HRT, Hormones, Bones, and Cholesterol: Everything No One Explained About Midlife & Menopause | EP232

Your cholesterol climbs. Your bone density drops. And you may not hear how much changing hormones can affect both. Jennifer Gularson, a board-certified physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner, joins Amy Sherman on Wellness Junkies to break down HRT and clear up some of the questions women have about hormones in midlife.

Jennifer breaks down the difference between bioidentical and synthetic HRT and explains why she tells patients that birth control pills can involve about ten times the estrogen dose she uses for HRT. She tackles common concerns about HRT and breast cancer and shares her perspective on what newer research says about risk.

The conversation turns to perimenopause and why symptoms can start up to a decade before menopause. Jennifer explains how she uses testosterone in her practice, where peptides may fit for concerns such as gut health, inflammation, and weight management, and where bone health and heart health fit into the bigger picture of women's longevity.

There's a lot packed into this hour. Press play to hear Jennifer's practical guidance and figure out what your next conversation with your doctor should sound like.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Meet Jennifer Gularson And Her Approach to Women's Midlife Health

01:21 Why Perimenopause Symptoms Get Dismissed As Normal Aging

08:23 When Estrogen Decline Actually Begins And Why Timing Varies

09:40 Breaking Down HRT, Bioidentical Hormones, And Dosing Options

15:41 Testing Methods And Debunking Common Hormone Myths

22:56 Exploring Peptides For Gut Health And Weight Loss

30:52 Cholesterol, LDL, And Heart Health In Midlife

39:43 Bone Health, DEXA Scans, And Preventing Osteoporosis

49:33 Working With Doctors Plus Jennifer's Wellness And Beauty Hacks

Connect with Jennifer Gularson:

Visit Jennifer's website

Follow Jennifer on Instagram

⁠⁠⁠⁠For More on this Episode: Read the full show notes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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