Maria, an FDN practitioner, and Kristin, an NTP Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, are plainspoken friends and practitioners who share a passion for women's health, especially women's health at midlife. As both are themselves menopausal, they've refined the art and science of thriving as a midlife woman based on both clinical and personal experience. They combine individualized nutrition and lifestyle changes tailored to midlife women's needs with mindset coaching, lab testing and hormone replacement therapy education to help women thrive so that they can stop or prevent their health from spinning out of control.   Maria and Kristin share their journey from general nutrition to specialized hormonal health in this episode. We explore the profound impacts of hormones on aging, focusing on the roles of senescent cells and hormone replacement therapy. Maria and Kristin reveal surprising insights about estrogen receptors and the importance of maintaining optimal hormone levels for overall health, from hair and joints to brain and vascular health. They emphasize the benefits of cyclical progesterone dosing and debunk common myths surrounding estriol and estradiol in HRT, advocating for a personalized approach to hormone therapy.   In this episode: Why hormone replacement therapy impacts overall health beyond symptom relief. How estrogen receptors are located in unexpected areas like the eyes and ears. Why maintaining optimal hormone levels benefits hair, joints, brain, and vascular health. How hormone cycling can mimic the body's natural rhythms for better health outcomes. Why cyclical progesterone dosing is preferred over static hormone dosing. How static dosing can lead to issues like breakthrough bleeding and water retention. Why estradiol is often misunderstood and feared despite its protective benefits. How high doses of estriol can cause adverse effects such as insulin resistance. Why incorporating topical progesterone can benefit women sensitive to oral forms. Why understanding hormone health is important beyond just managing symptoms. How Maria and Kristin's book "The Great Menopause Myth" provides a unique perspective. Why women often receive inadequate medical support during menopause. How misconceptions about hormone therapy can isolate and misinform women. Why there is a need for more research using bioidentical hormones. How upcoming studies aim to compare traditional HRT to physiologic restoration. Why achieving hormone levels akin to a healthy, younger woman is beneficial. How proper hormone cycling can lead to lighter periods and fewer PMS symptoms. Why the narrative around menopause can sometimes hurt women.   Order The Great Menopause Myth NOW! https://wiseandwell.me/book/   Sponsors Happy Mammoth: For a limited time, you can get 15% off Hormone Harmony and on your entire first order at happymammoth.com just use the code KM15 at checkout.   Go to www.qualialife.com/HORMONE to try Qualia Senolytic with a 100 day money back guarantee, and code HORMONE will get you 15% off your first order.   Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/KARENMARTEL and use code HORMONE to get 10% off your order.   Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.   Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs: Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Individualized Weight Loss Programs  Peptide Therapy for weight loss    Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.   Join our Women’s Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram