Libsyn Directory

The Testosterone Replacement for Women Conundrum: Libido Highs and Hair Loss Lows with James O’Hara

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Release Date: 05/18/2024

Why Your Gut Is Sabotaging Your Hormones (and Your Hormones Are Sabotaging Your Gut) with Kiran Krishnan

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

I’m sitting down with microbiome expert Kiran Krishnan to explore a question I see come up all the time: why do hormones sometimes stop responding the way they used to? But what if the real issue isn’t your hormones at all, rather what’s happening in your gut? In this episode, we dig into the powerful gut-hormone connection. How can gut bacteria influence estrogen metabolism, inflammation, weight gain, and even mood? Why do so many women struggle more during perimenopause and menopause despite “doing all the right things”? We also talk about why hormone therapy sometimes backfires,...

Goodbye 2025: A Year of Healing, Hard Truths, and Growth

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

It’s time to say goodbye to 2025, so let’s get real about a year that looked successful for me on the outside, but sometimes felt like a reckoning on the inside. What happens when your body forces you to slow down? And what do you do when growth starts to cost you your peace? I open up about identity shifts, burnout, and the uncomfortable realization that I couldn’t keep working the way I was. How much of my worth was tied to helping others? What happens when you’re asked to step out of the role that once defined you? I also unpack the chaos of the menopause conversation in 2025. With...

Part 2 Q&A with Karen: Cortisol Replacement, Optimal Levels, HRT Absorption Issues, Estrogen Detox, BIEST Troches, Perimenopause Confusion & More!

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

This episode picks up right where part one leaves off as I dive into more of your thoughtful, honest questions in the second-part of this year-end Q&A. What happens when hormone therapy doesn’t seem to be working the way you expected? And how do you know if your dose is actually doing what you need it to do? I answer questions about achy joints, stubborn symptoms, cortisol replacement, thyroid interactions, and why some delivery methods work beautifully for one person and fail another. Why do absorption issues happen? What does “optimal” really mean when it comes to hormone levels?...

Q&A with Karen: High Ferritin, Injectable HRT, Breakthrough Bleeding, Optimizing Hormones, Histamine Intolerance and MORE!

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

I’m wrapping up the year by answering your questions in this first of a two-part Q&A, and we cover a lot of ground. From confusing lab results to hormone dosing debates, I dig into the questions so many of you are quietly wondering about. What does high ferritin really mean? Is it iron—or something else entirely? We’ll also take a look at hormone replacement frustrations. Why do some people still bleed months into HRT? Are injections better than patches or creams? And how do you know if your body is actually absorbing what you’re taking? I share real-world context, common patterns...

From Belly Fat to Brain Fog: The Top Peptides, & Hormones Helping Women in Menopause with Dr. Aleksandra Gajer

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

What’s really driving the sudden belly fat, brain fog, and sleep chaos so many women hit in midlife? And why do the usual “eat less, move more” solutions stop working overnight? In this episode featuring Dr. Aleksandra Gajer, we dig into the hormones and peptides that may finally explain why your body feels like it’s changing without your permission. Together, we unpack what’s happening beneath the surface (insulin resistance, inflammation, mitochondrial slowdown, hormonal roller coasters), and ask the questions women are never told to ask. What if your symptoms aren’t a lack of...

Hair Loss, Chin Whiskers & More: How to Avoid the Not-So-Pretty Side Effects of Testosterone HRT for Women

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Are you curious about the buzz surrounding testosterone therapy for women, but wondering about the side effects? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of testosterone replacement therapy’s unwanted side effects, and more importantly, how to fix them. What happens when testosterone levels spike too high? Could the very treatment meant to enhance your energy and libido lead to unwanted changes in your body? Join us as we discuss real stories from women navigating their hormone journeys and uncover the truth behind the glamorous narratives often shared on social media. Are you ready to...

The Surprising Root Cause of the Dreaded 3 A.M. Wake-Up—And the Fix No One Told You About

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Are you one of those people who wakes up at 3 A.M. and can’t fall back asleep? Have you ever wondered if there’s a deeper reason behind those late-night wake-ups? In this episode, we explore the shocking link between blood sugar fluctuations and nighttime awakenings. Blood sugar expert Dani Hamilton joins us to shed light on the root cause of these sleep disruptions. Have you ever thought about how your dietary habits could be impacting your sleep? Or how embracing fats might be the key to stable energy levels? We challenge the misconceptions around dietary fat and reveal the essential...

The Most Asked HRT Questions of 2025 — Answered by Karen (a.k.a. The Ones She Hears 10,000 Times a Year)

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Curious about the future of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its impact on menopause? This episode features my answers to the most common HRT questions of 2025. Can HRT be your secret weapon for a healthier, longer life, even if you aren't experiencing typical menopause symptoms? Is HRT the missing piece in your weight loss journey? Explore the fascinating link between hormone cycling and midlife wellness. What does the latest research say about personalized hormone approaches, and how might these strategies keep cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis at bay? Ever wondered about the...

Reverse Dieting, Metabolic Recovery, and the Real Way to Fix Your Fat Loss Plateaus with Philip Pape

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Are you struggling with weight loss despite following a strict diet? Ever wondered if eating more could actually help you lose weight? Join us in this episode as we dive into the intriguing world of reverse dieting and metabolic recovery with Philip Pape, a high-performance nutrition coach. Do you know about GLP-1 medications and their revolutionary role in weight management? Are you curious about how to optimize your metabolism and finally break through those frustrating weight loss plateaus? Philip unpacks these groundbreaking topics, providing you with the knowledge to transform your...

Tesofensine: The Next Big Weight Loss Compound That Boosts Dopamine, Burns Fat and Lights up the Midlife Brain

The Hormone Solution Podcast with Karen Martel

Ready to hear about a new revolutionary weight loss strategy tailored for midlife women? Ever wondered how cutting-edge peptides and hormones can transform your wellness journey? This episode dives deep into the world of tesofensine, a fascinating compound originally researched for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, now making waves in weight management. What makes tesofensine a potential game-changer for women experiencing hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause? How does it work to enhance neurotransmitter balance and boost metabolic health? Discover the unexpected benefits and...

More Episodes

James O'Hara is a family nurse practitioner who utilizes a utilizes an integrative approach to health which combines lifestyle interventions, appropriate supplementation, and medications when indicated to empower patients to feel better and live longer, healthier lives.

Today we’re speaking with James about testosterone replacement for women plus the benefits and drawbacks that come along with it, particularly during the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause. We’ll talk about how testosterone and other hormones play a role not just in sexual desire, but also mood, energy, and cognitive functions. From sleep patterns to genetic predispositions, we explore how to address different health concerns while also recognizing the importance of prescription medications and the power of lifestyle changes.

In this episode:

Why testosterone therapy can both boost libido and cause hair thinning in women.
How hormonal balances involving testosterone, estradiol, dopamine, and progesterone impact sexual health.
Why androgens like testosterone and DHT enhance libido through increased dopamine.
How women's sensitivity to androgens influences their response to testosterone therapies.
Why natural and pharmaceutical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors manage DHT levels.
How cardiovascular health and blood flow play crucial roles in sexual wellness for women.
Why supplements like citrulline can improve sexual function.
How peptides like PT-141 and Melanotan affect sex drive and overall health.
Why the melanocortin receptors link sunlight exposure to sexual drive.
How early-onset baldness in women can relate to genetics, stress, and hormonal changes.
Why ferritin levels and thyroid function are vital for hair growth.
How treatments like dutasteride and oral minoxidil offer solutions for hair loss.
Why patience is essential when using medications for hair loss, and side effects to consider.
How different treatments, like herbal DHT blockers and copper peptides, aid hair health.
Why bridging functional and conventional medicine creates personalized health plans.
How integrating lifestyle changes with prescription medications optimizes treatment approaches.

Work with James https://www.gilletthealth.com

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