In this episode of the Rational Wellness Podcast, Dr. Ben Weitz discusses hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for post-menopausal women with Dr. Felice Gersh, a champion of estradiol. Dr. Gersh addresses the controversial views on hormones influenced by the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, explaining that mainstream medicine is still hesitant to embrace HRT. She emphasizes the benefits of bioidentical hormones and criticizes the limitations of current studies and traditional approaches in functional medicine. Dr. Gersh provides insights into the importance of estradiol and progesterone for various aspects of women's health, including brain function and prevention of chronic diseases. The discussion also covers the potential pitfalls of oral progesterone and alternatives like vaginal administration to achieve natural hormonal balance.
00:26 Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Controversial Topic
01:29 Challenges in Hormone Therapy Acceptance
02:45 The Science Behind Hormone Therapy
06:58 Historical Perspectives on Lifespan and Menopause
08:30 The Modern Healthcare System and Chronic Diseases
15:46 The Role of Hormones in Brain Health
21:44 Debating the Safety and Efficacy of Hormone Therapy
32:44 Balancing Hormones After Menopause
34:39 The Role of Estradiol and Progesterone
35:30 Impact of Hormones on Brain and Immune System
36:32 Menstrual Cycle Insights and Hormone Therapy
38:32 Challenges with Current Hormone Treatments
40:39 Optimal Hormone Levels and Administration Methods
43:44 Progesterone: Oral vs. Vaginal Administration
46:06 Progesterone Metabolites and Their Effects
58:03 Practical Tips for Hormone Therapy _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dr. Felice Gersh is a board certified obstetrician and gynecologist and she is fellowship-trained in Integrative Medicine. Dr. Gersh is the Director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, where she continues to see patients. The website is Integrativemgi.com and the phone is (949) 753-7475. She also lectures and writes on various topics relevant to women and she is the best selling author of three books, Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know, PCOS SOS, and PCOS SOS Fertility Fast Track. Dr. Ben Weitz is available for Functional Nutrition consultations spec