One thing I hear all the time from women is, "I tried the patch," or "I tried the cream," followed by some version of: It didn't work for me. Maybe they did not feel better. Maybe they had side effects. Maybe their symptoms improved at first and then came right back.
But does one delivery method not working mean hormone therapy itself is off the table?
That is what made this conversation with Lexi Yoo so important. She has spent years treating women with hormone therapy using pellets, injections, creams, gels, and oral options, and she sees firsthand how differently women can respond depending on the hormone, the dose, the delivery method, and what their labs are actually showing. We also get into testosterone beyond libido, why "normal" total testosterone can hide low free testosterone, and why hair loss during perimenopause may have you looking at iron, thyroid, stress, rapid weight loss, or GLP-1 use before automatically blaming your hormones.
Lexi Yoo is a nurse practitioner who treats women and men through two clinical practices and has been prescribing hormone therapy, including pellets, for nearly a decade. She also trains practitioners through her virtual education academy and focuses heavily on individualized dosing, lab monitoring, and helping patients find the hormone delivery method that works best for them.
What's Discussed:
(01:52) Why testosterone in women affects much more than libido, including brain fog and memory.
(03:23) How creams, injections, and pellets can differ in absorption, consistency, and symptom improvement.
(08:23) Why testosterone injections for women require precise dosing and how smaller subcutaneous doses may create a smoother response.
(14:18) How estradiol injections work and why they may be an option for women who struggle with patches.
(16:49) Why oral progesterone may support GABA and help promote a calmer brain during perimenopause.
(19:55) Why hormone pellets are controversial and why practitioners experience, dosing, and monitoring matter.
(35:05) Why hair loss in perimenopause may be connected to heavy bleeding, low iron, thyroid changes, stress, rapid weight loss, or GLP-1 use.
(42:58) How SHBG can make total testosterone look normal while leaving very little free testosterone available to the body.
(46:28) How DHT can contribute to testosterone-related side effects such as acne, oily skin, and hair loss.
(51:51) Why a bad experience with a hormone patch or gel does not automatically mean pellets or injections will not work for you.
Free Resources:
Masterclass Replay: Join the Masterclass Replay: Head to drcarriejones.com/masterclass to access the free Estrogen and Progesterone Masterclass replay.
Head to drcarriejones.com/stages to grab What Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Because the confusion is honestly worse than the symptoms sometimes.
✍️ FREE GUIDES:
Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones:
Website: drcarriejones.com
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Instagram: @dr.carriejones
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Find more from Lexi Yoo:
Website: lexiyoonp.com
Instagram: @lexiyoonp
YouTube: @LexiYooNP_WomensHealthExpert
Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.
