Welcome to the wild west of perimenopause, where hot flashes meet hashtags and popular influencers suddenly have a lab test recommendation—thanks, TikTok. Hormone lab testing is “trending” and the Docs are taking a skeptical scalpel to the flood of hormone lab testing trends that have invaded exam rooms and inboxes alike.

In this episode of OvaryActive, Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su go over which hormone tests are actually helpful and which ones are just good at emptying your wallet. Remember: just because your favorite influencer swears by a saliva test doesn’t mean your ovaries agree.

They explain why testing isn’t always the best next step, even if AI says so. This episode has everything you wanted to know about hormone testing (minus the woo, plus the wisdom).

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:45] Social media and AI’s influence on patient expectations

[2:45] Understanding labs

[3:37] Estrogen, progesterone, and other commonly requested tests

[11:16] Progesterone: When and why to test

[16:07] FSH and LH: Key hormones in menopause

[20:03] What you need to know about thyroid testing

[26:02] Understanding cortisol

[30:43] The Role of DHEA in hormone production

[36:28] Pitfalls of unnecessary testing

[40:04] Testing methods: blood vs. urine vs. saliva

[41:58] The Importance of symptom-based treatment

[43:37] A few things to remember

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs dive headfirst into the hot (flash) topic of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for breast cancer survivors. It’s complicated, it’s emotional, and yes, it’s got a healthy splash of perimenopause thrown in—because nothing says “fun” like navigating midlife with a side of oncology.

They talk all about the swirling myths, the clickbait headlines, and the TikTok “experts” who got their MDs from the comments section. Dr. Dunsmoor-Su even shares her own experience with breast cancer and menopause, adding a real-world lens to the science.

We’ve got real talk on estrogen’s role in cancer risk, the current scientific consensus on HRT post-diagnosis, and why early detection still matters.

You’ll walk away with a clearer sense of what’s fact, what’s fiction, and what to actually bring up with your doctor (hint: not what Becky from Instagram said).

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:57] The “Influencer Effect”

[1:18] Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su’s experience with breast cancer and menopause

[7:40] The Gold Standard: Mammograms

[11:25] Alternative screening methods: myths and facts

[16:48] Estrogen’s role in breast cancer

[20:43] Understanding HRT & breast cancer

[30:24[ Tamoxifen & Aromatase inhibitors: a comparison

[39:22] Women’s health needs more research

Resources:

thewisdomstudy.org

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html

Welcome to the magical mystery tour that is perimenopause, where your hormones throw a rave and forget to invite your metabolism.

In this episode of OvaryActive, the Docs tackle the ever-fun topic of weight gain during perimenopause—because just when you thought you had your fitness routine down, suddenly your jeans won’t button no matter what you do.

Dr. Amy Voedisch and Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su are here to tell us what’s really going on with our bodies during this hormonal joyride. They talk through the outdated gospel of BMI, the realities of lifestyle changes (yes, we see you, kale), and the current science of obesity treatment, fresh off the Obesity Medicine Association runway.

From GLP-1s to diabetes meds and everything in between, they cover the full pharmacy aisle of weight loss medications—along with the pros, cons, and costs. Listeners will gain clarity, a few laughs, and a better idea of what might actually work for you.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

[0:31] Hot Topic: Weight loss & perimenopause

[1:35] Obesity Medicine Association Conference insights

[3:48] Body composition vs. BMI

[7:06] The role of medications in weight management

[12:31] Who’s a candidate for weight loss medications?

[18:15] Did you know there are categories?!

[22:43] GLP-1s

[27:39] How does one even choose?

[30:36] What’s the price tag?

[32:00] Wait–there are risks to losing weight during perimenopause?

[34:10] Nutrition and lifestyle are very important

[35:05] Looking into the [metaphorical] crystal ball

Follow the show @OvaryActive Instagram | YouTube

Meet the Docs:

More information about Dr. Rebecca Dunsmoor-Su:

Gennev: www.gennev.com/clinician/dr-rebecca-dunsmoor-su

LinkedIn @rebecca-dunsmoor-su

More information about Dr. Amy Voedisch:

Stanford Medical Clinic: stanfordhealthcare.org/doctors/v/amy-voedisch.html