Dr. Ceri Cashell, an Australian menopause expert, dives into women's health, emphasizing the essential role of testosterone in females. She challenges cultural stigmas surrounding women’s sexual health, advocating for better access to treatments like testosterone and DHEA. The conversation highlights mast cell activation syndrome as a potential link to elusive symptoms and stresses the need for a revolutionary approach to medical education. With enthusiasm, Ceri promotes empowerment, curiosity in medicine, and breaking outdated thinking surrounding women's health.
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insights INSIGHT
Testosterone Access Is Limited
Testosterone is vital for women, especially in midlife, yet it is underutilized even in Australia where a female testosterone product exists.
Cultural biases, like requiring women to be partnered, limit women's access to essential hormone treatments.
insights INSIGHT
Testosterone Links to Key Diseases
Low testosterone in women associates with increased risk of dementia, heart disease, and osteoporosis.
These are leading causes of death and disability; hormone therapy could play a preventative role.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Late Osteoporosis Screening Issues
Osteoporosis screening happens too late in Australia at age 70, missing early prevention opportunities with hormones.
This contrasts with guidelines supporting hormone use up to 65 and earlier screening in other countries.
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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Ceri Cashell for a wide-ranging conversation that spans continents and dives deep into women’s health—from hormones to mast cells to medical mindset. Dr. Cashell and I talk about what we’re seeing in clinical practice and what women around the world are still fighting for: access, advocacy, and actual answers.
We unpack the critical role of testosterone in women’s health (yes, women have and need testosterone), and explore how cultural perceptions—especially around sexuality—still shape what treatments women are offered or denied. We also talk about mast cell activation syndrome and how it might explain so many symptoms that often get brushed off or misdiagnosed in women.
We get into why vaginal DHEA is so underutilized, how lifestyle changes make a real impact, and why curiosity in medicine is a superpower. There’s also a deep dive into the hormone–mental health connection and why so many women are struggling in silence because of outdated medical thinking.
This episode is a reminder: women’s health is not niche, and we deserve better.
Takeaways:
Testosterone isn’t optional—it’s vital for women’s health, especially during midlife.
Cultural norms around sexuality still impact the care women receive.
Mast cell activation syndrome might be the missing puzzle piece for many women with unexplained symptoms.
We need more advocacy to break through the outdated thinking that limits women’s treatment options.
Lifestyle changes matter—more than most doctors admit.
Staying curious as a clinician can change the game for patients.
Vaginal DHEA is safe, effective, and overlooked far too often.
Hormones are deeply connected to mental health—this isn’t just about libido.
Access to hormone therapy is often blocked by stigma, not science.
Education and awareness are the keys to transforming women’s healthcare.
Want more honest, empowering conversations like this one?Preorder my Next Book share this episode, and leave a review to help others find this important work. Let's stop leaving women out of the conversation—especially when it comes to sex, health, and healing.
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You Are Not Broken 