The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel

Karen Martel: Certified Hormone Specialist
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The Hormone Solutions Podcast with Karen Martel is your ultimate guide to understanding the complexities of hormone health, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and optimizing your health in midlife. Hosted by Karen Martel, known as the "Hormone Whisperer," this podcast taps into her deep understanding of hormones—something that sets her apart from most practitioners. As a Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, speaker, podcaster, and passionate advocate for women's health, Karen brings a unique perspective that combines scientific expertise with a compassionate, holistic approach to hormone balance. In each episode, Karen dives into the science behind hormonal imbalances, the truth about hormone replacement therapy, and how hormones impact everything from metabolism to mood. The Hormone Solutions Podcast provides science-backed solutions, actionable insights, and empowering strategies for women navigating peri-menopause, menopause, and beyond. Whether you're considering HRT or looking for natural ways to optimize your health, Karen offers the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and thrive through every stage of life. Tune in to hear from a trusted expert in the field and get the tools you need to reclaim your health and live your best life! New episodes released every Saturday and Tuesday, and don't forget to start your journey today with Karen's free hormone quiz at https://karenmartel.com. Together, we'll explore the tools and options to help you feel your best at every stage of life.

  1. 1H AGO

    Inflammaging Is Hijacking Your Hormones: The Ancient Reset Women Need in Midlife with Dr. Shivani Gupta

    Do you know whether you're Vata, Pitta, or Kapha...and could that explain your stubborn symptoms in midlife? In this episode, I'm joined by my brilliant friend Dr. Shivani Gupta, and we dive into Ayurveda, inflammation, and why your body might be asking for a completely different approach right now. Have you ever wondered why turmeric seems to work like magic for pain, migraines, or inflammation? Or why the same routines that used to work suddenly don't anymore in perimenopause? We unpack how ancient Ayurvedic wisdom meets modern science—and why that combination matters so much for women over 40. We also go beyond supplements and symptoms into the deeper shifts of midlife. Is menopause actually an invitation to slow down, reconnect, and redesign your life? What if your fatigue, brain fog, or weight gain isn't failure, but feedback? This conversation might completely change how you see this season! In this episode, we uncover: How your elemental design influences inflammation, energy, and hormone balance. Why curcumin works so powerfully—and what most supplements get wrong. What Ayurveda says about perimenopause as a physical and spiritual transition. How simple daily rituals can replace willpower and finally stick. Why mental and emotional inflammation matter as much as hormones. If you're ready to rethink menopause and feel more at home in your body, this episode is for you. Come explore a whole new lens on midlife health with us!     Visit Dr. Gupta's website here.     Sponsors Get 10% off Metabolism Fixxr with coupon code KAREN here. Timeline is offering 20% off your order! Go to timeline.com code HORMONE20. Try the power of copper peptides on your skin today and get 20% off your order with coupon code km20 here.     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

    1h 20m

  2. JAN 31

    Why So Many Hormone Providers Get It Wrong (And How to Find One Who Doesn't)

    This episode comes straight from my own lived experience of spiraling before doctor's appointments and feeling dismissed when it comes to hormones. I dig into why so many hormone providers get it wrong and what's actually happening behind those rushed, frustrating conversations. Why does advocating for ourselves feel so hard? I walk you through what most doctors are (and aren't) trained to do when it comes to perimenopause and menopause. How much of this is about lack of education versus lack of time? And how do you stop blaming yourself when you're told your labs are "normal," but you feel terrible? We also talk about what good hormone care should actually look like, no matter where you get it. What questions should you be asking? What red flags should make you pause—or run? And how can you walk into your next appointment calm, confident, and clear instead of anxious and second-guessing everything? In this episode, we uncover: Why so many women feel dismissed or gaslit during hormone-related doctor visits. How to approach hormone conversations without feeling awkward, emotional, or intimidated. What good hormone care actually includes beyond "your labs look normal." How to spot red flags and green flags in hormone providers and clinics. Why understanding hormones changes your confidence and long-term health outcomes. Tune in and let's change the way you show up for your body!     Sponsors Get 20% off your Cozy Earth Bed Sheets and entire store with coupon code HORMONES Coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order of Vitali Skin Care! Get 15% off our Velvet V Vaginal Moisturizer with coupon code "Vagina" at checkout.     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

    1h 18m

  3. JAN 24

    Why You're Not Healing: Stress, Insomnia, Weight Gain & the Vagus Nerve with Dr. Navaz Nabib

    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

    1h 22m

  4. JAN 17

    Why Waiting for Menopause Is a Mistake: The Case for Earlier HRT and Replacing Hormones the Right Way

    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

    1h 5m

  5. JAN 10

    Why Your Gut Is Sabotaging Your Hormones (and Your Hormones Are Sabotaging Your Gut) with Kiran Krishnan

    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

    1h 42m

  6. JAN 3

    Goodbye 2025: A Year of Healing, Hard Truths, and Growth

    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: kathleen@kathleenmcintoshhypnotherapy.com      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

    1h 39m

  7. 12/27/2025

    Part 2 Q&A with Karen: Cortisol Replacement, Optimal Levels, HRT Absorption Issues, Estrogen Detox, BIEST Troches, Perimenopause Confusion & More!

    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

    1h 2m

  8. 12/20/2025

    Q&A with Karen: High Ferritin, Injectable HRT, Breakthrough Bleeding, Optimizing Hormones, Histamine Intolerance and MORE!

    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

    1h 17m
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
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About

The Hormone Solutions Podcast with Karen Martel is your ultimate guide to understanding the complexities of hormone health, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and optimizing your health in midlife. Hosted by Karen Martel, known as the "Hormone Whisperer," this podcast taps into her deep understanding of hormones—something that sets her apart from most practitioners. As a Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, speaker, podcaster, and passionate advocate for women's health, Karen brings a unique perspective that combines scientific expertise with a compassionate, holistic approach to hormone balance. In each episode, Karen dives into the science behind hormonal imbalances, the truth about hormone replacement therapy, and how hormones impact everything from metabolism to mood. The Hormone Solutions Podcast provides science-backed solutions, actionable insights, and empowering strategies for women navigating peri-menopause, menopause, and beyond. Whether you're considering HRT or looking for natural ways to optimize your health, Karen offers the knowledge you need to make informed decisions and thrive through every stage of life. Tune in to hear from a trusted expert in the field and get the tools you need to reclaim your health and live your best life! New episodes released every Saturday and Tuesday, and don't forget to start your journey today with Karen's free hormone quiz at https://karenmartel.com. Together, we'll explore the tools and options to help you feel your best at every stage of life.

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Martel: Certified Hormone Specialist
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    483
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © This podcast may contain inaccuracies. We disclaim any responsibility for any harm resulting from the use of or reliance on our Site. The advice and opinions in the On Track show are intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medi
  • Show Website
    The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel

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