Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist/Owner
Susan Merenstein, Pharmacist/Owner
New Podcast
11/07/2025
The importance of what you’re feeling is not all in your head, most symptoms women in perimenopause & menopause experience are down to unaddressed hormone imbalances. You do not need to be referred to a psychiatrist!
This month we are joined by Kenna Stevenson, MD & David Zava, PhD discussing topics such as:
- The Bioidentical Hormone Restoration model of care (BHRT)
- Why it all begins with non-invasive saliva testing to detect imbalances of the ‘Big 5 Hormones’: Progesterone, E2, DHEA, T + Cortisol
- Why the standard blood draw is not helpful in evaluating hormone levels
- Debunking the myth that transdermal/topical progesterone does not protect against overgrowth of the uterine lining
- Why rubbing topical hormone cream into the skin very effectively raises hormones to healthy levels, that are NOT trackable in blood tests but are in saliva
- How Progesterone used at bedtime induces calming of the brain + helps you achieve REM sleep
- Keeping the brain healthy with hormone restoration; neuroprotective effects of balanced hormones
- Why transdermal/topical use of hormone is the way to go = lower to no risk of forming blood clots, even in women with a history of stroke
- Why physiologic levels of estrogen and progesterone are perfect for the postmenopausal woman to help keep us young, protect our skin, our heart, our brains
- Why mother nature created progesterone to work in concert w/ estrogen
- Estriol's favorable effects for protecting against breast cancer tumors, UTIs & skin health
- Safety of bioidentical hormones for post-menopausal women 65+.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-talking-frankly/id1488184357?i=1000735463703
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sWNvusJ2pC9Fz7Uj3bviw
The Medical System Is Misleading Women About Symptoms of Menopause | Dr. Tara Scott
The Dr. Brighten Show
In this eye-opening episode of The Dr. Brighten Show, Dr. Jolene Brighten sits down with hormone expert and OB-GYN Dr. Tara Scott to debunk the most damaging myths about menopause and hormone therapy. If you’ve ever been told to “just deal with it” when it comes to menopause symptoms, or you’ve been scared off from exploring hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this is the empowering deep dive you’ve been waiting for.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode This episode is your go-to guide for understanding symptoms of menopause, how to get menopause symptom relief, and the science-backed hormone replacement therapy benefits that every woman deserves to know.
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at why so many doctors are misinformed, how to advocate for yourself, and the truth about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and even DHEA.
Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Menopause Society 2022 Position Statement: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/07000/the_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_the.4.aspx
Study - Breast cancer risk for estrogen + micronized progesterone is only 1 in 1,000: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/07000/the_2022_hormone_therapy_position_statement_of_the.4.aspx
Study on 10 million women and cardiovascular disease https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2024/05000/use_of_menopausal_hormone_therapy_beyond_age_65.3.aspx
Study in the UK measuring serum levels: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.asp A4M
Provider Directory: https://www.a4m.com/find-a-doctor.html
Study in the UK measuring serum levels: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.asp
Does Endometriosis Go Away with Menopause https://drbrighten.com/does-endometriosis-go-away-after-menopause/
10 Odd Symptoms of Menopause https://drbrighten.com/10-odd-symptoms-of-menopause
Follow Dr. Tara Scott: 💻 Website: https://drtarascott.com
Free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161?i=1000710404808
I recently joined the hosts of Women Talking Frankly (WTF) to talk about good health foundations and the 5 key supplements everyone needs to take, focusing on Acetyl Glutathione (link here) as NUMBER ONE! Acetyl Glutathione is the most IMPORTANT Antioxidant in the body and the “strongest antioxidant on the planet!”
I’d love for you to listen!
Spotify: Click to listen
Apple: Click to listen
Facebook: Click to listen
Kyle and Candace respond to the recent (Jan. 2023) NY Times Magazine cover article by Susan Dominus, "We have been misled about menopause." Twenty years after the Women's Health Initiative study (WHI) turned the treatment of menopause on its head, the U.S is still grappling with how to deal with this ever important phase of the female life. Kyle and Candace tackle the many issues facing women in order to help them find the answers they need to find safe and effective hormone balance and live healthier lives.
REFERENCES:
* The effects of compounded bioidentical transdermal hormone therapy on hemostatic, inflammatory, immune factors; cardiovascular biomarkers; quality-of-life measures; and health outcomes in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23627249/
The Gospel of Women's Health: Awakening Athena Again; Kenna Stephenson MD
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, John R. Lee, MD
The Hormone Cure, Sara Gottfried MD
CONNECT WITH US:
www.VitalHealthPharmacist.com/contact-us
Learn more and test your hormones!
To Shop
www.VitalHealthPharmacist.com/shop
Candace and Kyle get a rare chance to talk with our favorite mentor, expert and guru on hormones and hormone testing, Dr. David Zava, Ph.D., CEO and founder of ZRT Laboratory, one of the foremost hormone testing labs in the US and globally. This is a challenging listen that is not only eye-opening but life-changing, chock full of the latest science and information women can use to prevent hormone imbalances from sabotaging our best efforts to feel and look great, no matter our age! A biochemist by trade and a teacher at heart, Dr. Zava didn’t start out trying to build a company — as a researcher, he wanted to provide health care practitioners and patients with a deeper understanding of the role hormones play in wellness. The more he studied, the more test results he reviewed, and the more patient stories he heard, the more he knew he needed to channel his knowledge into something that enables people to be actively involved in their own health. We are privileged to have Dr. Zava share some of his formidable knowledge and pearls of wisdom with us and our listeners. “There is no other reason to keep doing the work unless we find out a way to make the world a better place.” – Dr. David Zava
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/women-talking-frankly/id1488184357?i=1000488303727
We’re up against an epidemic of chronic metabolic diseases. One thing they all have in common is a component of insulin dysregulation. Take that into account with the fact that 90% of people who have insulin resistance are going to the doctor and remaining undiagnosed. Why then, are we testing everything but insulin? Today, I take a deep dive into the topic of insulin resistance and metabolic health with Dr. Ben Bikman.
Dr. Bikman is a renowned metabolic research scientist and a popular speaker on human metabolism and nutrition. Backed by years of research, Dr. Bikman’s mission is to help the world appreciate the prevalence and relevance of insulin resistance. He is the author of the book, Why We Get Sick, which offers a thought-provoking yet real solution to insulin resistance and reversing pre-diabetes, improving brain function, shedding fat, and preventing diabetes. Dr. Bikman has a Doctor of Philosophy in Bioenergetics from East Carolina University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in metabolic disorders with the Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School.
