Dr. Brendan McCarthy

Why Progesterone Affects Women Differently: The Route You Take Matters

Why does progesterone help one woman sleep, feel calm, and finally feel like herself again—while another woman feels anxious, restless, or completely unlike herself? The

Does Progesterone Cause Breast Cancer? The Truth About Natural vs. Synthetic Progesterone

Does progesterone cause breast cancer—or could it actually play a protective role in the body? The answer isn't as simple as the headlines make it seem. In this episode

Estrogen Delivery Methods Explained: Pills, Patches, Injections & Pellets

How you receive estrogen matters. In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy breaks down the different ways estrogen can be delivered — including oral estrogen, topical/trans

Vaginal Estrogen, Menopause & Hormones: What Your Doctor May Not Be Telling You

Vaginal and urinary symptoms are common during perimenopause and menopause—but understanding why they happen and how different forms of estrogen work can be confusing. I

Is Estrone Really the “Bad Estrogen”? What Your Labs Actually Mean

An elevated estrone level can be alarming—especially when you search online and immediately find scary information about cancer, diabetes, or obesity. But does a high est

The Biggest Mistake Women Make When Starting Estrogen Therapy

Should every woman take estrogen? Or should no one? According to Dr. Brendan McCarthy, both extremes miss the point. The best hormone therapy is personalized, evidence-b

Estrogen Isn't One Hormone: The Truth About Estradiol, Estrone & Estriol

When someone says, "estrogen causes cancer" or "estrogen causes blood clots," what estrogen are they talking about? In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains one of

Don't Stop Your Hormone Therapy Because of Social Media

Every day, women are exposed to endless hormone therapy advice on social media, but not all of it is accurate. In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains why fear-dr

Why the Same Hormone Works Differently for Every Woman

Why does one woman feel incredible on hormone replacement therapy while another gains weight, feels anxious, or sees no improvement at all? The answer isn't simply the h

The 5 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Before Starting Hormone Therapy

Many women are handed a prescription for hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sign a consent form, and are sent on their way—but is that really informed consent? In this e

Hormone Replacement Therapy Explained: What Every Woman Needs to Know | Episode 1

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is far more than simply taking estrogen or progesterone. In this first episode of a new 36-part series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains w

The Hidden Risks of Oral Estrogen: What Every Woman Should Know About Estrone

Many women are prescribed oral estrogen without ever being told what happens after it enters the body. In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy takes a deeper look at estron

Estradiol Explained: The Truth About Oral Estrogen, Estrone, Testosterone & Informed Consent

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in hormone replacement therapy: estradiol. Not all estrogen is the same—and how es

What Every Woman Needs to Hear About Health, Food & Healing

After 16 episodes exploring food, metabolism, cravings, and health, Dr. Brendan McCarthy shares the most important lesson of all: Your body is not broken. Too often, he

The 6-Week Nutrition Reset I Use With Patients

This episode is about more than food. It's about understanding why we reach for certain foods, creating a realistic off-ramp from ultra-processed eating, and giving your

The 9-Minute Method to Break Food Cravings

Most diets fail because they never address what the food was doing for you emotionally. In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains the stress-craving loop behind emo

The Exit Strategy: How to Escape the Ultra-Processed Food Loop

Why is it so hard to stop eating ultra-processed foods — even when you know they’re hurting you? In Episode 13 of this 16-part series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains why

The Shame Trap of Ultra-Processed Foods

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy dives deep into the psychology of ultra-processed foods, compulsive eating, shame, and why so many people feel trapped in unhealthy

Trauma Is Driving Your Diet (Not Willpower) | Ultra-Processed Foods Explained

Why do so many people know what to eat… but still can’t follow through? In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy breaks down the powerful connection between trauma, stress,

Women, Hormones & Cholesterol: The Hidden Role of Ultra-Processed Foods

Today, we’re diving into a topic that should be getting far more attention: Cardiovascular disease in women. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in wome