The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka
253. Dr. Jessica Shepherd: On Menopause, HRT, and Longevity Tips for Women
S1 E253•1h 21min•Mar 17, 2026
0:001:21:51
Most women spend years dismissing their own symptoms: brain fog, frozen shoulder, mood crashes, vanishing libido, never realizing these aren’t signs of aging, they’re signals of a hormonal shift that begins nearly a decade before menopause hits. Today, I’m with board-certified OB-GYN and menopause expert Dr. Jessica Shepherd to dismantle the myths that have kept millions of women unnecessarily suffering, including the misrepresented WHI study that put hormone therapy off the table for a generation. CLICK HERE TO BECOME GARYS VIP!: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Listen to “The Hers Podcast” on all your favorite platforms! YouTube: https://bit.ly/4shfwbQ Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4doq3x2 Get Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s book, “Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause” here: https://bit.ly/3NGDjmn Connect with Dr. Jessica Shepherd Website: https://bit.ly/3Pf6ZHG YouTube: https://bit.ly/47La74k Instagram: https://bit.ly/3NG17Xu TikTok: https://bit.ly/416VYLb Facebook: https://bit.ly/4ryjyeE X.com: https://bit.ly/4192QaQ LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3Nhrm6x Thank you to our partners A-GAME: “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: http://bit.ly/4kek1ij AION: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD AIRES: "ULTIMATE20 " FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4a3Duze BAJA GOLD: "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa BODYHEALTH: “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV CARAWAY: “ULTIMATE” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3Q1VmkC COLD LIFE: THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp GENETIC METHYLATION TEST (UK ONLY): https://bit.ly/48QJJrk GENETIC TEST (USA ONLY): https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 GOPUFF: GET YOUR FAVORITE SNACK!: https://bit.ly/4obIFDC H2TABS: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg HEALF: 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S PEPTUAL: “TUH10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4mKxgcn RHO NUTRITION: “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: https://bit.ly/44fFza0 SNOOZE: LET’S GET TO SLEEP!: https://bit.ly/4pt1T6V WHOOP: JOIN & GET 1 FREE MONTH!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW Watch the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8fo X: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps 00:00 Intro of Show 04:20 Dr. Jessica Shepherd’s Background 08:03 Perimenopause: Earlier Than You Think 11:35 Early Signs of Menopause 15:24 Dutch Test and Hormone Replacement Therapy 24:06 Ideal Timeframe for Hormone Therapy 26:33 The Invisible Hormone Disruptors 27:23 The Caregiver Syndrome 28:35 Why Autoimmune Disease Targets Women 30:40 What Does a Healthy Immune System Look Like? 34:38 Blood Sugar Monitoring: HbA1c and CGM 41:50 How to Strengthen Women’s Immune System 47:42 Black Maternal Mortality and Systemic Health Gaps 57:23 Dr. Shepherd’s Message to the Administration 58:43 Role of AI in Healthcare 1:01:40 Generation M: The Book Every Woman Needs 1:03:39 Weight Training as a Longevity Non-Negotiable 1:06:10 Dr. Shepherd’s Morning Routine 1:08:13 Creatine for Muscle and Brain Health 1:12:28 Real-World Recovery: Movement, Nutrition, and Supplements 1:17:14 Connect with Dr. Shepherd 1:21:01 What does it mean to you to be an Ultimate Human? Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. It is not intended for diagnosing or treating any health condition. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making health or wellness decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices