Episode 171

Published September 22, 2026

In this episode, Dr. Christine Maren joins host Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton to discuss bone health in perimenopausal and menopausal women and how bone health is connected to the immune system, gut health, and hormone therapy.

Their conversation also explores:

• Bone as a dynamic tissue that’s constantly rebuilding
• The importance of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone for slowing bone breakdown and supporting bone building
• Mechanical loading, hormones, gut health, and overall nutrition as higher-impact factors compared to calcium supplementation for bone health
• The benefits of hormone therapy for bone health
• Missed markers on conventional lab panels that could catch potential issues early, like thyroid, ferritin, and insulin

Key Moments

0:49 Episode Introduction

2:19 Understanding Bone Health in Midlife Women

8:15 The Role of Hormones in Bone Remodeling

14:17 The Importance of Muscle and Balance for Bone Health

24:55 DUTCH Direct

26:16 Screening and Prevention of Osteoporosis

31:40 Understanding Bone Health: Quality vs. Quantity

36:11 Layering Hormones: A Personalized Approach

41:42 Risk-Benefit Analysis of Hormone Therapy

45:17 The Role of DUTCH Testing in Hormone Therapy

49:30 Adjusting Hormone Doses Based on Testing

56:15 Empowering Women Through Comprehensive Health Care

About our speaker

Dr. Christine Maren is a board-certified physician (D.O.) and functional medicine expert focused on women’s health. She addresses the root causes of hormonal, thyroid, gut, autoimmune, and metabolic issues, with a special focus on preconception and perimenopause. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFMCP), with advanced training from The Menopause Society and A4M. Having personally navigated fertility challenges and perimenopause, Dr. Maren brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her work. 

Show Notes

Learn more about Dr. Christine Maren and follow her on Instagram @drchristinemaren!

Check out the study on transdermal estradiol mentioned in this episode.

Learn more about easy at-home collection for patients with DUTCH Direct. 

Become a DUTCH Provider today to see how the DUTCH Test can profoundly change the lives of your patients.

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