The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka

227. Menopause: Symptoms, Hormones, Tests & Solutions with Sage Workinger-Brecka & Gary Brecka

Dec 16, 2025
Guest
Sage Workinger-Brecka
Sage Workinger-Brecka, a passionate advocate for women's hormonal health, shares her personal struggles with menopause. She highlights how standard tests often miss crucial hormonal issues that can leave women feeling unwell. Gary Brecka discusses the importance of thorough testing like the DUTCH urine test. Together, they debunk myths surrounding hormone therapy and its connection to breast cancer. The duo emphasizes the significance of restoring hormonal balance, making hormone therapy a vital tool in navigating the complexities of menopause.
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INSIGHT

Power Of Estradiol In Symptoms

  • Estradiol (E2) is by far the most potent estrogen and its drop explains mood, skin, libido, and menstrual changes.
  • Measuring estrogen subtypes and ratios reveals menopausal effects blood snapshots miss.
INSIGHT

Precursor Shortage Drives Cascades

  • Pregnenolone is a precursor for cortisol and other hormones, so its depletion cascades into multiple deficits.
  • Low pregnenolone explains flat morning cortisol and worsening sleep, energy, and mood.
ANECDOTE

Frozen Shoulder Resolved After HRT

  • Sage developed severe frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) that lasted about nine months and resisted many therapies.
  • After starting hormone therapy she regained range of motion within weeks and continued improving.
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