The Progesterone Truth: No One Tells You

In this 109th episode of the Soberhead Podcast Dr. Esra Çavuşoğlu, PhD welcomes Dr. Felice Gersh, MD.Dr. Felice Gersh is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and also a specialist in integrative medicine. She focuses on women’s hormones, PCOS, menopause, and the gut-hormone connection. Dr. Gersh is known for her holistic approach, combining modern medicine with nutrition and lifestyle strategies.Dr. Gersh mentions that menopause should be viewed not just as a hormone deficiency, but as a loss of rhythms specifically circadian and lunar, menstrual cycles.She challenges the "less is best" mantra of conventional medicine, explaining how low-dose, static hormone regimens may fail to provide the growth factors necessary for mitochondrial health and neuroprotection.The conversation dives deep into the "metabolic jet lag" of menopause and the critical need for cyclic progesterone. Dr. Gersh explains why oral progesterone can be problematic due to high conversion into allopregnanolone (a sedative metabolite) and why "physiological" levels of estradiol often higher than what is standardly prescribed are vital for healthy longevity.#EsraÇavuşoğlu #AyıkKafa #ElevatingLifeEvolvingHealth #Longevilab #DrFeliceGershSpecial thanks to T.C. Istanbul Gedik University https://www.gedik.edu.tr/en/Dr. Felice Gersh, MD Website: https://integrativemgi.com/about-dr-felice-gersh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.felicegersh/00:00-05:02 Introduction to Dr. Felice Gersh 05:02-07:25 The link between circadian rhythms and organ function 07:25-18:57 Testosterone for Women: Sources (adrenals vs. ovaries) and why levels drop by age 40. 18:57-20:08 Individualizing Testosterone: Finding the "edge" without virilization. 20:08-23:07 PCOS & Leadership: The natural advantage of slightly higher androgens 23:07-27:40 The Case for Cyclic Progesterone 27:40-36:18 Growth Factors & Estrogen: Restoring mitochondrial function and tissue health 36:18-39:12 Effect of Oral Estrogen on the Liver 39:12-41:34 The Oral Progesterone Problem 41:34-48:41 Alternative Routes: Vaginal vs. Rectal progesterone for better absorption 48:41-53:10 Optimal Estradiol Levels 53:10-1:00:11 Tolerating Higher Estrogen: Using "two-dose" strategies to mimic a real cycle 1:00:11-1:09:13 *Progesterone’s Hidden Benefits: Bone health, myelin insulation, and anti-inflammation 1:09:13-1:12:12 Wrap up.*About Ayık Kafa* Dr. Esra Çavuşoğlu, PhD, took her studies, starting from her personal treatment experiences and continuing with her clinical psychology education, to the next level by completing her PhD focused on Addiction. Dr. Esra in Ayık Kafa podcast discusses the world’s latest technologies, protocols, products and research in the fields of Biohacking and Longevity, while sharing first-hand information and experiences about the Disease of Addiction, as well as her latest academic studies.*About Dr. Esra Çavuşoğlu, PhD* Longevilab’s founder, Dr. Esra, is a United States and internationally trained clinical psychologist and a certified addiction therapist in New York. She served as International Development Advisor on the Yale University Faculty of Medicine Clinical Advisory Board. She is the founder and supervisor of Gaziantep Oya Bahadır Yüksel Rehabilitation Center, Dr. Esra is the designer and implementer of the Turkey Rehabilitation Model. Dr. Esra founded the Contemporary Addiction Studies Association (ÇABAÇAD) in order to combat Turkey’s growing addiction problem.DisclaimerThe information and statements on our YouTube Channel Sober-Head are not intended to guide individuals towards medical diagnosis and treatment.Please consult with your doctor for medical diagnostic and treatment procedures.The content is shared for informational purposes only, derived from scientific studies prepared by EMC Medya Yayıncılık Ticaret Ltd. Şti.’s researchers, consultants, and authors/scientists, as well as compilations from publicly available public.