Felice Gersh MD

09/04/2026

PCOS, or Polycystic O***y Syndrome, was an imperfect name for a complex condition.

It involves many different symptoms, and we still don't fully understand exactly what causes it. In many cases, there may be multiple contributing factors.

The new name, PMOS, or Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, is still imperfect, but hopefully it will increase awareness and improve patient outcomes.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
PCOS is now PMOS:
Pros, Cons, and Is changing the name actually helpful?
https://youtu.be/vZLSUzwezCs

09/03/2026

Progestins are not progesterone.

For most women using hormone therapy during perimenopause and menopause, bioidentical progesterone is the preferred safest, most beneficial option.

In my practice, progestins are generally reserved for women who cannot tolerate progesterone.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Progesterone vs Progestins:
Why the difference matters for women’s health https://youtu.be/XzmanVYcfCg

09/03/2026

I love working with Ashley Borden 👉No B.S. Master Fitness Coach. Check out her story of preventative medicine in action! We don’t need to wait until you are sick to act.

Ashley Borden 👉No B.S. Master Fitness Coach
This story is crazy! ⬇️

Just because you CAN’T FEEL IT doesn’t mean it’s not happening!

Having a full work up of your cardiovascular system is crucial midlife.

I had my Preventive Vascular Screening Dr Felice Gersh ordered it for me, I did pay out of pocket $500 for the screening - but what was INSANE was when Dr. Gersh looked at my results, she could see some damage along the side of my carotid artery.

👀 Then she asked if I was eating a lot of smoked meats (!?) and I was! (my BF Duda Guerra: JiuJitsu/Self Defense Instructor is a bbq pro) and she said she could see some damage in the sides of my artery 🤯.

She recommended that I stop (I did) and consume protein that had a lower heat point of cooking (or to implement a plant based lifestyle - I’m not vegan, but try to eat way more fresh veggies etc).

Other than that I was 100% healthy and it gave me such a peace of mind.

DO NOT WAIT til it’s too late.

Get your mammogram done
Get your blood panel done
Get your vascular screening done

You can’t feel when things are necessarily changing for is midlife.

And we can’t wait til we FEEL it because sometimes that’s too late.😳

Trust and believe I used to be so lazy about my dr’s appointments etc. not any more.

Have you had a cardiovascular screening done yet?

09/03/2026

Bioidentical progesterone has many other positive effects throughout the female body, not just in the uterus.

It appears to have anti-breast cancer effects because it downregulates estrogen receptor alpha. This may help reduce the growth stimulation of breast cancer cells.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Progesterone vs Progestins:
Why the difference matters for women’s health https://youtu.be/XzmanVYcfCg

09/02/2026

In birth control, you find progestins, which are synthetic progestogens.

Not all progestins are the same as progesterone. In fact, many commonly used progestins are different from natural progesterone and can have testosterone-like effects.

So, progestins are often combined with an estrogen, most commonly ethinyl estradiol, to help reduce the effects of excess testosterone activity. That’s why understanding the difference can help explain why they affect the body differently.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Progesterone vs Progestins:
Why the difference matters for women’s health https://youtu.be/XzmanVYcfCg

09/02/2026

Stopping GLP-1 medications during pregnancy is highly recommended, even though women may regain weight quickly. This can bring back underlying cardiometabolic problems.

The rapid return of metabolic dysfunction may increase the risk of pregnancy complications and may also lead to greater fat accumulation in the baby.

So remember: Coming off GLP-1 medications should be planned with your healthcare provider to support the health of both you and your baby.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Understanding GLP-1s & pregnancy:
What happens when you stop taking these meds? https://youtu.be/DOt5HSG4m9E

09/01/2026

GLP-1 medications can significantly improve fertility. If you are taking a GLP-1 medication like tirzepatide or semaglutide and planning to get pregnant, it is generally recommended that you stop taking these medications 2–3 months before trying to conceive.

Rather than stopping abruptly, it’s recommended to wean off gradually to help your body adjust.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Understanding GLP-1s & pregnancy:
What happens when you stop taking these meds? https://youtu.be/DOt5HSG4m9E

09/01/2026

Weight loss drugs like tirzepatide and semaglutide slow stomach emptying. Aside from slowing the absorption of food, this can also affect how well oral contraceptives are absorbed in the body.

If you're taking a GLP-1 medication and using birth control pills, consider using a backup method like condoms to help prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Understanding GLP-1s & pregnancy:
What happens when you stop taking these meds? https://youtu.be/DOt5HSG4m9E

08/31/2026

Check out my latest talk:
Mirena IUD in Perimenopause: Birth control, bleeding, and HRT
https://youtu.be/tbCHA8V7zvg

Can you keep a Mirena IUD during perimenopause and start estradiol? Does Mirena count as the progesterone part of HRT? And how long can it stay in place as you move through menopause?

In this talk, I answer one of the most common questions I hear from women in perimenopause. The Mirena IUD can be very useful for contraception and for reducing heavy or irregular bleeding. It can also provide endometrial protection when estradiol is added, which is one reason it is commonly used in menopause care.

But Mirena does not contain progesterone. It contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin. That distinction matters because levonorgestrel is not the same molecule as human progesterone and does not provide the same bodywide benefits that progesterone can provide.

I explain how Mirena works, why it may suppress ovulation in some women, when estradiol can be added, why I still consider physiologic progesterone important, and how to think about the pros and cons with informed consent.

Can you keep a Mirena IUD during perimenopause and start estradiol?...

08/28/2026

Estradiol naturally lowers clotting risk. Nitric oxide is antiplatelet aggregating, meaning it prevents platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots. Estradiol actually increases the production of nitric oxide as well as prostacyclins, which also lowers the risk of blood clots and platelet aggregation.

Learn more, watch my full talk,
Estrogen & Blood Clots:
Do you need to worry that your HRT will kill you? https://youtu.be/7Z3DslPq0Qk