Testosterone, Topical Estrogen, and Perimenopause: The Questions You Keep Asking

In this episode, Dr. Mary Alice Mina answers the internet's most asked questions about testosterone, topical estrogen, and perimenopause. Pulled straight from the comments section, she covers who can actually prescribe testosterone, whether estradiol and estriol can be used together on the face, what swollen eyelids might really mean, what lab work matters before starting testosterone therapy, how topical estrogen interacts with birth control pills, the correct way to apply topical estrogen, whether birth control suppresses testosterone, and whether estrogen levels need to be monitored while using topical treatments. She closes with a detailed answer on facial estradiol, hair thinning, and dry skin, and the collagen and elastin benefits the research does show.

Want more support navigating your hormones? Join my 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge: https://hi.theskinreal.com/5-day-perimenopause-challenge

In this episode:

0:00 Intro and Disclaimer3:17 Perimenopause and Hormone Confusion Explained4:21 Can Any Endocrinologist Prescribe Testosterone?5:59 Using Estradiol and Estriol on Your Face7:33 Swollen Eyelids: Eczema or Low Testosterone?8:51 Lab Work You Need Before Starting Testosterone10:16 5-Day Perimenopause Challenge11:03 Topical Estrogen and Birth Control Pills12:37 How to Properly Apply Topical Estrogen14:59 Do Birth Control Pills Block Testosterone?16:37 Do You Need to Monitor Estrogen Levels on Topical Treatment?18:28 Facial Estradiol for Hair Loss and Dry Skin19:54 Final Thoughts

Want a deeper look? Watch the full episode on YouTube for a more visual experience of today’s discussion. This episode is best enjoyed on video—don’t miss out!

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