Dr. Brendan McCarthy

In this final episode of the Progesterone Promise series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center, breaks down one of the most misunderstood hormones in women’s health: progesterone. Progesterone is not “good” or “bad.” It’s contextual. In today’s world of quick sound bites and social media medicine, hormones are often reduced to oversimplified claims like “progesterone fixes anxiety” or “progesterone causes breast cancer.” The truth? It depends on your body, your stress levels, your liver health, your inflammation, your delivery method, and whether you're using bioidentical progesterone or synthetic progestins.   Citations: 1. Oral Progesterone → First-Pass Metabolism & Allopregnanolone Claim: Oral micronized progesterone undergoes significant hepatic first-pass metabolism, increasing neuroactive metabolites (especially allopregnanolone), which positively modulate GABA-A receptors and produce sedative/anxiolytic effects. Core Evidence: Simon et al., 1993; de Lignières et al., 1995; Freeman et al., 1990 — Oral progesterone produces measurable neuroactive metabolites. Paul & Purdy, 1992; Rupprecht et al., 2001 — Allopregnanolone enhances GABA-A receptor activity. Supports: Sedation variability by route • Neurosteroid generation • GABA-A modulation 2. Sulfation vs 5α-Reduction → Opposing Neurologic Effects Claim: Progesterone metabolites can produce calming (5α-reduced) or excitatory (sulfated) neurologic effects depending on enzyme routing. Core Evidence: Majewska et al., 1990 — Pregnenolone sulfate negatively modulates GABA-A. Wu et al., 1991 — Sulfated neurosteroids enhance NMDA signaling. Schumacher et al., 2007; Reddy, 2010 — Pathway reviews of sulfation vs 5α-reduction. Supports: Reverse responding hypothesis • Divergent neurologic experiences • Enzyme-dependent effects 3. Stress & Enzyme Modulation Claim: Chronic stress alters HPA axis tone and hepatic enzyme expression, influencing steroid metabolism balance. Core Evidence: McEwen, 1998 — Allostatic load model. Charmandari et al., 2005 — Cortisol’s systemic regulatory effects. Zanger & Schwab, 2013; Gibson & Skett, 2001 — Stress alters cytochrome P450 expression. Supports: Stress-biased metabolism • Context-dependent hormone response 4. Breast Tissue Signaling & Context Claim: Progesterone influences mammary differentiation and interacts with estrogen signaling in context-dependent ways. Core Evidence: Brisken & O’Malley, 2010 — Progesterone receptor biology in breast tissue. Beleut et al., 2010 — RANKL mediates progesterone-driven proliferation. Hofseth et al., 1999 — PR-ER signaling interaction. Stanczyk & Bhavnani, 2014 — Natural vs synthetic differences in breast effects. Supports: Lobuloalveolar differentiation • RANKL pathway • Context-dependent proliferation 5. Synthetic Progestins vs Bioidentical Progesterone Claim: Synthetic progestins differ structurally and bind off-target receptors, producing distinct tissue effects. Core Evidence: Stanczyk et al., 2013 — Receptor binding differences. Sitruk-Ware, 2004 — Biologic comparisons. Chlebowski et al., 2003 (WHI) — Breast cancer signal with CEE + MPA. Supports: Structural divergence • Receptor-level differences • WHI clarification 6. Route of Delivery Differences Claim: Oral, vaginal, transdermal, and sublingual progesterone produce distinct pharmacokinetic profiles and tissue targeting. Core Evidence: Simon, 1995 — Oral vs vaginal PK comparison. Cicinelli et al., 2000 — “First uterine pass effect.” Wren et al., 2003 — Route-dependent systemic levels. Supports: Uterine targeting • Neurosteroid variability • Sedation differences 7. Progesterone, PMS & Migraine Claim: Neurosteroid fluctuations influence GABAergic tone and may contribute to PMS and migraine susceptibility. Core Evidence: Backstrom et al., 2011 — Allopregnanolone fluctuations in PMS. Reddy & Rogawski, 2002 — Neurosteroids and seizure threshold. Martin & Behbehani, 2001 — Hormonal fluctuations and migraine. Supports: Luteal neurosteroid shifts • GABA instability • Migraine association   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode of the progesterone series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy — Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona — explores the often misunderstood relationship between progesterone, estrogen, and breast health. For decades, women have been taught to fear their breasts and fear hormones. While awareness matters, fear is disempowering — and it has left many women confused about what’s actually happening in their bodies. In this episode, we discuss: Why breast tissue is dynamic, not static How estrogen stimulates growth and progesterone restores balance The role of progesterone in breast tissue maturation and architecture Why dense or fibrocystic breasts often reflect unopposed estrogen How restoring ovulation and progesterone can reduce breast pain and density in some women The difference between natural progesterone vs synthetic progestins Where the fear around progesterone and breast cancer really came from Progesterone is not something to fear — it is a hormone of organization, balance, and maturation. Understanding how it works allows women to approach breast health with clarity instead of anxiety. 👍 If this episode was helpful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs this information. 💬 Comments are read and appreciated. Citations: (Provided for educational purposes; this episode discusses biologic frameworks and observational data, not medical guarantees.) ⸻ Korenman SG. Estrogen window hypothesis (1980) Korenman SG. The etiology of breast cancer: hormone factors. Cancer. 1980;46(4 Suppl):874–880. Context: This paper introduced what later became known as the “estrogen window” hypothesis—the idea that prolonged estrogen-driven proliferation without adequate progesterone signaling may create periods of increased tissue vulnerability. This is a mechanistic framework, not a prevention claim, but it remains foundational in how endocrinologists think about hormonal timing and breast biology. ⸻ Estrogen as a proliferative signal in breast tissue Key TJ, Pike MC. The role of oestrogens and progestagens in the epidemiology and prevention of breast cancer. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 1988;24(1):29–43. Context: Establishes estrogen’s role as a mitogenic (growth-promoting) signal in breast epithelium and frames cancer risk partly in terms of cumulative proliferative exposure over time. ⸻ Progesterone and breast differentiation biology Brisken C, O’Malley B. Hormone action in the mammary gland. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol. 2010;2(12):a003178. Context: Describes progesterone’s role in lobuloalveolar development, differentiation, and architectural organization in breast tissue. Supports the concept that progesterone signaling is biologically distinct from estrogen-driven proliferation. ⸻ Fibrocystic breast change and hormonal signaling Sitruk-Ware R. Hormonal replacement therapy and the breast. Menopause. 2002;9(4):237–251. Context: Reviews how different hormonal environments influence benign breast changes, including pain, nodularity, and cystic architecture, and discusses differential tissue effects of estrogen and progesterone signaling. ⸻ Mammographic density and hormonal influence Boyd NF et al. Mammographic density and the risk and detection of breast cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;356:227–236. Context: Establishes mammographic density as a biologic and radiographic marker influenced by hormonal, stromal, and epithelial factors. Density reflects tissue composition rather than disease itself. ⸻ Bioidentical progesterone vs synthetic progestins (E3N cohort) Fournier A et al. Breast cancer risk in relation to different types of hormone replacement therapy. Int J Cancer. 2005;114(3):448–454. Context: Large observational cohort suggesting that estrogen combined with synthetic progestins was associated with higher breast cancer risk, whereas estrogen combined with micronized progesterone did not show the same risk signal. Observational data—not proof of protection. ⸻ Systematic review: progesterone vs progestins Stute P et al. The impact of micronized progesterone on breast cancer risk. Climacteric. 2018;21(2):111–122. Context: Systematic review concluding that micronized progesterone appears to have a more favorable breast safety profile compared with many synthetic progestins when used in menopausal hormone therapy. ⸻ Endocrine-disrupting compounds and estrogenic signaling Diamanti-Kandarakis E et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals: an Endocrine Society scientific statement. Endocr Rev. 2009;30(4):293–342. Context: Summarizes evidence that environmental compounds can exert estrogen-like signaling and disrupt normal hormonal balance, lending plausibility to concerns about prolonged estrogenic exposure without physiologic counter-regulation. ⸻ Important Clarification The research above supports discussion of biologic mechanisms, tissue behavior, and relative risk profiles. It does not establish progesterone as a guarantee against breast cancer, nor does it replace individualized screening, genetics, or oncology care.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

Unexplained infertility, PMS, and low progesterone are often dismissed when labs fall “within range.” In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy explains why prolactin may be the missing piece. Learn how mildly elevated prolactin can suppress ovulation, lower progesterone, and impact fertility—even when labs appear normal. We also discuss common causes, symptoms, the role of stress and medications, and why diet (including gluten sensitivity) may matter. This episode focuses on precision medicine, not fear—helping you understand what standard reference ranges often miss. Citations: Research — Prolactin and Breast Cancer Risk Below are key epidemiologic and review papers that inform the discussion in this episode regarding prolactin and breast biology. These studies look at associations, not simple cause-and-effect relationships, and help explain why prolactin shows up in breast health conversations. Meta-analysis: circulating prolactin and breast cancer risk Wang M, et al. (2016). Plasma prolactin and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis. Cancer Causes & Control. This meta-analysis pooled data from multiple observational studies comparing women with higher versus lower circulating prolactin levels. Across studies, higher prolactin levels were associated with a modest but statistically significant increase in breast cancer risk. The association was most evident in postmenopausal women and in hormone-receptor–positive tumors. This helps explain why prolactin is considered a relevant growth signal in breast tissue rather than just a “lactation hormone.” Systematic review and meta-analysis: prolactin levels across breast cancer cohorts Aranha AF, et al. (2022). Impact of prolactin levels in breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Endocrine-Related Cancer. This more recent systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated circulating prolactin levels across breast cancer populations and control groups. Elevated prolactin levels were associated with higher breast cancer occurrence, with stronger associations seen in invasive cancers and hormone-receptor–positive disease. This paper adds weight to the idea that prolactin participates in breast biology in ways that matter clinically, even outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Prospective cohort studies: prolactin measured before diagnosis Tworoger SS, et al. (2004; 2006). Prospective analyses from large cohorts including the Nurses’ Health Study. In these studies, prolactin was measured years before any breast cancer diagnosis. Women with higher prolactin levels had a higher likelihood of developing breast cancer later, particularly estrogen-receptor–positive tumors in postmenopausal women. Because prolactin was measured before cancer developed, these studies help clarify timing and reduce the concern that elevated prolactin is simply a consequence of disease. Mechanistic context (supportive background) Experimental and translational studies show that prolactin receptor signaling influences mammary epithelial cell growth, differentiation, and interaction with estrogen signaling pathways. This provides a biologic backdrop for why epidemiologic associations between prolactin and breast cancer risk keep appearing across different study designs. How to read this as a clinician or patient These data do not mean prolactin “causes” breast cancer in a simple or deterministic way. What they do show is that prolactin is an active hormone in breast tissue, and chronically higher levels are consistently associated with changes in breast risk profiles across large populations. That’s why prolactin deserves attention in conversations about fertility, breast symptoms, and long-term hormonal signaling—not fear, and not dismissal.    Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode of our progesterone series (Episode 5), Dr. Brendan McCarthy — Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona — breaks down the often-misunderstood relationship between stress, ovulation, progesterone, and cortisol. We explore the concept commonly referred to as the “progesterone steal” and why this term can be misleading. Rather than hormones being “stolen,” Dr. McCarthy explains how the body intelligently reroutes hormone production under stress to prioritize survival over reproduction. This episode covers: Why the body must feel safe to ovulate and produce progesterone How chronic stress impacts PMS, fertility, and cycle regularity The truth about cortisol (and why it isn’t the villain it’s often made out to be) Why low progesterone is not a personal failure or flaw Why you can’t medicate someone out of stress — and what good medicine actually looks like This conversation is about biology, not blame. Your body is not broken — it’s responding exactly as designed. Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center, explains why progesterone delivery systems matter—and how different routes change what progesterone actually does in the body. Part 4 of the progesterone series covers oral, topical, vaginal, rectal, injectable, and sublingual progesterone, breaking down which methods affect the brain, uterus, and breast tissue—and why choosing the right route is critical. If progesterone hasn’t worked for you in the past, the issue may not be the dose, but how it was delivered. This episode focuses on education, patient agency, and thoughtful hormone care—no shortcuts, no selling. Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on hormones and women’s health, and share with someone who may benefit.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

If progesterone makes you feel wired, anxious, angry, emotional, or unable to sleep, this episode is for you. In this deeply important continuation of our reverse responding series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy—Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center—returns to clarify what was missing in Episode 3C and to walk you through the real physiology, compassion, and treatment strategy behind reverse responding. Reverse responding is not intolerance, weakness, anxiety, noncompliance, or failure. It is an adaptive response rooted in threat-state physiology, chronic stress, and lived experience. Your body is not broken—it is protecting you. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy covers: What reverse responding actually is (and what it is not) The difference between sulfation and 5-alpha pathways Why labs often miss this entirely Why “just more progesterone” makes things worse How trauma, chronic stress, and safety shape hormone response The importance of earning permission from the nervous system Practical treatment pillars: Glycemic stability Circadian safety and sleep rhythm Reducing inflammatory load Gentle nervous system regulation Slow, low, respectful progesterone onboarding Supplement strategies used clinically (and what to avoid) Most importantly, this episode is a reminder: You are not the problem. Your body is doing something intelligent.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona, brings closure to an important and often misunderstood topic: progesterone reverse responders. Some women take progesterone expecting calm, better sleep, and emotional balance — but instead experience anxiety, irritability, agitation, or feeling “wired but tired.” These responses are real, not imagined, and not a personal failure. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy explains: What progesterone reverse responding actually is (and what it is not) Why this reaction is not an intolerance or allergy How progesterone’s downstream metabolites affect the brain The difference between the 5-alpha reductase pathway and sulfation pathways Why labs can look “normal” while symptoms feel anything but Common mistakes providers make (pushing the dose, “waiting it out,” or masking symptoms) Why stress physiology plays a major role How thoughtful, patient-centered medicine can help women heal Most importantly, this episode emphasizes listening to women, validating lived experiences, and practicing medicine with curiosity, humility, and care. Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Brendan McCarthy—Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona—continues his in-depth progesterone series with a deep dive into reverse responders and an often-overlooked mechanism: hormone sulfation. Many women take progesterone expecting better sleep, calmer moods, and reduced anxiety—yet feel more alert, only mildly calmer, or see no benefit at all. This episode explains why that doesn’t mean progesterone is wrong for you. Dr. McCarthy breaks down: What progesterone reverse responding really is The difference between 5-alpha reductase pathways and sulfation How the brain uses sulfation to buffer stress and trauma Why progesterone may be stored instead of calming the nervous system The role of chronic stress, PTSD, perimenopause, and hormone volatility Why higher doses can make things worse How thoughtful, low-dose, individualized hormone therapy actually works Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

Have you taken progesterone expecting calm, better sleep, or relief from PMS… only to feel more anxious, wired, or worse overall? You are not a failure—and progesterone is not failing you. Your body is responding exactly as physiology dictates. The issue is how progesterone is being delivered and metabolized. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy explains: What it means to be a progesterone reverse responder How progesterone normally supports mood and brain chemistry through allopregnanolone Why some women experience paradoxical anxiety, insomnia, or agitation The role of the 5-alpha reductase pathway in progesterone metabolism Why oral progesterone can overwhelm the brain in certain women How PCOS, topical testosterone, stress, insulin resistance, and ultra-processed diets can amplify reverse responses Why kinetics and delivery method matter just as much as dosage Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In Episode 2 of this deep-dive hormone series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy—Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, AZ—breaks down the part of progesterone almost no one talks about: its powerful role as a brain hormone. Most women are only taught that progesterone is about fertility and uterine lining. But the truth? Progesterone is a neurosteroid that influences your amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex—three key brain regions that shape your stress response, emotional stability, sleep, memory, and self-trust. This episode covers: ✔️ Why perimenopause makes your brain feel “out of control” ✔️ The link between progesterone decline and anxiety, irritability, depression, night sweats, and brain fog ✔️ How progesterone converts to allopregnanolone (your brain’s natural calming signal) ✔️ Why women under chronic stress or in their late 30s–40s feel symptoms more intensely ✔️ How hormonal imbalance impacts memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation ✔️ Why you’re not broken—and what real validation and proper care looks like   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

Join Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer at Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona, for a deep, practical breakdown of estrone—one of the most misunderstood and under-tested hormones in women’s health. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy explains: Why estrone matters far more than most routine labs suggest How estrone relates to inflammation, insulin resistance, body fat, and chronic disease What your estrone actually tells you about your metabolic load How phase 1 and phase 2 liver detox pathways determine whether estrogen becomes helpful or harmful How to use food, supplements, and prescriptions appropriately based on your labs Red flags to watch for with boutique labs, overpriced clinics, and “hormone hacks” You’ll learn exactly how clinicians should evaluate estrone, how to interpret the estrone–estradiol ratio, and how to identify where estrogen metabolism is blocked so you can take meaningful steps toward better health. If you find this helpful, please subscribe and share it with someone who wants real, evidence-based hormone education.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer at Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona, takes you deep into the science of Estrone metabolism, why it becomes dominant during perimenopause and menopause, and the exact lab tests that uncover real root causes of symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, breast tenderness, irritability, fatigue, and sleep disruption. This is Part 4 of our Estrone Series — and today’s focus is the real, science-based pathways behind estrone dominance: Estrone : Estradiol ratios 2-, 4-, and 16-hydroxyestrone pathways COMT function and methylation Liver health and detoxification capacity The nutrients and lifestyle factors that shift estrogen metabolism How to interpret patterns your regular doctor may overlook If you’ve ever been dismissed, told your symptoms are “normal,” or felt like something is wrong that no one is addressing — this episode gives you the tools, the labs, and the language to advocate for your health.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In Part 3 of the Forgotten Estrogen series, Dr. Brendan McCarthy—Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Tempe, Arizona—dives deep into the misunderstood relationship between estrone and cancer. For decades, women have been told to fear estrogen. But is estrogen really the enemy—or is it the environment within the body that determines risk? Dr. McCarthy explains: How estrone functions after menopause Why estrogen became wrongly vilified after the 2002 Nurse’s Health Study The truth about inflammation, insulin resistance, and detox pathways The role of methylation, glutathione, and liver detox in estrogen metabolism What lab markers actually matter (and how to interpret them) Practical ways to support your hormones through nutrition, sleep, and lifestyle This episode is about empowerment through knowledge, not fear. If you’ve ever been confused or afraid of estrogen, this conversation will change how you understand your body and your hormones.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode — Part 2 of our Estrone Series — Dr. McCarthy takes a deeper dive into estrone, the often misunderstood and overlooked estrogen. Learn: Why estrone isn’t the “bad” estrogen it’s made out to be How body fat, inflammation, and lifestyle influence estrone levels The connection between estrone, insulin resistance, and breast health Why oral estrogen can worsen symptoms for some women Natural ways to support estrogen balance, including diet, nutrients, and detox pathways Dr. McCarthy explains how understanding estrone can empower women through perimenopause and menopause — and why context and comprehensive lab work matter more than quick fixes. 💬 Have questions about estrone or hormone balance? Drop them in the comments — your feedback helps shape future episodes!   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy dives deep into why women are turning away from conventional medicine and seeking care in alternative spaces. He explores the growing Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) and Make America Medical Again (MAMA) movements, sharing his perspective as a naturopathic medical doctor trained in both conventional and integrative medicine. Dr. McCarthy discusses empathy in healthcare, accountability to patients, and the importance of bridging the gap between modern medicine and natural approaches. This episode is an honest look at what real medicine should feel like—human, compassionate, and deeply connected.   🔹 Topics Covered: Why women are leaving conventional medicine The rise of MAHA and MAMA movements How empathy and validation heal where prescriptions can’t Building accountability and integrity in patient care Bridging the divide between natural and conventional medicine   Citations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R7oRXvuVDl5pW-pGXtfXXs0Ue3L11whZ/view?usp=sharing   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this powerful episode, Dr. McCarthy continues his “Make America Healthy Again” series — exploring how conventional medicine has failed women through dismissal, invalidation, and profit-driven care. He discusses why so many women are turning to online influencers and alternative medicine for answers, and how we can begin to reconcile modern medicine with true, compassionate healthcare. 👉 Topics covered: The systemic dismissal of women’s symptoms How short medical visits and profit models harm patients The rise of “Make America Healthy Again” culture The dangers of influencer-driven supplement marketing Why reconciliation between women and medicine is essential   🎧 A thoughtful, research-backed conversation that challenges the system — and advocates for women’s health, time, and trust.   Citations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AygX2JSGLMyDrQt5WW6v3Xk4m1lhPblE/view   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode, I dive deep into “Mama vs. Maha” — the Make America Medical Again movement versus the Make America Healthy Again movement — and explore how both emerged from a broken medical system. We’ll trace how modern medicine drifted from its original purpose, focusing more on economics than empathy, and how that shift has profoundly impacted women’s health over the past 60 years. From the “Valium era” to SSRIs and Ambien, I break down how systemic neglect, profit motives, and regulatory failures alienated women from traditional care — and what it will take to restore trust.   This episode is personal, reflective, and at times somber — but it’s an important conversation about accountability, reconciliation, and rebuilding the heart of medicine.    References: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mQKU7VpiT5KhXCFFLYtdVoWFAjKRi16J/view?usp=sharing   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

Join Dr. Brendan McCarthy, as he dives into Part 2 of our series on understanding the divide in modern medicine. In this episode, Dr. McCarthy explores: How education, corporate influence, and lobbying have shaped medicine and nutrition advice The history and impact of the food pyramid and dietary guidelines Why trust in traditional medicine has eroded and how alternative approaches gained popularity The role of pharmaceutical advertising and conference influence on medical practice Steps to rebuild trust and prioritize patient-centered care   Dr. McCarthy emphasizes accountability, understanding science objectively, and always keeping the patient’s well-being at the center of care.   📌 Citation / References: Steinman, Michael A., and Jerome P. Kassirer. “Is Continuing Medical Education a Drug-Promotion Tool? YES.” Canadian Family Physician, vol. 53, no. 10, 2007, pp. 1650–1652. PMC, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2231419. ⸻ 2. Bowman, Marjorie A., and David L. Pearle. “Changes in Drug Prescribing Patterns Related to Commercial Company Funding of Continuing Medical Education.” Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, vol. 8, no. 1, 1988, pp. 13–20. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, https://journals.lww.com/jcehp/fulltext/1988/08010/changes_in_drug_prescribing_patterns_related_to.3.aspx. ⸻ 3. Bowman, Marjorie A., and David L. Pearle. “Industry-Sponsored Grand Rounds and Prescribing Behavior.” Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 283, no. 3, 2000, pp. 373–380. ResearchGate, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12077958_Industry-Sponsored_Grand_Rounds_and_Prescribing_Behavior. ⸻ 4. Fickweiler, Frederike, Udo Fickweiler, and Klaus Urbach. “Interactions between Physicians and the Pharmaceutical Industry Generally and Sales Representatives Specifically and Their Association with Physicians’ Attitudes and Prescribing Habits: A Systematic Review.” BMJ Open, vol. 7, no. 9, 2017, e016408. BMJ Publishing Group, https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/9/e016408. ⸻ 5. Fugh-Berman, Adriane. “May I Have the Sting? Cutting CME’s Ties to Pharma.” AMA Journal of Ethics, vol. 8, no. 6, 2006, pp. 356–360. American Medical Association, https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/may-sting-bit-cutting-cmes-ties-pharma/2006-06   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center, opens up about why so many patients lose trust in traditional, insurance-based medical care—and why they often turn exclusively to alternative medicine. Dr. McCarthy shares personal experiences and patient stories that reveal the deeper issues in today’s healthcare system: short appointment times, lack of empathy, profit-driven models, and the powerful role of storytelling in alternative health. This conversation is about more than medicine—it’s about empathy, validation, and radical transparency in how we care for one another. In this episode you’ll learn: Why patients often reject pharmaceuticals (even when safe & effective) The role of empathy and time in building trust How alternative medicine wins hearts through stories Why managed care models fail both patients and providers How we can rebuild trust in healthcare through radical transparency   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!

In this episode, I open up about my personal journey into medicine, how my son’s health crisis during medical school shaped the doctor I am today, and why I believe in practicing medicine with time, care, and accountability. As a licensed naturopathic medical doctor and primary care provider, I share how I balance conventional treatments with holistic approaches, and why I think medicine needs both science and humanity. You’ll hear: The personal story that drove me to become the kind of doctor I am today Why I spend extra time with patients and focus on building trust The strengths and challenges of both conventional and alternative medicine How patients can learn who to trust in today’s confusing healthcare world   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he’s helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He’s also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you’re ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.   👇 Tap Subscribe to learn more about what’s actually happening in your body, and what to do about it.   📘 Read Dr. McCarthy’s Book: Jump Off the Mood Swing – A Sane Woman’s Guide to Her Crazy Hormones https://www.amazon.com/Jump-Off-Mood-Swing-Hormones/dp/0999649604   📲 Follow Dr. McCarthy: Instagram: @drbrendanmccarthy TikTok: @drbrendanmccarthy Website: www.protealife.com   💬 Got a question or topic for a future episode? Let us know in the comments!