129: Diagnosed but Still Not Better: What’s Being Missed in Women’s Hormone Care with Dr. Eugene Shippen

In this episode of Keeping Abreast, Dr. Jenn Simmons is joined by Dr. Eugene Shippen, hormone specialist best known for his early work in bioidentical hormone therapy and for authoring The Testosterone Syndrome. Together, they explore the overlooked biology behind endometriosis, breast cancer, and persistent hormonal imbalance, focusing on how aromatase-driven inflammation links these conditions and why standard treatments often miss the root cause. The conversation covers individualized vitamin D dosing, iodine’s role in thyroid and breast health, testosterone in women, and a clear, evidence-based approach to hormone replacement therapy, who it’s right for, who should avoid it, and why many women are being denied care unnecessarily. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How estrogen and inflammation drive hormone-positive breast cancer Why breast tumors produce their own estrogen and what treatment often overlooks What endometriosis reveals about aromatase activity and breast cancer biology Why vitamin D functions as a hormone and how deficiency impacts breast cancer risk and outcomes The role of iodine in breast tissue, dense breasts, and fibrocystic disease When hormone replacement therapy may be appropriate after breast cancer and when it is not Episode Timeline 00:00 Introduction to Hormonal Health 05:06 Understanding Endometriosis 12:28 Endometriosis and Breast Cancer Connections 17:33 The Coimbra Protocol and Vitamin D 22:15 Vitamin D's Role in Disease Prevention 27:55 Individualized Vitamin D Dosing 35:39 Monitoring Health Conditions 37:03 The Role of Testosterone in Women's Health 42:46 Understanding Iodine and Its Importance 50:50 Hormone Replacement Therapy: Current Perspectives 01:00:18 Breast Cancer and Hormone Replacement 01:03:39 Environmental Factors Influencing Breast Cancer Rates To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-call To get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuide Connect with Dr. Jenn: Website: https://www.perfeqtionimaging.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmons Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons