The Truth About Testosterone, Menopause & Healthy Aging

Is fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, declining muscle, and loss of motivation simply part of getting older—or are your hormones trying to tell you something?In this episode of The Curious Cardiologist, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj sits down with functional medicine expert Joya Van Der Laan to discuss the science of testosterone, estrogen, menopause, metabolic health, and longevity.They explore why hormone levels are changing across modern populations, the difference between "normal" and "optimal" lab values, and why muscle may be one of the strongest predictors of healthy aging. The conversation also covers bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, sleep, nutrition, strength training, cardiovascular health, and how functional medicine approaches root causes rather than simply treating symptoms.Whether you're navigating menopause, low testosterone, or simply looking to improve your health-span, this episode provides practical, evidence-informed insights to help you feel stronger, think clearer, and age with greater vitality.In this episode you'll learn: Why testosterone levels have declined over recent decades  The difference between "normal" and "optimal" hormone levels  Menopause, perimenopause, and andropause  Strength training as the #1 longevity strategy  Hormones and cardiovascular health  Functional medicine vs conventional medicine  Sleep apnea, snoring, and hormone health  Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)  Pellets vs creams vs injections  Practical lifestyle strategies to optimize hormones naturallyTimestamps00:00 Introduction01:45 Joya's Journey into Functional Medicine04:15 Why Root-Cause Medicine Matters05:30 Understanding Low Testosterone08:00 Symptoms Most Men Ignore10:30 Natural Ways to Support Testosterone15:00 Free vs Total Testosterone17:00 Exercise, Muscle & Longevity22:00 "Normal" vs "Optimal" Hormone Levels24:00 Testosterone & Metabolic Health26:30 Sleep, Snoring & Hormones30:00 Testosterone Therapy Options33:00 Pellets vs Creams vs Injections35:30 Women's Hormones & Menopause39:00 Hormone Testing & Functional Medicine Labs43:00 Hormones After Cancer: What Does the Evidence Say?49:00 The Future of Functional Medicine53:00 Final Takeaways