Progress Your Health Podcast

Confused by your DEXA scan results? Not sure if your T-score is “normal,” “osteopenia,” or “osteoporosis”or what to actually do about it? In this episode, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki walk through three real viewer examples to show You exactly how to interpret bone density scores in your 50s and beyond. You’ll learn: ● How to read your DEXA scan: T-score vs Z-score in plain English ● The cutoffs: ○ 0 to -0.9 → normal bone density ○ -1.0 to -2.4 → osteopenia ○ ≤ -2.5 → osteoporosis ● Why two women in their early 50s can have

In Part 2, we go symptom-by-symptom so you can sleep through the night again. Dr. Valorie and Dr. Maki cover night sweats, frequent urination, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, headaches, itchy skin, vivid dreams, and when to suspect sleep apnea (under-recognized in women). You’ll hear practical tactics—electrolytes, targeted magnesium types, phosphatidylserine timing, glycine, L-theanine, and smart melatonin use—plus when HRT helps and how to pair data (CGM, wearables) with your sleep plan. You’ll also discover practical, science-backed fixes like: Smart electrolyte balance & targeted magnesium types Phosphatidylserine timing for cortisol control Glycine, L-theanine, and optimal melatonin use

Are you worried about bone loss, osteopenia, or osteoporosis? In this episode, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Maki from Progress Your Health dive deep into what women can do—beyond medication—to protect and rebuild bone density through hormones, nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle. Learn how to: ● Understand your DEXA scan and what your T-score really means ● Support bone strength through weight-bearing exercise & muscle building ● Use HRT (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone) to slow post-menopausal bone loss ● Balance calcium, magnesium, vitamin D + K2, and collagen the right way ● Avoid common pitfalls with over-supplementation ● Discover why healthspan +

In this episode, Dr. Robert Maki walks through his exact testosterone rhythmic dosing protocol—how he cycles doses daily across a 26 to 28-day month and seasonally (25% / 50% / 75%) to align with Dr. Valorie’s cycle. We cover why this “rhythm over static” approach is designed to preserve receptor sensitivity (avoiding the down-regulation common with large, infrequent injections), plus practical details like application sites, off-days, and lab targets. What you’ll learn: ● The men’s “rhythm”: monthly sync with partner + annual seasons (lowest winter → highest fall) ● Why off-days on 14 & 28 help up-regulate receptors ● The

Estrogen dips can trigger migraines—especially in perimenopause. Here’s how to spot it and what helps. Dr. Valerie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki explain why sudden drops in estradiol can spark headaches/migraines in cycling women, perimenopause, and menopause, plus what to do if HRT dosing (patch vs BiEst vs rhythmic) is making things worse. They also cover DIM (diindolylmethane)—when it helps vs when it can exacerbate low-estrogen symptoms, and supportive options like magnesium glycinate, B-complex, Vitamin D, and blood sugar balance. What you’ll learn ● How luteal-phase and ovulation-time estrogen drops trigger migraines ● Why perimenopause creates spike-and-crash estradiol patterns (and

If you’ve ever wondered which blood tests actually matter for women’s hormones and longevity, this episode is your roadmap. Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki walk through real labs—from CBC/CMP to cholesterol, estradiol/FSH/LH, DHEA, testosterone, insulin, and apolipoprotein B (ApoB). You’ll learn how to spot insulin resistance (TG/HDL ratio), why ApoB beats total cholesterol for risk, how liver markers (AST/ALT/GGT) fit in, and how rhythmic dosing can mimic the natural ovarian cycle. We also cover hs-CRP vs ESR, vitamin D ranges, pregnenolone, and why individualized care wins over one-size-fits-all. What you’ll learn: ● How to read CBC/CMP for nutrition,

Can you use rhythmic-dosing HRT after a uterine (endometrial) ablation? In this episode, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki explain why—and how to do it safely. Can you do rhythmic dosing HRT after a uterine (endometrial) ablation? Short answer: yes—and in this episode Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki explains why. We unpack how rhythmic dosing works post-ablation, what to expect if you don’t bleed, how estrogen and progesterone balance drives symptoms, and why individualized monitoring (including occasional ultrasounds) can give peace of mind. If you’ve worried that higher physiologic estradiol might “recreate old problems,” we cover how

Are you stuck in the in-between—not fully in perimenopause, but not quite in menopause either? In this episode, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki from Progress Your Health dive deep into the gray area of women’s health that often gets overlooked. We cover: ✅ The most common in-betweener symptoms (hot flashes, brain fog, low libido, weight gain, hair & skin changes, sleep problems). ✅ Why the in-between phase is often the most challenging and overlooked in women’s health. ✅ How HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) and bioidentical hormones may help—and when to be cautious with estrogen. ✅ Lifestyle, supplementation, and

Should You Aim for the Minimum or Optimal HRT Dose? Should women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use the minimum dose to manage symptoms—or aim for an optimal dose to support long-term bone, brain, and heart health? This is a common and important question. In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki break it down in a clear, practical way. Static vs. Rhythmic Hormone Dosing Not all hormone dosing approaches are the same. In this episode, we explain the key differences between static dosing and rhythmic (cyclical) dosing, and why this distinction

Launching August 11: Join our new Progress Your Hormones Community! Get expert guidance, real support, and answers to your HRT questions—together, not alone. Get expert guidance, real support, and answers to your HRT questions—together, not alone. If you have a question, please visit our website and click Ask the Doctor a question. Join the Progress Your Hormones Community Stay Connected Instagram: @drvalorie TikTok: @drvaloried Disclaimer: All content in this blog, including text, images, audio, video, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. This video, website, and blog aim to promote consumer/public understanding and general knowledge of various health topics. This content

In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki answer a listener’s question about spotting and night sweats after starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lisa, age 55, shares her experience using Bi-Est cream, oral progesterone, and testosterone—and why she’s now experiencing unexpected bleeding and sleep disruption. We break down: ● Why spotting can happen after starting HRT—even with low estradiol levels ● The difference between estradiol and estriol in Bi-Est cream ● How progesterone protects the uterine lining ● When to increase vs. decrease HRT doses ● The role of cortisol and adrenal

In this episode of the Progress Your Health Podcast, Dr. Valorie Davidson and Dr. Robert Maki dive deep into a question from “Amber,” a 49-year-old woman struggling with extreme perimenopausal symptoms — despite being on progesterone, an estradiol patch, and thyroid medication. Topics Covered: ● Why HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) might not be working ● Common perimenopause symptoms: sleep issues, fatigue, brain fog, weight gain ● The pitfalls of cookie-cutter hormone prescriptions ● How cortisol, stress, and over-exercising sabotage your hormones ● When estrogen dominance, low progesterone, and thyroid dysfunction overlap ● Could progesterone be making things worse? ●