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

Three years ago, GLP-1 peptides were barely being talked about in the midlife women's health space. Since then, Jessica and I have personally used them, experimented with different approaches, and helped over a thousand women inside our peptide program navigate what works, what backfires, and what women in perimenopause and menopause need to know before jumping in.
In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on our own GLP-1 journeys, including my rough start with Ozempic, why Tirzepatide worked better for me, Jessica's experience with Semaglutide and fatigue, and why Retatrutide is becoming one of the most talked-about peptides right now. We also get into one of the biggest myths floating around online: that GLP-1s automatically cause massive muscle loss. The truth is much more nuanced.
We talk about the biggest mistakes we see women making. How Glp1s can impact insulin sensitivity, inflammation, fat cell biology, blood sugar regulation, liver metabolism, and even brain reward pathways.
We also dive into some of the peptides we're loving right now beyond GLP-1s, including NAD, KPV, MOTS-c, and Tesamorelin, and why peptide therapy can be powerful when it's used intelligently, not recklessly. This is a real, honest conversation about how to use these tools in a way that supports long-term health, metabolism, muscle, and hormones, instead of chasing fast weight loss at any cost.
In this episode, we cover:
Our personal three-year journey using GLP-1 peptides
Why Ozempic, Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Retatrutide can feel very different
The truth about GLP-1s and muscle loss
Why appetite suppression is not the only sign a GLP-1 is working
The biggest mistakes women make with dosing and titration
Why protein, amino acids, digestion, and strength training matter so much
How GLP-1s may support insulin sensitivity, inflammation, blood sugar, and metabolic health
Why some women don't lose weight until thyroid, hormones, food sensitivities, or inflammation are addressed
What we're seeing with Retatrutide and why it's getting so much attention
Peptides beyond GLP-1s, including NAD, KPV, MOTS-c, and Tesamorelin
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is for women in perimenopause or menopause who are using GLP-1s, thinking about starting them, or wondering why they are not getting the results they expected.
It is especially helpful if you are worried about muscle loss, hair shedding, fatigue, dosing, long-term use, maintenance, or whether peptides are actually supporting your metabolism or just helping you eat less.
 
 
Sponsors
Join our FREE upcoming masterclass: Why Midlife Weight Gain Won't Budge
A smarter way to use GLP-1s in midlife without wrecking muscle or metabolism
When: April 30th 11 am PST
Register here: https://coaching.karenmartel.com/glp1-masterclass 
 
Add MitoQ Hormonal Metabolic Support to your midlife support toolbox: www.mitoq.com/karenmartel get 10% off your order with code: MARTEL10
 
 
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, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

Join our FREE upcoming masterclass: Why Midlife Weight Gain Won't Budge
A smarter way to use GLP-1s in midlife without wrecking muscle or metabolism
When: April 30th 11 am PST
Register here: https://coaching.karenmartel.com/glp1-masterclass
 
There comes a point for so many women in their late 30s and 40s when they look in the mirror, or down at their belly, and think, what is happening to my body? You're still eating well. You're still exercising. You're still trying to do all the "right" things. And yet your body suddenly feels like it is playing by a completely different set of rules.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Siobhan Mitchell, neuroscientist, nutritional scientist, and Chief Scientific Officer at MitoQ, to unpack what is really happening beneath the surface during perimenopause and menopause. We get into the fascinating science behind estrogen loss, shifting metabolism, belly fat, blood sugar changes, mitochondrial health, and why so many women feel like their bodies stop responding the way they used to.
We also talk about phytoestrogens, the gut microbiome, and a little-known molecule called S-equol that may play an important role in metabolic and hormonal health during midlife. This is a smart, eye-opening conversation for any woman who wants to better understand why midlife weight gain happens, why timing matters when it comes to intervention, and what supportive tools may actually help.
 
In this episode, we cover:
Why midlife weight gain often shows up around the belly
How estrogen affects metabolism, appetite, blood sugar, and fat storage
Why women become more prone to insulin resistance in perimenopause and menopause
The role of mitochondria in energy, aging, and ovarian health
Why belly fat in menopause is about more than just calories
How stress and cortisol can amplify fat gain during midlife
The difference between estrogen alpha and beta receptors
What phytoestrogens are and how they may support women in menopause
What S-equol is and why it may matter for metabolic health
Why early support in perimenopause may be one of the smartest moves for long-term health
 
Who this episode is for
This episode is for women in perimenopause or menopause who feel like their metabolism has changed overnight, their belly fat is increasing for no obvious reason, or their blood sugar and weight are becoming harder to manage despite doing all the right things. It is also for women who want a deeper understanding of estrogen, midlife metabolic changes, and supportive options beyond the usual tired advice to just eat less and move more.
 
Key Takeaways
Estrogen is not just a reproductive hormone. It plays a major role in metabolism, fat distribution, blood sugar control, and muscle maintenance.
Midlife belly fat is not just about overeating or aging. Hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause directly influence where fat is stored and how energy is used.
Insulin resistance, rising cholesterol, and metabolic dysfunction can begin during perimenopause, even before obvious menopause symptoms show up.
S-equol may be a promising tool for supporting estrogen-beta activity, metabolic health, and symptom relief in midlife women.
The earlier women understand and support these shifts, the better their chances of protecting long-term metabolic, cardiovascular, and brain health.
 
 
http://www.mitoq.com/karenmartel
Coupon code: Martel10
 
 
Sponsors
Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code HORMONESBOGO to get 2 sets of sheets for the price of one. Do not miss this sale.
 
 
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, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

In this second of two parts, I sit down with Victoria Felkar again to unpack the complicated, often glamorized world of androgens, testosterone therapy, and anabolic steroids for women. Are these hormones empowering tools—or ticking time bombs? How do you know the difference? We dive into what's really happening beneath the surface when women start layering in testosterone or other androgens, especially without a solid hormonal foundation in place.
Have you ever wondered why some women feel amazing on testosterone, while others spiral into acne, hair loss, mood swings, or worse? What role do estradiol and progesterone really play? And why might "more" hormones actually push you further from health instead of closer to it? Victoria breaks down the science in a way that makes sense—and shares why context, dosing, and metabolic health matter more than most clinics admit.
We also talk about the cultural shift around hormone optimization, the risks of black-market sourcing, cycling versus long-term use, and why chasing side effects with more prescriptions can backfire. Is it possible to use these compounds responsibly? What should you monitor? And how do you protect your future fertility, heart, and brain while pursuing strength, libido, or physique goals?
In this episode, we uncover:
How high androgens interact with insulin resistance and inflammation.
Why estradiol and progesterone should be your hormonal foundation first.
What happens to fertility and the HPO axis on steroids.
How black market and compounded hormones increase hidden risks.
Why hormone balance works like an ecosystem, not isolation.
Listen now to learn how to approach hormone optimization with clarity, caution, and confidence!
 
 
Join our FREE upcoming masterclass: Why Midlife Weight Gain Won't Budge
A smarter way to use GLP-1s in midlife without wrecking muscle or metabolism
When: April 30th 11 am PST
Register here: https://coaching.karenmartel.com/glp1-masterclass
 
 
Visit Victoria's website here.
Follow Victoria on Instagram.
 
 
Sponsors
Get 15% off Masszymes products at bioptimizers.com/hormone with coupon code HORMONE.
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, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to 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
iTunes
Have you ever wondered what your DNA says about your diet and hormones? Well in today's episode we are going to explore the connection between genetics and popular diets like keto, vegan, and low carb. Additionally, we'll explore how DNA reports can help us better understand our hormones and their impact on our health.
Kashif Khan the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The DNA Company, where personalized medicine is being pioneered through unique insights into the human genome.
Download in iTunes or on your favorite podcast platform.
In this episode:
How your body's processes affect your ideal dosages and timings of supplements.
The benefits of working directly with functional medicine practitioners.
How Kashif's discovery about his own DNA led him to become more entrepreneurial.
A situation that made Kashif realize how our bio-individuality is so important.
Identifying which processes and jobs your body struggles with.
How DNA records help you proactively support your health.
Changes in estrogen during menopause and other related symptoms.
Signs that we're not designed for living in today's world and why detox can help.
Why the hormonal cascade is so sensitive.
The difference between being estrogenic compared to androgenic dominant.
Estrogen toxicity and the associated symptoms that often come along with it.
Why your body could struggle with heavy metal detoxification.
How your genes can inform your workout routines to achieve optimal results.
The impact of diet, and finding out if you are more prone to weight gain than others.
 
 
Sponsors
Head to cozyearth.com and use my code HORMONESBOGO to get 2 sets of sheets for the price of one. Do not miss this sale.
 
 
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, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Victoria Felkar, and we go where most conversations in women's health simply don't: anabolic steroids. Why has this topic been so misunderstood—and even feared—by women, especially in midlife? Are we lumping very different hormones into one "scary" category without truly understanding them?
Victoria shares her own jaw-dropping health story—one that led to sky-high androgens, medical confusion, and even accusations of steroid use. How did a teenage experience with birth control, stress, and recovery from an eating disorder spiral into a complex endocrine storm? And what did it reveal about the massive gaps in women's hormonal research?
We also tackle the controversial rise of testosterone therapy and anabolic use in women. Do we really have more testosterone than estrogen? Are the benefits being overhyped? What does the research actually say about muscle, bone, migraines, and long-term risk? And how do we separate empowerment from misinformation in a world flooded with hormone trends?
In this episode, we uncover:
How anabolic steroids differ from bioidentical hormones and TRT.
Why the "women have more testosterone" claim is misleading.
What research actually shows about androlone and bone density.
How androgen activity goes far beyond simple blood levels.
Why lifestyle foundations matter before hormone optimization.
If you've ever been curious—or confused—about testosterone, anabolic agents, or your own hormone story, this conversation is a must-listen!
 
 
Visit Victoria's website here.
Follow Victoria on Instagram.
 
 
Sponsors
Try the power of copper peptides and exosomes on your skin today and get 20% off your order with coupon code km20 here.
Get 10% off Sleep Breakthrough By BiOptimzers products at bioptimizers.com/hormone with coupon code 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, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.
 
Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call
Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.
 
Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com
 
Shop the Midlife Solutions Store
Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed.
Including:
• Progesterone
• Estrogen Face Cream
• Vaginal Moisturizer
and more!
 
Take the Hormone Quiz
Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms.
Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).
 
Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program
Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.
 
Midlife RESET HRT Program
A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.
 
Your host:
Karen Martel
Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert
 
Karen's Facebook
Karen's Instagram