Menopause, Autoimmune Disease & Weight Gain: The Truth About HRT, Estrogen & GLP-1

If you're a woman over 40 with joint pain, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, or an autoimmune diagnosis — this episode connects dots that most doctors never connect.Dr. Diana Girnita, double board-certified rheumatologist and founder of Rheumatologist OnCall, sits down with Dr. Mirela Titianu, menopause and lifestyle specialist, for a frank conversation about what actually happens to women's bodies during perimenopause and menopause — and what the latest science says about treating it.They cover the real risk profile of HRT in 2025, why the decade-old fear of hormone replacement no longer holds up, how estrogen loss raises the risk of autoimmune flares, and why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro may be doing far more than helping women lose weight.IN THIS EPISODE:— Why joint pain, brain fog, and fatigue cluster together at menopause— How estrogen protects the immune system — and what happens when it drops— The updated 2025 evidence on HRT and autoimmune disease— Transdermal vs. oral estrogen: why route of delivery changes the risk— The FDA's 2025 removal of the black box warning on vaginal estrogen— GLP-1 medications as an anti-inflammatory tool, not just weight loss— Microdosing GLP-1 in autoimmune patients already on biologics— Myth-busting: HRT and cancer risk, aging and weight, Ozempic as "cheating"— What to do right now if you can't access a specialistThis episode is essential listening for any woman navigating menopause with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, or any other autoimmune condition — and for anyone who cares for them.BOOK WITH DR. Titianu (telehealth — CA, FL, OR):https://rheumatologistoncall.com/womens-hormone/Support the showMore info about Dr. Diana Girnita, MD PhDWebsite: https://rheumatologistoncall.com/Email: [email protected]: https://www.youtube.com/@rheumatologistoncallLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-girnita-md-phd-07b57810/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rheumatologistoncall/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RheumatologistOncall/Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3685130571554200