We’re tackling your questions about midlife hormone support. We’ll debunk common myths, unpack the research, and break down the basics of hormone support. We’ll also discuss some of the systemic benefits that may come with taking hormones, as well as important considerations for people with a history of health conditions, like cancer or stroke. Joining Dr. Elizabeth Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute’s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O’Connor. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

(00:25:29) - Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos

(00:27:27) - Decoding Brain Fog with Dr. Caroline Gurvich

(00:48:00) - Decoding Partnership in Midlife with Dr. Richard Shapiro

Vaginal estrogen use in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recurrence and mortality risks

Oral micronized progesterone for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes a Phase III Canada-wide randomized placebo-controlled 4 month trial

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of menopause hormone therapy on risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Endometrial Cancer

Allopregnanolone and Reproductive Psychiatry: An Overview

Adverse Changes in Body Composition During the Menopausal Transition and Relation to Cardiovascular Risk: A Contemporary Review

The role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health: a review of non-pharmacologic interventions

Skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ: PGC-1α, myokines and exercise

ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review

The range and variation in serum estradiol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women treated with transdermal estradiol in a real-world setting: a cross-sectional study

The use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous or arterial thromboembolism: A consecutive series of 115 cases

Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

We&rsquo;re tackling your questions about midlife hormone support. We&rsquo;ll debunk common myths, unpack the research, and break down the basics of hormone support. We&rsquo;ll also discuss some of the systemic benefits that may come with taking hormones, as well as important considerations for people with a history of health conditions, like cancer or stroke. Joining Dr. Elizabeth Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute&rsquo;s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O&rsquo;Connor.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
(00:25:29) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-happiness-in-midlife-with-dr-laurie-santos/id1839991627?i=1000743140356">- Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos</a>
(00:27:27) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-brain-fog-with-dr-caroline-gurvich/id1839991627?i=1000730519458">- Decoding Brain Fog with Dr. Caroline Gurvich</a>
(00:48:00) <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decoding-partnership-in-midlife-with-dr-richard-shapiro/id1839991627?i=1000749021960">- Decoding Partnership in Midlife with Dr. Richard Shapiro</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39521301/">Vaginal estrogen use in breast cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recurrence and mortality risks</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10241804/">Oral micronized progesterone for perimenopausal night sweats and hot flushes a Phase III Canada-wide randomized placebo-controlled 4 month trial</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625913/">Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of menopause hormone therapy on risk of Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease and dementia</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3775978/">Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk of Endometrial Cancer</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6594874/">Allopregnanolone and Reproductive Psychiatry: An Overview</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9258798/">Adverse Changes in Body Composition During the Menopausal Transition and Relation to Cardiovascular Risk: A Contemporary Review</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40937901/">The role of lifestyle medicine in menopausal health: a review of non-pharmacologic interventions</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4657151/">Skeletal muscle as an endocrine organ: PGC-1&alpha;, myokines and exercise</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12145478/">ADHD and Sex Hormones in Females: A Systematic Review</a>
<a href="https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2025/02000/the_range_and_variation_in_serum_estradiol.2.aspx">The range and variation in serum estradiol concentration in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women treated with transdermal estradiol in a real-world setting: a cross-sectional study</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12669395/">The use of HRT containing transdermal estradiol in women with a personal history of venous or arterial thromboembolism: A consecutive series of 115 cases</a>
<a href="https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/recurrent-uti">Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2025)</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Your Hormone Support Questions with Siobhan O’Connor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f25406b3-e8dc-44b7-bc1b-b409000adc9a/transcript