Menopause Mastery

Menopause Mastery | I Changed My Mind About GLP-1s: What You Need to Know About Ozempic, HRT, and Longevity  | Ep. 294 solocast with Dr. Betty Murray
 
🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show!
👉 What if midlife weight gain isn't a failure of willpower—but a biological shift that requires a different strategy? 
In this episode of Menopause Mastery, Dr. Betty Murray is making a confession: She's changed my mind about GLP-1 medications. When medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide first exploded into mainstream culture, she was deeply skeptical—not because she doubted the underlying science, but because she was concerned about inappropriate prescribing, aggressive dosing, inadequate monitoring, and the lack of guidance around nutrition, protein, resistance training, and hormones.
Now, with more research and clinical experience available, the conversation has changed. We explore what GLP-1 medications may do beyond weight loss, including their relationship with inflammation, insulin sensitivity, cardiovascular health, and metabolic health—and why the midlife context matters.
We also dig into the potential role of combining GLP-1 therapy with hormone replacement therapy, the concerns around muscle loss and inadequate protein intake, why some clinicians are exploring lower-dose approaches, and what women should consider measuring before making decisions about metabolic health.
Most importantly, this episode is about precision rather than quick fixes. Your scale isn't the only measure of health. Muscle strength, body composition, bone density, metabolic markers, inflammation, hormones, and long-term health span all belong in the conversation.
Topics covered:
🔹 Why I changed my perspective on GLP-1 medications
🔹 What happens metabolically during perimenopause and menopause
🔹 GLP-1s and inflammation
🔹 GLP-1s, cardiovascular and kidney health
🔹 GLP-1s and hormone replacement therapy
🔹 Protein and resistance training during GLP-1 therapy
🔹 Concerns around muscle loss and aggressive dosing
🔹 Lower-dose and "microdosing" approaches
🔹 DEXA scans and metabolic testing
🔹 Building a muscle-centric approach to midlife health
🔹 Looking beyond the bathroom scale toward longevity and health span
As always, the goal of Menopause Mastery is to help you better understand the science, recognize where the evidence is strong or still emerging, and stay informed about the future of women's health. For more evidence-based conversations about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, brain health, sexual health, and the research shaping women's health, don't forget to subscribe!  ⁨@drbettymurray⁩  
00:00 — I changed my mind about GLP-1s
02:00 — The problem with the "Wild West" of GLP-1 prescribing
04:00 — What actually changes in your body during midlife
06:30 — GLP-1s are more than weight-loss drugs
09:00 — Inflammation, cardiovascular health, and kidney protection
11:00 — GLP-1s + HRT: Why the combination matters
14:00 — The problem with pushing doses higher
17:00 — What is "microdosing"?
20:00 — My own experience with GLP-1 medication
22:30 — A real-world midlife patient example
25:00 — Build the metabolic foundation first
28:00 — Muscle-centric medicine for midlife women
30:00 — Hormones, GLP-1s, and longevity
32:00 — Three questions to rethink your midlife health
33:15 — Final thoughts: Own your midlife mastery
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray: 
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:  ⁨@drbettymurray⁩  
🔗 Links:
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/
🎙️ More from the Podcast: Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
 
Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time. 🌿
 
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #andropause #womenshealth #menopauseresearch #midlifehealth #glp1

Menopause Mastery | 6 New Menopause Studies Every Woman Should Know About | Ep. 293 solocast with Dr. Betty Murray
 
🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show!
In this episode, Dr. Betty Murray takes a closer look at six recent studies exploring some of the biggest unanswered questions in perimenopause and menopause research.
From the surprising role of the postmenopausal ovary to the global factors associated with early menopause, new nonhormonal approaches to vaginal health, and the disconnect between what women experience and what gets documented in the doctor's office, these studies reveal just how much there is still to learn.
Dr. Betty also explores why so many women don't recognize that they're in perimenopause, why symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, and memory issues may appear long before hot flashes, and what emerging research on CBD and cognitive function could mean for future study.
This episode covers:
* New research into immune activity in postmenopausal ovaries
* What a global study reveals about early menopause and socioeconomic factors
* A potential nonhormonal approach to vaginal tissue health
* The gap between menopause symptoms women discuss online and what clinicians document
* Why 1 in 3 women may be uncertain about their reproductive stage
* The neurological symptoms of perimenopause that may appear before hot flashes
* Emerging research on CBD, estrogen, memory, and the endocannabinoid system
* Why greater investment and attention in menopause research matters
This episode is not about chasing headlines or making clinical promises. It's about looking at the research, understanding its limitations, and asking better questions about where menopause science is heading.
🌿 As always, the goal of Menopause Mastery is to help you better understand the science, recognize where the evidence is strong or still emerging, and stay informed about the future of women's health. For more evidence-based conversations about perimenopause, menopause, hormones, brain health, sexual health, and the research shaping women's health, don't forget to subscribe!  @drbettymurray  
00:00 6 New Menopause Studies
03:12 Are Postmenopausal Ovaries Still Active?
09:57 Early Menopause & Global Health
14:01 A New Nonhormonal Vaginal Treatment?
17:21 What Doctors Miss About Menopause
22:09 Why 1 in 3 Women Don't Know They're in Perimenopause
24:33 CBD, Estrogen & Memory
30:09 Why Menopause Research Matters
30:54 The Future of Women's Health
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray: 
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:  @drbettymurray  
🔗 Links:
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/
🎙️ More from the Podcast: Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
 
✨ Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time.
 
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #andropause #womenshealth #menopauseresearch #midlifehealth

Menopause Mastery | Menopause and Genetics: Why Your DNA Test Might Be Missing the Real Story | Ep. 292 with Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle 
🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show!
In this episode, Dr. Betty Murray talks with Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle of The DNA Company about how functional genomics can help women better understand the changes happening in perimenopause and menopause.
They dig into why many common DNA tests feel overwhelming or too narrow, and why a polygenic approach can give a more useful picture of how genes work together. The conversation also covers estrogen detoxification myths, MTHFR, cardiovascular risk, mood, exercise recovery, and how genetics can support more personalized decisions around diet, lifestyle, nutrition, and supplementation.
In this episode, you'll learn:
🔹Why single-gene testing often misses the bigger picture
🔹What polygenic scores are and why they matter
🔹How genetics can inform menopause support
🔹What MTHFR really does and why it gets oversimplified
🔹How genes may influence mood, recovery, detoxification, and cardiovascular risk
🔹How functional genomics can help personalize health decisions
If you've ever looked at a genetic report and thought, "Okay, but what does this actually mean for me?", this episode is for you.
👉 About Dr. Tracey Steady-Hardcastle:
Dr. Tracey Steady is an expert in functional genomics, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine with more than two decades of experience helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause. Connect with her at: https://thednacompany.com/ 
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray: 
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:
 @drbettymurray 
🔗 Links: 
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/  
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/  
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/ 
🎙️ More from the Podcast: 
Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw 
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247 
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time. 
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #andropause #womenshealth #dna #menopausegenetics #genetics
 
Menopause Mastery — Show Note Chapters
00:00 — Why Menopause Can Make Your Body Feel Completely Different
02:24 — Dr. Tracey Steady's Path Into Functional Genomics
04:23 — Why Single-Gene Testing Can Miss the Bigger Picture
05:16 — Methylation, MTHFR, and the Problem With One-Gene Solutions
08:03 — DIM, Estrogen Metabolism, and Over-Supplementation
09:17 — Genetic Disease vs. Functional Genomics
13:32 — Using Genetics to Make Smarter Health Decisions
16:20 — Carbs, Saturated Fat, and Personalized Nutrition
17:25 — Why Keto May Not Work for Everyone
20:53 — Genetics Helps You Ask Better Health Questions
22:05 — Hormones, Neurotransmitters, and Polygenic Scoring
23:27 — COMT, Estrogen Fluctuations, and Perimenopausal Mood
26:15 — The "Slow COMT" Personality and Stress Response
29:59 — How Genetics Can Point to Better Testing
34:10 — Genetics and Hormone Production, Binding, and Metabolism
35:57 — What "Estrogen Toxicity" Really Means
37:13 — Detoxification Pathways, the Gut, and Hormone Elimination
39:56 — Why Women's Health Can't Be Treated in Silos
41:25 — Genetics, Exercise Performance, and Recovery
44:16 — How Genetics May Affect Hormone Therapy Response
45:58 — DNA 180 vs. the Newer DNA Testing Panel
48:29 — Prioritizing Your Biggest Health Risks and Opportunities
51:04 — Final Takeaways and Where to Learn More

Menopause Mastery| Beyond Hormones: The Cellular Health Secrets to Aging Well | Episode 291
🌿Welcome to The Menopause Mastery Show! 
What if the fatigue, brain fog, and changes you experience during perimenopause and menopause aren't just about hormones? 🤔 
In this episode of Menopause Mastery, Dr. William Haas, MD, MBA, joins Dr. Betty Murray for a fascinating conversation about the often-overlooked foundation beneath hormone health: cellular health and mitochondrial energy production.
Dr. Haas shares his journey from family medicine and human performance into root-cause and cellular health medicine, including his own experience with energy, fatigue, and brain fog in his 40s. We explore how mitochondria, oxidative stress, nutrition, sleep, circadian rhythm, exercise, and hormones all interact—and why simply adding hormones or supplements may not address the underlying problem.
We also dive into the rapidly evolving world of biohacking, including IV nutrient therapy, ozone, hyperbaric oxygen, peptides, exosomes, and stem cells. Dr. Haas explains why foundational health needs to come first and why his philosophy is to "recharge before you repair" and "detox before you redox."
In this episode:
* Menopause symptoms shouldn't automatically be viewed as a hormone problem alone.
* Mitochondria play a central role in producing the cellular energy needed for repair and normal function.
* Dr. Haas recommends looking for patterns in symptoms and testing rather than simply prescribing a collection of supplements.
* Sleep consistency and morning light are foundational tools for supporting circadian and mitochondrial function.
* IV nutrient therapy may have a role when nutrient absorption or deficiencies are significant.
* Advanced therapies such as ozone and hyperbaric oxygen require thoughtful dosing and appropriate clinical guidance.
* Peptides should be approached with particular attention to evidence, sourcing, dosing, and medical supervision.
* Hormones and cellular health should be considered together rather than as completely separate systems.
* Protein before coffee and appropriately used creatine are among Dr. Haas's practical strategies for supporting energy metabolism.
* Intermittent fasting can become counterproductive when it turns into chronic under-eating.
* VO2 max can serve as a useful benchmark when tracking fitness, metabolic health, and health span over time.
* The overarching philosophy: "recharge before you repair."
Finally, Dr. Haas shares practical strategies women can consider for supporting cellular energy, including protein before coffee, creatine, avoiding poorly implemented intermittent fasting, and using VO2 max as a powerful marker of health span and longevity.
👉 If you've been told your symptoms are normal, or you've tried hormone support and still don't feel like yourself, this conversation offers a broader way to think about healing. Don't forget to share with someone who needs a more complete conversation about menopause, energy, and cellular health.
00:00 — Introduction and The Importance of Cellular Health with Guest Dr. William Haas
02:05 — Dr. Haas's Journey Into Root-Cause Medicine
04:25 — Why Menopause Isn't Just About Hormones
06:15 — What Is Cellular Health?
08:25 — How to Recognize Mitochondrial Stress
10:35 — Micronutrients, Oxidative Stress & Testing
13:00 — Why Oxidative Stress Matters During Menopause
15:05 — The Foundations of Cellular Health
17:10 — Biohacking: IV Therapy, Ozone & HBOT
20:15 — Gut Health & Nutrient Absorption
22:15 — Ozone & Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
24:15 — Integrating Hormones With Cellular Health
26:15 — Peptides: Potential, Safety & the Gray Market
29:05 — The "Recharge Before Repair" Approach
30:25 — Practical Strategies: Protein, Creatine & Intermittent Fasting
32:15 — VO2 Max, Metabolic Health & Longevity
33:45 — Where to Find Dr. William Haas
34:30 — Final Thoughts 
Connect with Dr. Haas:
Website: https://vyvewellness.com
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray: 
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:     @drbettymurray  
🔗 Links: 
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/  
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/  
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/ 
🎙️ More from the Podcast: 
Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw 
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247 
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time. 
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #andropause #womenshealth #cellularhealth #hormonetherapy #mitochondria #mitochondrialhealth #mitochondrialstress

Menopause Mastery | Perimenopause vs. Menopause: What Most Women Never Get Told | Episode 290
👉 Do you really know what your body is really doing in perimenopause and menopause? For years, women have been told that menopause begins when their periods stop—but that's only part of the story.
In this episode, Dr. Betty Murray breaks down the science behind perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause so you can finally understand what's happening inside your body. You'll learn why symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, anxiety, weight gain, and fatigue often begin years before your last period—and why many women are mistakenly told everything is "normal."
You'll also discover how hormone changes affect your brain, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and bone density, why standard lab work frequently misses early perimenopause, and which tests can actually provide meaningful information. 
In this episode:
* Why perimenopause is primarily a neurological transition
* The STRAW+10 framework explained
* The differences between perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause
* Why hormone testing is often misunderstood
* Early warning signs your hormones are changing
* The relationship between estrogen, progesterone, sleep, and brain fog
* Why bone loss begins earlier than most women realize
* Which lab tests and imaging studies actually matter
* How stress, cortisol, and metabolism interact during menopause
* Practical ways to advocate for your health
Whether you're in your late 30s, 40s, or already postmenopausal, and if you've ever felt dismissed by confusing advice or "normal" lab work that did not match how you feel, this episode will help you understand what is actually happening in your body and how to advocate for yourself. 🎯
00:00 Why menopause is more than the loss of estrogen
01:29 Understanding perimenopause, menopause & postmenopause
02:15 Why every stage requires a different treatment strategy
03:21 The biggest myths about menopause
04:10 What actually happens during early perimenopause
05:45 Menopause is one moment—not a long phase
06:10 What changes after menopause
07:12 Why doctors often miss early perimenopause
08:50 The best way to interpret hormone testing
09:53 Lifestyle strategies that actually help
11:44 Why you're not broken
13:19 Essential lab work and hormone testing
14:03 Why every woman should consider a DEXA scan
16:43 Metabolic health, cholesterol & thyroid changes
18:10 What research really tells us about menopause
20:32 Questions every woman should ask herself
23:31 How to track your hormones more effectively
26:14 Heart palpitations, sleep disruption & estrogen
27:28 Why hormone therapy often needs adjusting
28:36 The biggest takeaway from today's episode
30:07 Coming next: Matching your nutrition to menopause metabolism
📌 Connect with Dr. Betty Murray: 
Website: https://www.drbettymurray.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbettymurray/
✅ Did this content resonate? Let us know what you think! Like, comment, and subscribe on YouTube:     @drbettymurray  
🔗 Links: 
The Fierce Female Method for Longevity (Dr. Betty's book): https://fierce.hormoneshelp.com/  
Menrva Telemedicine: https://gethormonesnow.com/  
Living Well Dallas: https://www.livingwelldallas.com/ 
🎙️ More from the Podcast: 
Subscribe to #MenopauseMastery → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwONPdSvb2-YYY74VhD-XBw 
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/menopause-mastery/id1607369247 
Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0tNsjm32CZNXSgSFEwS3uH
Thank you for listening to Menopause Mastery. Empowering your health journey, one episode at a time. 
#menopausemastery #menopausepodcast #drbettymurray #menopause #perimenopause #postmenopause #womenshealth #menopauseresearch #menopausemyths #hormonetherapy #evidencebasedhealthcare