BETTER! Muscle, Mobility, Metabolism & (Peri) Menopause with Dr. Stephanie

Saving Marriages & Bedroom Comebacks: Midlife Women on Testosterone with Shalin Shah

Jan 12, 2026

Shalin Shah, CEO of Marius Pharmaceuticals and developer of Kaisotrex, challenges the misconception that testosterone is solely a male hormone. He reveals how low testosterone in women during menopause can lead to brain fog, disrupted sleep, and loss of vitality. The discussion highlights the significance of testosterone for overall health and the need for effective therapies. Shalin also emphasizes the importance of personalized hormone therapy, environmental factors affecting levels, and the groundbreaking development of oral testosterone options for women.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Testosterone Acts Systemically

Testosterone receptors exist on nearly every organ, so T affects brain, heart, bone, muscle, and cellular health.
Shalin Shah frames testosterone as a systemic hormone with broad roles beyond libido.

INSIGHT

Women Carry Significant Testosterone

Women have more circulating testosterone than estrogen by measurement units, and levels still matter for body composition.
Declining T in midlife contributes to stubborn fat and losing strength despite lifestyle efforts.

ADVICE

Get The Right Hormone Tests

Test total T, free T, and SHBG to understand availability and action of testosterone in the body.
Include LH and FSH when relevant to track pituitary response and reproductive axis activity.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Think testosterone is just a male hormone? Think again. In this game-changing conversation, Shalin Shah, CEO of Marius Pharmaceuticals, debunks a major myth in women’s health. Spoiler alert: women have more testosterone than estrogen, and when those levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, it affects more than just libido. Brain fog, disrupted sleep, stubborn belly fat, and a feeling of losing strength and vitality are common symptoms. While men have had access to testosterone therapy for decades, women have been left in the dark until now.

Shalin explains the importance of testosterone for various bodily functions, debunks myths that prevent proper treatment, and shares the revolutionary science behind the first effective oral testosterone therapy that aligns with the body’s natural rhythms.

Episodes Overview (timestamps are approximate):
(0:00) Intro/Teaser
(3:00) Understanding Testosterone in Men and Women
(6:00) Clinical Signs and Symptoms of Low Testosterone
(11:00) Testing and Diagnosing Testosterone Levels
(13:00) Challenges in Hormone Therapy for Women
(21:00) Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Affecting Testosterone
(23:00) Increasing Natural Testosterone Levels
(30:00) Modes of Testosterone Delivery
(35:00) Female Hormone Therapy: Standardized Dosing
(39:00) Debunking Myths About Testosterone
(44:00) Dosage and Monitoring for Testosterone Therapy
(51:00) Challenges in Accessing Hormone Therapy
(54:00) Global Availability and Future of Oral Testosterone
(58:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie

Resources mentioned in this episode can be found at: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep451/

We couldn’t do it without our sponsors:

TIMELINE - A new year means a new gym membership - but you can’t out-train low energy; it starts deeper than that. So grab 35% off your one-month subscription of Mitopure Gummies at https://Timeline.com/BETTER35 while the offer lasts.

QUALIA SENOLYTIC - This vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free blend of nine plant-derived ingredients is clinically tested to help your body naturally eliminate senescent cells and support healthy aging. Save 15% at https://qualialife.com/better with code BETTER.

BON CHARGE - Achieve glowing skin, gain more energy, and uplevel your recovery practice with a suite of red light products. Get 15% off at https://boncharge.com/better with code BETTER.

LMNT - Rehydrate with the perfect mix of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Get a free sample pack at https://drinklmnt.com/drestima.

EQUIP - Support bones, joints, gut, and skin with Equip Collagen. Get 20% off at https://equipfoods.com/better with code BETTER.

P.S. When you're ready, here are a two ways I can help you:

Subscribe: The Mini Pause — My weekly newsletter packed with the most actionable, evidence-based tools for women 40+ to thrive in midlife.

Build Muscle: LIFT — My progressive strength training program designed for women in midlife. Form-focused, joint-friendly, and built for real results.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.