Hey friends,

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the mixed messages around menopause, hormones, and “quick-fix” medications, this episode is a warm, clarifying conversation you’ll want to hear. Dr. April Schulte and Dr. Markus Wettstein walk you through how Western endocrinology and traditional Chinese medicine can actually complement each other—not compete—to help you feel better, sooner.

They unpack what endocrinology really is (think of hormones as your body’s internal messaging system) and explain how energy medicine adds another layer of understanding—allowing us to detect imbalance before it develops into diagnosable disease. It’s all about recognizing those subtle shifts early and supporting the system gently.

When it comes to menopause and perimenopause, the takeaways are practical: you don’t have to suffer through symptoms or rush straight to hormone replacement therapy. Many issues like hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, and dryness can stem from a yin deficiency—which can often be eased by incorporating yin-nourishing foods (like eggs, asparagus, okra, oysters, seeds, and seaweed) and lifestyle adjustments, as well as reducing heat-promoting habits such as regular coffee consumption.

They also explore testosterone in men—how stress, lifestyle, and energy allocation influence levels—and why hormone replacement isn’t always the first or only solution. Medications and injections certainly have their place, especially as a bridge when someone is too depleted to begin deeper healing, but this episode emphasizes individualized care and getting to the root causes.

Most importantly, the tone is empowering: you know your body, and with the right guidance, you can do so much to support your own healing. Dr. April and Dr. Markus encourage true collaboration between practitioners and patients—build your team, ask for integrated care, and don’t settle for feeling like just a number.

So if you’re looking for a friendly, science-meets-wisdom take on aging gracefully, hormonal balance, and tapping into your body’s innate healing power, this episode feels like sitting down with two grounded, experienced clinicians who genuinely want you to thrive—not just exist.