Hormones are at the center of women's health. Unfortunately, the stories we've been told (and the treatment that's provided) about are riddled with myths.

Women believe that hormone replacement therapy is dangerous.

They're handed birth control pills for years without being told what it might mean for their long-term health.

Perimenopausal women are told they can only get hormone replacement when they are in menopause.

New mothers are left believing there's little they can do about the hormonal crash that comes after pregnancy.

The truth is far more nuanced. Hormones aren't villains to fear or band-aids to hand out without thought.

That's where Elise Clark comes in. A nurse practitioner with deep experience in endocrinology, women's health, and functional medicine, she's made it her mission to dismantle these misconceptions and give women the clarity they deserve.

Hormones are powerful tools that, when understood and used correctly, can protect long-term health and restore quality of life.

Yet too often, women are left in the dark, navigating misinformation and missing out on solutions that could change everything.

What are the biggest misconceptions about hormones? How do we tackle the hormone-related health challenges women face?

In this episode, we dig into the most common hormone myths, from the breast cancer stigma around HRT, to the hidden downsides of birth control to postpartum hormone therapy.

Things You'll Learn In This Episode

-Hormones and cancer: myth vs. reality The data is clear: bioidentical hormones don't cause cancer; in fact, outcomes are often better. So why are women still told the opposite?

-Birth control's hidden costs Beyond pregnancy prevention, long-term use can disrupt metabolic health, mask PCOS, and raise inflammation. What are the overlooked tradeoffs no one explains?

-The overlooked phase: perimenopause Hot flashes, heavy periods, mood swings, these aren't just "part of life." How can progesterone make the transition smoother?

-Postpartum recovery and progesterone From anxiety to sleep struggles, women are often given expensive infusions or antidepressants. Could a simple, affordable hormone be the safer solution?

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Guest Bio

Elise Clark is a nurse practitioner, functional medicine expert, and health optimization expert. She has been in the nursing field for over 15 years, with the majority of that being as a nurse practitioner. She found her way into functional medicine after gaining experience in family practice and endocrinology. Elise realized there was more she could be doing for patients than what the traditional model offered, and she wanted to truly help people. She has been in the functional space for almost 10 years and has extensive experience with hormones, thyroid issues, female issues, gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and overall health optimization. Most recently, Elise co-founded a joint practice, Evergreen Functional Collective, to help expand patient access to functional care. To learn more, go to https://www.eliseclarkhealth.com/ and https://evergreenfunctional.com/. Follow @eliseclarkfnp on Instagram.

About Your Host

Steve Hoffart is an award-winning pharmacist, entrepreneur, speaker, and podcaster. As the visionary founder of Magnolia Pharmacy, Steve saw a need for a more personal pharmacy that could make a bigger impact. Today, Steve and his team of experts deliver on that promise, working with patients and their physicians to solve medication problems and offer personalized solutions to achieve better health and wellness. As host of The Trusted Pharmacist podcast and through his combined reach of over 250,000 on social media, Steve shares actionable advice on nutrition, supplements, and wellness strategies while advocating for meaningful change in healthcare.

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