270. Progesterone and Perimenopause

Dr. Eve Henry, an internal medicine physician, joins Dr. Kelly Casperson on the You Are Not Broken podcast to discuss the importance of optimizing health span and preventing disease. They emphasize the need for a shift in the medical system from disease management to wellness and prevention. They also highlight the role of hormones in women's health, particularly during perimenopause. They discuss the benefits of hormone therapy for symptom management and prevention of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. They address common myths and misconceptions about hormones and provide insights into the use of progesterone and birth control options for perimenopausal women. In this part of the conversation, Eve and Kelly discuss the dosing and cycling of hormones during perimenopause and menopause. They talk about the variability in dosing and the benefits of cycling hormones. They also touch on the use of progesterone and estradiol in hormone therapy and the importance of finding the right doses for each individual. They discuss the role of DHEA in perimenopause and the potential benefits of supplementing with it. They also emphasize the importance of comprehensive health assessments, including lab work, DEXA scans, coronary calcium scores, and VO2 max testing, to assess cardiovascular risk and overall health. Takeaways The medical system needs to shift from disease management to wellness and prevention. Hormone therapy can be beneficial for symptom management and prevention of conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Progesterone is an important hormone during perimenopause and can help alleviate symptoms. There are various birth control options available for perimenopausal women. Regular monitoring and individualized treatment are key in hormone therapy. Dosing and cycling of hormones during perimenopause and menopause can vary based on individual needs and symptoms. Progesterone is used to protect the uterus and is typically dosed at 100 milligrams for uterine protection during continuous hormone therapy. Cycling hormones can be beneficial for some women, but it may be challenging to track and can be discontinued if it causes discomfort. DHEA supplementation may be helpful for increasing testosterone levels and improving symptoms of low testosterone. Comprehensive health assessments, including lab work, DEXA scans, coronary calcium scores, and VO2 max testing, are important for assessing cardiovascular risk and overall health during perimenopause and beyond. https://www.instagram.com/drevehenry/ Special thanks to our sponsor, Solv Wellness! To learn more about Ellura by Solv Wellness, visit ellura.com for 30% off your first purchase automatically applied at checkout. For an additional $5 off, use coupon code DRKELLY5. Preorder my book "You Are Not Broken: Stop "Should-ing" All Over You Sex Life" Listen to my Tedx Talk: Why we need adult sex ed Take my NEW Adult Sex Ed Master Class: https://www.kellycaspersonmd.com/adult-sex-ed Join my membership to get these episodes ASAP, a private facebook group to discuss and my private accountability group for your health, hormones and life support! www.kellycaspersonmd.com/membership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices