Ep.165 My Menopause Wake-Up Call: The Story Behind My HRT Journey

Health, Fitness & Personal Growth Tips for Women in Midlife: Asking for a Friend

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) shouldn't be shrouded in outdated fears and misinformation. When I finally started HRT at 57, I realized I'd spent years unnecessarily suffering through sleepless nights, hot flashes, and night sweats—chalked up to “normal aging”—when effective treatments already existed.

My journey began after a hysterectomy, when a nurse practitioner discovered my testosterone level was critically low (11 ng/dl, with a normal range of 13–87). That led to my first experience with vaginal estrogen and topical testosterone. But over time, I learned I needed a more comprehensive approach—including systemic estrogen and progesterone—to truly feel like myself again.

This episode also breaks down the recent FDA meeting that addressed two major barriers to women’s hormone health:

1. The outdated black box warning on vaginal estrogen
2. The ongoing lack of FDA-approved testosterone options for women

These regulatory hurdles continue to block access to treatments that dramatically improve quality of life for midlife women.

Whether you're working with your OB-GYN or exploring options through platforms like MyAlloy, MidiHealth, HerMD, or Parlor Games—support exists. But you must advocate for yourself. No woman should suffer in silence or settle for a life that feels like a shadow of her former self.

Share this episode with someone who thinks they’re “just getting older” and doesn’t realize how good they could actually feel.

Some Online Women's Health Resources:

Allara Health, Midi Health, Alloy Women’s Health, Evernow, Winona, HerMD, Femgevity, Maven Clinic

This episode is not intended to be medical advice. I'm sharing my personal journey with hormone replacement therapy in hopes of starting a conversation and helping other women feel less alone. I realize HRT is not the right fit for everyone.

_________________________________________
Are you ready to reclaim your midlife body and health? I went through my own personal journey through menopause, the struggle with midsection weight gain, and feeling run-down. Faster Way, a transformative six-week group program, set me on the path to sustainable change.
https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=MicheleFolan
Have questions about Faster Way? Please email me at:
[email protected]

Sign up for Michele's weekly newsletter for more health and fitness tips and insights. https://michelefolanfasterway.myflodesk.com/i6i44jw4fq

RIMAN skincare finally gave me real, visible results—restoring my glow, firmness, and confidence in my skin at 61. RIMAN Korea's #1 Skincare Line - https://michelefolan.riman.com
*Transcripts are done with AI and may not be perfectly accurate.
**This podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

Chapters

1. Disclaimer and Personal HRT Journey (00:00:00)

2. My Hysterectomy Experience and HRT (00:05:32)

3. FDA Meeting on Hormone Therapy (00:09:14)

4. Vaginal Estrogen Benefits Explained (00:13:54)

5. Systemic Estrogen and Progesterone (00:17:15)

6. The Testosterone Conversation (00:20:44)

7. Finding the Right Provider for HRT (00:27:15)