CYNTHIA THURLOW REDEFINING WOMEN'S HEALTH

Through Awareness and Empowerment

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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Cynthia Thurlow, a distinguished nurse practitioner and metabolic health expert, has made it her mission to revolutionize how women approach aging, menopause, and metabolic health. In a recent interview, Thurlow shared her insights into hormone health, lifestyle optimization, and the empowerment of women through education.

From Prescription Pads to Prevention: Thurlow’s Journey

A traditionally trained nurse practitioner, Thurlow’s career took a dramatic shift nine years ago when she realized she was tired of simply prescribing medications without addressing the root causes of health issues. “I pivoted from working in cardiology and critical care medicine to becoming an entrepreneur,” she explained in an interview with TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli, Editors-in-Chief of longevity and wellness platform Biohack Yourself, for the influential upcoming women’s health documentary, “sHEALed.” Now, she is a sought-after speaker, podcast host, and author, dedicating her work to educating women about the often-overlooked stages of perimenopause and menopause.

“I still do some patient work, but everything I do now is solely devoted to helping women build awareness about their bodies and health,” she said. This awareness, she emphasized, is the foundation of empowerment.

The sHEALed Documentary is the sister documentary to Biohack Yourself, which became a massive success after exploding on the scene in December 2024 and ignited a firestorm of interest in information focused on health and longevity. Biohack Yourself features 114 prominent and respected high-profile politicians, doctors, bestselling authors, Ph.D.s, M.D.s, scientists, chemists, inventors, biotech investors, and world-renowned academics. Stemming from the success of Biohack Yourself, TereZa Hakobyan-Lolli and Anthony Lolli have grown Biohack Yourself Media to become the number one resource for health news, publishing over 500 articles ranging from breaking news to peer reviewed content.

The Importance of Awareness in Women’s Health

For Thurlow, awareness goes beyond simply knowing the symptoms of hormonal changes—it’s about educating women so they feel in control of their bodies instead of confused or ashamed. She recalled her own medical training at a leading U.S. institution, where menopause was barely discussed. “There was maybe one sentence about menopause. No discussion, no focus. And yet, women spend 40% of their lives in menopause.”

She believes the lack of education surrounding menopause leaves women feeling isolated and unprepared for changes like hot flashes, brain fog, joint pain, and weight gain. “We live in a society that shames women into believing they are not allowed to age,” she stated. “But it doesn’t have to be that way.”

Optimizing the Menopausal Transition

According to Thurlow, the key to an easier menopausal transition starts long before menopause begins. “It really starts with women north of 35, helping them understand that the aging process is driven by our ovaries.” She introduced the term “ovarian senescence,” referring to the gradual decline in ovarian function that triggers hormonal shifts leading to perimenopause.

“The average age of menopause in the U.S. is 51, but perimenopause begins about a decade earlier,” she explained. “And it all starts with a decline in progesterone.” This decline is responsible for symptoms like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and irregular menstrual cycles. “Most women think they’re just tired because they have young kids at home. I thought that too,” she admitted. “But it’s really their hormones changing.”

To navigate these changes smoothly, Thurlow stresses the importance of proactive lifestyle habits, including:

Anti-inflammatory nutrition
Prioritizing sleep
Managing stress (beyond just five minutes of meditation once a week)
Building and maintaining muscle through strength training

“If you address these key areas early, you can sail into menopause with little to no symptoms,” she asserted.

The Role of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Peptides

While lifestyle changes are foundational, Thurlow acknowledges the benefits of medical interventions such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and peptides. “Once lifestyle factors are optimized, hormone therapy can be a game-changer,” she said. However, she warned against the growing trend of “pellet mills” where patients receive a one-size-fits-all hormone approach rather than personalized care.

She believes that the stigma surrounding HRT needs to end. “Women feel completely okay with taking vitamins, yet they feel ashamed about hormone therapy. But replacing lost hormones is no different than supplementing for a vitamin deficiency.”

Thurlow urges women to be discerning when selecting a provider. “Not every woman needs testosterone, for example. Some do, but about 25% still make plenty of it naturally.” She advises women to choose clinicians who take a personalized approach based on lab work and symptoms rather than a standardized protocol.

Addressing the FDA and the Future of Women’s Health

A strong advocate for policy changes in women's health, Thurlow is hopeful about shifts in healthcare regulation. “The FDA has not approved testosterone for women, which is criminal,” she said. “I hope that changes in my lifetime.”

She is also passionate about improving food quality and transparency in the U.S. “We know that 70% of Americans rely on ultra-processed foods, and the food industry gets away with selling unhealthy products here that they wouldn’t be allowed to sell in Europe.” She hopes the current administration will push for stricter regulations and greater nutritional transparency.

Actionable Takeaways for Women

Thurlow’s advice for women looking to optimize their health includes:

Start Early: Understanding hormonal changes before menopause can help mitigate symptoms later on.
Prioritize Strength Training: Muscle is an organ of longevity—building it throughout your 30s, 40s, and beyond is critical.
Optimize Nutrition: An anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods is key to balancing hormones.
Take Sleep Seriously: “It’s not just about quantity, but quality,” she said.
Consider Hormone Therapy: Work with a trusted provider to explore options like HRT and peptides when needed.
Advocate for Yourself: Women need to be active participants in their healthcare and seek providers who truly listen.

“You are the Captain”

For Thurlow, the ultimate message is one of empowerment. “You are the captain of your ship,” she told the audience. “You do not have to accept poor sleep, weight gain, joint pain, or brain fog as your destiny.”

She encourages women to take control of their health, ask the right questions, and challenge outdated medical narratives that fail to serve them. “Aging doesn’t have to be something we fear. It’s time to change the conversation.”

Cynthia Thurlow’s mission is clear: to equip women with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive—not just survive—through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.

Check here for information about the upcoming spring 2025 edition Biohack Yourself Magazine, where the team at Biohack Yourself Media dives deeper into their insights on biohacking, longevity and cutting-edge wellness strategies. Biohack Yourself Magazine is the first peer-reviewed longevity publication with international distribution across the U.S. and Canada, bringing science-backed health optimization, functional medicine and performance-driven breakthroughs to a broader audience. Pick up a copy at major retailers, including Barber & Noble, Books-A-Million, Publix, Kroger, Indigo/Chapters, and select fitness gyms and pharmacies.