In this episode, Mary sits down with Jennifer Gularson, certified physician assistant and functional medicine practitioner, to explore what women truly need during midlife—and why the current healthcare system often falls short.

Together, they unpack hormone therapy across the lifespan, including estrogen, progesterone, and the often-overlooked role of testosterone for women, as well as the growing use of peptides and GLP-1 agonists for weight management. Jennifer explains why symptom-based care misses the bigger picture and how a root-cause, functional medicine approach—grounded in nutrition, sleep, stress, relationships, and movement—can be life-changing.

The conversation also dives into the psychosocial and relational aspects of libido, intimacy, and body image in menopause, the barriers women face in accessing appropriate hormone care, and the future of personalised medicine through genetic testing and AI—without losing the essential human connection in healthcare.

This episode is a powerful reminder that women deserve more than quick fixes. They deserve care that listens, integrates science and spirituality, and supports long-term vitality, autonomy, and self-trust.

00:10 Why women are demanding better menopause care
03:45 From traditional medicine to functional medicine
09:30 What “root cause” medicine really means
16:20 Hormones, libido, and intimacy in midlife
25:10 Testosterone therapy for women: myths & barriers
34:40 Weight gain, estrogen loss & GLP-1 medications
44:30 Lifestyle foundations that actually move the needle
52:10 Genetics, AI & the future of personalised healthcare
58:30 Reclaiming women’s health, voice & power

Let us know if you're liking the show!

I would love it if you could support the show. Go into the show notes and click on the button where you read "support the show." You have the option to donate monthly, $3, 5, 8, 10. Be a loyal supporter for as long as you want with recurring fee as little of three as $3 a month, and opt out at any time. Each investment goes directly back into producing episodes with even better content, improved audio quality, and we'll go a long way in bringing great guests onto the show.

Support the show

Hi, I’m Mary—a Licensed Menopause Champion, certified Menopause Doula, and Women’s Coaching Specialist supporting high-achieving women as they navigate the transition from peri- to post-menopause.

Turn your menopause transition into a transformation with my exclusive

Menopause Intelligence Course an 8-module, self-paced learning journey to empower you to take agency over your health and make informed decisions with your healthcare team.

I also deliver corporate education seminars, helping forward-thinking organizations create a menopause-friendly workplace and design policies to accommodate employees at work while fostering a positive and supportive organizational culture.

Click on the link to learn more 👉🏼👉🏼 https://emmeellecoaching.com/menopauseatwork

Find me on Instagram @menopausedisruptorpodcast

Disclaimer: Information shared is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional.