In this episode, we discuss a listener’s question. Amanda is 50 years old and starting to have menopausal hot flashes and weight gain. However, she is most concerned about the heart palpitations she is having. Amanda has had a cardiovascular workout and does not have heart disease. Most people might not be aware, but feeling abnormal heart rhythms without heart disease or feeling like your heart is doing flip-flops in your chest can be a symptom of menopause. Amanda’s Question: Hello, I am 5o y/...
Jun 27, 2024•40 min
In this episode, we discuss a listener’s question about perimenopause. ‘Maggie’ is in her 40’s and experiencing severe insomnia with anxiety. She has tried supplements and different doses of progesterone with minimal results. She is having so many ups and downs with her insomnia, anxiety, and hormones. She is wondering how long this is going to last and whether will it ever end. Let’s read Maggie’s question: Help, I am about to turn 44 and entered peri menopause 1.5 years ago. I suffered, almost...
Jun 27, 2024•36 min
In this episode, we talk about Mary’s hormone concerns after ovarian failure. She is only 34, and in the last 7 years since her ovarian failure has tried many hormone replacement options, all without the success she was looking for. Let’s Read Mary’s Question: When I was 27 years old I was diagnosed with iatrogenic primary ovarian insufficiency due to chemotherapy treatments for a gestational trophoblastic disease (molar pregnancy). I am now 34 years old, and I am currently struggling most notab...
Jun 14, 2024•37 min
In this episode, we answer a listener’s question about her HRT dosing. ‘Donna’ is 63 years old and has been on some type of hormone replacement therapy for the last 13 years. Hormone therapy is not ‘one size fits all.’ There are so many types of menopause hormone therapies that each treatment needs to be tailored to the individual. And overtime hormone treatments will change due to age, specific health goals, symptoms, and life changes. Even stress can create a need to adjust hormone doses. Let’...
Jun 14, 2024•42 min
In this episode, we discuss a question from Janice, a podcast listener’s question regarding the benefits of estrogen therapy for heart health. There is much evidence to show that estrogen has cardiovascular protective benefits. We wanted to discuss how estrogen benefits heart health and can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Janice’s Question: Are Biest 50:50 sublingual tablet safe? My Dr. prescribed 2.5 mg tablets but told me To take ½ tablet in AM and ½ tablet in PM. I’m worried a...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode, we talk about the benefits of estrogen on bones. A listener’s question (Alison) inspired this episode. Alison asked if taking vaginal biest has the same heart and bone effects that other estrogens and estrogen therapies have. So, we wanted to expand on estrogen’s role in helping keep bones strong and healthy. In this episode, we expand Alison’s question into: ● What is bone formation and resorption? ● How does estrogen help with bone formation? ● How does estrogen help discourag...
May 02, 2024•51 min
In this episode, we talk about hormone treatments for perimenopause and menopause. There is a vast distinction between perimenopause and menopause when it comes to treatment options. We often see women who are being treated for menopause when they are genuinely not in menopause. Meet Linda: Linda is a listener who sent us a question on our website about her hormone replacement treatment. Linda is in her 40’s and has her period regularly. She was given an estradiol patch and gained 20 pounds. Lin...
Apr 04, 2024•48 min
Recently, Catherine posted a question on our website about Biest cream, and we knew this could interest our listeners. Biest is a combination of estriol and estradiol, one of the most common forms of estrogen therapy used in bio-identical hormone replacement. There are many doses, ratios, options, and methods of using Biest, so we thought this would be an episode dedicated to Biest and everything Biest. This episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast is for all the Catherines out there with que...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min
Welcome to the Progress Your Health Podcast! This is a podcast that helps you learn about balancing hormones, especially during perimenopause and menopause. We love hearing from our listeners. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Let’s read Brigitte’s question! I have been listening and learning more. Your September 26, 2023 episode on symptoms of Perimenopause felt extremely validating!!!!! Almost everything you mentioned I am experiencing. I was...
Mar 20, 2024•45 min
In this episode, we talk about the difference between perimenopause and menopause. Both Dr. Maki and I (Dr. Davidson) have worked with women in perimenopause and menopause since 2004 and sometimes get a bit myopic and technical when it comes to explaining the differences. The other day, a patient of Dr Maki’s asked the question, ‘Is perimenopause actually early menopause’? This is such an excellent, straightforward question. The question made us both pause. The answer is no; perimenopause is not...
Mar 20, 2024•42 min
We recently got a great question from a listener and want to share it with you. This question is about a perimenopausal 51-year-old female. She is still menstruating and having confusion about her hormone testing and the hormone therapy that she is currently taking. She is experiencing some breast tenderness and irritability related to her cycle. She is taking some supplementation and wondering if that is right for her and her hormonal concerns. And while she is nowhere near overweight, she feel...
Mar 10, 2024•37 min
in this episode, we answered a listener’s question. We love questions from listeners. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Here is the listener’s question: I have been perimenopause for at least 4 years now I am 47 and after completing a Dutch test with a holistic chiropractor she told me to ask my doctor about Prometrium. I was scared to take it and then 6 months ago my sleep got really bad and three months ago I got very ill with gi issues and g...
Mar 10, 2024•37 min
The dreaded, uncomfortable, annoying, burning, itchy, achy, irritating vaginal infection. Ladies, we have all been there. And for those unicorns that have never had a vaginal infection such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis, well, you are certainly one of the lucky ones. While a yeast infection or BV is not life-threatening, not fatal, and maybe not an emergency, that does not mean it’s not urgent. Especially vaginal infections that are chronic or keep returning can be incredibly annoying, painful...
Oct 06, 2023•47 min
Can Progesterone Cause Anxiety? Often we get reader/listener questions about their own experience with hormones. We love that readers of our blogs and listeners of the podcast (TheProgressYourHealth Podcast) reach out for more information. If they have concerns and questions, that means many, many other people have the same concerns. A lot of questions we get are hard to get answers online. Honestly, hormones and hormone replacement is an art that should be designed around the patient. Every per...
Oct 04, 2023•59 min
When is it too Late to Start HRT? Recently we received a great question/comment from a listener of our podcast (The Progress Your Health Podcast). I’ll call her ‘Jenny’ (because I never reveal any personal information for the sake of privacy). Jenny was wondering if she is too far into menopause to be able to take bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. She has been post-menopausal for the last ten years, using an estradiol vaginal insert for her GSU/vaginal atrophy. Her pharmacist thought th...
Sep 29, 2023•46 min
Perimenopause is the time in a woman’s life prior to entering menopause. Most people are familiar with menopause, which is when the ovaries stop producing hormones and women stop their periods. There are many options to deal with menopause (which is an entirely different podcast and blog). But perimenopause is a completely different animal compared to menopause. Perimenopause is usually between the ages of 40-50. I have seen some women enter perimenopause in their late 30s and well as in their e...
Sep 26, 2023•45 min
Some things are just plain hard to talk about. Especially, when it comes to issues, “down south.” And after going through menopause there are some changes that need to be discussed. It’s hard to talk about vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation. It’s hard to talk about urinary leakage, incontinence. Trying to bring up a conversation with your doc about painful intercourse or tender vaginal tissues can be difficult. It’s easy to talk about cholesterol, family genetics, and cutting back on sugar to i...
Aug 23, 2023•26 min
Download the diagram above, click here . Tracy’s Question: Episode 052 – What Biest Ratio is Best for Menopause? This is such helpful information. I have often wondered who 80:20 is good for and who 50:50 is good for. One thing I’m still confused by is the estrogen weight gain component. You said that estrogen (as well as menopause in general) could be the cause of her weight gain. I can relate. I was very thin my whole life, now 53 and about 30 lbs overweight. But you also said she might benefi...
Dec 01, 2022
‘Doc, I really don’t feel like myself. I think it’s my hormones. Could it be my hormones? Can you test my hormones?’ How many times have I heard new clients tell me this story? They go to see their GP, Gyno, or Internist, asking to have their hormones tested. Only to be told that there is no testing for hormones. Or that it’s not necessary to test hormones. Only to leave feeling dismissed, with no answers to why they do not feel well. While I understand that your GP, Gynocologist, and Primary Ca...
Nov 22, 2022
Michelle’s Question: Hi, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! In March 2022 at 42 years old, I had a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy because of stage 4 endometriosis, grapefruit-sized fibroids, ovarian cysts, and my left ovary adhered to my colon. I was immediately put on an estradiol patch. I was recovering and doing well until the beginning of June. Then I started having hot flashes, 24/7 anxiety, insomnia, and not feeling well every day. Since March, m...
Nov 10, 2022
Laura’s Questions: I am on 25 mcg of Levothyroxine for 6 yrs with hypo symptoms, every one! My endocrinologist just took a panel, and the results are the following: TSH 2.36 uUI/mL Reference Range = 0.45 to 4.5 uUI/mL Free T4 1.1 ng/dL Reference Range = 0.82 to 1.77 ng/dL Free T3 2.9 pg/mL Reference Range = 2.0 to 4.4 pg/mL Should we up my dose of Levothyroxine to 50 or should I just switch to Synthroid or Armour? Thanks! Short Answer: We typically don’t recommend or prescribe Levothyroxine or S...
Sep 22, 2022
Patient Question: Why am I getting acne in my 40s? Short Answer: Women’s hormones are always changing. From puberty to middle age, to when the ovaries cease producing hormones in menopause. When we hit our 40s, our progesterone starts to decline. And our estrogen levels drop slightly as well. But the androgens, which are testosterone and DHEA do not decline. That means that there is less progesterone and estrogen to buffer the effects of the androgens. Testosterone and DHEA are great, useful hor...
Sep 16, 2022
Listener’s Question: Hello, recently my Nurse Practitioner recommended that I should start taking progesterone because she mentioned that I was estrogen dominant. I don’t have any real symptoms, so just want to make sure if I even need to take the progesterone. Thanks. Short Answer: If you don’t have any direct symptoms, then progesterone would not be necessary. We prescribe progesterone to women of all ages, but usually, they have a symptom profile that justifies the prescription. It is not lik...
Aug 30, 2022
Sarah’s Question: Hi I was diagnosed with ovarian failure at the age of 36. Its been 4 years now, I have been to a few different clinics, trying to figure out what works best for myself. Right now I am using estrogen patches, which do seem to work well, and Prometrium. My main problem that I still face is lack of sleep. The estrogen patches help my mood and sleep some but I have tried a few different progesterone creams and pills, and have not found any improvement in sleep from it. I am wonderi...
Aug 17, 2022
Megan’s Question: This was great information. I have been 130lbs until I turned 48. Now up to 157. Weight gain all in my stomach, legs, arms, boobs and butt. I have still been working out intensely with weights and cardio and no weight loss . After listening to this is sounds like I should do less intense workouts and eat more. No period for 7 months now. I am soooo frustrated and want to loss this weight. Short Answer: Many of the women we work with are desperate to stop the weight gain during ...
Aug 05, 2022
Question: I am forty-six years old and a 34A. Now, I’m a 34BC. My breasts hurt at least two weeks out of the month. Swollen, heavy, painful, have to take ibuprofen. It’s annoying as hell and it’s changed how I view my body. Not to mention, my midsection has changed too. I never wanted large breasts. I know BC cup is not large, but it is to me. And now I need to wear two sports bras to run. And I like to run all the time. And I feel like I did when I was nursing. This totally stinks. Does it get ...
Nov 22, 2021
Patient Question: A patient in her later 40’s, who is having a tough time with perimenopausal symptoms, recently asked me which is worse, perimenopause or menopause? Short Answer: After dealing with many patients over the years, it is clear that both Perimenopause and Menopause are difficult and the symptoms can have a significant impact on a women’s quality of life. However, there are better treatment options for menopause then for perimenopause. PYHP 114 Full Transcript: Download PYHP 114 Tran...
Oct 05, 2021
Kathy’s Question: I tried progesterone 100 mg pill. I felt dizzy and felt like I could not stand upright. Does a cream have the same side effect? I was also prescribed an estrogen patch. Short Question: It is certainly possible that progesterone can cause someone to feel dizzy. It is often prescribed to help with sleep issues and anxiety, but some women claim to feel dizzy or “weird” after taking it. In our experience, this is more common with Prometrium, which is an instant-release form of prog...
Sep 14, 2021
Danielle’s Question: So, Thank you for this article. I’m having side effects from taking 200 milligrams of oral progesterone. I take forever to wake up and feel really, really groggy. I read where you said that take it early and when I take it early and out in an hour, I can barely keep my eyes open and feel drunk or drugged. So, I usually take it in half an hour before bed. I sleep like a rock but have a hard time coming to the next day. I’m a lightweight when it comes to any medication and alw...
Sep 09, 2021
Amanda’s Question: I’m 41. I have regular periods every 35 days. I have some anxiety, tiredness, stress, but I do work a lot. I don’t have trouble sleeping, but my doctor checked my serum progesterone level, and at day 21, it was .5. She said it was low. She had prescribed me oral 200 milligrams a day of compounded progesterone. I work at a job that requires 24-hour shifts twice a week. I’m trying to verse myself in information about this replacement therapy and if this is the right way for me t...
Sep 05, 2021
