Confessions of a Male Gynecologist

Latest Episodes:

90: Metformin, Berberine, Dihydroberberine: Which One Is Best? May 16, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the use of metformin, berberine, and dihydroberberine for weight loss in women, particularly those in perimenopause and menopause.

He explains that while GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Monjaro are effective for weight loss, some women may prefer to try metformin, berberine, or dihydroberberine due to concerns or fear of injectable medications. He provides an overview of each medication, including their uses, dosages, side effects, and cost. Dr. Tassone also discusses the differences between berberine and dihydroberberine, and why he prefers dihydroberberine for weight loss.

He also emphasizes the importance of consulting with a doctor and monitoring labs while using these medications.

Episode Highlights

Why Metformin, berberine, and dihydroberberine are medications/supplements that can be used for weight loss
Why some women may prefer to try metformin, berberine, or dihydroberberine
How Metformin can be beneficial for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Benefits of Berberine
The difference between Berberine and Dihydroberberine
The importance of consulting with a doctor, monitoring labs, and cycling off these medications/supplements periodically.
Cost difference between Metformin, berberine and dihydroberberine
How personal preference plays a role in choosing between metformin, berberine, and dihydroberberine for weight loss
Why you should avoid supplements advertised as similar to GLP-1 medications

Resources

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice | Tassone Advanced Gynecology

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | Hormone Balance Bible

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormonal Archetype Quiz

Medical Disclaimer

This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

89: Mammograms, Thermograms and USPSTF Recommendations May 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the recent recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) regarding mammography guidelines. The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74, with a B recommendation. Dr. Tassone explains the incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer, particularly among non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black women.

He also addresses the potential harms of mammography, such as false positive results and overdiagnosis. Dr. Tassone discusses thermography as an alternative to mammography and emphasizes the importance of individualized screening based on risk factors.

Episode Highlights

The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74, with a B recommendation.
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and cause of death among women in the US.
Mammography has potential harms, including false positive results and overdiagnosis.
Thermography is not currently considered an alternative to mammography.
Screening should be individualized based on risk factors.

Resources

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice | Tassone Advanced Gynecology

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz

Medical Disclaimer

88: Progesterone and Progesterone Scams: What You Need To Know May 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the misleading claims and false information surrounding hormone creams, specifically wild yam cream. He highlights the lack of regulation in the cosmetic industry and the dangers of using products that are not FDA-approved.

Dr. Tassone also emphasizes the importance of reading labels and avoiding products that claim to contain progesterone or other hormones but only list wild yam as an ingredient. He warns listeners to be cautious of companies that make false claims and encourages them to seek reliable sources of information because the effectiveness of the cream is not supported by specific research or data.

In this conversation, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the importance of getting hormone levels tested and the potential risks of using over-the-counter progesterone products. He emphasizes the need for prescription-only hormones and warns against self-diagnosis. Dr. Tassone also expresses his opinion that companies marketing cosmetic creams with high doses of progesterone are unethical. He encourages listeners to share the information and do their own research.

Episode Highlights

Misleading claims and false information surrounding hormone creams.
Why you should avoid using products that are not FDA-approved and lack proper regulation
How to read labels and avoid products that contain false claim
How to seek reliable sources of information when it comes to hormone therapy and treatment options
The use of wild yam cream on the skin as a hormone replacement therapy
How to spot companies making false claims about their products.
Why you should consult a medical professional for hormone replacement therapy instead of self-treatment
The absorption of progesterone through the skin
Why self-treating with hormones can be dangerous and ineffective
Why the concept of cycling progesterone is not a one-size-fits-all approach
Symptoms of common hormonal imbalances, such as progesterone

Resources

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice | Tassone Advanced Gynecology

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormonal Archetype Quiz

Medical Disclaimer

87: Bioidentical vs Synthetic Hormones: What, How and Why Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. He explains that bioidentical hormones are structurally similar to the body's hormones, while synthetic hormones are structurally different. He also delves into the history of hormone replacement therapy, including the use of pregnant mare's urine and the marketing of Premarin. He dispels myths and misconceptions surrounding bioidentical hormones and emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormones.

Episode Highlights:

Bioidentical hormones vs synthetic hormone structure
Bioidentical hormones and the FDA
The use of the term 'bioidentical' as a descriptive term, not a marketing term
Understanding the differences between bioidentical and synthetic hormones

Resources Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice | Tassone Advanced Gynecology Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz

Medical Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

86: Estradiol After 65 - Decreases Cancer and Dementia Prolongs Life Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Tassone discusses a recent study published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society that challenges the previous negative views on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women over the age of 65.

The study found that HRT, specifically estrogen therapy, beyond the age of 65 is associated with significant risk reductions in mortality, breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, congestive heart failure, venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, and dementia. The study also highlighted the importance of individualized hormone therapy, lower doses, and non-oral routes of administration for optimal health outcomes.

Episode Highlights

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) beyond the age of 65
Results of a new study published by NAMS
How they're associating HRT with significant risk reductions in mortality, breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, congestive heart failure, venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, and dementia
Individualized hormone therapy, lower doses, and non-oral routes of administration are recommended for optimal health outcomes.
Estrogen-only therapy, specifically transdermal estrogen with progesterone, is beneficial and prolongs life.
The study challenges the previous negative views on HRT for women over the age of 65 and provides evidence for the benefits of hormone therapy in improving women's health.
Why women should discuss hormone therapy options with their healthcare providers and consider the potential benefits and risks based on their individual needs and health conditions.

Resources

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice | Tassone Advanced Gynecology

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormonal Archtype Quiz

Medical Disclaimer

85: Hormone Pellets and Injections - The Injuring of Women for Money Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

Confession: "Hormone injections and hormone pellets are horrible. Anybody putting them in, in my opinion, is committing malpractice." - Shawn Tassone, MD, PhD

In this episode Dr. T discusses the dangers and drawbacks of hormone pellets and injections, particularly testosterone, and why he believes that using these methods is committing malpractice. He also covers how the companies promoting them are prioritizing profits over patient well-being and more!

There are several reasons why he believes hormone pellets, including their high cost, irregular hormone levels, surgical procedure, potential side effects, and the lack of expertise among providers. He criticizes the marketing tactics used by these companies and emphasizes the importance of asking questions and seeking alternative hormone replacement therapies. Enjoy the episode!

Episode Highlights:

Basic breakdown of hormone pellets and injections
Potential dangers and lack of expertise among providers
How/why the healthcare providers promoting hormone pellets prioritize profits over patient well-being
How the marketing tactics surrounding hormone pellets can be misleading and exploitative
Reasons Dr. Tassone doesn't think pellets are beneficial to balancing women's hormones
Alternative hormone replacement therapies
How to ask questions, seek second opinions, and be cautious when considering hormone replacement therapies

84: Washington Post and the Misogynistic Politicization of Birth Control Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

"Women are getting off birth control amid misinformation explosion." - a very problematic article in the Washington Post last week.

Written by two people with no medical background, the article is highly politicized, filled with anecdotal evidence, and dismissive of women's lived experiences with birth control.

Once I saw it, I had to address it here on the podcast because it's disgusting. Birth control is obviously not the ultimate evil, but it's also not the ultimate panacea. It should not be prescribed for problems outside of birth control until the underlying factors have been explored. Anything else is a disservice to our patients and is done for the convenience of the prescribing physician.

In this episode, I'm giving you my take and the facts on everything written. I want you to read this article, see the political division that's being created, and see the way they've stopped women from responding to what they've written. Enjoy the episode.

Highlights

The risk of bias and the authors' lack of medical background

Misrepresentation of the genuine symptoms some women experience while taking birth control

The political implications threaded throughout the article

Why I believe it's misogynistic and hypocritical that the comments were turned off on the Instagram post about this article

The reach of social media influencers and their impact on birth control decisions

Potential side effects of birth control and the experiences of individuals who have faced complications

How social media might be shaping perceptions and decisions related to birth control methods

Bias in the medical community's response to the side effects of HRT versus the pill

How this article is promoting political division

Sponsored by:

Femmenessence

It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that.

Whether you're pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try.

Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use my code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.

Needed

Few things are as important in a woman's life as that journey to and through motherhood. There's so much that you can't control, but nutrition is a big one you can.

Needed is a perinatal and women's health brand that I recommend to all my clients, whether they're in that perinatal stage or navigating perimenopause. Needed offers radically better nutrition products and education, backed by over 4000 practitioners.

Visit ThisIsNeeded.com (https://thisisneeded.com/) and use my code DrT for 20% off your first month.

Resources

Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.

83: North American Menopause Society (NAMS) - Are You Listening????? Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

"If you're already a board-certified OBGYN, why would you pay to become NAMS certified?"

Many physicians turn to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) for guidance on menopause-related issues. Every few years, they release a position statement outlining their stance on relevant treatment options, and lately, I've been getting a lot of questions about their recent statements.

For the next couple of episodes, I'll be doing a deep dive into different aspects of NAMS and their position statements. Today, I'm starting by critically examining their 2022 hormone therapy position statement and 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement.

In this conversation, I discuss why I question their funding, their focus on certain symptoms, their positions on the use of compounded bioidentical hormone therapy, my skepticism about NAMS certification, and more. Enjoy the episode!

Highlights

Why I'm talking about NAMS

The potential influence of big pharma as the primary funding source for NAMS

Highlights from NAMS' 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement

The problem with relying heavily on the Women's Health Initiative and the emphasis on addressing a few specific symptoms

NAMS' stance on compounded bioidentical hormone therapy and why I disagree with their assessment

Skin and hair effects of estrogen therapy

The problem with NAMS' definition of quality of life

How hormone replacement therapy affects common menopause symptoms and the risk of cardiovascular disease

Risks and benefits of hormone therapy and different types of cancer

Discussion of financial relationships and conflicts of interest within NAMS

NAMS 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement

Sponsored by:

Femmenessence

It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that.

Whether you're pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try.

Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use my code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.

Needed

Few things are as important in a woman's life as that journey to and through motherhood. There's so much that you can't control, but nutrition is a big one you can.

Visit ThisIsNeeded.com (https://thisisneeded.com/) and use my code DrT for 20% off your first month.

Resources

Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

82: How You Can Work With Me - The Appointment Process Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Finding the right doctor can be daunting, especially if you've been dismissed or mistreated in the past. One of the questions I get asked weekly on my Saturday Instagram Q&A is how we can work together and what that process looks like.

For today's episode, I wanted to share the entire process with you, from setting an appointment to blood testing, what we discuss during a typical visit, and how we handle follow-ups. Whether you're looking for help with hormone balance, weight loss, Essure removal, or any other gynecological support, this one is for you. Let's meet and come up with a plan.

Highlights

States in which I'm currently licensed and my plan to get licensed in other states

Setting an appointment with me for a hormone visit if you're in a state where I'm licensed

What to expect once you call my office to set up a telehealth appointment

My approach to ordering labs and the telehealth visit process

Developing a personalized protocol based on the SHINES protocol

Follow-up appointments and managing hormone levels on an ongoing basis

What's involved in my weight loss program and Essure removal visits

Integrative healthcare for various conditions

Mentioned in this episode

Call my office to set an appointment for a telehealth visit: (512) 956-0296

States I'm currently licensed in: Arizona, Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin

Sponsored by:

Femmenessence

It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that.

Whether you're pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try.

Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use my code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.

Needed

Few things are as important in a woman's life as that journey to and through motherhood. There's so much that you can't control, but nutrition is a big one you can.

Visit ThisIsNeeded.com (https://thisisneeded.com/) and use my code DrT for 20% off your first month.

Resources

Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

81: Celebrity Women Selling You Stuff: Beware the Celebrity Trap Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

If you see a celebrity partnering with a celebrity physician for a product, I'm here to tell you it won't help. It's a money grab.

Menopause is getting a makeover, and menopausal women are spending a lot of money. It's a multi-billion dollar industry, and celebrities in their mid to late 40s and 50s are leveraging their menopause experiences into cash grabs.

By sharing their stories and teaming up with doctors - who may or may not be medical professionals - they're leading women to believe that their proprietary supplement formula is the miracle that saved them from the difficulties of menopause.

I'm so sick and tired of seeing these ads, and today, I want to expose this disturbing trend. I'm talking about Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, and Drew Barrymore's entry into the menopause product space, how they use emotional appeals and unproven claims to sell their products, why it's crucial to use evidence-based recommendations, red flags that should trigger your skepticism, where you can find real help, and more. Enjoy the episode!

Highlights

The trend of celebrities leveraging menopause and perimenopause experiences for financial gain

Gwyneth Paltrow's path into menopause offerings and her collabs with doctors

The problem with these celebrity-backed menopause supplements

Red flags to look out for with "kitchen-sink" style supplements

Halle Berry's menopause products and marketing strategies

The lack of scientific evidence behind a lot of celebrity-endorsed products

Why it's risky to rely on the product reviews that brands post on their websites

Breaking down some of the claims and deceptive marketing language used for these products

Drew Barrymore's on-camera menopause experience and subsequent supplement promotion

Why supplements that claim to solve tons of problems at once are often ineffective

Sponsored by:

Femmenessence

It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that.

Whether you're pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try.

Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use my code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.

Needed

Few things are as important in a woman's life as that journey to and through motherhood. There's so much that you can't control, but nutrition is a big one you can.

Visit ThisIsNeeded.com (https://thisisneeded.com/) and use my code DrT for 20% off your first month.

Resources

Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Confessions of a Male Gynecologist

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected