Hump Day Hormones

Dr. Jill Jennings & Kortney Spann, APRN
  • 5.0 (40)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is a podcast about all things hormones! Dr. Jill Jennings and Kortney Spann, APRN are so excited to share their knowledge and expertise about menopause, perimenopause, and hormone imbalances.

  1. I Just Started HRT… So Why Am I Bleeding?!

    16H AGO

    I Just Started HRT… So Why Am I Bleeding?!

    You finally did it. You survived perimenopause. You found a provider who listens. You started hormone therapy… And then you started bleeding. And suddenly the questions spiral: Did I break something? Is this cancer? Should I stop HRT immediately? Take a breath. In today’s episode of Hump Day Hormones, we’re breaking down bleeding on HRT — why it happens, when it’s completely expected, and when it needs evaluation — without panic or fear-based advice. We start with a real patient story that perfectly captures how scary this experience can feel, especially when no one warned you it might happen. Then we get into the science. We break down: • How common unscheduled bleeding is after starting HRT (spoiler: very common) • Why 30–50% of women experience spotting or bleeding in the first 3–6 months • Why this is usually a normal adjustment — not a complication • What The Menopause Society actually says about bleeding on hormone therapy • Why bleeding does not automatically mean something is wrong We explain why bleeding happens, including: • How estrogen stimulates the uterine lining (that’s part of its job) • Why progesterone dose, timing, and consistency matter — a lot • How missed doses can lead to breakthrough bleeding • Why the route of estrogen (oral vs transdermal vs pellets) changes bleeding risk • Why perimenopause itself is hormonally chaotic and unpredictable We also clarify: • What bleeding is considered normal early on • When bleeding should be evaluated • What a typical work-up looks like (and why evaluation doesn’t mean danger) • Why most cases are solved with simple, boring adjustments — not stopping HRT Most importantly, we want you to hear this: Bleeding on HRT does not mean you failed. It does not mean your body “can’t tolerate hormones.” It means your uterus is responding — and that response can be managed. If you’re bleeding on HRT and spiraling, pause. Talk to your provider. Adjustments are part of the process, not a sign that something has gone wrong. If this episode helps, share it with the woman who just texted you: “Is this normal?!” Menopause care should come with information — not fear.

    37 min
  2. BRCA Mutations, Breast Cancer Risk & Hormone Therapy: What Women Deserve to Know

    FEB 11

    BRCA Mutations, Breast Cancer Risk & Hormone Therapy: What Women Deserve to Know

    If you carry a BRCA mutation, chances are you’ve been told two terrifying things: Your cancer risk is higher. And hormones are dangerous. But here’s the question women are almost never given a straight answer to: If you remove your ovaries early to reduce cancer risk… are hormones truly off the table — or are we harming women by withholding them? Today on Hump Day Hormones, we’re breaking down BRCA mutations, breast cancer risk, and hormone therapy — with data, nuance, and clarity instead of fear and headlines. This episode is a natural follow-up to our conversation on surgical menopause, because for many BRCA carriers, risk-reducing surgery means abrupt, early menopause. We break down: 🔥 Why BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers are often advised to remove ovaries in their 30s–40s 🔥 Why surgical menopause is not the same as natural menopause 🔥 How sudden estrogen loss increases risk for heart disease, bone loss, cognitive changes, sexual dysfunction, and overall mortality 🔥 The real fear driving hormone avoidance — and where it came from 🔥 Why older hormone studies don’t apply to young women thrown into menopause overnight 🔥 Why BRCA carriers are biologically different from average-risk populations Then we get into what the science actually shows. We walk through: 🔬 Landmark studies showing hormone therapy does not undo the breast cancer risk reduction from ovary removal 🔬 Why estrogen-only therapy appears most reassuring when possible 🔬 Why progesterone type matters — and why “not all progesterone is created equal” 🔬 What large cohort and meta-analysis data really say about breast cancer risk 🔬 Why context matters: age, timing, dose, route, and duration We also cover: ✔ What ACOG and international menopause societies actually recommend ✔ Why short-term hormone therapy after early or surgical menopause may be appropriate — and protective ✔ How symptom control, bone, heart, and brain health factor into the decision ✔ What we still don’t know — and why individualized counseling is essential Hormone therapy in BRCA carriers is not: ❌ An automatic “no” ❌ One-size-fits-all ❌ A decision driven by fear alone It is: ✅ Nuanced ✅ Evidence-based ✅ About balancing risk, quality of life, and long-term health For women with BRCA mutations, the real danger isn’t hormones — it’s oversimplified advice. If this episode helps bring clarity where there’s been fear, share it with the woman who’s been told “you just can’t” — without ever being told why.

    35 min
  3. Ep: 58: Hysterectomy & Menopause: What Really Happens to Your Hormones - Truth, Timing, and Treatment?

    FEB 4

    Ep: 58: Hysterectomy & Menopause: What Really Happens to Your Hormones - Truth, Timing, and Treatment?

    If you’ve ever been told, “Once you have a hysterectomy, you’ll go straight into menopause,” this episode is for you — because that statement is not always true. Today we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: hysterectomy, surgical menopause, and what actually happens to your hormones — without fear, confusion, or outdated advice. This episode was inspired by a powerful listener story and tackles the questions women are rarely given clear answers to: • Does removing the uterus automatically cause menopause? • Do ovaries still make hormones after hysterectomy? • What’s the difference between surgical menopause and natural menopause? • Why do symptoms after ovary removal feel so intense — and why are they often undertreated? We explain why hysterectomy is not one single surgery, and why lumping all procedures together causes unnecessary fear and misinformation. We break down: • What menopause actually is (hint: it’s about ovaries, not periods) • Why losing your period does NOT automatically mean menopause • The difference between hysterectomy with ovaries left in place vs ovaries removed • Why surgical menopause feels more abrupt and severe than natural menopause • How sudden estrogen loss affects the brain, joints, sleep, mood, sex, and metabolism • Why many women in surgical menopause are excellent candidates for hormone therapy • What “replacement-level” estrogen really means for younger women • Why “lowest dose for the shortest time” doesn’t make sense for everyone • How labs, symptoms, and history should guide care — not fear We also talk honestly about: • Why hormone needs after surgical menopause are different • Why underdosing is so common — and so harmful • What major medical societies actually recommend • How to know if you’re truly in menopause when you no longer have periods If you’ve had a hysterectomy… If you’re facing ovary removal… Or if you’ve been told “this is just how it is now” after surgery… This episode is here to remind you: Your uterus is not the hormone factory — your ovaries are. Surgical menopause is real. And your symptoms deserve real treatment. Fear should never replace facts — and menopause care should never stop at dismissal. If this episode helps you, share it with a woman who’s been given more warnings than answers.

    44 min
  4. Ep: 57: Joint Pain and Sarcopenia in Perimenopause and Menopause – Why Everything Hurts and What Helps

    JAN 28

    Ep: 57: Joint Pain and Sarcopenia in Perimenopause and Menopause – Why Everything Hurts and What Helps

    If your joints ache when you get out of bed… If your hands hurt opening jars that never used to be a problem… If your muscles feel weaker, softer, or harder to maintain — even though you’re trying… You’re not imagining it. You’re not broken. And no — this is not “just aging.” Today on Hump Day Hormones, we’re talking about joint pain and sarcopenia — two of the most common (and dismissed) complaints in perimenopause and menopause. This episode is part of our Head-to-Toe Menopause Series, and it tackles what’s now being recognized as the musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause. We break down: 🔥 Why up to 70% of midlife women experience new or worsening joint and muscle pain 🔥 Why perimenopause is a uniquely vulnerable time for musculoskeletal symptoms 🔥 How fluctuating and declining estrogen affects bones, joints, cartilage, tendons, and muscle 🔥 Why inflammation increases — and recovery slows 🔥 Why muscle loss accelerates in menopause (and why that matters for metabolism and insulin resistance) 🔥 Why symptoms often worsen with poor sleep, stress, or under-fueling 🔥 How to tell hormone-related pain from red flags that need further workup If your knees, hips, hands, shoulders, or feet suddenly hurt — this is a real, recognizable pattern. And then we get practical about what actually helps. We talk about: ✔ Why resistance training is non-negotiable in menopause ✔ How much protein women actually need to preserve muscle ✔ Why even distribution of protein matters more than total grams ✔ Creatine and collagen — what the evidence actually shows ✔ How estrogen therapy can reduce joint pain for some women ✔ The role of testosterone in preserving lean mass (and why it’s not magic on its own) ✔ Why thyroid, vitamin D, iron, and inflammation labs matter ✔ When pain is not hormonal — and should not be ignored Joint pain and muscle loss in menopause are not: A personal failure A lack of motivation Something you should “just get used to” They are: A physiologic transition Influenced by hormones, inflammation, sleep, nutrition, and stress Highly responsive to the right, layered strategy If you’ve been told, “This is just aging,” that’s outdated medicine. Your body isn’t betraying you. It’s asking for a different approach. And the good news? This is a season where small, consistent changes make a big difference — in strength, function, and how you feel in your body.

    59 min

  5. JAN 22

    Ep: 56: GSM — The Menopause Symptom Nobody Warned You About

    This episode is part of our Head-to-Toe Menopause Series, and it tackles one of the most underdiagnosed and undertreated menopause conditions out there — GSM. This is a menopause symptom that’s incredibly common, highly treatable, and somehow still whispered about like it’s a secret. If you’ve ever thought: “Why does sex suddenly feel like sandpaper?” “Why am I peeing all the time?” “Why do I feel irritated down there for no reason?” You’re not broken. You’re not “just getting older.” You may have Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — and today, we’re talking all about it. We break down: • What GSM actually is (and why it replaced the outdated term “vaginal atrophy”) • Why symptoms often persist and worsen without treatment • How low estrogen changes vaginal, vulvar, and urinary tissue at a structural level • Why this is about collagen, blood flow, pH, and microbiome — not “just dryness” • Why GSM can affect sex, bladder control, UTIs, irritation, and pelvic floor health • Why common doesn’t mean normal — and why we should be talking about this more And then we get very clear about what actually helps. We talk about: • The difference between lubricants and vaginal moisturizers • Why vaginal estrogen is not a lubricant — and why that matters • Why low-dose vaginal estrogen is the gold standard for GSM • What the research really says about systemic absorption and safety • Vaginal estrogen vs DHEA — and why “not estrogen” doesn’t mean safer • What ACOG, AUA, and menopause societies actually recommend • When pelvic floor physical therapy can be a game changer • Why lasers and energy-based devices deserve a cautious conversation GSM is not: • Rare • A personal failure • Something you just have to live with It is: • Common • Progressive without treatment • One of the most treatable menopause conditions we see If you’re dealing with dryness, irritation, pain with sex, urinary urgency, or recurrent UTIs — bring it up. If your clinician doesn’t ask, you can. And if your symptoms are dismissed, it’s okay to get a second opinion. Menopause symptoms don’t need to be miserable — and this one is especially fixable.

    1h 9m

  6. JAN 14

    Ep: 55: Menopause Metabolism: Why Fat Moves to Your Belly

    New Episode of Hump Day Hormones is LIVE! You didn’t suddenly lose discipline. You didn’t forget how to eat or move. And no — this is not a willpower problem. If you’ve hit midlife and thought: “I eat the same. I move the same. Why is everything going to my stomach?” This episode is for you. 👖➡️😩 Today on Hump Day Hormones, we’re talking about menopause metabolism — and why fat suddenly packs up and moves straight to your belly. This episode is a deeper, science-backed follow-up to our fan-favorite Menopause and Muffin Tops, because this topic deserves more than “eat less and move more.” We break down: 🔥 Why perimenopause is the phase when women gain the most weight (yes, it’s proven) 🔥 Why estrogen loss alone is an independent risk factor for weight gain 🔥 Why menopause shifts fat toward the belly (visceral fat) — and why that matters 🔥 Why this fat is metabolically active and inflammatory (not the pinchable kind) 🔥 How cortisol, insulin resistance, and sleep disruption fuel the belly-fat loop 🔥 Why muscle loss quietly slows your metabolism behind the scenes 🔥 The evolutionary reason your body is choosing hormone survival over a flat stomach And then we get real about solutions — not punishment. We talk about: ✔ Why strength training is non-negotiable in menopause ✔ How protein becomes a hormonal tool, not a diet trend ✔ Why chronic calorie restriction backfires (hard) ✔ How sleep and stress directly influence belly fat storage ✔ How estrogen, testosterone, and properly dosed HRT can support metabolic health ✔ Why transdermal estrogen matters more than most people realize And yes — we go there. Belly fat in menopause is not: ❌ A personal failure ❌ Proof you’re “doing it wrong” ❌ Something you fix by eating less It is: ✅ A hormonal adaptation ✅ A metabolic signal ✅ A clue about insulin, cortisol, muscle, and estrogen Menopause doesn’t break your metabolism. It changes the game. And when the rules change, the strategy has to change too. If this episode hit home, share it with the woman who keeps asking: “Why is it all going to my stomach?” Because now — you know. 💥

    1h 7m

  7. JAN 7

    Ep 54: This Girl Is on Fire (in the Middle of Winter): Hot Flashes Explained

    It may be freezing outside — but if you’re in midlife, it might feel like your body is on fire. 🔥 In this episode of Hump Day Hormones, we continue our Head-to-Toe Menopause Series by turning up the heat and tackling one of the most misunderstood (and dismissed) menopause symptoms: hot flashes. If you’ve ever gone from “I’m fine” to “why am I radiating like a space heater?” in under 30 seconds — this episode is for you. We break down: • Why hot flashes start in the brain, not just the ovaries • How estrogen stabilizes your internal thermostat — and what happens when it drops • Why hot flashes are neurologic and vascular events, not just “being warm” • The role of KNDy neurons and why they’re the real stars of the show • Why you can swing from sweating to shivering within minutes • The difference between hot flashes and histamine flushing • Why night sweats are especially disruptive to sleep, cortisol, and metabolism And here’s where it gets really important: Hot flashes may be an early signal of vascular stress. They don’t cause heart disease — but growing evidence shows they may act like a check-engine light for cardiovascular health during menopause. We also cover: • The connection between hot flashes, cortisol, insulin resistance, and inflammation • Why more severe or frequent hot flashes deserve attention — not dismissal • FDA-approved hormonal treatments and why they work so well • Non-hormonal treatment options (SSRIs, gabapentin, and newer neurokinin-3 receptor antagonists) • What lifestyle strategies help — and what won’t fix the root cause Bottom line: Hot flashes are real, biologically meaningful, and treatable. They are not “just in your head,” not something you have to live with, and not a rite of passage you’re meant to suffer through. Your body is communicating with you — and it deserves to be listened to.

    44 min

  8. JAN 4

    EP 45: How to talk to your provider about menopause

    We’re smack dab in the middle of Menopause Awareness Month (and yes, it’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month) — so today, we’re taking things back to the basics. No studies, no medical jargon, just an honest, relatable conversation about something every woman eventually faces: how to actually talk to your provider about perimenopause, menopause, and hormone health. If you’ve ever left your appointment thinking, “That was… not helpful,” or felt brushed off when you brought up hot flashes, brain fog, low libido, or the sudden mood swings that seem to appear out of nowhere — you are not alone. Women everywhere are having the same frustrating experience, and it’s time to change that. This week, we’re unpacking what makes these conversations so difficult — from the lack of provider training in menopause management to the old-school medical biases that still label women as “emotional” or “overreacting.” Spoiler alert: it’s not you. The system has a lot of catching up to do. We’re giving you a clear, actionable framework to help you walk into your next appointment confident and prepared. We’ll cover: *How to schedule the right kind of appointment (and why an annual exam isn’t always the time for hormone talk) *What to ask when choosing your provider — and how to find one who truly understands perimenopause and menopause *How to track and articulate your symptoms like a mini hormone detective (because vague complaints get vague answers) *How to set clear goals and expectations before you even step into the room

    47 min
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5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

This is a podcast about all things hormones! Dr. Jill Jennings and Kortney Spann, APRN are so excited to share their knowledge and expertise about menopause, perimenopause, and hormone imbalances.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Jill Jennings & Kortney Spann, APRN
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Hump Day Hormones

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