S4 Ep174: Is Your Transdermal ESTROGEN... Getting ABSORBED?

Transdermal estrogen in the form of a patch, gel, or cream is often the preferred delivery method for menopausal hormone therapy. Unlike oral estrogen, in addition to other advantages, transdermal estrogen does not increase the risk of blood clots. But a new study, published in the journal Menopause, indicates that your transdermal estrogen… may not be doing what you think it’s doing. Today, I am speaking with one of the authors of that study, Dr. Louise Newson.
My Substack post summarizing the study:
https://drstreicher.substack.com/p/is-your-estrogen-patch-gel-or-spray?r=740mq
Link to article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39689249/
We discuss:
The advantages of transdermal estrogen
The realization that blood levels of transdermal estrogen may be below what is expected
What the study looked at
Results of the study
What factors may cause decreased absorption of transdermal estrogen
Why decreased levels of estrogen are problematic
Ways to maximize absorption
Options if serum estrogen levels are low on standard doses of transdermal estrogen
Concerns of using a higher than standard dose
The pushback in the UK regarding Dr. Newson’s work
If it should be routine to measure blood levels of estrogen if using a transdermal product
For more information on Dr. Newson, visit DrLouise Newson.com
Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK DrStreicher.Substack.com
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Lauren Streicher, MD is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. She is the Medical Director of Community Education and Outreach for Midi Health.
Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago’s top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine.
Links:
Subscribe To Dr. Streicher’s Substack
Information About the COME AGAIN Podcast
Dr. Streicher’s CV and additional bio information
Glossary Of Medical Terminology
Books by Lauren Streicher, MD
Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain
Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat
Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever
The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy
To Find a Menopause Clinician
Midi Health www.Joinmidi.com
Midi Health is a telehealth company that provides high-level menopause care and takes insurance in all 50 states. Dr. Streicher is Midi’s Medical Director of Education and Community Outreach and is familiar with their medical protocols, which are all regularly updated and set by the top academic menopause experts in the country.
The Menopause Society- Certified Menopause Practitioner List Menopause.org
To find a menopause practitioner: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx
Put in your zip code and designate NCMP or CMSP to get a certified menopause practitioner. While all people on this list have passed a competency examination, Dr. Streicher does not vouch for every one of these clinicians. Most are excellent.
Major Medical Centers
It also may be helpful to check with major medical centers in your area. Many have menopause clinics or lists of doctors who have an interest and expertise in me...