Estrogen 101: What I Learned From the World’s Top Menopause Doctors

If you’ve ever wondered what estrogen actually does, or whether hormone therapy (HRT) is right for you, this episode is for you. During perimenopause and menopause, falling estrogen levels can contribute to brain fog, hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, sleep problems, mood changes, and even long-term bone health. Yet most women are never told how one hormone can affect nearly every system in the body. This episode is part of Tamsen’s series breaking down the biggest topics from her New York Times bestselling book, How to Menopause, one conversation at a time. This week, it’s estrogen. In just 20 minutes, Tamsen takes everything she’s learned from interviewing the world’s leading menopause doctors and hormone experts and breaks it down into simple, easy-to-understand language. No confusing medical jargon. No overwhelm. Just the information you need to understand your options and make the best decisions for your own health. Inside the episode: What estrogen actually does in your body Why estradiol changes during perimenopause and menopause How hormone therapy (HRT) can help relieve menopause symptoms The truth about the Women’s Health Initiative study Who is a candidate for hormone therapy and who shouldn’t take it The differences between estrogen patches, gels, sprays, pills, and vaginal estrogen What to do if you’re affected by the estrogen patch shortage How long you can safely stay on hormone therapy The questions every woman should ask before starting HRT Whether you’re considering hormone therapy for the first time or simply trying to understand what’s happening to your body, this episode will give you the knowledge and confidence to have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider. Download my FREE symptom tracker here: https://www.tamsenfadal.com/menopause... Download my FREE Hormone Therapy 101 guide here: https://www.tamsenfadal.com/menopause... If you liked this conversation, check out the rest of the How To Menopause series: ⁠Estrogen Down There 101⁠: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-estrogen-101 ⁠Testosterone 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-testosteron... ⁠Relationships 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-relationshi... Perimenopause 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-perimenopau... Alcohol 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-alcohol101 Anxiety 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-anxiety101 Progesterone 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-progesteron... Belly Fat 101: https://bit.ly/tts-yt-htm-bellyfat101 Coming up: Mental Health and more! _ STAY CONNECTED WITH TAMSEN: Get ⁠Tamsen's newsletter filled with free tools⁠ to living better, feeling stronger, and knowing you’re never alone: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-newsletter Get Tamsen’s NYT instant bestselling book, How To Menopause: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-book Free Resources from Tamsen: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-hub Watch all the episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-playlist Follow Tamsen on Instagram: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-ig2 The Tamsen Show on Instagram: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-ig1 Follow Tamsen on TikTok: https://bit.ly/tts-youtube-tt 🧡 LEAVE A REVIEW If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, we'd love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... SPONSORS: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 3:42 What Estrogen Actually Does in Your Body 5:21 Why Low Estrogen Causes Brain Fog, Joint Pain, and Hot Flashes 9:46 Who Should Consider Estrogen Therapy During Perimenopause and Menopause 11:27 Who Should Not Take Estrogen and Non-Hormonal Alternatives 12:29 The Truth About Breast Cancer Risk and Hormone Therapy 13:27 Estrogen Patches vs Pills vs Gels and Which Option Is Right for You? 16:10 What to Do If You Can't Find Your Estrogen Patch 17:37 How Long Can You Stay on Estrogen? 18:50 What to Expect After Starting Estrogen Therapy __ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns or treatment options. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Tamsen Show. __ ABOUT TAMSEN: Tamsen is a journalist, NYT best-selling author, podcast host, filmmaker and menopause advocate. As host of The Tamsen Show Podcast, she’s become a powerful voice in the conversation about midlife. She is the creator and producer of The (M) Factor and The (M) Factor 2, groundbreaking documentaries calling for change Tamsen is also the author of the New York Times Bestseller How To Menopause. From SXSW to Capitol Hill, Tamsen champions policies that break the stigma around menopause. #estrogen #hormonetherapy #thetamsenshow