DR. CARRIE JONES: EMPOWERING WOMEN

Through Hormone Education and Functional Health

COURTNEY MCGEE

2025

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Dr. Carrie Jones, a Naturopathic Physician and internationally recognized expert in women’s health and hormones, is on a mission to educate women about their bodies. With nearly 20 years in the field, her passion is teaching the basics of hormone health—information that, she argues, should have been taught in school. 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,” she discussed the importance of hormone balance, the phases of menopause, and how women can take charge of their health.

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 Lack of Education Around Women's Health

Dr. Jones’ inspiration for diving into hormone health came from a glaring gap in education. "I realized that women were reaching adulthood—getting married, having kids—without truly understanding how their bodies work," she explained. "I had full-grown adult patients telling me, ‘I don’t know how my menstrual cycle works. I don’t know how I got pregnant. I don’t know what’s happening to me in my 40s.’ And I thought, what a disservice to women."

Breaking Down the Phases: Pre, Peri, and Postmenopause

Dr. Jones provided an insightful breakdown of the different stages of menopause:

Premenopause: The stage from puberty until around the early 40s. "This is when women experience PMS, PCOS, or fertility concerns."
Perimenopause: A transition phase, usually starting in the late 30s to early 50s, as ovaries start shutting down. "Hormones go on a rollercoaster ride, creating symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, and mood changes."
Menopause & Postmenopause: "Menopause is one single day—the day a woman has gone 12 full months without a period. After that, she is postmenopausal for the rest of her life." Without consistent hormone production, women may still experience symptoms like brain fog, hot flashes, and joint pain.

She humorously added, "You’d think after going through perimenopause, we’d get a crown, a trophy, or a certification—but instead, we get more symptoms!"

Postponing Menopause: The Longevity Approach

Dr. Jones highlighted that the goal of modern functional medicine is to extend the premenopausal and perimenopausal years by focusing on:

Nutrition and whole-food-based diets
Supplementation and lifestyle adjustments
Bioidentical hormone therapy when needed
Peptides and advanced medical treatments

"The key is not waiting until menopause hits you like a truck—you need to start optimizing your health in your 30s and 40s."

The Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Controversy

One of the most misunderstood topics in women's health is hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Jones recalled the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study, which initially scared millions of women away from HRT due to an alleged increased risk of cancer.

"The study was deeply flawed and has since been debunked by top experts. Yet, if you pick up a prescription for progesterone today, the pharmacy handout still warns that it ‘causes cancer’ based on that outdated study. It’s frustrating and misleading."

She remains a strong advocate for bioidentical hormones, stating that proper HRT can significantly improve quality of life, cognitive function, and even longevity when used appropriately.

Why Women Crash into Perimenopause So Hard

"For men, testosterone declines slowly over decades. But for women, estrogen and progesterone fluctuate wildly every single month—so when perimenopause starts, it feels like a crash course in suffering."

Dr. Jones explained that stress, diet, and lifestyle can either smooth the transition or make it worse. "Women often burn the candle at both ends in their 20s and 30s, then hit 40 and suddenly say, ‘What is happening to me?’"

Her advice? Think of perimenopause like preconception planning. "Before getting pregnant, women are encouraged to prepare their bodies. The same concept applies to perimenopause—optimize your health before the symptoms hit."

Endocrine Disruptors: Hidden Hormone Wreckers

Dr. Jones warned that modern life is full of hormone-disrupting chemicals found in everyday products:

Tampons and pads containing synthetic fragrances
Plastics and BPA from water bottles
Air fresheners, candles, and perfumes with artificial endocrine disruptors

"These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body, leading to weight gain, heavy periods, fibroids, and infertility. Women often blame their hormones, but many times, it’s these toxins wreaking havoc."

Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Hormonal Imbalance: What’s Normal?

One of the biggest misconceptions Dr. Jones debunked is that being tired all the time is normal for women.

"Yes, hormone fluctuations affect energy levels. But if you're constantly exhausted, brain-fogged, and struggling, it’s time to get tested. Don't normalize suffering."

She emphasized the importance of comprehensive lab testing, as symptoms of low iron, thyroid disorders, and hormone imbalances can all mimic each other.

Essential Lab Work for Women Over 35

Dr. Jones recommends a thorough panel for women looking to understand their health:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): To check for anemia
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: To assess blood sugar and liver function
Full Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Thyroid Antibodies): To rule out thyroid dysfunction
Iron and Ferritin Levels: "So many women are borderline anemic and don’t realize it."
Vitamin D and B12: Critical for energy and brain function
Hormone Panel (Estradiol, Progesterone, Free & Total Testosterone, DHEA-S)

If possible, she also recommends stool, urine, and genetic testing for a full picture of health.

Becoming Your Own Health Advocate

"Women need to be in charge of their own health," Dr. Jones urged. "Doctors are not always up to date, and insurance limitations often mean key tests aren’t offered."

She advises women to ask for specific labs, research practitioners who specialize in functional medicine, and if needed, order their own tests through direct-access labs.

"This is your life. Why would you trust someone else to read—and misread—your labs? Take charge and ask questions."

“Don’t Settle”

Dr. Jones ended with a message of empowerment: "You hold the power over your health. Don't settle for feeling awful. Advocate for yourself, seek out the right information, and know that you are not alone."

She sees the future of women's health shifting, with more research funding and greater awareness. "We are finally seeing a revolution in hormone education. Women are learning, sharing, and advocating for themselves. And that is powerful."

With her upcoming book in 2026, ongoing education, and courses, Dr. Jones continues to spread the message that women deserve to understand—and optimize—their hormones and longevity.

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.