The Female Health Solution Podcast

• 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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• 756. How To Create A Safe Place To Regulate Your Nervous System

  Today I'm talking about how to create a real safe space so your brain and body can downshift, regulate, and actually recover—especially when the world feels loud and chaotic. Even if you've been eating well, taking your supplements, moving your body, and still feel dysregulated, this might be the missing layer: your environment and boundaries. Why this matters We're processing more inputs than our nervous systems evolved for—constant news, social feeds, and everyone else's emotions at work and at home. That unseen load keeps cortisol revved and makes it hard to feel grounded, sleep deeply, and digest well. If you don't have a calm place to land, everything feels harder. What I cover in this episode The nervous system cost of "always on" and why your stress response takes longer to reset now. How to spot dysregulation at home (it's often not about the puppy, the purchase, or the dinner choice). Creating sanctuary in real life when you share space with others—and they're dysregulated too. Boundaries that lower friction (what we discuss, when we discuss it, and why timing matters). The power of temporary unplugging: how 48 hours off social + dim evenings can change your sleep and mood within days. Scripts that help in the moment so you can opt-out of hot-button conversations without escalating conflict. Why rest isn't laziness (yes, I want you to schedule the nap—your cortisol curve will thank you). Practical steps you can start tonight Evening calm protocol (90 minutes): soft lighting only, no overheads; music or quiet; screens off at a set time. House rules that preserve peace: choose one window per week for budget/"new purchase" talks; table all non-urgent ideas until then. Weekend reset: tell your people you're going phone-off from Friday night to Sunday night; no news, no feeds. Conversation boundaries: pleasant/creative topics on weeknights; heavier topics reserved for agreed times. Sanctuary cues: a chair, blanket, tea, journal—same place, same time—so your body learns "we're safe now." Micro-breaks that count: 10-minute outside walks, eyes off screens, slow exhales (4 seconds in, 6–8 seconds out). Permission to rest: if afternoon fatigue hits, a 20–30 minute nap is a tool, not a failure. What changes when you do this Sleep comes easier and feels deeper. Mood smooths out; reactivity drops. Digestion calms (less bloat, better motility). Clarity returns—you can actually see what to work on next. Ready for a guided first week? If you want a simple, done-for-you plan to Restore Energy, Reset Mood & Renew Digestion—with checklists, timing, and if-this-then-that troubleshooting—join my 7-Day Recharge. It's the exact structure I use to help you regulate quickly so the rest of your health work finally sticks. Join the 7-Day Recharge: Restore Energy, Reset Mood & Renew Digestion — join us here!  Share this episode with a friend who needs a calmer place to land. Your home can become the sanctuary that rebuilds your nervous system—starting tonight.

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• 755. Feeling Off? Here's What 7 Days of Hormone Support Can Actually Shift

  If you're overwhelmed by all the health advice and not sure where to start, this episode is your simple, targeted on-ramp. I'm breaking down exactly how just 7 focused days can nudge your hormones, nervous system, energy, mood, and digestion in the right direction—without complicated protocols or expensive gadgets. (Gary, my Springer spaniel, also makes a cameo… and yes, petting him is great for cortisol.) Why 7 Days Works (and what we actually target) Instead of trying to fix everything at once, we stack a few high-leverage habits that calm the nervous system, steady blood sugar, and support digestion—so your hormones can follow suit. You'll know what to do and what to try next if your first step doesn't land. Our three pillars: Energy: Create better mornings by prepping your nights (sleep hygiene + gentle cortisol "turn-on" routine). Mood: Steadier blood sugar + specific fast-acting herbs and nutrient repletion you can feel, while longer-build supports get started. Digestion: Simple shifts that reduce bloat, improve motility, and help you actually absorb what you eat. What You'll Learn in This Episode How to stop the overwhelm and pick the first right step (and the second, if needed). AM/PM routines that signal your hormones at the right time (sleep → morning energy). The 80/20 of blood sugar regulation for mood steadiness all day. Quick-win gut supports to reduce bloat and re-train digestion. A clear troubleshooting path if your first attempt doesn't move the needle. Why short, focused action breaks the freeze state and builds momentum. Real-Life Impact I share client stories (including one who was at a serious crossroads in her marriage) where regulating mood and stabilizing energy revealed the next obvious target—sleep and gut. Once the fog lifted, the path forward got clear and doable. What Can Shift in 7 Days Days 1–2: Deeper sleep onset, fewer middle-of-the-night wakeups, less morning grogginess. Days 3–4: Smoother energy curve; fewer crashes; less "hanger." Days 5–7: Noticeable mood steadiness, reduced reactivity, lighter bloat/pressure, more "I feel like myself." (Everyone's timeline is unique, but these are the common early wins.) What's Inside the 7-Day Plan Daily AM/PM checklists (so you don't have to think). Meal framework for blood sugar balance without counting or apps. Mini mood protocol (quick-start nutrients + herbs that act faster). Digestion reset basics (timing, bitters, fiber progression, gentle motility cues). If-this-then-that troubleshooting when Plan A doesn't click. Weekend strategy so you don't lose momentum. Is This For You? You wake up tired, snap more than you want to, and bloat is "just normal." You've tried "all the things" but need a simple, guided first week to gain traction. You're not ready for full testing yet—but want to do something that actually helps. Ready to Start? Join the 7-Day Recharge If you want a done-for-you, step-by-step week to Restore Energy, Reset Mood & Renew Digestion, hop into 7-Day Recharge. I built it to remove the guesswork and give you early wins that build momentum.  Join the 7-Day Recharge: Restore Energy, Reset Mood & Renew Digestion: Join the 7 Day Recharge

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• 754. Normal Labs' and Still Not Well? Here's What They Miss

  Have you experienced this? You go into the doctor, you're tired, foggy, dragging through your day, your hair's falling out, your energy is gone, and your provider says, "Everything looks fine." But you know something isn't right. We're talking about the huge difference between normal labs and functional labs. Because "normal" just means you're not sick enough yet to trigger a red flag. Functional medicine looks at how your body is actually operating — where you might already be in a state of dysfunction long before it turns into a diagnosis. In this episode, I share my own story of living anemic for years — as a teenager, as an athlete, even into college. My iron was always low, but it was "not bad enough" for anyone to dig deeper. It wasn't until I stopped eating gluten that my iron levels finally normalized — and I haven't been anemic since. No one ever looked beyond the surface. And I think about how different my life could have been if someone had connected the dots sooner. If you've ever been dismissed or told you're fine when you clearly don't feel fine, this episode is for you. We will discuss: What typical "normal" labs miss (and why that matters). What functional ranges really show about your health. How to identify when you're stuck in a state of dysfunction. Why women can feel terrible for years before anyone catches it. What kind of testing actually reveals what's going on — from full thyroid and iron panels to inflammation markers and DUTCH testing. You deserve to feel good — not just "not sick." That's exactly what we do inside The 12-Week Female Hormone Solution Program. My team and I look at your full picture — your labs, your lifestyle, your history — and build a plan that actually fits your life. If you've been told "everything looks normal," but you know in your gut something's off, get on the waitlist for the next round of the 12-Week Female Hormone Solution. This is one of the last times we'll be running it in this format, and spots always fill fast. Join the waitlist now: https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/ Because "normal" shouldn't mean barely functioning. It's time to feel like yourself again.

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