Have you've tried everything from protocols, to supplements, to experts and the healing still hasn't happened? Why do so many of us stay stuck despite doing "all the right things"? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Navaz Habib, aka "The Vagus Nerve Doc," to explore what might be missing.

What if the real issue isn't another diagnosis, hormone imbalance, or gut protocol? What if it's your nervous system itself? I share my own journey of chasing answers and why discovering the vagus nerve made me question everything I thought I knew about healing.

Why does stress seem to override even the best treatments? How can inflammation, trauma, and feeling unsafe keep the body locked in survival mode? This conversation opens the door to a completely different way of understanding why your body won't let you heal (yet).

In this episode, we uncover:

• Why doing more treatments can backfire when your nervous system feels unsafe.
• How chronic stress keeps your body stuck in survival instead of repair.
• What the vagus nerve has to do with inflammation, hormones, and healing.
• How past trauma or injuries may silently block recovery.
• What needs to shift before your body will finally respond to treatment.

If you've ever wondered why you're doing everything right but still feel unwell, this is the episode for you!

Sponsors

Head to CozyEarth.com and use my code HORMONES for 20% off sitewide.

Head to getkion.com hormone and use my link for 20% off your order.

Get 15% off at bioptimizers.com/hormone

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

I'm diving into why waiting until menopause to address hormones can be an incredibly costly mistake for so many women. Why are we told to "wait it out" when symptoms often start years earlier? And what's really happening inside our bodies long before our periods stop?

I walk through the often-missed perimenopausal years and explain why this phase matters more than most of us realize. What if heavy periods, anxiety, weight gain, or insomnia aren't things you just have to tolerate? Could early hormone shifts be driving them?

We also explore timing, myths, and fears around hormone replacement. How do you know when it's actually time to start paying attention? And what are the long-term consequences of ignoring these early warning signs for bones, brain, and heart health?

In this episode, we uncover:

• Why waiting for menopause can ultimately worsen your long-term health outcomes.
• How perimenopause quietly begins years before your final period.
• What early hormone symptoms are often misdiagnosed or dismissed.
• How timing influences the benefits and safety of hormone support.
• Why listening to what your body is telling you matters more than arbitrary age rules.

Listen to this episode to learn why waiting might be the biggest mistake of all!

Sponsors

Try the power of copper peptides on your skin today and get 20% off your order with coupon code km20 here.

Grab 35% off a one-month subscription of Mitopure Gummies at Timeline.com/hormone35, while the January offer lasts.

Midlife Solutions Hormone Creams and Oils: Get 15% off your first order with coupon code Podcast15.

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

I'm sitting down with microbiome expert Kiran Krishnan to explore a question I see come up all the time: why do hormones sometimes stop responding the way they used to? But what if the real issue isn't your hormones at all, rather what's happening in your gut?

In this episode, we dig into the powerful gut-hormone connection. How can gut bacteria influence estrogen metabolism, inflammation, weight gain, and even mood? Why do so many women struggle more during perimenopause and menopause despite "doing all the right things"?

We also talk about why hormone therapy sometimes backfires, how gut dysfunction quietly drives symptoms, and what most people completely miss when trying to "fix" hormones. If you've ever felt like your body is working against you, this conversation may change how you see everything.

In this episode, we uncover:

• How your gut microbiome directly affects estrogen metabolism and hormone balance.
• Why inflammation and gut permeability sabotage hormone therapy results.
• What happens to the gut during perimenopause and menopause.
• How gut health influences weight gain, mood, and metabolic slowdown.
• Why fixing hormones often fails without addressing the gut first.

Check out this episode to hear how supporting your gut may be the missing link to finally feeling better!

Sponsors

Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care!

Get 10% off Metabolism Fixxr with coupon code KAREN here.

Timeline is offering 20% off your order! Go to timeline.com/partners/karen-martel-20 code HORMONE20.

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

It's time to say goodbye to 2025, so let's get real about a year that looked successful for me on the outside, but sometimes felt like a reckoning on the inside. What happens when your body forces you to slow down? And what do you do when growth starts to cost you your peace?

I open up about identity shifts, burnout, and the uncomfortable realization that I couldn't keep working the way I was. How much of my worth was tied to helping others? What happens when you're asked to step out of the role that once defined you?

I also unpack the chaos of the menopause conversation in 2025. With louder voices, scarier messaging, and endless opinions, how do we separate facts from fear? And how do we advocate for ourselves without shrinking, apologizing, or staying quiet anymore?

In this episode, we uncover:

• How burnout can be a signal that something deeper needs to change.
• Why stepping out of old roles can feel terrifying but deeply freeing.
• What 2025 revealed about menopause misinformation and fear-based narratives.
• How identity, hormones, and nervous system health are more connected than we realize.
• Why speaking up for yourself often costs less than staying silent.

If you've felt overwhelmed, conflicted, or quietly exhausted in 2025, this episode will help you prepare for 2026!

Sponsors

Timeline Mitopure Gummies is offering 20% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE20 use coupon HORMONE20.

Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care!

Metabolism Fixxr: Get 10% off Metabolism Fixxr with coupon code KAREN here.

Products and Sites Mentioned

Cozyearth.com and use my code HORMONES for 20% off sitewide!

Alitura get 20% of the Alitura luxury clay mask and more at alitura.com and use coupon code KAREN for 20% off.

BEAM: Use coupon code HORMONE for 20% off your order.

Align PEMF Matt coupon code is KAREN5 for $100 off the Zen mat or $150 off Stealth mat.

Kathleen Mcintosh Hypnotherapy: [email protected]

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

This episode picks up right where part one leaves off as I dive into more of your thoughtful, honest questions in the second-part of this year-end Q&A. What happens when hormone therapy doesn't seem to be working the way you expected? And how do you know if your dose is actually doing what you need it to do?

I answer questions about achy joints, stubborn symptoms, cortisol replacement, thyroid interactions, and why some delivery methods work beautifully for one person and fail another. Why do absorption issues happen? What does "optimal" really mean when it comes to hormone levels? And when is more not actually better?

We also talk about real-world frustrations—irregular cycles, weight changes, hair loss, breast tenderness, and the overwhelm that can come with trying to figure all of this out. If you've ever wondered whether you're doing the right thing for your body, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we uncover:

• How to know if your hormone dose is actually providing protective benefits.
• Why cortisol, stress, and thyroid medications complicate hormone balance.
• What causes poor absorption with patches, creams, or injections.
• How to spot signs of too much or too little estrogen.
• Why individualized testing and symptom tracking truly matter.

Listen now to get the answers that could change how you approach your hormones in 2026!

Sponsors

Get 20% of the Alitura luxury clay mask and more at alitura.com and use coupon code KAREN for 20% off.

Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care!

Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don't even have to send it back!

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

I'm wrapping up the year by answering your questions in this first of a two-part Q&A, and we cover a lot of ground. From confusing lab results to hormone dosing debates, I dig into the questions so many of you are quietly wondering about. What does high ferritin really mean? Is it iron—or something else entirely?

We'll also take a look at hormone replacement frustrations. Why do some people still bleed months into HRT? Are injections better than patches or creams? And how do you know if your body is actually absorbing what you're taking? I share real-world context, common patterns I see, and why one-size-fits-all advice can be misleading.

This episode also touches on bigger, more nuanced questions. How do genetics like BRCA status factor into hormone decisions? Can stress, immune health, or histamine issues change how hormones affect you? And in perimenopause, is balance even realistic, or are we chasing the wrong goal?

In this episode, we uncover:

• How to interpret high ferritin levels and what they may signal beyond iron.
• Why hormone absorption issues can cause unexpected symptoms like bleeding.
• What typical testosterone and estrogen injection doses actually look like.
• How stress, inflammation, and immunity intersect with hormone health.
• What to consider when navigating HRT during perimenopause versus menopause.

Tune in now if you've ever felt confused, frustrated, or overwhelmed by hormone advice. Get clarity before we continue the conversation in part two!

Sponsors

Timeline is offering 20% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE20 use coupon HORMONE20 and get 20% off your order.

Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don't even have to send it back!

Head to https://www.getkion.com/hormone and use my link for 20% off your order.

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

What's really driving the sudden belly fat, brain fog, and sleep chaos so many women hit in midlife? And why do the usual "eat less, move more" solutions stop working overnight? In this episode featuring Dr. Aleksandra Gajer, we dig into the hormones and peptides that may finally explain why your body feels like it's changing without your permission.

Together, we unpack what's happening beneath the surface (insulin resistance, inflammation, mitochondrial slowdown, hormonal roller coasters), and ask the questions women are never told to ask. What if your symptoms aren't a lack of willpower but a lack of biochemical support? And what if the tools to help you already exist?

Which peptides actually matter for women in perimenopause and menopause? Which ones help with sleep, energy, weight, stress resilience, or recovery? And how do you know when it's time to consider hormone therapy or advanced diagnostics? Get all the answers in this episode!

In this episode, we uncover:

• How shifting hormones trigger metabolic chaos long before menopause officially begins.
• Why peptides like BPC-157 and MOTS-C may support healing, energy, and resilience.
• How inflammation, gut health, and chemical exposures silently shape weight and symptoms.
• Why GLP-1 medications aren't shortcuts, plus who actually benefits from them.
• How personalized labs and targeted therapies can prevent years of unnecessary suffering.

If you're ready to understand your midlife body in a way no one has ever explained before, this episode is for you. Listen now to start feeling informed and empowered!

Sponsors

Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES.

Timeline is offering 20% off your first order of Mitopure. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE20 use coupon HORMONE20 and get 20% off your order.

Get 15% off Massyzmes by Bioptimzers at bioptimizers.com/hormone

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

Are you curious about the buzz surrounding testosterone therapy for women, but wondering about the side effects? In this episode, we dive deep into the world of testosterone replacement therapy's unwanted side effects, and more importantly, how to fix them.

What happens when testosterone levels spike too high? Could the very treatment meant to enhance your energy and libido lead to unwanted changes in your body? Join us as we discuss real stories from women navigating their hormone journeys and uncover the truth behind the glamorous narratives often shared on social media.

Are you ready to learn how to optimize your testosterone therapy while minimizing side effects? What if you could avoid the pitfalls that many women face? Discover practical tips and insights that could change your experience with hormone therapy for the better!

In this episode, we uncover:

• How you can avoid common side effects of testosterone therapy.
• Why dosing and delivery method are crucial for effective treatment.
• The role DHT plays in unwanted hair growth and mood changes.
• How you can identify if your testosterone levels are too high.
• Why it's important to start low and go slow with hormone therapy.

Don't miss this eye-opening episode that could transform your understanding of testosterone therapy and let you take control of your hormone health!

Sponsors

Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES.

Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care!

Order your LMNT electrolytes today and get a FREE 8 pack of samples! Plus try it risk free, they have a no-questions-asked refund policy – you don't even have to send it back!

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

Are you one of those people who wakes up at 3 A.M. and can't fall back asleep? Have you ever wondered if there's a deeper reason behind those late-night wake-ups? In this episode, we explore the shocking link between blood sugar fluctuations and nighttime awakenings. Blood sugar expert Dani Hamilton joins us to shed light on the root cause of these sleep disruptions.

Have you ever thought about how your dietary habits could be impacting your sleep? Or how embracing fats might be the key to stable energy levels? We challenge the misconceptions around dietary fat and reveal the essential role it plays in your health. Are you ready to rethink your relationship with food and sleep?

What if cold exposure and seasonal nutrition hold the key to your energy balance? Discover how simple lifestyle changes can transform your well-being. From brown adipose tissue to hormonal harmony, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive!

In this episode, we uncover:

• How blood sugar drops might be the hidden cause of your 3 A.M. wake-ups.
• Why women in midlife need to look beyond hormones for better sleep solutions.
• How embracing dietary fats can stabilize your insulin levels and energy.
• Why seasonal nutrition changes can prevent sleep and metabolic disruptions.
• How cold exposure can boost thyroid health and energy regulation.

Uncover the secrets to better sleep and energy balance. You won't want to miss these expert insights and practical solutions!

Previous episode with Dani Hamilton

The Hidden Influence of Sunlight and Circadian Rhythm on Blood Sugar & Metabolism with Danielle Hamilton

Sponsors

Head to cozyearth.com and use my code HORMONES for 20% off sitewide!

Try Bioptimzers Masszymes and get 15% off with coupon code HORMONE at http://bioptimizers.com/hormoneIf

If you're trying to lose fat without losing muscle, or you just want to feel stronger and recover faster, try KION! Head to getkion.com/hormone and use my link for 20% off your order.

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram

Curious about the future of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its impact on menopause? This episode features my answers to the most common HRT questions of 2025. Can HRT be your secret weapon for a healthier, longer life, even if you aren't experiencing typical menopause symptoms?

Is HRT the missing piece in your weight loss journey? Explore the fascinating link between hormone cycling and midlife wellness. What does the latest research say about personalized hormone approaches, and how might these strategies keep cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis at bay?

Ever wondered about the mysteries of hormone metabolism? We'll unpack tests like the Dutch test and their role in optimizing HRT dosage. Can progesterone and estrogen improve your sleep, mood, and even joint health? Get ready to uncover the benefits of HRT beyond menopause!

In this episode, we uncover the answers to:

• 1. If I have no symptoms, should I still take HRT?
• 2. It's natural to go into menopause — so why would I use HRT?
• 3. I'm using vaginal estrogen… why am I still dry?
• 4. Is oral bioidentical estradiol safe?
• 5. Will HRT help me lose weight?
• 6. Do I have to cycle my hormones?
• 7. Can I start HRT if it's been more than 10 years since menopause?
• 8. Can I start HRT even if I'm still cycling but have symptoms?
• 9. I get bloated or gain weight on estrogen — does that mean it's not right for me?
• 10. My period came back after starting HRT — is that normal?
• 11. Is my estradiol dose high enough?
• 12. Do I have to stay on HRT forever?
• 13. What's the difference between estradiol and estriol — and do I need both?
• 14. Should I take progesterone if I don't have a uterus?
• 15. Can HRT help my sleep?
• 16. Can HRT help my libido?
• 17. Is spotting normal on HRT?
• 18. What are your thoughts on pellets?
• 19. Why do my estrogen levels still look "low" on blood work even while on HRT?
• 20. Can HRT help with joint pain and inflammation?

Listen now to discover how HRT can revolutionize your midlife health journey. Don't miss this Q&A episode filled with insights and expert advice to empower your health decisions!

Sponsors

Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheet with coupon code HORMONES

Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care!

Are you in peri or post menopause and looking to optimize your hormones and health? At Hormone Solutions, we offer telemedicine services and can prescribe in every U.S. state, as well as in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario in Canada.

Visit karenmartel.com to explore our comprehensive programs:

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Individualized Weight Loss Programs

• Peptide Therapy for weight loss

Interested in our NEW Peptide Weight Loss Program? Join today and get all the details here.

Join our Women's Peri and Post Menopause Group Coaching Program, OnTrack, TODAY!

To our nursing audience members, our podcasts qualify for nursing CE @ RNegade.pro. Provide # CEP17654.

Your host:

Karen Martel

Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert

Karen's Facebook

Karen's Instagram