Episode 159

Published June 30, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Felice Gersh joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton and DUTCH founder Mark Newman for a deep-dive on progesterone: its physiological roles, concerns around standard-of-care prescribing practices, and more.

Their conversation also explores:

• Progesterone’s role as more than an endometrial protectant
• Supraphysiologic allopregnanolone created by oral micronized progesterone
• The physiological benefits of cyclic dosing versus continuous dosing
• How the gut microbiome impacts progesterone metabolism
• The need for more research on oral micronized progesterone and dosing methods

Key Moments

0:50 Episode Introduction

3:51 Dr. Felice Gersh's Unique Medical Journey

13:42 The Importance of Progesterone in Women's Health

18:45 Biochemistry of Progesterone and Its Metabolites

23:48 Natural vs. Synthetic Hormones: Understanding the Differences

29:05 The Role of Micronized Progesterone in Therapy

31:39 Become A DUTCH Provider

32:19 Concerns and Considerations in Hormone Therapy

40:30 Exploring Hormonal Pathways and Metabolism

46:22 Cyclic vs Continuous Hormone Therapy

54:33 Vaginal Progesterone: Efficacy and Alternatives

1:00:17 Monitoring Hormone Levels and Clinical Implications

About our speaker

Dr. Felice Gersh is a multi-award-winning physician with dual board certifications in OB-GYN and Integrative Medicine. She is the founder of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, where she combines conventional and holistic approaches to women’s healthcare. A sought-after speaker and author, she has written extensively on women’s hormones, metabolism, aging, and menopause—including the bestselling PCOS SOS series, and Menopause: 50 Things You Need to Know. Her mission is to empower women to thrive by understanding and working in harmony with their bodies.

Show Notes

Learn more about Dr. Gersh’s practice Integrative Medical Group of Irvine and check out her books!

Read Dr. Smeaton’s article on oral micronized progesterone in menopause.

Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to comprehensive patient reports, peer-reviewed and validated research, and expert clinical support.

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