Cut through the confusion over Perimenopause and Menopause. We talk through all the stages of the female reproductive Hormone Loop--and there are way more than we've been told. A true understanding of women's health starts here!

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

In this episode we lay down all the basics of what hormones are and what they do. Co-host and endocrinologist Dr. Gillian Goddard walks us through the different feedback loops in our bodies, and how hormones are the instruction manuals for all our major systems. This episode includes fun facts about organs and glands, the placenta, your brain, how Tamoxifen works, diabetes, perimenopause, and the myth of the hormonal imbalance!

For a lot more on your hormones and women’s hormonal health from birth to menopause, check out Gillian’s forthcoming book, The Hormone Loop! www.thesavvypatient.com/book

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

Recent headlines suggested the totally free home treatment known as masturbation could alleviate menopause symptoms. We examine and discuss the study that sparked all the excitement.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.

References:

Lehmiller, Justin J. PhD; Graham, Cynthia A. PhD; Ferrall, Louise BS; Mendelson, Emily A. MA; Prine, Merissa S. MS. The role of masturbation in relieving symptoms associated with menopause. Menopause 33(4):p 384-394, April 2026. DOI: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002675 https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/fulltext/2026/04000/the_role_of_masturbation_in_relieving_symptoms.4.aspx

Heinemann K, Ruebig A, Potthoff P, Schneider HP, Strelow F, Heinemann LA, Do MT. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) scale: a methodological review. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2004 Sep 2;2:45. DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-2-45. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC516787/