Health By Heather Hirsch

In this episode of Health by Heather Hirsch, I'm taking your raw, real-world questions on perimenopause, menopause symptoms, and how to safely fine-tune your hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I reveal why you should never chase lab numbers over how you actually feel, how to spot the signs of excess estrogen, and why ultra-low-dose options or higher-than-average HRT doses might be the missing...

In this episode, I sit down with top bariatric surgeon Dr. Angela Glasnapp to expose the truth about why midlife weight loss feels nearly impossible and how metabolic adaptation, hormones, and visceral fat are holding you back. We dive into the game-changing connection between menopause, GLP-1 medications, and bariatric surgery so you can finally stop blame-shifting and start optimizing your healt...

Join me as I sit down with core and pelvic floor specialist Ashley from Get Mom Strong to expose why so many women are struggling with postpartum recovery, back pain, perimenopause symptoms, and a lingering "mom pooch" without real answers. We dive deep into the truth about diastasis recti, why standard crunches and sucking in your belly do more harm than good, and how to properly retrai...

I sat down with Lindsay Goldwert and Gabrielle Moss, authors of The Midlife Plot Twist, to uncover why a midlife crisis for women is actually the ultimate opportunity for personal transformation. We dive into why your 40s give you a massive advantage, how to stop blaming every emotion on perimenopause, and why small everyday changes beat burning down your whole life. Join us as we redefine life in...

In this episode, I sit down with cancer genetics expert Natalie Baratta to discuss why personalized cancer prevention and hereditary gene testing are crucial for understanding your true health risks. We dive deep into who should get tested, the power of calculated Tyrer-Cuzick scores, and why standard screenings might not be enough if you have dense breast tissue or a family history of cancer. Lea...

In this episode, I sit down with endocrinologist Dr. Gillian Goddard to uncover the shocking truth about how our hormones shift across puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause. We break down the major biological loops that control women's health and share why your ovaries are far from useless- even after your periods stop. Watch to learn how to identify early hormonal red flags and get...

As a board-certified internist specializing in menopause, I’m sharing why 40% of women are taking control of their hormone replacement therapy through self-titration to finally relieve perimenopause symptoms. In this video, I break down the latest research on adjusting your estrogen and progesterone doses at home, how to manage fluctuating hormones safely, and why standard HRT prescriptions often...

I am breaking down the ultimate guide to the exact doctors you need to see through every decade of your life to build true generational health. From transitioning away from your pediatrician in your 20s to navigating the hormonal chaos of perimenopause in your 40s, I reveal why our current siloed healthcare system is failing us and how you can take control. Join me at my practice, The Collaborativ...

As a healthcare professional practicing internal medicine in the United States, I am revealing the major gaps in medical school education regarding midlife women's health and menopause management. In this video, we dive deep into the clinical realities of menopausal hormone therapy and discuss how hospital protocols are failing patients in local communities and ICU settings nationwide. Join me...

Join me in this episode as I interview best-selling author Dr. Emily Oster about navigating the challenging pipeline from postpartum recovery to perimenopause symptoms. We tackle the truth behind "mom brain," baby sleep hygiene, and how to advocate for your pelvic floor and sexual health as a mother. Whether you are dealing with postpartum depression or looking for evidence-based wellness trends,...

Why does your wife suddenly seem angry, distant, overwhelmed, or like she cannot stand you in her 40s or 50s? In this video, I explain how perimenopause and menopause can affect mood, relationships, communication, intimacy, and marriage, plus what husbands and male partners need to understand. I also share how you can support your wife through hormonal changes, avoid common relationship mistakes,...

As a midlife women’s healthcare specialist, I see firsthand how navigating perimenopause and hormone replacement therapy can feel incredibly complex. In this episode, I share my honest opinion on whether starting menopausal hormone therapy early can actually make your transition into menopause much easier. If you are looking for an expert clinician to guide you through estrogen tracking, progester...

Welcome to my show, Health by Heather Hirsch, where I sit down with Dr. Kalena Lanuza, a dual-certified family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner providing virtual care across Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California. In this episode, we dive deep into the physiological and mental transitions women experience between later-in-life pregnancy, IVF trauma, perinatal anxiety, and the o...

I’m diving deep into the debate on whether you should cycle your hormones, separating the facts from the dangerous myths often seen on social media. I make a strong medical case against postmenopausal hormone cycling, sharing how it forces women to take high doses of synthetic progesterone just to trigger an artificial bleed. If you want to work directly with me and my team for personalized, proac...

I’m excited to share the raw, unpublished findings from my "Menopause in 2026" survey, where I analyzed data from 766 women to identify the optimal "sweet spot" for testosterone levels in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Through these real-world insights, I break down why many women feel best at levels between 50 and 80 ng/dL and why I strongly caution against the permanent s...

I’m Dr. Heather Hirsch, and in this week's video, I’m diving into the exciting news that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has been officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) to better reflect its nature as a lifelong metabolic condition. I’ll explain why this name change is so validating for women and how it shifts our focus toward managing critical health factors lik...

Navigating your hormone replacement therapy journey isn't a one-stop shop, and after treating thousands of women, I've found that 95% of you will need more than a few visits to truly find your balance. In this video, I break down the three common paths, the Titrator, the Superstar, and the Highly Sensitive, to help you identify your own experience and understand why tweaking and titrating...

In this special episode, I’m joined by Dr. Alexandra Sowa and Rachel Goldman, Ph. D. for a powerful midlife health masterclass on the topics every woman deserves to understand. From perimenopause and menopause to hormones, symptoms, treatment options, metabolism, mindset, and the future of women’s healthcare, this conversation brings together leading voices in the field to help educate, empower, a...

In this episode, I draw on my 12 years of experience as a menopause specialist in New York City to break down the myths and truths about using hormone therapy when you have fibroids or endometriosis. I explain why these common gynecologic conditions are not absolute reasons to avoid HRT and how you can safely achieve symptom relief and long-term health benefits. My goal is to arm both proactive pa...

Menopause care needs to be a team effort. As a board-certified internist with training in both OB/GYN and internal medicine, I see menopause as so much more than a gynecological issue. The loss and fluctuation of sex hormones, especially estrogen, can impact nearly every system in the body, including the heart, brain, joints, GI tract, urinary system, mood, sleep, and overall quality of life. I’m...

The Menopause Talk Every Daughter Deserves // Perimenopause and menopause are more than hot flashes, and I want women to know the early signs can include anxiety, insomnia, depression, irritability, brain fog, and feeling like you are not yourself. In this conversation, I sit down with my daughter to talk about generational health, menopause education, women’s health research, and what the next ge...

Is Your Birth Control Making Perimenopause Worse? When to Switch to HRT Description: Are you still on birth control during perimenopause — and wondering if it's masking your symptoms or actually helping? Dr. Heather Hirsch breaks down the key differences between birth control pills and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), explaining why the estrogen in your pill isn't the same as the estradio...

If You Care About Longevity, You Need to Care About Menopause Perimenopause and menopause are more than hormone changes. They are a major turning point for long-term health. In this video, I explain why the years between 45 and 60 can shape how you feel for the next 30 years and why menopause is not just about your period stopping. We talk about estrogen decline, progesterone decline, testosterone...

Perimenopause and Brain Fog: What’s Actually Happening to Your Brain Perimenopause brain fog, executive dysfunction, memory issues, focus problems, and cognitive overload are some of the most frustrating symptoms women experience in midlife. In this episode, Dr. Heather Hirsch and Anne Denigris discuss perimenopause symptoms, brain health, executive functioning, mental load, working memory, and wh...

Why Midlife Women Have More Joint Pain and What Actually Helps // Dr. Sonali Lal breaks down frozen shoulder, joint pain, PRP, regenerative medicine, arthritis, and non-surgical pain relief for women in perimenopause and menopause. Learn how hormones, strength training, musculoskeletal care, and accurate diagnosis can impact pain, mobility, and recovery in midlife. Find Dr. Sonali on Instagram: ht...