The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.
Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations.
If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below.
Listen to the full episode.
Download on iTunes.
This weeks quick hit we are jumping right into a very important topic: uterine fibroids.
Maybe you have experience with fibroids, or maybe you do not even really know what they are yet. Either way, this is a conversation every woman should understand.
Fibroids are incredibly common. It is estimated that up to 75 to 80 percent of women may develop fibroids during their lifetime, and many women have them without even knowing they are there.
They are also highly prevalent in perimenopause, which is when many women start noticing heavier periods, more pelvic pressure, more bloating, more pain, worsening PMS, and new urinary symptoms.
In this episode, we go deep into what fibroids are, how they may impact your body and hormones, what symptoms to watch for, and what you can do to better understand, prevent, or reduce the growth of uterine fibroids.
This is especially important because fibroids are not just a "period problem." They can affect bleeding, iron levels, fertility, pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, sex, and quality of life.
And no, you should not have to just suffer through it because "that's normal for women."
In This Episode, We Cover:
What uterine fibroids are and why they are so common
Which age group is most likely to be diagnosed with fibroids
Why fibroids are especially common in perimenopause
The hormones that influence fibroid growth
Common signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids
Where women may feel pain or pressure from fibroids
How fibroids can affect periods, bleeding, fertility, and quality of life
What to do if you think you may have fibroids
Common urinary symptoms associated with fibroids
Why painful intercourse may be a sign of fibroids
Important contributing factors behind fibroid development and growth
Which hormone fibroids are most sensitive to
Why xenoestrogens may matter and how to reduce exposure
Which vitamin may be important for fibroid prevention
Why certain peptides may not be appropriate for women with a history of fibroids
 
 
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Try Mito Q Hormone and metabolic control. Code: MARTEL10
 
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

This is not just a conversation about hormones. It is a conversation about what it means to age as a woman in a culture that is obsessed with youth, terrified of wrinkles, and wildly uncomfortable with female power after 40. In this roundtable episode, I sit down with Dr. Amy Horniman and Elle Russ to talk about the very real physical, emotional, and identity shifts that happen as women move through perimenopause and menopause.
We get into everything from early perimenopause symptoms, thyroid issues, SHBG, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, libido, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, pelvic floor changes, and how all of these things can affect the way women feel in their bodies. But we also go deeper into the emotional side of all of it. What happens when you are no longer getting the same attention? What happens when your face changes, your body changes, and you realize how much of your worth was tied to being seen as young or desirable?
We also have a very honest conversation about hormone replacement therapy, why individualized care matters so much, why pellets are not always the answer, and why so many women are still being failed by outdated medical thinking. And from there, we talk about Botox, beauty standards, confidence, sex, self-worth, and why this stage of life can also be one of the most freeing. Because yes, aging is real. But so is wisdom. So is power. So is the version of yourself that finally stops asking for permission.
In this episode, we cover:
Early perimenopause signs and how differently they can show up for women
How thyroid issues and elevated SHBG can affect sex hormones
The difference between rhythmic and static hormone dosing
Testosterone for women, including libido, muscle, mood, vaginal health, and pelvic floor support
Why so many women struggle to get proper hormone support from conventional medicine
The pros and cons of pellets versus creams and injections
How aging affects confidence, sex drive, self-image, and identity
Botox, beauty standards, and the pressure women feel to stay young
Why women deserve to age on their own terms without shame
How midlife can become a more authentic, confident, and powerful season of life
Who this episode is for
This episode is for women in perimenopause and menopause who are trying to understand what is happening to their hormones, their bodies, their libido, their confidence, and their sense of self. It is especially for women who are curious about HRT, frustrated by outdated medical advice, or wrestling with how to navigate aging in a way that feels empowering instead of defeating.
 
Dr. Amie Hornaman "The Thyroid-Fixer", is host to the top-rated podcast in medicine and alternative health: The Thyroid Fixer™, with listeners around the globe. She is the founder of The Institute for Thyroid and Hormone Optimization, an organization with transformational, proven approaches to address thyroid dysfunction and support people in returning to full health.
Dr. Amie is also the creator of The Fixxr™ Supplement line with revolutionary, proprietary supplements that are changing the lives of many people. Ultimately, she is a woman on a mission to optimize thyroid patients around the world and give them their lives back. Visit Dr. Amie's website here.
Elle is a world-renowned thyroid health expert, master life coach, and a #1 bestselling author with a degree in Philosophy from The University of California at Santa Cruz. She has helped thousands of people worldwide reclaim their health through her book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution, her online courses and find confidence with her book Confidence as Fuck. Elle has been an admired leader in the paleo, primal, ancestral health industry for a decade. Elle coaches people all over the world - helping them achieve goals and dreams and improving their health. She offers online courses and free masterclasses to empower people to become the best version of themselves. Visit Elle's website here.
 
 
Sponsors
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Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.
Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations.
If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below.
Listen the full episode.
Download in iTunes or on your favorite podcast platforms
James O'Hara is a family nurse practitioner who utilizes a utilizes an integrative approach to health which combines lifestyle interventions, appropriate supplementation, and medications when indicated to empower patients to feel better and live longer, healthier lives.
Today we're speaking with James about testosterone replacement for women plus the benefits and drawbacks that come along with it, particularly during the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause. We'll talk about how testosterone and other hormones play a role not just in sexual desire, but also mood, energy, and cognitive functions. From sleep patterns to genetic predispositions, we explore how to address different health concerns while also recognizing the importance of prescription medications and the power of lifestyle changes.
In this episode we discuss:
Why testosterone therapy can both boost libido and cause hair thinning in women.
How hormonal balances involving testosterone, estradiol, dopamine, and progesterone impact sexual health.
Why androgens like testosterone and DHT enhance libido through increased dopamine.
How women's sensitivity to androgens influences their response to testosterone therapies.
Why natural and pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors manage DHT levels.
How cardiovascular health and blood flow play crucial roles in sexual wellness for women.
Why supplements like citrulline can improve sexual function.
How peptides like PT-141 and Melanotan affect sex drive and overall health.
Why the melanocortin receptors link sunlight exposure to sexual drive.
How early-onset baldness in women can relate to genetics, stress, and hormonal changes.
Why ferritin levels and thyroid function are vital for hair growth.
How treatments like dutasteride and oral minoxidil offer solutions for hair loss.
Why patience is essential when using medications for hair loss, and side effects to consider.
How different treatments, like herbal DHT blockers and copper peptides, aid hair health.
Why bridging functional and conventional medicine creates personalized health plans.
How integrating lifestyle changes with prescription medications optimizes treatment approaches.
 
 
Sponsors
Head to cozyearth.com and use my code HORMONES for 20% off sitewide! And if you get a Post-Purchase Survey, make sure to let them know you heard about Cozy Earth right here!
 
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

If you've ever wondered why you don't want your husband to walk through the door and rip your clothes off anymore, this episode is for you. If you've ever quietly believed something was wrong with you because you don't orgasm easily, or at all, this episode is for you too.
I sat down with Dr. Sally Greenwald, a board-certified OB/GYN with specialized training in menopause medicine, and what she shared genuinely stopped me in my tracks. We were taught to protect ourselves from pregnancy and disease. We were never taught how our bodies actually work. No one explained the difference between the desire that hits you out of nowhere and the desire that shows up once you're already in the moment. No one drew us a map of our own anatomy. No one told us what happens to any of it once perimenopause and menopause enter the picture.
Dr. Greenwald walks us through the real data on desire, arousal, and orgasm. Why only a small percentage of women maintain the "spontaneous" desire we see on TV, and why that has nothing to do with being broken. What actually happens to your body hormonally and physically during this stage of life, and why so many women are quietly suffering through pain, dryness, or a total loss of interest without knowing there's a name for it and a way through it. We get into the anatomy no one taught us in school, the science behind why vibrators aren't just for fun anymore, and why scheduling sex might be the most underrated tool in your relationship.
This conversation will change how you think about your own body. It might also make you a little angry about what you were never told. Both are fair.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The real difference between the desire you see in movies and the desire most women actually have
Why so many women think something is wrong with them, and why they're wrong about that
What's actually happening in your body during perimenopause and menopause that no one warned you about
A simple way to figure out if your low desire is physical, psychological, or something else entirely
The one belief about your sex drive that's holding you back more than any hormone ever could
The anatomy lesson you should have gotten in school but never did
Why one tool might change your entire experience of pleasure, and the science behind it
The orgasm myth almost every woman believes, and what the data actually shows
A surprisingly simple shift that can lower pressure and bring back intimacy
Why sex might be doing more for your health than you realize
This episode is for the woman who loves her partner but doesn't understand why she doesn't want sex anymore. It's for the woman who has never had an easy time reaching orgasm and has spent years quietly thinking that meant something was wrong with her. It's for anyone entering perimenopause or menopause and noticing changes in their body that no one prepared them for. And it's for every woman who is tired of comparing her real life to what she sees on a screen.
 
 
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Try Vitali Exosomes Skin Care vitaliskincare.com/?ref=KM20
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Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.
Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations.
If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below.
Listen to the full episode.
Listen on Apple.
With Dani's guidance, we're exploring how simple changes in light exposure and grounding can revolutionize metabolic health, particularly for those grappling with conditions like PCOS, hypoglycemia, acne, or weight loss resistance. Dani shares her personal journey and expert insights on how morning sunlight can reset circadian rhythms, enhance metabolic functions, and improve overall well-being. We also discuss practical tips for safely incorporating natural light into daily routines, the benefits of UVA and UVB light, and the impact of blue light on sleep and metabolic health.
In the full episode we discuss:
Why light exposure and grounding are crucial for improving metabolic health.
How morning sunlight can reset circadian rhythms and enhance metabolic functions.
The roles of UVA and UVB light in producing melanin and vitamin D.
Why sunglasses and sunscreen may not always be necessary.
How blue light affects sleep quality and metabolic health.
The benefits of using blue-blocking glasses and strategic light exposure.
How seasonal eating and deuterium depletion contribute to metabolic health.
The connection between lead toxicity and low vitamin D levels.
How infrared light and grounding improve redox potential and cellular health.
Why aligning light exposure and meal times with natural cycles is essential.
How UVA light enhances mood, fat burning, and detoxification.
The surprising role of infrared light in daytime melatonin production.
Why spending time outside can improve mental health.
The impact of LED lights and indoor environments on health.
How natural sunlight supports vitamin D synthesis and overall well-being.
Tips for safe sun exposure and building a solar callus.
The effectiveness of different colored light bulbs and blue-blocking glasses.
Why maintaining a pitch-black bedroom is important for melatonin release.
 
Dani Hamilton Health website: https://www.daniellehamiltonhealth.com/
 
 
Sponsors
Grab your DHEA MOOD, MUSCLE AND MOJO Supplement and get 20% off!
 
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram