Hormone optimization goes beyond testosterone and estrogen. In this episode of the Optimization Academy Podcast, Dr. Greg Jones talks with Ashley Madsen, PA-C, about why symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, low libido, weight changes, poor recovery, and perimenopause concerns often need a deeper, more personalized approach.

They discuss why testosterone levels are dropping in younger men, why many women’s hormone symptoms are dismissed or misunderstood, and how stress, sleep, toxins, lifestyle, body composition, and metabolic health can affect hormone balance. Ashley also breaks down common misconceptions around testosterone therapy, estrogen, progesterone, peptide therapy, genomics, and longevity medicine.

If you’ve been searching for answers around low testosterone, perimenopause, fatigue, brain fog, weight resistance, hormone therapy, or recovery, this episode offers a practical look at what may actually be driving those changes, and why symptoms, labs, lifestyle, and personalized care all matter.

📌 About Ashley Madsen, PA-CAshley Madsen, PA-C, is a board-certified physician assistant specializing in hormone optimization, longevity medicine, peptide therapy, genomics, and performance health. She has advanced training through Stanford University, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. She is also the co-founder of Lamarra Collective.

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🔗 Learn more about Ashley Madsen, PA-C Website: https://ashleymadsen.com, https://lumara-collective.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymadsen-lumara Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymadsenofficial/

📌 Connect with Dr. Greg JonesInstagram: @doctorjones_doctorjonesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregjonesnmd Enovative Wellness Center: https://enovativewellness.com/ Book Dr. Jones to speak at your next event: https://www.drjonesnmd.com/

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🔬 TimestampsWhy Hormone Health Is So Confusing Today (00:00 - 07:23)

Stress, Toxins & Lifestyle Factors Affecting Hormones (07:23 - 13:57)

Estrogen, Progesterone & Hormone Myths (13:57 - 18:59)

Symptoms Many Women Get Told to Ignore (18:59 - 25:22)

What Women Experience During Perimenopause (25:22 - 32:23)

Common Myths About Testosterone Therapy (32:23 - 36:42)

Testosterone Levels Are Dropping in Younger Men (36:42 - 38:37)

Sleep, Recovery & Metabolic Health (38:37 - 42:29)

Why Body Composition Matters More Than Weight (42:29 - 48:42)

Genomics & Personalized Longevity Medicine (48:42 - 51:34)

Peptide Therapy Explained Simply (51:34 - 01:12:11)

The Future of Hormone Optimization (01:12:11 - 01:17:52)

🔍 Want to Learn More? Here is the science discussed in today's episode:

PMID: 17062768 Testosterone concentrations in young adult men have declined over time

PMID: 37326322 Menopause hormone therapy and women’s health research

PMID: 31474158 Environmental and lifestyle factors linked to testosterone decline

PMID: 31599840 Testosterone deficiency and metabolic health

PMID: 36735255 Hormone optimization and longevity medicine research