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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Discover how estriol can address post-menopausal vaginal & urinary concerns. Learn about its benefits for atrophy, leakage, & infections in this episode of Progress Your Health podcast.

  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...

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 [...]

  ‘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...

‘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 [...]

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...

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 [...]

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...

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 [...]

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...

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 [...]

  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...