My Conversation on "Pushing the Limits" with Lisa Tamati

What an incredible opportunity it was to chat with Lisa Tamati on her podcast, Pushing the Limits, about the art and science behind my approach to hormonal and women's health care.

Key points we covered:

My Individualized Approach to Hormone Therapy:

I emphasized the importance of tailoring hormone replacement therapy (HRT) specifically to each woman’s unique needs and responses. Just as we would adjust medications for blood pressure, hormonal therapy often requires patience, tweaking, and realistic expectations—it's crucial not to give up too soon when initial treatments don’t yield immediate results.

Holistic Care through Collaboration:

While my main expertise is in hormones, bone health, and neurodivergence, I deeply appreciate the importance of looking at broader factors such as metabolic health, liver function, thyroid health, insulin resistance, and stress. Rather than trying to master every area myself, I rely on and actively encourage collaboration with other practitioners who specialize in areas beyond my immediate expertise—like microbiome and gut health.

Continuous Learning and Humility in Medicine:

Lisa and I reflected on the importance of staying humble and continually learning. Medicine evolves constantly, and embracing new research and patient challenges is essential. I openly acknowledge that there’s always more to learn—this keeps the practice of medicine exciting and dynamic.

Innovative and Community-Based Practices:

I shared about my experiences with shared medical appointments, an innovative format that provides education alongside medical care. This model not only educates but also builds community support among patients, empowering them with knowledge and mutual support.

My Vision for Educationally Driven Women's Health:

I discussed my aspiration to build a parallel, education-based women's health system—one that's community-driven, flexible, and progressive, allowing women to engage with information at the right pace for them. The goal is to empower women with knowledge, enabling better decision-making and long-term wellbeing.

Importance of Cross-disciplinary Collaboration:

Both Lisa and I agree that healthcare thrives when practitioners from various disciplines—GPs, naturopaths, osteopaths, chiropractors, and others—come together to share insights openly. Integrating our varied expertise is critical to delivering comprehensive, nuanced, and effective patient care.

Resources to Support Women's Health:

I introduced listeners to my online course, "Is It Hormones?" (available at femalegp.co.nz), which guides individuals through the hormonal changes across different life stages, complete with practical worksheets. 

Our conversation wrapped up with enthusiasm for diving deeper in future episodes into specific conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, heavy periods, perimenopause, and menopause.

What a pleasure it was to share my passion and approach to medicine with Lisa Tamati and her wonderful community—I look forward to continuing these important discussions!