When Women Feel Well, Everything Changes: Exploring Hormones and HRT (EP 134)

Episode Summary: “When women feel well, everything changes.” That simple statement becomes the foundation for a powerful and eye-opening conversation with family nurse practitioner and menopause specialist Magen Price. In this episode, Kathy and Magen break down the realities of perimenopause and menopause, from the hormonal shifts happening in the body to the emotional and identity-level impact many women experience. Magen debunks common myths, explains hormone replacement therapy in clear, accessible terms, and shares why so many women feel dismissed or confused when seeking care. Together, they explore how this phase of life can feel destabilizing but also deeply transformative and how the right support, information, and advocacy can help women move from confusion to clarity. Whether you’re in your late 30s, midlife, or beyond, this episode offers both validation and actionable guidance to help you better understand your body and advocate for your health. Topics We Cover: Hormones 101: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone explained  Early signs of perimenopause (that most people miss)  Why anxiety, sleep disruption, and identity shifts are often hormonal  Body-identical vs. synthetic hormones - what’s the difference?  The surprising preventative benefits of HRT (heart, bone, brain, and more)  Why vaginal estrogen is a “game changer” for long-term health  The real risks, and how they’re often misunderstood  How to advocate for yourself with medical providers  Resources and Mentions:  Mystic Valley Sexual Wellness, Magen’s concierge women’s health practice: https://www.mysticvalleysexualwellness.com  Magen’s Midlife Library, with patient guides: https://mysticvalley.podia.com/   Instagram: @magenpricenp  Instagram: @mysticvalleysexualwellness  Some statistics referenced in the episode:  Women are leaving the workforce due to menopause-related symptoms:  https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/pb-assets/Health%20Advance/journals/jmcp/JMCP4097_proof.pdf  Untreated hip fractures in elderly women: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-dangerous-is-a-broken-hip-when-youre-older-2223520  Vaginal Estrogen seen as helpful for women in preventing urinary tract infections:  https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(23)00309-5/abstract  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8058921/  DVT/Clot risks with HRT Transdermal Patches https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/2958/   About Magen Price Magen Price is board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and an AASECT-Certified Sex Counselor with a passion for helping women navigate the complex, often-overlooked transitions of midlife.  She started in community health as a primary care provider, and the created a Sexual Wellness specialty there, blending sexual medicine, hormone management and intimacy counseling.  In 2025, she founded her private practice, Mystic Valley Sexual Wellness, to do what the traditional healthcare system too often cannot: offer thoughtful, individualized, evidence-based care for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, sexual dysfunction, low libido, and intimacy challenges.  She’s passionate about correcting medical misinformation and bringing education to her patients and to health care providers about menopause and sexual medicine, and advocating for evidence-based, compassionate care that truly honors a woman’s quality of life.