The Hormone Solution | Menopause, Perimenopause, & Women's Midlife Health

We talk constantly about how much menopause awareness has grown.
But has menopause care actually caught up?
Recently, I met with a new family physician and was stunned by how little training she had received around hormone replacement therapy, despite being a young, intelligent, curious doctor who genuinely wanted to learn.
And unfortunately, this experience is far from unusual.
So I invited my good friend Dr. Fiona Lovely back onto the podcast to talk about the enormous gap that still exists in menopause care and what women can actually do when their family doctor does not have the answers.
We talk about how to advocate for yourself without turning your doctor's appointment into a battle, why women need support that extends far beyond prescriptions, and the role a menopause doula can play in helping women navigate this transition.
Because maybe the problem is not that women are asking for too much from their doctors.
Maybe we have been asking one person to do a job that was never designed to belong to one person in the first place.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
My eye-opening experience with a new family physician
Why menopause training is still so limited in medical education
How to advocate for yourself when your doctor does not understand HRT
Why being an informed patient matters
What to do when your doctor says no
Why menopause care goes far beyond hormones
The difference between a menopause specialist and a menopause doula
What a menopause doula actually does
Why women need education, advocacy, and validation
How doulas can help women navigate doctors, labs, movement, nutrition, sleep, and referrals
Why menopause support is still badly needed despite growing awareness
Fiona's Menopause Doula Certification
Who can become a menopause doula and why you do not have to be a clinician
Why this could be an entirely new career path for women who feel called to help other women
Are you interested in learning more about becoming a menopause doula? Join Dr. Lovelys Menopause Doula FREE webinar here!
 
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Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, and British Columbia Canada with the ability to prescribe Glp1s, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call.
Visit the website.
Visit the Midlife Solutions Shop
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
Progesterone
Estrogen Face Cream
Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
Is Your HRT Optimized? Find out, download the FREE guide here.
Inside, you'll learn how to look at HRT through the bigger picture of symptoms, labs, and clinical response, with easy-to-understand reference pages for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Join The Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program TODAY for as low as $150/month!
Join Midlife RESET HRT Program: A complete, supportive approach to peptides and hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
Your host: Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
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Karen's Instagram

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.
Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations.
If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below.
Listen to the full episode here.
What does it take to age well? We hear plenty about supplements, biohacking tools, and the latest longevity trends, but what about our relationships, emotional health, and everyday habits?
In this Quick Hits episode, I'm joined by Zora Benhamou to explore aging with more curiosity, confidence, and intention. We talk about the factors that influence how we age, why social connection deserves more attention, and how to make sense of the advice promising to keep us younger.
Zora is a digital nomad who has traveled to more than 50 countries, lived in eight, and speaks six languages. She's the founder of HackMyAge.com, host of the Hack My Age podcast, and author of Longevity Master Plan and the cookbook Eating for Longevity. She also creates online programs for women in perimenopause and postmenopause.
Zora brings a global perspective and a personal passion for putting what she learns into practice. Our conversation covers everything from energy and exercise to journaling and finding joy in getting older.
In this episode, we discuss:
What gerontology is and what it can teach us about aging.
The biggest influences on how we age.
How close-knit communities and meaningful relationships can support well-being.
The relationship between unresolved trauma, chronic stress, and aging.
How racism and social inequities can affect healthspan and lifespan.
The effects of alcohol and other substances on well-being.
Why red wine's reputation as a source of resveratrol deserves a closer look.
What we can learn from Blue Zones and their approach to daily life.
Drinking culture in North America and why our habits matter.
Why ongoing fatigue shouldn't simply be brushed off as "getting older," and where to begin looking for answers.
The roles mitochondria and NAD play in energy production.
Why personalized guidance matters when choosing supplements.
Zora's approach to exercise and finding movement you enjoy.
How to embrace aging with confidence without getting caught up in the pursuit of youth.
Why Zora started journaling and what she gets from the practice.
An exercise Zora uses to support heart rate variability.
Connect with Zora and explore her work at HackMyAge.com.
 
Sponsors
Timeline is offering up to 39% off your first order of Mitopure Gummies. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE use coupon HORMONE
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, and British Columbia Canada with the ability to prescribe Glp1s, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call.
Visit the website.
Visit the Midlife Solutions Shop
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
Progesterone
Estrogen Face Cream
Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
Is Your HRT Optimized? Find out, download the FREE guide here.
Inside, you'll learn how to look at HRT through the bigger picture of symptoms, labs, and clinical response, with easy-to-understand reference pages for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Join The Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program TODAY for as low as $150/month!
Join Midlife RESET HRT Program: A complete, supportive approach to peptides and hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
Your host: Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Peptides are everywhere right now.
Weight loss. Muscle. Recovery. Energy. Skin. Longevity. Suddenly everyone seems to have a "stack" they swear by.
But how do you know what is actually safe, what is experimental, where your peptides are really coming from, or whether the protocol you saw online makes any sense for a woman in midlife?
In this episode, I sit down with peptide coach Stephanie Gambetta, founder of The Loop Way, to cut through some of the noise.
We talk about the huge difference between using peptides strategically and simply throwing more things at your body because someone online said they worked.
We also get into GLP-1s, hormone therapy, mitochondrial health, beauty peptides, research peptides, dosing mistakes, and some of the peptide strategies Stephanie is using with women in midlife.
And there are definitely a few peptides in this conversation that made me think, "Okay, I need to try that."
In This Episode, We Talk About:
Why peptides have suddenly exploded in popularity
Research peptides versus compounded peptides
Why a certificate of analysis may not tell you everything
How to think about peptide quality and sourcing
Why your hormones should be part of the conversation
The problem with copying someone else's peptide stack
Why more GLP-1 is not always the answer
What may be happening when weight loss suddenly stalls
Why hunger is not necessarily something you want to eliminate completely
Mitochondrial health and midlife energy
Peptides for skin, hair, recovery, gut health, and muscle
GHK-Cu and the growing interest in copper peptides
Growth hormone peptides and why women may respond very differently
Why blood work and body composition matter
The peptide mistakes Stephanie sees women making most often
Check out The Loop Way
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call today!
 
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Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don't even have to send it back! 
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, and British Columbia Canada with the ability to prescribe Glp1s, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call.
Visit the website.
Visit the Midlife Solutions Shop
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
Progesterone
Estrogen Face Cream
Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
Is Your HRT Optimized? Find out, download the FREE guide here.
Inside, you'll learn how to look at HRT through the bigger picture of symptoms, labs, and clinical response, with easy-to-understand reference pages for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Join The Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program TODAY for as low as $150/month!
Join Midlife RESET HRT Program: A complete, supportive approach to peptides and hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
Your host: Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Welcome to Quick Hits — where we bring you the most impactful moments from past episodes in under 15 minutes.
Today's clip comes from one of our most replayed conversations.
If you want the full episode, check the link in the description below.
Listen to the full episode here.
Download on iTunes here.
For almost two years, I kept hearing about PEMF mats.
People were using them for stress, sleep, pain, and recovery, but every time I started researching them, I got overwhelmed by all the different technologies and claims.
Then I discovered AlignMat.
After using mine for a month, I finally understood why people get so obsessed with these things.
In this episode, I sit down with creators Alyssa Blue and Mike McPherson to talk about what PEMF actually is, how frequency may influence the nervous system, and why this mat felt very different from anything I had tried before.
I also share some of the unexpected things I noticed once I started using it, including changes I was not even looking for.
And this conversation goes far beyond a biohacking gadget.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
What finally convinced me to try a PEMF mat
What PEMF actually is
Why not all PEMF mats are the same
The nervous system connection
Schumann resonance and frequency
Infrared heat and recovery
Why some frequencies feel calming and others energizing
The surprising things I noticed after using the mat
Sleep, stress, pain, and recovery
The difference between the Zen and Stealth mats
Stress, cortisol, pain, inflammation, and recovery
Why athletes and people dealing with chronic pain are using PEMF
The surprising emotional responses some people experience
Try ALIGN today and feel the difference. Coupon code is KAREN5 for $100 off the Zen mat or $150 off Stealth mat.
 
Sponsors
Try Vitali Skin Care. Use coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order!
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, and British Columbia Canada with the ability to prescribe Glp1s, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call.
Visit the website.
Visit the Midlife Solutions Shop
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
Progesterone
Estrogen Face Cream
Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
Is Your HRT Optimized? Find out, download the FREE guide here.
Inside, you'll learn how to look at HRT through the bigger picture of symptoms, labs, and clinical response, with easy-to-understand reference pages for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Join The Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program TODAY for as low as $150/month!
Join Midlife RESET HRT Program: A complete, supportive approach to peptides and hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
Your host: Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Download my FREE Skin Care 101 Guide
I turned 50 this year, and I swear my face got the memo.
Suddenly I started noticing things I had not really paid attention to before: a little more sagging, broken capillaries, pigmentation, droopier eyelids, changes around my jawline, and that feeling of looking in the mirror and thinking, "Okay... when did THAT happen?"
So naturally, I went down a rabbit hole.
A very deep rabbit hole.
Skincare. Red light therapy. PRP microneedling. IPL. Lasers. Botox. Retinoids. Copper peptides. Exosomes. Eyelid surgery. Deep plane facelifts.
And after months of researching, trying products, talking to practitioners, and spending probably far too much time looking at before-and-after photos, I have some thoughts.
In this solo episode, I am taking you through what I personally think is worth spending money on, what I am skeptical of, what I am currently doing to my own face, and the treatments I said I would never consider... that I am now absolutely considering.
In This Episode, I Talk About:
What suddenly changed for me when I turned 50
The emotional side of watching your face age
Why I changed my mind about cosmetic procedures
What I am considering doing to my own face
Deep plane facelifts and why I started researching them
Why eyelid surgery is now on my list
Botox and where I personally think it earns its keep
Why I am hesitant about filler
PRP microneedling and why I booked a series of treatments
The difference between ablative, fractional, and non-ablative lasers
Why I am cautious about aggressive laser treatments
IPL for broken capillaries and pigmentation
The treatments that may carry a higher risk of pigment changes
Copper peptides, exosomes, estrogen cream, and the products I keep reaching for
My favorite affordable skincare products
What I would save money on versus where I would spend more
The skincare routine I am actually using right now
 
Sponsors
Click here to purchase and claim your FREE 8 count pack of LMNT.
Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES
 
Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve?
At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, and British Columbia Canada with the ability to prescribe Glp1s, bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
Book your FREE Hormone Strategy Call.
Visit the website.
Visit the Midlife Solutions Shop
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
Progesterone
Estrogen Face Cream
Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
Is Your HRT Optimized? Find out, download the FREE guide here.
Inside, you'll learn how to look at HRT through the bigger picture of symptoms, labs, and clinical response, with easy-to-understand reference pages for estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.
Join The Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program TODAY for as low as $150/month!
Join Midlife RESET HRT Program: A complete, supportive approach to peptides and hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
Your host: Karen Martel, Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram