Dr. Jacovino on Menopause, Metabolism & Hormones That Help You Feel Like You Again

Perimenopause isn’t just about hot flashes—it’s about energy, sleep, metabolism, and your entire life. Endocrinologist Dr. Crystal Jacovino joins us to unpack how hormone optimization can make all the difference. 

Menopause and Metabolic Health: A New Era of Hormone Optimization with Dr. Crystal Jacovino

In Episode #128 of the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast, Dr. Kerry Reller welcomes Dr. Crystal Jacovino, a board-certified endocrinologist, for a powerful conversation about perimenopause and menopause. Together, they bust myths, explain key hormonal shifts, and offer science-backed solutions to help women feel strong, energized, and in control of their health journey.

From optimizing estrogen and progesterone to using testosterone safely—and from battling belly fat to reclaiming sleep—this episode offers a clear and empowering roadmap for women navigating midlife changes.

Key Takeaways:

• Hormone Optimization Defined: It’s not about treating menopause as a disease, but about helping women live better by restoring hormonal balance.

• Perimenopause Is Sneaky: Symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and poor sleep can start 10 years before your final period.

• Visceral Fat Is Dangerous: Hormonal shifts promote fat storage in the abdomen, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

• Metabolism Drops by 500+ Calories: Lean muscle loss, not age alone, is the main culprit—and strength training is key.

• You Don’t Need to Fear HRT: When individualized and used correctly, hormone therapy can be both safe and life-changing—even for those with a family history of breast cancer.

• Testosterone Has a Role: In select women, testosterone can support libido, energy, and muscle strength—but only after estrogen and progesterone are addressed.

• Bioidentical ≠ Better: Commercial options are just as effective and often more affordable. It’s about finding the right dose, not the fanciest label.

• Sleep Matters: Even subtle night wakings may be hormonal—and fixing sleep can spark better decisions and metabolic results.

• GLP-1 + HRT = Synergy: Combining weight loss medications like semaglutide with hormone therapy can create powerful transformations in midlife women.

Conclusion:

You don’t have to settle for fatigue, weight gain, and sleepless nights as “just part of getting older.” Dr. Jacovino reminds us that these symptoms are often signals that your body needs support—not punishment. Whether you’re navigating perimenopause, full menopause, or somewhere in between, you have options. From lifestyle upgrades to science-based hormone therapy, there’s a path to feeling like yourself again—maybe even better.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Crystal Jacovino is a board-certified internist and endocrinologist with advanced training in obesity medicine and metabolic health. She currently sees patients via telehealth through Henry Meds, where she specializes in weight loss, HRT, testosterone replacement, and endocrine care. A Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Endocrinology, Dr. Jacovino is known for her patient-centered, evidence-based approach to hormonal and metabolic wellness.