s and has not started menopause. She wants something to help with weight loss, hair regrowth after pregnancy, improving mood, and help with libido. In this episode, we talk about: Risks from taking estrogen before menopause When to start estrogen hormone replacement The difference between estradiol and estriol How to balance hormones in perimenopause Using testosterone therapy for women and libido DHEA and perimenopause How estrogen might not be the right fit for someone in perimenopause. What a women in perimenopause can do to help with hormone balancing. Jackie’s Question: “I am concerned that if I use estrogen cream, such as estriol, that I will gain weight and lose hair. I have seen conflicting accounts to whether this is true, and some say that it helps regrow hair and helps with weight loss. I have not started menopause yet, (I’m almost 40) and want something to help me stay youthful, lose weight and grow my hair which started thinning very badly and continues since pregnancy, help protect bone density, improve mood and memory, and get my libido back. Is estrogen cream a good fit for me? Thanks!” If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Want more insights like this?  Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for hormone Q&As, educational guides, and real-world strategies to help you feel like yourself again—especially during perimenopause and menopause. Join the Progress Your Health Newsletter Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Join the Hormone Community: Click here to subscribe   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.