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. Show notes and references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ Full show notes + references: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/fxmed-podcast/ GUEST DETAILS Dr. Kelly Casperson is a board-certified urologic surgeon,CEO and founder of The Casperson Clinic, a modern practice dedicated to hormones and sex medicine, renowned public speaker, sex educator, and host of the top-ranking podcast You Are Not Broken. Dedicated to empowering women, Dr. Kelly blends humor, candor, and science to demystify sexual health, intimacy, and midlife wellness. Through her podcast and online courses, she tackles myths about desire and normalizes conversations around healthy, fulfilling sex. Her work also provides essential education on hormones and midlife health. Connect with Dr. Kelly on Instagram (@kellycaspersonmd) or visit http://kellycaspersonmd.com . THANKS TO OUR DIAMOND SPONSORS DUTCH: https://dutchtest.com/for-providers Biotics Research: https://www.bioticsresearch.com/ Time—Line Nutrition: http://pro.timeline.com/ THANKS TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS Fullscript Journeys: http://www.fullscript.com/journeys-kara Equelle: http://equelle.com CONNECT with DrKF Want more? Join our newsletter here: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/newsletter/ Or take our pop quiz and test your BioAge! https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/bioagequiz YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/hjpc8daz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkarafitzgerald/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrKaraFitzgerald/ DrKF Clinic: Patient consults with DrKF physicians including Younger You Concierge: https://tinyurl.com/yx4fjhkb Younger You Practitioner Training Program: https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/trainingyyi/ Younger You book: https://tinyurl.com/mr4d9tym Better Broths and Healing Tonics book: https://tinyurl.com/3644mrfw