H.O.W. MD - Your Hormone Optimizing Warrior

Dr. Mirela Cernaianu - Hormone Specialist

The Hormone Optimizing Warrior MD (The H.O.W. MD) Podcast is your trusted guide to hormone therapy for menopause, postmenopause, and beyond. Hosted by Dr. Mirela Cernaianu, a passionate women's health advocate and practicing physician, this show delivers clear, evidence-based insights on optimizing hormones to reclaim vitality, strength, mental clarity, and confidence in the second half of life. Discover how hormone therapy, peptide therapy, and the latest regenerative approaches can help you thrive after menopause. Each episode cuts through the myths and dogma, providing actionable strategies so you can work with your provider to achieve true hormone optimization (not just symptom management). Whether you're in your 30s–40s preparing for the change, navigating menopause now, or thriving in your 60s, 70s, and beyond, you'll gain practical tools for heart health, beauty, longevity, and whole-body balance.

  1. 1D AGO

    136 - Is Our Estrogen Hormone the Key to a Healthy Heart?

    Estrogen plays many significant roles in a woman's body, but on this episode of HOW MD, we're talking about why estrogen is so important for heart health. In 2002, women and doctors were told estrogen therapy would increase the risk of a cardiovascular event. But the truth is much more complicated, and when taken correctly, estrogen can be more beneficial despite its potential—and often minimal—risks. In this episode you'll learn… Why women started fearing estrogen therapy, and what has changed since. Why the truth about estrogen is more complicated than one simple study. Which types of estrogen are easiest on your liver and heart. Why knowing about cardiovascular health risk factors for women is so important. What the biggest risk factor for heart disease is (and what you can do about it). What FSH is and how it's impacted by low estrogen during menopause. What happens with your FSH levels over time and the symptoms that can arise. Why getting treatment to control symptoms isn't good enough—and what to do instead. How hot flashes impact your health in the short term and in the long run. How physicians who understand hormone therapy can help you deal with fluctuations. Why untreated hot flashes are bad for your heart. Why addressing hot flashes can be even more important than a pap smear. The lifestyle choices that influence your risk of heart disease. What typically happens to your cholesterol during menopause and beyond. The truths you haven't heard about hormone therapy that you need to know.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    21 min

  2. MAY 1

    135 - Introducing the Hormone Optimizing Warrior: Your Guide for Perimenopause, Menopause and Beyond

    When I started this podcast, I focused largely on overall wellness and even beauty. After looking back on the last three years of my journey, I came to realize it was time for a change. I'm shifting to focus specifically on optimizing hormones for women in menopause and beyond. From now on, I'll be providing hormone tips and strategies you can bring to your medical provider to help you feel your best! In this episode you'll learn… How my passion and focus has shifted with time. The services I actually provide in my practices and what it highlights for me. How menopause actually opens a new chapter for women. What the real safety concerns around hormone therapy actually are. The areas of medical care that call for specialties that don't yet exist. How demand for estrogen has changed over time and where it stands today. Why all women have the basic human right to be educated about hormone therapy. Why very few doctors offer hormone optimization (hormone therapy isn't the same). Why I'm changing the name of this podcast from Wow MD to How MD. Why some women feel stuck on their hormone journey and how this podcast can help. How I vow to serve you on this podcast moving forward.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    21 min

  3. APR 24

    134 - Rethinking Breast Cancer Screening on Hormone Therapy: A Fresh Perspective, Part 4

    In this episode we're concluding our conversation about breast cancer screening. This part discusses the importance of breast exams and what an ideal breast surveillance process could look like (versus how it looks today for most women). Many women today are bypassing a breast exam by believing that a mammogram is sufficient. Here's the truth: 10% of breast cancers are not picked up by a mammogram. You should have a breast exam performed at the doctor's office annually. You can also perform your own regular breast exams at home. Regardless of whether or not you need a pap smear, you will still always need an annual breast exam. Breast cancer risk increases as you get older, so during menopause and beyond is not the time to put off testing. While a pap test can identify potential risks very early, the mammogram does not screen for pre-cancer changes. A mammogram picks up breast cancer early on—hopefully early enough to save your life. Introducing new testing that could identify harmful cell growth early on in breast tissue will allow time for the woman to create a plan of action with her health care provider. We should also be screening for inflammatory markers, hormone imbalance markers, and more so we can identify risks as early as possible. Not using hormone therapy isn't a guaranteed protection against breast cancer. It may also not decrease your risk. Hormones are not to blame for increasing breast cancer risk. In fact, the picture is so much bigger than that. We have to take a look at our lives as a whole to really identify what actually increases breast cancer incidence.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    24 min

  4. APR 17

    133 - Rethinking Breast Cancer Screening on Hormone Therapy: A Fresh Perspective, Part 3

    We're moving on to part 3 of our conversation about breast cancer screening in this episode. Previously, we've covered breast health surveillance in general. Today, we're going to dive into breast cancer screening when a woman is on hormone therapy, as this therapy often brings up concerns for breast cancer risk. So, is there an association between hormone therapy and breast cancer? Although hormone therapy doesn't cause breast cancer, this kind of therapy can act as a catalyst for existing cancerous tissues—if they're already growing, estrogen-sensitive cancers can respond. Generally, the outcome is that your already present cancer may grow more quickly or become apparent faster. That said, hormone therapy isn't the cause of the cancer. Some women experience extremely difficult issues going through menopause—so much so it creates an actual medical need to be on hormone therapy. Women who are on hormone therapy during menopause should consider increasing their surveillance.  Ultimately, the responsibility will fall on you to figure out what caused your cancer in the first place. You'll have to investigate and address the environmental factors, lifestyle factors, and more that could have contributed to it so you can avoid recurrence. The decisions you've made in years prior, like birth control use, for example, can have a significant impact on your risk of breast cancer. Generally, the further away from menopause you progress, your risk of cancer is going to go up no matter what. But will a lower dose of hormone therapy reduce the risk of associated cancer growth? While this is an option, remember that all hormones should be balanced and optimized to protect your health, as ultimately this will provide you with the most resilience.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    28 min

  5. APR 10

    132 - Rethinking Breast Cancer Screening on Hormone Therapy: A Fresh Perspective, Part 2

    In today's episode we're continuing our conversation about breast cancer surveillance, focusing on the risks of getting a regular mammogram. Last week, we discussed the cumulative risk of radiation damage that women are subjected to over decades of annual mammogram screenings. Mammograms also have shortcomings: they don't detect pre-cancer changes. Many women aren't aware of the unintended harm a regular mammogram can cause. One of those issues is overdiagnosis. This doesn't refer to a false-positive diagnosis, but rather when a mammogram finds a cancer that grows slowly or not at all (which requires no treatment). However, mammograms can't firmly identify these types, so all cancer is treated the same. This means some women enter aggressive treatment when it isn't actually necessary, especially if they are older in age and may not recover well from the treatment they've been recommended. These false-positives can also lead to psychological harm. After the detection of an abnormal finding on a mammogram, women are often sent for additional screening tests (such as a diagnostic breast ultrasound). If this process continues, a woman may also be sent for a biopsy. However, this diagnostic process can take some time—months or even years—and may hurt her mental and emotional wellbeing. 93% of the additional testing required after an abnormal screening mammogram will yield normal, reassuring findings. The chance of false-positives also increases over time. This isn't about dissuading women from getting screened, but it does highlight the importance of exploring screening options.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    23 min

  6. APR 3

    131 - Rethinking Breast Cancer Screening on Hormone Therapy: A Fresh Perspective, Part 1

    Today we're beginning our conversation about breast cancer screening when on hormone therapy. There are biological markers and overall wellness indicators that need to be assessed every time a woman has an annual checkup when on hormone replacement therapy. Regardless of what therapies she is taking, every woman should have their breast wellbeing monitored, especially as she ages. Is an annual mammogram done over decades actually safe? Some medical experts say that the benefits of identifying cancer early outweighs the risk of yearly exposure to radiation. But the reality is that radiation exposure is cumulative, so you can achieve the maximum threshold for tolerance sooner than you'd think. On top of this, breast sensitivity is heightened when the breast cells are younger, so the risk is higher the younger you are. Aside from mammography, we now have other techniques for breast cancer detection. These advancements, like ultrasounds and thermography, should also be considered for use. Thermography offers great benefits and can do so much more than identify cancer when it's present. This technology is also able to recognize abnormalities that could lead to cancer later on. When abnormal findings come up on mammograms, there is very little information to go on in terms of what should happen next. Early intervention is of the utmost importance when screening for breast cancer, but the question remains: what kind of screening methods are available for women? Mammograms are uncomfortable, and it would be much better for women to explore alternative options than to forgo any regular breast health monitoring at all.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    24 min

  7. MAR 20

    130 - The Future of Aging: Embracing Hormone Optimization, Part 3

    In this episode I'm concluding our conversation about hormone optimization. Previously, we've discussed the difference between hormone therapy and hormone optimization, as well as the myths and benefits about hormone use for health optimization. Today, we're looking at the bigger picture of overall health and how the rest of your body plays a role in hormone balance. How well our bodies function as we age is highly dependent on how balanced our hormones are. For women, that's not just about estrogen. It's also about how all the other major hormones in your body are balanced together. The integrity of your digestive lining is also a very important aspect of maintaining optimal hormone balance, as it plays a critical role for metabolizing and eliminating hormones. An unhealthy, highly processed diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and common use of some medications can seriously harm your gut health—and therefore your body's ability to process hormones effectively. There are also environmental factors and stress factors that can cause inflammation and further harm your hormone and overall health. Inflammation of the gut lining needs to be addressed if you want to improve your overall health. When estrogen is lost during menopause, it will impact the levels of all other hormones. A loss of estrogen can also reduce thyroid function too. Simply replacing estrogen during menopause is not enough to ensure a woman is feeling her best. When estrogen declines in menopause, it affects insulin sensitvity, and this can lead to weight gain that seems more difficult to lose as you age. The earlier you start optimizing your hormones, the better you'll feel through menopause and beyond.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    30 min

  8. MAR 13

    129 - The Future of Aging: Embracing Hormone Optimization, Part 2

    Last week, I introduced the concept of what hormone optimization is and how it differs from hormone therapy. In this episode, let's focus on exploring the myths about using hormones and how you can use hormone optimization to age on your own terms. Going through menopause means experiencing significant changes in hormone levels, including estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. These hormone shifts will have an impact on how you feel (both mentally and physically) and may even lead you to feel a loss of control over things you had a handle on before. Hormone therapy, especially hormone optimization, gives women the opportunity to age the way they desire. It helps women experience these changes gradually and gracefully while maintaining physical and mental function as much as possible. The process of repair is driven by anabolic hormones, and these are the very hormones we lose with age. The earlier you start hormone optimization, the more likely you are to maintain the physical strength you have and protect yourself against osteoporosis. Despite what you may hear, hormone therapy is not risky or dangerous. When facilitated by a medical expert and professional, you can look forward to a lot of benefits. If you choose not to look into hormone therapy or hormone optimization, you deserve to do it with both eyes open. If you're worried about being judged for asking your medical professionals about it, you're not alone. But don't let misinformation stop you from making an empowered decision for your health, especially one that can significantly impact the later years of your life.   Connect with Dr. Cernaianu https://www.herabeautyandwellness.com/  https://www.instagram.com/herabeautyandwellness/  https://www.facebook.com/people/Hera-Healthcare-Mirela-Cernaianu-MD/100063462643162/

    26 min
See All (137)

Trailer

4.7
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

The Hormone Optimizing Warrior MD (The H.O.W. MD) Podcast is your trusted guide to hormone therapy for menopause, postmenopause, and beyond. Hosted by Dr. Mirela Cernaianu, a passionate women's health advocate and practicing physician, this show delivers clear, evidence-based insights on optimizing hormones to reclaim vitality, strength, mental clarity, and confidence in the second half of life. Discover how hormone therapy, peptide therapy, and the latest regenerative approaches can help you thrive after menopause. Each episode cuts through the myths and dogma, providing actionable strategies so you can work with your provider to achieve true hormone optimization (not just symptom management). Whether you're in your 30s–40s preparing for the change, navigating menopause now, or thriving in your 60s, 70s, and beyond, you'll gain practical tools for heart health, beauty, longevity, and whole-body balance.

Information

You Might Also Like