Hormones & Hope with Dr. Chhaya
Welcome to Hormones and Hope, the podcast where we bridge science and wellness for every listener.
I’m Dr. Chhaya Makhija, a triple board-certified endocrinologist, lifestyle medicine specialist, and educator/speaker practicing in California. After nearly two decades of helping patients decode their health, I created this podcast to give you trusted, evidence-based insights—delivered with clarity, compassion, and real-life relevance. Let's experience the intersection of clinical endocrinology & lifestyle empowerment.
Episodes
46 episodes
Beyond Food & Weight: Navigating Eating Disorders in Teens
What if eating disorders don’t look the way you think they do?In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija interviews adolescent medicine specialist Dr. Lauren Hartman to explore the rising prevalence and complexity of eatin...
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32:46
Rethinking Exercise, Fitness, and What It Really Means to Be Healthy
What if living longer wasn’t about genetics or luck, but about the choices you make every single day?In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya sits down with Dr. Ali Zaidi, a longevity expert, to explore what truly drives not jus...
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47:30
From Medications to Lifestyle: A New Approach to Autoimmune Healing
In this powerful episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with quadruple board-certified rheumatologist Dr. Micah Yu to explore a topic many patients are curious (and confused) about: Can autoimmune diseases be managed beyond ...
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37:05
GERD Explained: Why Acid Reflux Is More Serious Than You Think
In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Surgeon and Foregut Surgeon Dr. Tejal Pandya to discuss one of the most common yet misunderstood conditions—GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).While many people...
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34:02
Testosterone, Clomid & HCG: Men’s Health, Sperm Count and Fertility Explained
In part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Chhaya Makhija continues her discussion with urologist and men’s health expert Dr. Justin Dubin, shifting the focus from diagnosing low testosterone to what treatment actually looks like.Dr. Dubin wal...
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34:22
Low Testosterone Explained: What to Fix Before Starting Testosterone Therapy
In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with Dr. Justin Dubin, a urologist and men's health specialist based in South Florida, to unpack one of the most widely misunderstood topics in men’s health: low testosterone ...
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41:52
From Walk to Marathon: How Anyone Can Start Running & Build a Lifelong Exercise Habit
In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija welcomes Physician and Marathon Coach Dr. Michelle Quirk, who shares how running became her anchor during a season of burnout, grief, and life transitions. Starting with a simple jog around the block,...
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35:28
Oral Health Is Metabolic Health: What Your Dentist Knows About Diabetes
We often think of dental care as something we deal with only when there’s pain, but what if your mouth was quietly influencing your overall health every single day?In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by Dr. Abhi Thakkar, denti...
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29:04
Erectile Dysfunction: The TRUTH About Cialis, Viagra & Testosterone — A Urologist Explains
In Part 2 of this conversation on men’s health and erectile dysfunction, Dr. Chhaya Makhija continues her discussion with sexual medicine specialist Dr. Katherine Klos, shifting the focus from causes to treatment.While erectile dysfunct...
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30:30
Erectile Dysfunction Isn’t Just About Sex — Here’s What It’s Really Telling You
In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija begins a two-part series on men’s health and erectile dysfunction with urologist and sexual medicine specialist Dr. Katherine Klos.Key Takeaways:✅ What are the medical causes ...
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29:08
Low Bone Density at 40+? A Dentist’s Journey from Osteoporosis to Osteopenia — What Actually Worked
In this deeply personal and empowering episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by a very special guest—Dr. Cynthia, a retired dentist and longtime patient at Unified Endocrine & Diabetes Care.✅ What is osteoporo...
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30:43
Can You Take GLP-1 Medications If You Have Hashimoto’s or Thyroid Cancer?
Is your thyroid the reason you’re hesitating to start a GLP-1 medication?GLP-1 medications have changed the way we treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. But for anyone with a thyroid condition, they’ve also created a lot of anxiety, especia...
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24:05
GLP-1 Medications: Is It Right for Me? Top 5 Questions Answered by an Endocrinologist
In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija addresses the most commonly searched and most misunderstood questions about GLP-1 medications and weight loss. Dr. Makhija explains why weight loss is never just about fat,...
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35:20
PCOS, PMDD & Postpartum Depression: The Hormone–Mood Connection
In this episode of Hormones and Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by Dr. Susan Zink, a board-certified psychiatrist and founder of Elemental Integrative Psychiatry, for a practical conversation on women’s mental health during hormonal transiti...
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29:10
Cortisol Explained: What Social Media Gets Wrong About Stress Hormones. What Two leading endocrinologists have to say.
In this in-depth episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Karl Nadolsky to cut through the confusion surrounding hormones, metabolism, and modern wellness culture.From...
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42:33
Hormones, PRP, and Lasers: New Options for Women’s Sexual Health
Low libido, vaginal discomfort, and changes in sexual desire are incredibly common, but that doesn’t mean women have to “just live with it.”In this episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by gynecologist and sexual wellness expert Dr. Ada...
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35:24
How GLP-1 Medications Work: Treating Obesity as a Disease
In this in-depth episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija is joined by obesity medicine specialist Dr. Sarah Stombaugh for a thoughtful, evidence-based conversation on obesity as a chronic disease and the evolving role of GLP...
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41:28
Stop Taking Melatonin Like This — Sleep Doctor Explains Supplements
In this powerful and deeply insightful episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya Makhija sits down with triple-board-certified psychiatrist and sleep medicine specialist Dr. Nishi Bhopal to unpack one of the most universal yet widely misunders...
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36:26
Ultra-Processed Foods & Childhood Obesity: What Parents MUST Know
In this episode of Hormones & Hope Podcast, Dr. Chhaya sits down with pediatrician and obesity-medicine specialist Dr. Sushma Chamarthi, who has dedicated her career to helping children build healthy, sustainable relationships with food and...
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32:53
The 3 Insights That Will Change Your Health—Starting Today
In this special Thanksgiving episode, Dr. Chhaya Makhija invites listeners into a heartfelt, reflective conversation on gratitude, health advocacy, personalization, and the mindset shifts that truly move the needle in our well-being. This solo ...
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28:43
Don’t Break a Bone — The One Habit That Protects You as You Age
In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya welcomes the incredible Dr. Pam Peeke—physician, scientist, author, and the “doc who walks the talk.” Together, they unpack what truly drives women’s long-term health: mindset, muscle, metaboli...
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35:27
Beyond the Scale: Rethinking Obesity, Wellness, and GLP-1 with Obesity Medicine Specialist
In this episode of Hormones & Hope, Dr. Chhaya sits down with obesity medicine specialist Dr. Mona Sodhi, founder of Monarch Weight Loss & Wellness. Together, they break down the real science behind weight, metabolism, and why so many p...
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35:59
Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro: The Truth About GLP-1s for Weight & Health
Register for the Upcoming Community Health Screening Event HereAre GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, an...
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33:36