Sex Steroid Optimization: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach — with Mark Holthouse, MD
Are you finding that some patients simply aren’t responding to treatment despite your best interventions?
You’re not alone!
As functional medicine practitioners, we know that hormone optimization isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s fundamental to patient recovery across all systems.
We’re excited to announce our upcoming masterclass on Sex Steroid Optimization led by Dr. Mark Holthouse, a distinguished family practitioner and Chief Medical Officer who transformed his own practice from conventional medicine to a successful functional approach. With 35 years of clinical experience, he brings unique insights that set this masterclass apart.
“I just felt like a glorified drug rep.”
That’s how Dr. Mark Holthouse described his career as an MD before discovering functional medicine—a sentiment many practitioners share.
If you’re treating chronic conditions without addressing hormones, you might be missing a crucial piece of the healing puzzle. From leaky gut’s impact on hormone production to the link between autoimmune conditions and hormone deficiency, Dr. Holthouse reveals how hormone optimization becomes the keystone of successful treatment.
The Kharrazian Institute Is Proud to Present this New Master Class Course!
Sex Steroid Optimization in Males and Females
HRT for Perimenopause and Menopause
“It’s time to stop letting outdated studies from the Women’s Health Initiative prevent us from offering evidence-based hormone therapy to appropriate candidates,” states Dr. Holthouse.
The latest research reveals a more nuanced understanding that could transform your approach to treating postmenopausal women.
The course explores critical findings that challenge conventional wisdom:
- Hormone therapy may reduce Alzheimer’s risk by 30 percent when started within 5 years of menopause
- HRT delivers a significant reduction in atherosclerosis progression with early intervention
- Fracture risk decreases by 30-40 percent at all sites, with benefits persisting beyond age 60
- Natural progesterone offers unique neuroprotective benefits and myelin repair support
- Different delivery systems significantly affect treatment outcomes
- The WHI population doesn’t reflect typical treatment candidates
Recent studies validate the timing hypothesis, creating a new framework for understanding hormone therapy’s relationship with cardiovascular health. Dr. Holthouse guides you through sophisticated protocols for patient selection, monitoring, and risk stratification, allowing you to confidently offer hormone therapy.
Through Dr. Holthouse’s “pothole” analogy, you’ll understand bone remodeling processes and develop clear criteria for optimal interventions. Based on current evidence, you’ll learn to distinguish between various HRT formulations and their delivery methods while implementing personalized treatment protocols.
Premenopausal Conditions and PCOS
“When I see a premenopausal consult under age 35 in my office, over 75 percent are PCOS cases,” notes Dr. Holthouse.
This complex condition demands more than standard metformin and birth control prescriptions.
Through years of clinical experience, Dr. Holthouse has developed targeted protocols that address underlying metabolic dysfunction while supporting natural fertility.
Critical insights about PCOS that will transform your practice:
- Only 11 percent of PCOS patients are obese, yet 90 percent show metabolic dysfunction
- Free testosterone testing proves more reliable than total testosterone
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) plays an emerging diagnostic role
- Specific myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol ratios deliver optimal results
- Progesterone therapy requires precise timing and dosing strategies
The course extends beyond PCOS to address the full spectrum of premenopausal conditions. You’ll discover why PMS and PMDD demand more sophisticated approaches than standard SSRI prescriptions. Dr. Holthouse explains the critical role of GABA receptor sensitivity and progesterone metabolites in brain function while sharing practical protocols for managing menorrhagia without rushing to invasive interventions.
Additionally, understanding the connection between inflammation and hormonal balance becomes crucial when approaching heavy menstrual bleeding. Dr. Holthouse shares specific protocols for optimizing ferritin levels and implementing evidence-based botanical interventions that deliver real results for your patients.
Testosterone Therapy in Women
Conservative guidelines have traditionally limited testosterone therapy in women, yet…
…mounting evidence suggests we’re undertreating many patients who could benefit.
A groundbreaking study revealed significantly lower rates of invasive breast cancer in women receiving testosterone therapy compared to controls.
Drawing from landmark studies, Dr. Holthouse explores the complex interplay between hormones and metabolic health and addresses common concerns about breast health, cardiovascular effects, bone health, and neurological and metabolic impacts.
Key aspects of successful female testosterone therapy:
- Transdermal applications at 150-300 micrograms daily show optimal results
- Individual response matters more than standard reference ranges
- Some women maintain adequate levels into their 90s, while others drop in their 40s
- Laboratory values must be interpreted within a comprehensive clinical framework
- Monitoring strategies extend beyond basic lab work
The Impact of Environmental Toxins and Early Puberty
“We’re seeing an epidemic of early menarche driven by environmental xenoestrogens,” Dr. Holthouse explains.
“Understanding this is crucial for modern women’s health.”
This course provides practical frameworks for assessing toxic burden through functional testing while implementing detoxification strategies that support healthy estrogen metabolism.
Environmental toxins create a complex web of hormonal disruption, particularly affecting young girls. Dr. Holthouse shares protocols for protecting patients from ongoing exposure while supporting natural hormonal development.
You’ll learn precise approaches to using DIM and calcium D-glucarate, supporting methylation pathways, and optimizing liver detoxification.
Testosterone Therapy in Men
The landscape of male hormone health is changing dramatically.
Clinicians are now routinely seeing low testosterone and erectile dysfunction in men in their 30s.
A University of Buffalo study showed 50 percent lower testosterone in obese teenage boys, highlighting the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Recent research has revolutionized our understanding of testosterone therapy’s safety profile. Dr. Holthouse walks you through landmark findings that challenge previous assumptions about testosterone replacement, including new evidence suggesting the 2015 FDA black box warning may soon be removed.
Crucial insights for treating male patients include:
- No reliable testosterone threshold predicts therapy response
- Age alone should not contraindicate treatment
- Proper optimization supports cardiovascular health
- The relationship between testosterone and metabolic health runs deeper than previously thought
- Fertility preservation requires sophisticated protocols in younger men
Seventy percent of men with adult-onset hypogonadism have cardiometabolic syndrome, while 20-50 percent of diabetic patients show low testosterone.
Dr. Holthouse’s innovative “Magnificent 7” protocol addresses these connections, supporting natural testosterone production while managing underlying metabolic dysfunction.
The Gut-Hormone Connection
“The gut should be one of the first things you consider when evaluating hormone health,” emphasizes Dr. Holthouse.
Research shows that leaky gut syndrome can actively sabotage hormone optimization efforts.
Through years of clinical experience, Dr. Holthouse has developed sophisticated protocols that address this connection. You’ll learn specific approaches to healing gut barriers, modulating inflammation, and supporting healthy hormone metabolism.
The emerging GELDING theory (Gut Endotoxin Leading to Decline In Gonadal Function) transforms our understanding of hormone optimization, revealing why treating the gut may be crucial for optimal hormone levels.
This isn’t theoretical education—you’ll receive comprehensive assessment tools, laboratory algorithms, supplement recommendations, and detailed treatment timelines. Dr. Holthouse shares his protocols in his successful multi-state practice, allowing you to implement these strategies immediately.
Transform your approach to hormone optimization and provide more comprehensive care options for your patients.
Dr. Mark Holthouse Presents Sex Steroid Optimization
Dr. Mark Holthouse MD, IFMCP, FAAFP has been practicing medicine as a board certified Family Practitioner for 35 years. For the last 20 years, he has focused on the art of Functional Medicine, being in the first cohort to obtain Certification as an IFM Certified Practitioner. He went on to obtain his board certification by the American Board of Integrative Medicine, and has logged many hours in both training and teaching. After opening several Functional Medicine Clinics in Northern California, founding the Center for Functional and Integrative Medicine, he was asked to be the Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for Functional Medicine of Idaho.
Dr. Holthouse has been on the teaching faculty at Loma Linda University School of Medicine as an assistant professor teaching preventive cardio-metabolic medicine since 2013.
In 2013, Dr. Holthouse was invited to be part of the teaching faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine’s Advanced Hormone Module where he has been teaching the past 11 years.
Dr. Holthouse has vast experience as a business owner developing business models for the delivery of this novel approach to medicine and loves mentoring and passing on his knowledge to both his patients and providers. He continues to see patients full time and specializes in men’s and women’s hormones, longevity, peptides, cardio-metabolic medicine and body composition optimization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included with the Master Class course?
You receive access to all videos, course presentation PDFs, and all other supporting material for one year. This means you can rewatch the videos as many times as you’d like during this period.
• Downloadable topic-by-topic slide presentation included.
• Real-world case studies and success stories
Please note that Kharrazian Institute Master Classes DO NOT include:
• CE credits
• Exams
• Attendance tracking for KI Certificate of Completion
• Pre-course materials, diagrams, research papers, or intake forms
• Evaluation
Are the Master Class courses available anytime by On Demand?
No, registration closes one day before the video presentation. Registrants have access for one year, but after registration closes, new access is only available through the KI All Access Subscription.
Do I receive continuing education credits for this Master Class course?
No CE credits are available for any Master Class course.
How can I attend the video presentation?
This course is only available as online videos beginning January 25, 2025. Registration ends on January 24, 2025. Except for an active KI subscription, online access ends January 25, 2026.
What if I can’t digest all the information at once?
After registration, you have access to the online videos and all supporting materials for up to one year. This means you can rewatch lectures as many times as you need. If you didn’t sign-up before registration closes, you can access this course via the KI All Access Subscription.
What if I have questions after the class?
When you register you are invited to join a Members Only Kharrazian Institute Facebook group where you can ask questions and discuss cases with other practitioners.
Register Early and Save!
When you register for the Sex Steroid Optimization course you’ll have 1 year access.
Attendance options
There is one option for attending the Kharrazian Institute “Sex Steroid Optimization course presented by Dr. Mark Holthouse – The video presentation begins on January 25, 2025 and you’ll have one year access to all videos and course materials. Access ends January 25, 2026. KI subscribers to all courses will have ongoing access as long as their subscription is active.
Registration: Sex Steroid Optimization Master Class course
VIDEO PRESENTATION BEGINS
January 25, 2025
This checkout button is for online access to the video presentation beginning January 25, 2025.
CLICK HERE TO READ GENERAL ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
Browser update: Recommended browsers for the Master Class courses are Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Chrome. Internet Explorer is not recommended. Please update to the newest version of your preferred web browser. If you experience unsatisfactory playback during the live streaming presentation, you may need to restart your computer. Best practice is to restart your computer before the video presentation and avoid unnecessary open applications.
Please note: Your registration email becomes your username for all KI courses and your password will remain the same for all courses. Please prevent auto-fill mistakes on the registration form. Your should use the same registration email for all courses and all required exam(s). Please do not modify your browser preferences to block cookies. Default browser settings are best for all online courses.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT CREDIT CARD PROCESSING
Checkout at KharrazianInstitute.com with confidence. We have partnered with Authorize.Net, a leading payment gateway since 1996, to accept credit cards and electronic check payments safely and securely for our customers.
The company adheres to strict industry standards for payment processing, including: 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology for secure Internet Protocol (IP) transactions, Industry leading encryption hardware and software methods and security protocols to protect customer information, and Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). KharrazianInstitute.com is registered with the Authorize.Net Verified Merchant Seal program.
Course Dates and Location
This Kharrazian Institute online Master Class course is scheduled to begin on January 25, 2025.
Sex Steroid Optimization Master Class Registration Fees
- Early Bird Pricing $395 (access expires January 25, 2026)
- Pre-Registration Pricing $450 (access expires January 25, 2026)
- Standard Registration $495 (access expires January 25, 2026)
Please note: Active KI subscribers automatically have access to the Master Class courses and do not need to purchase them separately. There is no option to extend access to the Master Class courses after they expire except for active All Access KI Subscribers.
Course Materials
All course materials in electronic format will become available on January 25, 2025.
Facebook Discussion Group
Registration for each course includes ongoing access to discussions on a private Facebook group for all registrants.
Exams and the KI Certificate of Completion
There are no exams or Certificates of Completion for the Master Class courses.
PDF Transcripts will be available on the video playback pages of the KI Learning website.