Heal Your Hormones with Dr. Danielle

When the holidays roll around it can be easy to feel the stress of trying to stick to all of your health goals and routines. But, you don’t have to throw all of your hard work out the window! It is possible to enjoy the holidays, indulge in the special treats, and still stay on track with improving your health and feeling good. In the midst of cookies, pies, and casseroles, keeping your blood sugar balanced is the key! On today’s Friday Chats, I’m sharing 3 quick tips for balancing your blood sugar during the holidays. Even if you don’t have diabetes or issues with blood sugar balance, these tips will help give you better energy, less cravings, better sleep, and more mental clarity!

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This time of year can be FULL of carbs! There can be a lot of confusion and fear around this food group, particularly in the PCOS community. On today’s episode, I’m setting the record straight on the truth about carbs and PCOS! In this episode, I’ll discuss:

• Can you eat carbs with PCOS

• How carbs impact PCOS

• How carbs can and should be a part of a PCOS-friendly diet

• Carbs impact on insulin resistant PCOS specifically

• Signs of insulin resistant PCOS

• The 3 types of carbs and what makes them different

• How to eat carbs in a way that supports your PCOS

• How to read a nutrition label to understand carbs in a food item

• What a balanced plate looks like with PCOS

• A handful of listener questions regarding carbs, including:

  • How a low carb diet impacts heart rate and temperature

  • What phase of your cycle are you more insulin resistant

  • What to do if carbs cause inflammation

With a balanced diet, carbs can absolutely be a healthy part of a PCOS-friendly diet!

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In today’s episode, I’m sharing 3 case studies of women with PCOS who each struggled with fertility. While their driving cause of PCOS and infertility, time frame to conceive, and the solution to getting pregnant are all different, by using the framework in the PCOS Pregnancy Protocol, we were able to get each woman’s hormones in an optimal place to conceive. A healthy, natural pregnancy is possible with PCOS! These case studies will encourage you that, with the right tools and support, it can be possible for you as well!

In this episode, you’ll also hear about my Black Friday SALE on the PCOS Pregnancy Protocol. Tune in the hear all the details or click below to take advantage of this exclusive sale!

Today’s episode features special guest Jesenia Villoldo from @‌invisibleWoundsTherapist. Jesenia joins me to discuss the impact of trauma on our bodies and holistic and trauma informed therapy practices. In this show, you’ll hear:

• Jesenia’s journey to becoming a holistic therapist

• How trauma impacts our physical and mental health, specifically our nervous system

• How trauma an impact your immune system and lead to chronic illness

• Outward signs you might see of trauma

• The differences between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn

• What is a normal amount of childhood to remember

• The difference between Big Trauma, Little Trauma, and Vicarious (or Complex) Trauma

• The connection between disordered eating and trauma

• The different therapy modalities to heal trauma, including: EMDR, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Somatic Therapy, and Polyvagal Therapy

• The impact of generational trauma on the body

• Tips for managing the holidays

In this episode, you’ll also hear about my upcoming Black Friday sale on the PCOS Pregnancy Protocol. Click the link below to book a discovery call before the sale begins on 11/24 to help you determine if this program is the right fit for you!

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Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Before you spend the day gathering with friends and family and eating all kinds of delicious food, listen to these 3 tips to ensure you are feeling your best, physically and mentally, as you go into this holiday!

In this episode, you’ll hear about my upcoming Black Friday sale on the PCOS Pregnancy Protocol. Click the link below to book a discovery call before the sale begins on 11/24 to help you determine if this program is the right fit for you!

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On today’s episode, I’m talking with special guest, Dr. Yeni. As a holistic pelvic physical therapist, Dr. Yeni has seen firsthand the power of pelvic PT in optimizing fertility. The amazing impact of PT on PCOS and fertility can frequently be overlooked, but along with lifestyle changes, it can produce incredible results!

In our conversation, we dive into:

• How Dr. Yeni got involved in PT

• The difference between PT and Pelvic PT

• How Pelvic PT can support fertility cycles

• What therapies are used in PT for infertility

• How many sessions are needed, on average, to see improvement

• A deep dive into endometriosis with Pelvic PT

• How PT can help women with PCOS

• How to use holistic tools realistically in a stressful world

• Some ‘controversial’ thoughts on kegels

• The role of PT in working with uterine prolapses

• How Pelvic PT can impact postpartum recovery, including Diastasis Recti and C-Section incision management

• How soon after labor you can see a Pelvic PT

• PT’s role in return to function for women after postpartum

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More about Dr. Yeni:

Dr. Oluwayeni Abraham, PT, DPT, is a vivacious and forward-thinking pelvic physical therapist and pelvic educator based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She practices and teaches from a place of purpose to address the fertility concerns, pelvic pain and pregnancy related conditions women struggle with. As patients fondly call her, “Dr. Yeni” is also a mentor, teacher and practices using gynovisceral manipulation techniques to treat and manage female mechanical infertility. Her use of these skills in practice has addressed hormonal issues, ovulatory concerns and numerous reproductive diagnoses impacting fertility. Dr. Yeni is formidable woman and hails as a proud first-gen Nigerian. She is a fertility warrior who is now a mother after a battle with infertility. She is happily married with a wonderful son, passionate about mentoring young women and aiming to provide expert level care for all women.

Holiday season is upon us and Winter is coming! As the weather turns colder and the holiday parties begin, unfortunately, stress and sickness are often not far behind. On today’s Friday Chat’s, I’m sharing some quick tips to support your immune system this Winter. I’ll be covering tips for both prevention and for when you are sick. Learn how to support your body during this season so you can enjoy it to the fullest! I’m also dishing all the details about my upcoming Black Friday sale. Be the first to know by tuning in now!

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This is an episode unlike any other I’ve done in the past! On today’s show I have guest, Alex Bonanno, with me to discuss how to navigate your fertility journey with your employer. As an HR leader in the health benefits space, Alex shares how to talk to your employer about reproduction support, parental leave, and insurance coverage for fertility procedures. We also dive into:

• The pros and cons of HSAs and FSAs

• The infertility benefits covered in the medical insurance world

• What compassionate leave is

• What kind of benefits might be offered to both the birthing and non birthing parent

• Exactly what you need to know when chatting with your employer about parental leave (including how much time you will get off, how you will get paid, how to add your child to your benefits, etc.)

These conversations can be difficult, but after today’s episode you will feel encouraged and empowered to handle your fertility journey at work!

More about Alex:

Alex Bonanno is an HR Leader who focuses on employee benefits, corporate wellbeing programs, leaves of absence, compensation, HR operations, and HR technology.

Alex has an MA in Psychology with a focus on Industrial-Organizational Psychology. She has spent her career working in the health benefits space focusing mostly on creating and sustaining employee-focused health and wellbeing programs in the Boston Biotech industry.

As we head into holiday season, it is not unusual to indulge in a lot of sweets, treats, and alcohol. Eating a balanced, hormone friendly breakfast can help to keep your body fueled and your blood sugar stable, allowing you to enjoy the season without the guilt of over indulging. On this Friday Chats, I’m sharing 3 hormone friendly breakfasts that I’ve been loving lately!

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Is there a moment in time where you noticed your hair loss really picked up pace? Are you noticing hand fulls of hair every time you brush your hair? Are you noticing bald spots? While hair loss is expected as we go throughout life, these may be signs that the hair loss you are experiencing is abnormal. When dealing with an abnormal amount of hair loss, the first step toward regrowth is to determine the root cause. On today’s episode, I’m diving into 5 common root causes of hair loss. I’ll be discussing how to determine what might be your root cause and steps you can take to address these common causes.

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The different types of PCOS and their root cause is a conversation not often held in conventional medicine. However, determining the type of PCOS and its cause is the first place to start when looking for relief from your symptoms and ultimately to heal. In today’s Friday Chats, I’m simplifying the 4 types of PCOS. Understanding these types can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration in your healing journey!

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Did you know the average woman puts 176 toxins on her body a day?! 😱 There is no way around the fact that the world we live in today is very toxic. And while there are many things we can not control, there is a lot within our control. In today’s episode, I chat with Dr. Kat Bodden about environmental toxins in our homes and how they impact hormones and fertility. Tune in to hear what the most common toxins impacting hormones are, signs you might be affected by those toxins, simple changes you can make to lower your toxin load, as well as tons of product recommendations! When you focus on what you can control, regarding the toxins in your environment, you can make great strides in your health!

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All about Dr. Kat Bodden and where to find her! 👇🏻

Dr. Kat Bodden is a Naturopathic Physician and the owner of Sea Change Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She specializes in mold illness, detoxification, and gastrointestinal issues. She works with clients 1:1 in individualized wellness programs based on her 5 pillars of health:

• Nourishment

• Detoxification

• Gut Health

• Movement & Mindfulness

• Mentorship.

Letrozole is an oral, FDA approved, medication used for the treatment of breast cancer. However, by inducing ovulation, it has been found to be effective in helping women with anovulatory infertility conceive. In this episode of Friday Chats, I’m sharing how this drug works, what the science is saying (spoiler alert: it’s more effective than Clomid!), and its potential side effects.

Hirsutism, male pattern hair growth, is a symptom often seen in women with PCOS. While there can be a lot of shame and embarrassment around this symptom, it is much more common than you think AND it’s reversible! In today’s episode, I’m diving into what exactly hirsutism is, its risk factors, how conventional medicine treats it, and what you can do naturally to get rid of the unwanted hair growth. 75% of cases of Hirsutism are related to PCOS. And if you’ve been around here awhile, you know I’m all about helping women heal their PCOS symptoms! Tune in now to learn what steps you can take to address the root cause of male pattern hair growth.

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Tracking Basal Body Temperature can be extremely helpful in determining ovulation, either to improve chances of fertility or to avoid pregnancy. In today’s episode, I’m explaining what Basal Body Temperature is, how to test it, and the information about your body you can gather when tracked consistently.

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Chemical pregnancies happen when a woman experiences a miscarriage within the first 5 weeks of pregnancy. They can be fairly common and often go undiagnosed. In today’s episode, I’m discussing signs a woman may be experiencing a chemical pregnancy, the potential causes of a chemical pregnancy, and finally what can be done to prevent another chemical pregnancy in the future. While a chemical pregnancy is no one’s fault, there can be a lot of fear when you are told to, “Just keep trying”, without any tools to make sure the outcome of your next pregnancy is different. There is so much that can be done to ensure a healthy and successful pregnancy moving forward! Tune in to find out my top suggestions!

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I’m clarifying a common misconception between PCOS and Ovarian Cysts on today’s Friday Chats! This misconception often sends women down a spiral of trying to treat or heal something they don’t have. Tune in to hear how PCOS and Ovarian cysts differ in cause, symptoms, and treatment!

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If you are dealing with painful, heavy periods and pelvic pain, there is hope for healing! On today’s episode, I’m addressing another listener question! This question was about endometriosis and pelvic pain. In this show, I discuss what endometriosis is, the cause of pelvic pain related to the endometriosis, and what to do about it. Through lifestyle changes, you can heal and see an improvement in your symptoms. Tune in now to learn what some of those first steps to healing are!

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You may have noticed red light therapy is popping up more and more on social media. You may also be wondering what all the rage is about and why influencers won’t stop talking about it. On today’s Friday Chats, I’m sharing what red light therapy is, as well as its long list of benefits. I’ll be putting red light therapy to the test in the coming months, so tune in to hear how I’ll be using it!

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Clinically, I’m seeing more and more women diagnosed with Adrenal PCOS than just a few years previous. And understandably so; the last few years have been stressful! On this episode, I’m diving into Adrenal PCOS and your Androgen Hormones. We’ll chat about:

• What Adrenal PCOS is

• What and where your adrenal glands are

• What Androgen Hormones are and why they are important

• The difference between DHEA and DHEAS

• Symptoms of low DHEAS and high DHEAS

• How to test DHEAS

• What to do if your DHEAS levels are high

• Other Androgen Hormones to look at if DHEAS comes back normal

• The impact of stress and cortisol on the adrenal glands

• What you need to know about cortisol testing

• What to do if you have an adrenal imbalance

• How adrenal glands impact blood sugar

• How to best support your adrenal glands

• What to do in times of increased stress

There is so much you can do to get rid of your symptoms and feel your best! I’ll share it all in today’s show!

If you missed the podcast episode from earlier this week, I discussed the foundational habits to good health. One of those habits was good sleep hygiene. A lot of people struggle with getting a good night’s sleep. Oftentimes, how well we sleep at night has a lot to do with our habits during the day. In today’s show, I’m sharing 3 tips to help you get better sleep. These tips will increase your chances of falling asleep easily and staying asleep through the night.

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While under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Bader, I learned about what she named the BTGs (Basic Treatment Guidelines). These were the first foundational changes that she implemented with each patient. On today’s episode, I’m sharing what have become the BTGs in my practice. These guidelines can be implemented by anyone and without the supervision of a healthcare provider. However, they are critical to optimal health. So many symptoms can improve when implementing these guidelines alone! Spoiler alert: It’s not supplements! Tune in now to learn about what I consider to be the foundational habits to good health.

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Stress management is often the missing piece for women who feel like they’ve tried everything, but are still struggling to heal their hormones and PCOS symptoms, particularly adrenal driven PCOS. Activating the vagus nerve is one way to help your body out of fight or flight and into a restful, calm state. On today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 simple ways to stimulate your vagus nerve and lower your stress response. By choosing just one of the 5 tips to focus on for the next month you can make a great impact on how your body responds to stress!

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Today, I’m joined by special guest, Azul Cora, from Azul Core Wellness. Growing up in the ‘nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’ era, where unrealistic body standards and harmful fad diets abounded (Can you relate?? 🙋‍♀️), Azul shares her personal wellness journey through cyclical disordered eating and exercise to find freedom through self-love, intuitive eating, and mindful movement. This episode is packed with inspiration as our conversation includes the following topics:

• How to find your ‘why’ that leads to lasting change

• The ways societal norms influence our approach to fitness

• The 4 categories of mindful movement and examples of what movement to do in each category

• Common misconceptions about intuitive eating

• How to treat our bodies with kindness

• How you can’t hate yourself into change

• The first steps to take to unlearn negative beliefs you may have about your body

• The difference between self-love and self-respect

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Where to find Azul: 👇

It’s a story I’ve heard a million times. After going to the doctor with a string of symptoms, your doctor tells you that everything with your labs is normal. However, you don’t feel normal. And that is because normal is NOT optimal. Your lab work might not indicate the need for a prescription drug just yet, but it certainly does not mean you aren’t experiencing symptoms that need to be addressed. Today, I’m stepping on my soapbox for a couple minutes to discuss the importance of looking at labs and symptoms through a more critical lens.

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There is so much fear and misunderstanding around cervical cancer. And this fear and misunderstanding can lead women to ignore proper screenings that could prevent cervical cancer or catch it before spreading to other locations of the body. On today’s episode, I’m diving into what cervical cancer is, how women get it, what you can do to prevent it or catch it early, and finally different methods to treat it. I’m also sharing my personal story with abnormal pap smears and my experience treating a patient with precancerous cells holistically.

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As the chaos of Summer winds down and as Fall approaches with its more consistent routines, it is a great reminder to get organized with your health. One way to do this is to schedule your annual Well Woman Exam. This exam is typically done with your gynecologist and it intended for preventative purposes. In this episode of Friday Chats, I’ll go over what you can expect during these check-ups and why they are so important. If you jumped off the wagon with your regular visits because of Covid and transitioned to mostly virtual care, this is your sign to schedule your in-person visit today!

There is SO much information out there about intermittent fasting. But what does the research actually say? Today, I’m joined by Katie Morton from Funk It Wellness to talk about this controversial topic! In this episode, we cover:

• The different types of fasting, including Time Restricted Fasting, Alternate Day Fasting, and 5-2 Intermittent Fasting

• Why IF is so popular

• The reported benefits and why the research can be deceiving

• Fasting for men verses for women

• Why we don’t recommend it for women

• Is weight loss always an indicator of health?

• What happens to our hormones during IF

• The potential negative impacts on your health with IF

Where you can find Kate: 👇

If you have PCOS or have struggled with acne, you have likely heard your doctor mention Spironolactone. While this medication is intended for hypertension, edema, and heart failure, it is a common pharmaceutical prescribed for PCOS. On today’s Friday Chats episode, I’ll cover why it’s used for PCOS, the potential side effects, and more specifics on requirements for being diagnosed with PCOS. I’m here to empower you to better understand how to make daily decisions that can heal your PCOS naturally!

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I was recently on the Spring to Life Podcast with Caitlin Sullivan discussing all things hair health. We covered a wide range of topics including: the root causes of hair loss, how diet and lifestyle impact hair loss, supplementing for hair loss, tips for taking care of your hair, and my favorite hair products. The episode was packed full of information for those looking to naturally heal their hair loss, so I decided to bring the episode here to my podcast! Join us to learn how to optimize your hormones for hair growth!

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Most women know that it’s recommended to take a prenatal during pregnancy, but there are three other supplements that I believe are vital for a woman in her first trimester. On this Friday Chat’s episode, I’m sharing what those 3 supplements are, why they are important, and the recommended dosage.

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We’re celebrating the 100th episode of the podcast with a special Q+A! I’ve gathered a ton of great questions from you and I’m answering them all on this show! Ranging from personal to professional to specific hormone/fertility related questions, below you’ll find the following questions I answered on the show!

• Do I drink coffee?

• Do I drink alcohol?

• Am I 100% gluten free with Hashimotos?

• Did my Hashimotos ever improve after getting Covid in May of 2022?

• What happened with the gut test (G.I. Map) I did a few months ago?

• When did I know I wanted to be an ND?

• When did I know I wanted to specialize in PCOS?

• Advice for becoming an ND?

• How do you find an ND in your area?

• How to navigate eating a balanced breakfast before working out without feeling too full to workout?

• How important is eating certain foods and seed cycling during each phase of your menstrual cycle? And do you have to do both?

• Is libido linked to fertility?

• Do you recommend the DUTCH test if your period is irregular to figure out the root cause?

• Bloating a few days before and during ovulation.

• Thoughts on Oura Ring for cycle syncing.

• How to improve progesterone levels to avoid premenstrual bleeding?

• How often should you get your hormones tested if you know you have an imbalance?

• How to heal when you have both Hashimotos and PCOS?

• Is it dangerous to practice yoga, post ovulation, when trying to conceive?

• Can PCOS cause a cryptic pregnancy and can HCG tests detect it?

Being diagnosed with Hashimotos at the age of 19 was one of the catalysts to me becoming a naturopathic doctor. Today I work with many women who also struggle with this autoimmune condition that impacts the thyroid. Like PCOS, so many things are often overlooked in conventional medicine with a Hashimoto’s diagnosis. On this episode of Friday Chats, I’m sharing three nutrients to check with Hashimotos and why they are important for optimal thyroid function. By focusing on these nutrients, you can ensure you are supporting your thyroid from the ground up.

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Many women with PCOS are put on the birth control pill to regulate their period or to clear up their skin. Many of those same women often feel like getting off birth control would never be possible. I’m here to tell you that it absolutely is possible and I’m sharing how to do it on today’s episode! In this show, I discuss how the pill impacts your body, how to best support your body before coming off the pill and how to support your body once you are off.

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If you’ve seen any doctor for PCOS, there is a strong chance there has been some mention of Metformin. Metformin is a drug used for managing blood sugar levels and is often prescribed to women with PCOS. On today’s Friday Chats, I’ll be discussing why Metformin is used for PCOS, its side effects, and if there is a better, more natural way to find relief from your PCOS symptoms. There is hope for healing PCOS naturally without the potentially harmful side effects of Metformin!

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The menstrual cycle has been referred to as the 5th vital sign. It’s a key indicator of our hormone health and overall health. When thinking about the menstrual cycle, it’s common to look out for things like the length of your cycle, how many days your period is, and PMS symptoms leading up to your period. But did you know there is so much we can learn simply by looking at the color of blood during your period? In this episode, I’m jumping into this often overlooked topic. I share about what is normal and what isn’t, common misconceptions around period blood color, and what your period blood color could be telling you about your hormones.

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The supplement Berberine is having a moment in the spotlight recently by being called nature’s Ozempic (a diabetes drug now being used for weight loss). But is that really a fair comparison? In today’s show, we’ll chat about what Berberine is, where it comes from, the uses and benefits of this supplement, who might be a good fit for the supplement, and ultimately if I believe it deserves the title of ‘Nature’s Ozempic’.

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There is a lot of talk about what to eat with PCOS, but there isn’t much out there about how to fuel your body before and after a workout. How you fuel your body for a workout is largely dependent on the type of workout you are doing. On this episode, I’ll cover what to consider when fueling your body for low intensity or high intensity exercise. This show is packed with snack ideas and exercise guidelines based specifically on your PCOS type. I’ll also answer the following questions:

• If I workout in the morning, do I have to eat breakfast before?

• Is coffee before a workout okay?

• Does heavy lifting and trying to hit PRs increase cortisol?

It’s important, when dealing with PCOS, to workout and fuel your body in a way that supports your hormones. Today’s episode will ensure you are setting your body up for success!

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If you are buying your supplements from Amazon you may be doing more harm than good. With no real protocols in place to ensure supplements being sold on their platform are legit, many brands (such as NOW and Host Defense Mushroom to name two) are finding counterfeit products being sold on Amazon. On today’s Friday Chats show, I’ll share what they are finding in these counterfeit products and where you can buy supplements you can trust!

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Acupuncture can be an amazing tool to improve hormones and optimize fertility and on today’s show I have Acupuncturist and Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Rebecca Sand, to share all about this healing modality. Needles thinner than a strand of hair (really!) can be a powerful tool in your healing toolbox! Tune in to hear how!

In this episode, we discuss:

• Rebecca’s unique journey to naturopathic medicine

• What is Acupuncture

• Most common conditions seen in her practice

• How to work with people who have a fear of needles

• How Acupuncture can help women with PCOS

• How Acupuncture can help women improve their fertility

• What is the Chinese healing modality, Moxa

• How Acupuncture can help with regular periods and ovulation

• How long does it take to see changes with Acupuncture

• How often do you have to go to Acupuncture if you are trying to conceive

• Acupuncture for men

• Pregnancy and postpartum care with Acupuncture

• Symptoms of PCOS that can be improved with Acupuncture

• Facial Acupuncture compared to Botox

• Acupuncture in pediatrics

• Misconceptions of Acupuncture

• Acupuncture in the hospitals

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All about Rebecca:

Dr. Rebecca Sand is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Portland, Oregon. She completed her post-graduate training integrative gastroenterology, reproductive health, and fertility and specializes in conditions of the microbiome, hormone systems, and the gut-brain axis. Additionally, she spent over 10 years studying with traditional healers in Tibet, China, India, and Polynesia and worked in genetics laboratories in the US and China.

Rooted in both Eastern and Western medicine, Dr. Sand is committed to improving healthcare for her patients. She advocates for inclusiveness and equity in medicine, including culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and size, gender, and identity-affirming care.

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On the Heal Your Hormones podcast, I am all about using real food to support fertility! Today I am sharing three teas that will nourish and balance your hormones to promote fertility. With each tea, I’ll discuss signs you can benefit from drinking the tea, the purpose of the tea, and the best way to drink each one.

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Uterine polyps are often confused with fibroids. In this episode, I’m clearing up the difference and diving into everything you need to know about uterine polyps.

On this show, I discuss:

• What are uterine polyps

• What are fibroids

• How uterine polyps and fibroids differ

• Symptoms of uterine polyps

• What can cause uterine polyps

• How to find out if you have uterine polyps

• How a conventional doctor handles uterine polyps

• How I would, as a naturopathic doctor, handle them

• Diet and lifestyle changes to decrease your risk

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Used in over 300 reactions in the body, Magnesium is a vital nutrient! However, 50-80% of people today are deficient in Magnesium. On today’s Friday Chats show, I’m diving into all things Magnesium, including:

• The populations at higher risk for Magnesium deficiency

• Signs of low Magnesium

• Foods higher in Magnesium

• The most common forms of Magnesium

• The most common reasons I suggest Magnesium to my patients

  
  

On today’s show I have the Co-Founders of Resist, a protein bar company focused on balancing hormones and blood sugar. Drew and Emily share their health stories, including Drew’s diagnosis of PCOS at the age of 18 and Emily’s hormone journey after getting off of birth control. They tell the story of how Resist was born and how the protein bars, being high in fiber, fats, and protein, are clinically proven to keep blood sugar stable. Finally, they each share their favorite current wellness trend and some encouraging words to women with PCOS.

Where to find Resist:

Today’s Friday Chats is short and sweet. I’m clearing up the difference between PCOS and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea, also known as HA. Both can cause a woman to have irregular periods or lose her period all together. I’ll discuss how you can know which one might be the cause of irregular or non existent periods. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis to know how to move forward toward healing!

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There are so many questions a woman might have after experiencing a miscarriage. It can be difficult to navigate the months following a miscarriage while also trying to process and heal from the loss. The good news is that there is so much that can be done after a miscarriage to help improve fertility and prevent future miscarriages.

In this episode I’ll cover:

• Miscarriage statistics

• Signs of a miscarriage

• Common causes of a miscarriage

• Steps to take after a miscarriage

• How soon is too soon to try again after a miscarriage

• My recommendations for what to do before trying to get pregnant again

• When is it okay to get back into exercise

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You may have noticed over the last year that pilates has become quite the trend. In fact, in Atlanta, the number 1 term that was Google searched in 2022 was ‘pilates’. However, pilates has been around for longer than most people realize! In this episode, I’m chatting about the fascinating story of how pilates originated during WWI with a previous circus performer turned war nurse. I’ll also share a bit about my story with pilates, going from a teenager who hated it to owning my own pilates studio. Finally, I’ll bust some of the myths of pilates and talk about the benefits it has to offer!

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Postpartum can be a very vulnerable time for women and yet it seems to be the season women are most often forgot about. I’m joined today by guest, Samantha Gipson, a pilates instructor, to discuss what to expect postpartum and how to best support yourself. Samantha shares a bit about her birth story, her experience with nursing, and what postpartum looked like.

After delivering her baby boy in March 2022, Samantha struggled with nausea, extreme exhaustion, IBS, anxiety, and brain fog. Previous to becoming pregnant, Samantha also dealt with heavy periods and eczema.

We began working together when Samantha was 3 months postpartum and after diet changes and supportive supplements, Samantha has increased energy, better digestion, less anxiety, and lighter periods!

In this episode Samantha also talks about her experience of navigating doctors postpartum and being on Zoloft.

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Samantha’s business is a true manifestation of her passion to live a fulfilled life by means of health, community, fun, and balance. Samantha has been a fitness teacher since 2015 sharing not only her expertise on pilates, strength-training, and mobility but her wisdom on body-positivity and self-love through movement and nourishment.

Samantha Gipson Pilates offers a variety of training opportunities to match your lifestyle including private and group training classes, fitness and wellness retreats, as well as a Prenatal Program that takes you through Pilates mat class by trimester that Samantha filmed during her own pregnancy. With a specialized focus on pilates, strength training, mobility/fascia work, and high-intensity-interval-training (HIIT) you will leave these classes feeling strong, rejuvenated, and confident in what your body can do. It wouldn’t be a surprise if you left with some of Samantha’s body-positive and warm energy too!

While we often think about how food, supplements, and exercise impact our hormones, it’s equally as important to consider how what we put on our body might be impacting hormone health.

As we head into summer and spend more time outside, it is key to consider if the sunscreen you are using is hormone-friendly. In today’s Friday Chats, I’ll be discussing what you need to know to choose the best sunscreen.

I’ll cover:

• Knowing what to look for on the label

• What rays we need to protect ourselves from

• Chemical sunscreens vs. physical sunscreens

• How to use the EWG App to help you find a good sunscreen

• My current favorite brand of sunscreen

• What to do if you are in a situation where you don’t have a clean sunscreen

  
  

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Today I’m joined by Caitlin Sullivan, an IIN hormone health coach and fertility awareness educator, to discuss tracking cervical mucus. This often overlooked topic can provide profound insight into your health.

In this episode, we cover:

• Who can benefit from tracking cervical mucus

• Helpful tracking Apps

• Why cervical mucus changes during your cycle

• How cervical mucus serves as part of our immune system

• importance in overall gynecological health

• What is normal with cervical mucus throughout the cycle

• What is considered abnormal regarding cervical mucus

• The different types of cervical mucus

• Tracking cervical mucus for fertility

• What to do if tracking cervical mucus isn’t obvious

• Nutrient deficiencies that impact cervical mucus

• Most common lifestyle influences on cervical mucus

• Beneficial testing to go along with tracking cervical mucus

• Cervical mucus changes during pregnancy

Besides being an IIN hormone health coach and fertility awareness educator, Caitlin Sullivan is also a Pilates instructor. Seeing a need for REAL reproductive health education, Caitlin created the Spring to Life Method in 2020 to share a hormone-supportive lifestyle featuring cycle syncing, low-impact exercise, whole food nutrition, and low-tox habits. Her goal is to promote feminine body independence by educating women on their menstrual cycles to help them love their bodies more and unleash their inner super power- their periods!

You can find more from Caitlin at: