Progesterone, Testosterone & HRT Questions You’re Afraid to Ask
Welcome to the podcast! In this deeply personal Q&A episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy—Chief Medical Officer at Protea Medical Center—responds to your most powerful and vulnerable questions about hormone replacement therapy, including:
- Why some women reverse-respond to progesterone
- What to do when testosterone creams trigger migraines
- How to safely navigate HRT with MTHFR or methylation issues
- The emotional toll of being dismissed by doctors
- Why libido and vitality matter at every age
- How to advocate for yourself in a broken healthcare system
This episode is about more than medicine—it's about being seen, finding hope, and reclaiming the quality of life you deserve.
Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.
Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!
Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-...
-More Links-
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy
Clinic Website: www.protealife.com
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42:12
When Progesterone Backfires: Understanding Reverse Responders
Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy! Welcome to Part 3. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy dives deep into the complex world of reverse responders—women who experience increased anxiety or worsened symptoms from progesterone instead of the calming effects it typically provides.
If you’ve felt forgotten or unsupported in your hormone journey—this episode is for you.
Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.
Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!
Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-...
-More Links-
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy
Clinic Website: www.protealife.com
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16:14
When Progesterone Backfires: The Hidden Link Between Hormones, Anxiety & Trauma
Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy!
While progesterone is often prescribed for its calming and hormone-balancing effects, some women experience the exact opposite—increased anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. This phenomenon, known as reverse responding, is more common than many realize.
In this episode we explore:
The neurological effects of progesterone and why it can backfire
The role of allopregnanolone and the GABA receptor
How trauma, PTSD, and adverse childhood experiences impact hormonal response
Safer and more personalized treatment options—including transrectal delivery, low-dose titration, and supportive therapies like EMDR and testosterone modulation
Why addressing hormone imbalances requires more than symptom management—it requires a deeper understanding of the brain-body connection
This science-driven, trauma-informed conversation offers vital insights for any woman who’s felt worse after starting progesterone—and for the healthcare providers who want to help them.
Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.
Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!
Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-...
-More Links-
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy
Clinic Website: www.protealife.com
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16:43
Why Progesterone Doesn’t Work for Everyone
Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy!
Today he addresses a topic many women have been waiting to hear more about: why some people don't tolerate progesterone well.
Often overlooked in both conventional and alternative medicine, "reverse responders" experience heightened anxiety, insomnia, or mood shifts when taking progesterone — a reaction that defies the standard approach. Dr. McCarthy explores the science behind these responses, the emotional toll of being dismissed, and why deeper investigation and individualized care are essential.
This episode is the first in a multi-part series where Dr. McCarthy shares:
• What progesterone is supposed to do in the body
• Why it can sometimes cause adverse effects
• The importance of understanding hormone-brain interactions
• A more compassionate and evidence-based approach to hormone therapy
If you or someone you love has struggled with hormone treatments, this episode offers insight, validation, and a path forward.
Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.
Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!
Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-...
-More Links-
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy
Clinic Website: www.protealife.com
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18:02
Migraine Series Q&A
Welcome to the podcast with Dr. Brendan McCarthy! In this episode we're wrapping up our migraine series by answering your most frequently asked questions. Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer at Protea Medical Center, dives deep into the science behind progesterone, its effects on the brain, and why some people experience negative reactions. He also discusses estrogen therapy, common side effects, and why personalized medicine is key.
Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. A nationally recognized as an expert in hormone replacement therapy, Dr McCarthy s the only instructor in the nation who teaches BioHRT on live patients. Physicians travel to Arizona to take his course and integrate it into their own practices. Besides hormone replacement therapy, Dr. McCarthy has spoken nationally and locally before physicians on topics such as weight loss, infertility, nutritional therapy and more.
Thank you for tuning in and don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button! Let us know in the COMMENTS if you have any questions or what you may want Dr. McCarthy to talk about next!
Check out Dr. Brendan McCarthy's Book! https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-...
-More Links-
Instagram: www.instagram.com/drbrendanmccarthy
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/drbrendanmccarthy
Clinic Website: www.protealife.com
Welcome! Dr. Brendan McCarthy founded Protea Medical Center in 2002. While he’s been the chief medical officer, Protea has grown and evolved into a dynamic medical center serving the Valley and Central Arizona. Through successful case after successful case, Dr. McCarthy has been dedicated to hormone balance, healthy metabolism, and the best quality of life. Dr. McCarthy’s hallmark is his unorthodox approach to mental/emotional wellness and its link to hormone balance in women and men. Through the use of blood work and clinical investigation, Dr. McCarthy gets to the bottom of possible causes for common conditions such as anxiety, PMS, depression, slow metabolism, weight gain, insomnia and now wants to share his knowledge to the viewers with his podcast.
Join the discussion, ask questions, and welcome to the podcast!
South Africa