How Medicine Got Menopause Wrong | Dr. Kelly Casperson

Hormones are about far more than hot flashes.

In this episode of New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is joined by urologist and hormone expert Dr. Kelly Casperson for a conversation that challenges conventional thinking about menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and healthy aging.

Dr. Casperson explains why menopause may be better understood as a form of hypogonadism, shares the story behind the removal of the FDA's black box warning on vaginal estrogen, and explores the latest evidence on estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone therapy for women.

Topics include:

• Vaginal estrogen and the FDA black box warning

• The lasting impact of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI)

• Estrogen, brain health, and mitochondrial function

• Testosterone therapy for women: science and misconceptions

• Hormone therapy after age 60

• Patient education, body literacy, and informed decision-making

• Exercise, sleep, alcohol reduction, and other foundations of healthy aging

Whether you're a functional medicine practitioner or someone interested in menopause, longevity, and women's health, this evidence-based conversation offers practical insights and a fresh perspective on hormone care.