The Female Health Solution Podcast

• 761. How to Protect Your Hormones During the Holidays

  Your hormones are not separate from your life. They're responding to it. And nothing reveals that more clearly than the holiday season. Every year, women take on more—more planning, more emotional labor, more mental load, more pressure to make everything magical. And we tell ourselves it's "just busy," but physiologically, there's so much more happening beneath the surface. When your schedule gets unpredictable, your meals get irregular, or your sleep gets pushed aside, your cortisol rises. When cortisol rises, progesterone dips. And when progesterone dips, you feel it: heavier PMS, shorter tempers, disrupted sleep, more cravings, more bloating, more mood swings. This episode is about understanding why the holidays hit your body the way they do—and how to protect yourself without throwing out the joy of the season. I'm sharing the simple shifts that matter most: – Why boundaries are hormone regulation, not selfishness – How rest stabilizes cortisol faster than any supplement – Why simplifying meals reduces inflammation and digestive stress – How overstimulation impacts sleep cycles and adrenal function – And why ease—not perfection—is the most supportive thing for your hormones right now This isn't about doing the holidays "right." It's about no longer abandoning yourself in the process. Because when you understand what your body needs—especially during the most demanding season of the year—you don't just protect your hormones… you protect your experience, your energy, and the memories you actually want to be part of. If you've ever wondered why you hit January feeling depleted, this episode will finally make it make sense.  And if you're listening and thinking, "I need deeper support than holiday tips," that's exactly what the 1:1 VIP program is for. It's the highest level of care I offer—personalized testing, custom protocols, and direct access to me so we can uncover what your body actually needs and help you rebuild from the inside out. If this season has you realizing it's time for a different level of support, you can learn more here: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/

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• 760. Is It Really Perimenopause? The Truth About What Your Body Is Really Doing

  Today is a little different...I'm pulling back the curtain on what's really happening inside your body during this stage of life—and what most women are never told. If you're in your 40s (or even your late 30s) and you've wondered, "Is this perimenopause… or is something actually wrong with me?" this conversation is for you. As I've moved into my forties myself, and having worked with hundreds of women in this phase, I've become even more aware of how much confusion and noise surrounds this transition. Perimenopause has almost become a buzzword, but very few women understand what it truly is, how long it can last, or why two women the same age can have completely different experiences. I share my own reflections—the way I think about aging, how I look at my life in five-year chapters, and what I want the next decades to look like—not from fear, but from clarity. Inside this episode, I take you behind the scenes of what's happening hormonally: why menopause is defined as a full 12 months without a cycle, what perimenopause actually means, and why your hormone levels don't simply "step down" in a neat little staircase (even though I wish it worked that way!). Instead, it's more like a roller coaster—one that affects mood, energy, weight, sleep, and stress far more than most people realize. And here's the part most women never hear: sometimes what feels like perimenopause isn't perimenopause at all. It's adrenal fatigue. It's stress. It's chronic under-fueling. It's a testosterone drop from years of dieting. It's nutrient deficiencies—like the woman I talk about in this episode who had no idea she was severely B12 deficient until we tested. These things mimic perimenopause almost perfectly, and if you don't know what you're looking at, you can't fix it. That's why I also walk through the kind of testing that actually gives answers—specifically DUTCH testing—and why it's so valuable in understanding estrogen metabolism, progesterone patterns, cortisol, stress response, nutrient status, and more. When you see the full picture, you stop guessing… and you finally know how to support your body through this phase of life. If you've been feeling stuck, confused, or like your body has changed faster than your habits have, this episode will help you reconnect the dots. Because yes—your hormones are shifting. Yes—your needs are changing. But this transition is not something to fear. It's something to understand, so you can move through it feeling grounded, supported, and at home in your body again. If this episode resonated, you'll want to join my mini podcast series, Perimenopause: What it is, What it's not, and What you can do about it This free, short-form series goes even deeper into: • the real signs of perimenopause • the symptoms that aren't perimenopause (but often get blamed on it) • why so many women are dismissed or misdiagnosed • what your hormones should be doing in your 40s • how adrenal function plays a bigger role than anyone tells you • the testing that brings all the answers into one place • practical steps to support your metabolism, mood, and energy right now If you want clarity—real clarity—on where you are in the transition and what your body is asking for, click the link and get immediate access. Listen to the FREE Perimenopause Mini Series

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• 759. The Top 5 Herbs Every Woman Needs for Hormone Balance

  In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly how specific herbs in our cycle-based tinctures support your hormones in a real, clinical way—not just "woo" or wishful thinking. We talk through five key herbs you'll find in my Estrogen support and progesterone-support tinctures—red clover, angelica, white peony, Vitex, and red raspberry leaf—and what they actually do in the body: How red clover helps your estrogen receptors work properly (without "adding more estrogen") so you can calm brain fog, mood swings, and night sweats. Why angelica and white peony are powerful blood- and yin-tonics that support your liver, improve hormone metabolism, and ease estrogen dominance symptoms like heavy bleeding and ragey PMS. How white peony and Vitex work on the luteal phase to support progesterone, stabilize your cycle, and improve PMS, sleep, and even fertility. Why red raspberry leaf is a true uterine tonic that supports cramping, irregular cycles, and overall uterine health. I share how these tinctures are used in a cycle-specific way (Estrogen days 1–14, progesterone support days 15–28), why tincture form is so much more potent and adjustable than a one-size-fits-all capsule, and how they fit into a functional medicine approach—layered with nutrition, lifestyle, and, when needed, hormone testing. Black Friday deals  If you've been curious about trying the tinctures or finally getting a DUTCH hormone test, this is the best time all year to do it: Black Friday Tincture Sale (11/24–12/1) 15% off all tinctures Plus free shipping Use code BFSALE at checkout https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/ These are ideal if you're dealing with: Heavy or painful periods Mood swings, anger, or "rage" PMS Night sweats, brain fog, or irregular cycles Perimenopause shifts that suddenly make your cycle feel unpredictable DUTCH Test Black Friday Offer (now through 12/1) If you're ready for deeper answers and a customized plan, pair your tincture support with a full comprehensive hormone test and consultation. $100 off the DUTCH test through 12/1 Grab your discounted test here: 👉 https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/offers/ziRZN6NX?coupon_code=BF The DUTCH test shows us exactly how you're producing, converting, and clearing hormones like estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and androgens—so we're not guessing with your protocol or piling on supplements you don't actually need. If you're listening and thinking, "I've cleaned up my diet, I've done the basics, but my cycle still runs my life," this is your sign to take the next step. Start with the tinctures, go deeper with the DUTCH test, and use this Black Friday window to save while you do it.

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• 758. He Said It Was All In My Head: The Hormone Lie Women Are Still Being Told

  If you've ever walked into an appointment desperate for answers and walked out with a pat on the head, a prescription you didn't ask for, or a suggestion that you're "just stressed"… this episode is for you. I'm sharing the story of the first time I was brushed off — right after my first baby, when exhaustion hit me so hard I couldn't carry a car seat 30 feet without my arms shaking. The doctor wrote it off as "normal for new moms." It wasn't. It was postpartum thyroiditis — something that only got diagnosed because someone finally asked the right question. But this episode isn't just about my story. I'm also unpacking one of the most heartbreaking cases I've ever seen: a woman so ignored and so misled that she was handed a divorce lawyer's business card instead of medical help. And all the while, her hormones were screaming for attention — something no one even tested. This is what women are facing every single day. Not just dismissal. Not just neglect. But misinformation and mislabeling real hormone dysfunction as anxiety, stress, or exaggeration. And this is exactly why I teach what I teach. Because once you truly understand your hormone patterns — through comprehensive testing like the DUTCH test — everything changes. You finally have language for your symptoms. You finally have proof. And you finally have a plan forward. Inside the 12-Week Female Hormone Solution, this is exactly what we do. We test. We interpret. We address the root cause. We build a plan around your biology — not generic advice, not symptom-silencing, not guesswork. If you've ever been told "you're fine" when you know you're not… if you've been made to question your own symptoms… if you're tired of trying to advocate for yourself in a system that doesn't listen… This is your turning point. Registration for the 12-Week Female Hormone Solution is now open. If you're ready for someone to finally take you seriously, look at the right labs, and give you real answers — not dismissal — this is where you start. Learn more: https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/

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• 757. Why You Still Feel Exhausted - Even With a Clean Diet and Great Sleep

  Let's break down why so many women feel drained even when they're following a healthy lifestyle. The truth is, if your body is functioning in a state of dysfunction, surface-level changes aren't enough. I explain how stress, life events, and hormone imbalances quietly build up over time until your system hits a tipping point—what I call the "overflowing bucket effect." If you've ever been told your labs are "normal" but you still feel far from normal, you'll understand exactly why that happens and what to do next. In this episode, we cover:  How chronic stress and small imbalances accumulate over time and lead to exhaustion Why a clean diet and good sleep aren't enough when your body is already in overload mode Subtle signs that your system is in dysfunction, even when your labs look fine How major life events—grief, transitions, illness, caretaking—physically affect your hormones Why you need to look beyond basic labs to find the real cause of fatigue How to start supporting your biology instead of fighting against it You're not doing the wrong things—you're just missing the bigger picture. Your system has likely been in and out of crisis mode for years. The first step to real healing is understanding what your hormones are trying to tell you and how to work with them, not against them. If you're ready to stop guessing and start uncovering what's really driving your fatigue, I invite you to join the waitlist for The 12 Week Female Hormone Solution. Inside the program, we use advanced hormone testing and personalized protocols to help you finally understand what your body needs—so you can get your energy, metabolism, and confidence back. Join the waitlist here: https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/

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