Why the Same Hormone Works Differently for Every Woman
About this episode
Dr. Brendan McCarthy discusses how different women respond to hormone replacement therapy based on various physiological factors.
Why does one woman feel incredible on hormone replacement therapy while another gains weight, feels anxious, or sees no improvement at all? The answer isn't simply the hormone—it's how your body processes it. In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains why the route of hormone delivery (oral, topical, injectable, or pellets) dramatically changes how hormones behave in the body. He also breaks down the role of liver metabolism, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), body fat, inflammation, insulin resistance, and lab timing—and why these factors matter when creating an individualized hormone treatment plan. You'll learn: Why the same hormone can produce completely different results in different women How oral, topical, injectable, and pellet hormones affect your body differently Why "normal" lab results don't always mean your hormones are optimized The importance of free testosterone vs. total testosterone How inflammation, body fat, and liver function influence hormone metabolism Four questions every woman should ask her hormone provider Why hormone therapy requires ongoing monitoring—not just a prescription Hormone replacement therapy is never just about writing a prescription…
More episodes of Dr. Brendan McCarthy
- The 5 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Before Starting Hormone Therapy
- Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained: What Every Woman Needs to Know | Episode 1
- The Hidden Risks of Oral Estrogen: What Every Woman Should Know About Estrone
- Estradiol Explained: The Truth About Oral Estrogen, Estrone, Testosterone & Informed Consent
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