Part 1: Women Have Been Lied To About Testosterone with Victoria Felkar

In this episode, I'm joined by the brilliant Victoria Felkar, and we go where most conversations in women's health simply don't: anabolic steroids. Why has this topic been so misunderstood—and even feared—by women, especially in midlife? Are we lumping very different hormones into one "scary" category without truly understanding them? Victoria shares her own jaw-dropping health story—one that led to sky-high androgens, medical confusion, and even accusations of steroid use. How did a teenage experience with birth control, stress, and recovery from an eating disorder spiral into a complex endocrine storm? And what did it reveal about the massive gaps in women's hormonal research? We also tackle the controversial rise of testosterone therapy and anabolic use in women. Do we really have more testosterone than estrogen? Are the benefits being overhyped? What does the research actually say about muscle, bone, migraines, and long-term risk? And how do we separate empowerment from misinformation in a world flooded with hormone trends? In this episode, we uncover: How anabolic steroids differ from bioidentical hormones and TRT. Why the "women have more testosterone" claim is misleading. What research actually shows about androlone and bone density. How androgen activity goes far beyond simple blood levels. Why lifestyle foundations matter before hormone optimization. If you've ever been curious—or confused—about testosterone, anabolic agents, or your own hormone story, this conversation is a must-listen!     Visit Victoria's website here. Follow Victoria on Instagram.     Sponsors Try the power of copper peptides and exosomes on your skin today and get 20% off your order with coupon code km20 here. Get 10% off Sleep Breakthrough By BiOptimzers products at bioptimizers.com/hormone with coupon code HORMONE.     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram