In this empowering and deeply insightful episode, Dr. Carmen Nelson joins us to break down the complexities of women’s health, especially the often-misunderstood experience of menopause. Together, we explore the emotional, physical, and hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause—and how society’s framing of this transition often leaves women disconnected from their bodies and unsupported.

But Dr. Carmen has a message for all of us: menopause is not a failure—it’s a promotion.

We talk mental wellness, self-care, and how breathwork and exercise can support emotional regulation and joy. We also touch on how to prepare the next generation of women to step into their power and hormonal shifts with knowledge and compassion.

If you’re feeling alone or confused by the changes happening in your body, this episode is the reminder that you are not broken—you are powerful.

🔥 Sound Bites:

• “Menopause is not an end, it’s a new beginning.”

• “We have to reconnect women to their bodies.”

• “Menopause should be seen as a promotion.”

• “You’re the only one that can [take care of you].”

• “Breathwork is cumulative.”

• “We should have menopause parties.”

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Menopause is often misunderstood and retroactively diagnosed.

• Hormonal changes deeply affect mental health and emotional well-being.

• Society needs a new, supportive narrative around aging and womanhood.

• Self-care is not optional—it’s survival.

• Body positivity and mindfulness are essential during hormonal transitions.

• Knowledge is power: we must educate future generations to embrace these changes with strength and clarity.

• Women deserve to be seen, heard, and honored in the healthcare system.

🕒 Episode Chapters:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Women's Health and Menopause

• 03:01 – The Disconnect Between Women and Their Bodies

• 05:58 – Understanding Menopause: A Neuroendocrine Transition

• 09:05 – The Impact of Hormones on Mental Health

• 12:04 – Menopause as a Promotion, Not a Failure

• 14:54 – Preparing the Next Generation for Hormonal Changes

• 18:01 – Empowering Women Through Knowledge and Voice

• 21:00 – The Importance of Self-Care and Understanding Hormonal Changes

• 23:52 – Reconnecting with Our Bodies and Embracing Change

• 26:58 – The Shift in Perspective: Aging Gracefully

• 29:59 – Conclusion: Embracing the Journey of Womanhood

• 32:27 – Embracing Change: Self-Care and Body Positivity

• 39:31 – Navigating Menopause: The Importance of Mindfulness and Exercise

• 54:00 – Breathwork: A Tool for Emotional Release and Stress Management

🎧 Tune in if you're ready to:

• Rethink what it means to age as a woman

• Build a personalized self-care practice

• Learn how hormones impact your mental health

• Feel empowered through life’s hormonal transitions

• Celebrate menopause instead of fearing it

💬 Continue the conversation:
Have a menopause story to share or a question for Dr. Carmen? DM us on Instagram or leave a review—your voice matters.

This week, we're getting REAL about our hormones with the amazing Manhar Cheema, a pharmacist who has specialized in women's health for the past 5 years (after 17 years as a pharmacist!). Pour yourself a cup of tea (or wine, we don't judge!) and settle in for some serious talk about what's really happening with our bodies.

Perimenopause - The "Zone of Chaos"
Buckle up, friends! Those weird symptoms you've been having as early as 35? Yep, that's perimenopause knocking on your door. Manhar breaks down what's happening and why nobody warned us about this!

Testing, Testing, 1-2-3
Why hormonal testing is absolutely crucial (and why your doctor might not be suggesting it). Manhar explains how understanding your specific hormone levels can be a game-changer.

Food as Medicine
Ladies, FIBER is your new BFF! One tortilla can have 20g of fiber! We chat about how what you eat directly impacts your hormones and why protein in the morning can help with those stubborn weight issues.

Supplements We Should All Consider 💊

• Vitamin D (especially for those of us not living in sunny paradise)
• Magnesium for those nights when sleep is just a distant memory
• Calcium because our bones need some extra love during perimenopause

Exercise Reality Check
HIIT workouts are great but shouldn't be your only exercise. Manhar shares why mixing it up is so important for hormonal balance.

The TMI Section (But So Necessary)
We go there - bowel health and hormones are connected, and Manhar explains why your bathroom habits matter more than you think!

Hormone Therapy Truths
The difference between traditional and bioidentical hormone therapy, and why "your body, your choice" needs to be our mantra when talking to healthcare providers.

• Fiber-rich foods to add to your shopping list
• Questions to ask your doctor about hormone testing
• How to find a women's health specialist who actually listens
• Check Manhar onling:
  • https://manahealthcalgary.com/
  • @manahealthcalgary

1. Track your symptoms (yes, even the weird ones!)
2. Consider hormone testing if you're 35+ or experiencing symptoms
3. Add more fiber to your diet (aim for 25-30g daily)
4. Schedule a check-in with a healthcare provider to discuss your options

Follow us on Instagram @hornonal_human for daily tips and our favorite product recommendations!

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Disclaimer: This podcast provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this podcast, or in any linked materials, are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

Hey hormonal humans! Buckle up because we're diving deep into the juicy stuff today - orgasms, libido, and all things sexy time. Our guest Megan Rabby is spilling the tea on why your hormones might be cockblocking your good time (pun totally intended) and what you can do about it.

Let's be real - we're all thinking about sex (or why we're not thinking about sex), but who's actually talking about it? Between hormonal shifts, busy schedules, and that pile of laundry that somehow kills the mood, maintaining a healthy sex life can feel like another item on your to-do list. But here's the thing: your sexual health is just as important as that green smoothie you force yourself to drink every morning.

• Why faking it is so 1995 (and what to do instead)
• How your cycle affects your libido (hello, horny week!)
• The truth about scheduling sex (spoiler: it's not unsexy)
• Why your brain might be your biggest cockblock
• How to keep things spicy when life gets... life-y

"You're not dead inside - your hormones are just being jerks."

"Your vibrator should be your BFF, not your dirty little secret."

"Sometimes Netflix and actually chill is the foreplay you need."

• The connection between hormones and your sex drive
• Why communication is sexier than lingerie
• How stress is stealing your orgasms
• Ways to rebuild intimacy (clothes on and off)
• The power of prioritizing pleasure

1. Stop faking it (seriously, just stop)
2. Have an honest chat with your partner
3. Schedule some solo exploration time
4. Track your cycle and libido patterns
5. Give yourself permission to prioritize pleasure

Remember, hormonal humans: your sexual health isn't a luxury - it's a necessity. And yes, that orgasm is totally worth prioritizing over folding laundry.

Note: While we keep it real here, always check with your healthcare provider about your specific situation. We're here for the tea, not the medical degree.

Hold onto your green smoothies, folks! Today we're sitting down with Jamey Harbottle, who's sharing her wild ride from vegan warrior to reluctant carnivore (spoiler alert: her hormones had other plans). Plus, we're diving into the fun world of brain injuries, chronic insomnia, and why protein is actually your BFF.

• How a car accident turned Jamey's life (and diet) upside down
• The identity crisis of craving meat after 14 years of veganism
• Why sleep isn't just beauty rest (your brain is literally begging for it)
• The hormone plot twists nobody warns you about
• When your body starts making demands like a toddler in a candy store

"I haven't slept in 14 years" (not a flex, but definitely a mood)

"I couldn't get enough meat or fish" (former vegan problems)

"Your health trumps everything" (including your Instagram aesthetic)

00:00 - The accident that changed everything

03:03 - Identity crisis: When veganism stops serving you

05:57 - Brain injuries: More than just a headache

08:53 - The great protein awakening

12:06 - Hormones gone wild

15:08 - The sleep struggle is real [...continues with key timestamps...]

1. Sometimes your body stages an intervention
2. Sleep isn't optional (seriously, we cannot stress this enough)
3. Your identity isn't tied to your diet (mind-blowing, we know)
4. Hormones are the ultimate plot twisters
5. Health > Everything else

Ladies, if you're struggling with:

• Feeling like a traitor to your beliefs
• Chronic exhaustion that coffee can't fix
• Hormones that seem to have their own agenda
• The pressure to stick to one identity forever

You're not alone, and it's okay to change your mind (your hormones might make that decision for you anyway 🤷‍♀️).

• Actually try to sleep (your brain will thank you)
• Listen to your body (even when it's being dramatic)
• Give yourself permission to change
• Join our community of hormone-having humans

Remember: Your body is smarter than your Instagram feed, and sometimes healing looks like eating a burger after being vegan for 14 years. No judgment here!

#HormonalHuman #PlotTwist #HealthJourney #HormoneLife #SleepIsLife

Look, we've all been there - it's day 3 of your period, you haven't slept properly in what feels like decades, and your kid just told you they need cupcakes for school tomorrow. Fun times! Join Stephanie and Elisa as they spill the tea on hormones, sleep deprivation, and why women actually need more sleep than men (science says so, tell your partner!).

• Why day 3 of your period feels like you're climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops
• The myth of "banking sleep" (spoiler alert: you can't)
• How to parent when your hormones are making you feel like a hot mess
• Why your sleep needs are totally different from your partner's (and that's okay!)
• The art of not losing your sh*t when your kid won't go to bed

"Sleep is so important" (groundbreaking, we know, but hear us out) "Stop with the noise, right?" (looking at you, social media) "I want them to have good sleep" (says every mom while scrolling at 3 AM)

00:00 - Monthly cycle chaos (featuring our favorite hormone-induced meltdowns)

02:57 - Why sleep is literally life

05:58 - Parenting: When your kids don't sleep, you don't sleep

08:58 - The mythical work-life-sleep balance

11:58 - How sleep needs change (but still suck)

15:01 - Bedtime battles (and why bribing sometimes works)

18:10 - Hormones: The ultimate life plot twist

21:07 - Knowledge is power (or at least less anxiety)

1. Your period making you feel crazy? Totally normal (especially on day 3)
2. Sleep isn't optional (despite what your to-do list says)
3. Kids are sleep terrorists (but we love them anyway)
4. Your hormones are not the enemy (but sometimes they feel like it)
5. Being informed = being empowered (and less likely to panic-Google at 2 AM)

Ladies, if you're feeling overwhelmed, remember: You're not losing it, you're just hormonal (and probably sleep-deprived). It's okay to need more rest, set boundaries, and sometimes hide in the bathroom with chocolate.

• Actually try to get some sleep (revolutionary, we know)
• Be kind to yourself (especially during that time of the month)
• Join our hormone-having community and share your stories

Remember: We're all in this together, just at different levels of tired! 😴

#HormonalHuman #SleepDeprived #HormoneLife #WomensHealth #ParentingLife

After a brief hiatus due to back-to-school chaos and life changes, your hosts, Elisa and Stephanie, return to discuss hormone testing, perimenopause experiences, and plans for the new season. Topics include Dutch test results, hormone replacement therapy considerations, and the importance of personalized approaches to hormone health.

• Return from hiatus and catching up
• Follicular phase experiences
• Dutch test results and hormone processing
• Perimenopause symptoms and treatments
• Hormone replacement therapy considerations
• Coffee and caffeine content differences
• Future episode plans and expert guests

"It's amazing that we get pregnant at all."

"Why aren't you testing to see how their body's processing the hormones in the first place?"

"Nutrition and health is not easy. It doesn't come from a package."

• Dutch Test
• Stardust App
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Basic supplements recommended: Vitamin D, Omega, and Magnesium

• Naturopath expert discussions
• Skincare specialist insights
• Pleasure expert interview
• Sleep specialist consultation
• Nutrition expert guidance

• Looking for listener questions and topic suggestions
• Planning to test and review various hormone-related products
• Bringing in more expert guests

Listeners can send questions and suggestions through DMs

@hormonalhuman oh IG

www.hormonalhuman.com

In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of women's health, discussing menstrual cycles, the impact of hormones, and personal experiences with healthcare systems. Join us as we explore how tracking personal health metrics can lead to better health management and share candid anecdotes from daily life that many can relate to.

Show Notes:

1. Menstrual Cycles and Daily Life

   • Discussion on how menstrual cycles can affect daily activities, mood, and overall health.
   • Personal experiences and observations about the timing and impact of menstrual cycles, including how body temperature and other signs indicate hormonal changes.

2. Healthcare Experiences

   • A detailed recount of a personal healthcare journey with a company called Aeon, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks of their services.
   • Insights into the healthcare process, including frustrations with the sales-like approach of medical services and the importance of comprehensive care without additional charges.

3. Nutritional Insights

   • An exploration of nutritional advice received from healthcare professionals and how it integrates into daily life.
   • Discussion on the importance of meeting daily caloric and protein intake, especially when leading an active lifestyle.
   • Tips on macro tracking and the significance of being mindful about what we eat, emphasized through personal stories about adjusting diet based on professional advice.

4. General Wellness and Empowerment

   • Conversations about broader wellness topics, including the importance of self-education on health matters like hormone balance and the onset of menopause.
   • Encouragement for listeners to be proactive about their health, such as getting hormone levels checked and understanding the potential impacts as they age.

The episode wraps up with a reminder of the power of personal agency in health and wellness, encouraging listeners to engage actively with their health care providers and to seek information that empowers them in their health decisions.

Listeners are encouraged to track their food intake or explore macro calculations to better understand their nutritional needs. Resources and tools for starting this process are suggested to help listeners take actionable steps toward better health.

Join us for a deep dive into gut health with our special guest, Megan. We discuss everything from detecting poor gut health to its significant impact on our hormones and overall wellbeing. Megan also introduces us to her 12-week program focused primarily on restoring gut health as a foundation for hormonal balance.

What You’ll Learn:

• The critical link between gut health and hormonal balance.
• How to identify signs of poor gut health.
• Practical tips for improving gut health through diet and lifestyle changes.

Featured Guest: Megan, an expert in gut health, shares her comprehensive knowledge and introduces her program designed to address gut-related health issues.

Listener Takeaways:

1. Awareness of Symptoms - Understanding the symptoms of poor gut health can help in early detection and management.
2. Dietary Adjustments - Incorporating more fermented foods and fibers into your diet can significantly improve gut health.
3. Importance of Lifestyle - Managing stress and ensuring adequate sleep are crucial for maintaining good gut health.

Quote of the Episode: "You are not just what you eat, but what you digest and absorb."

Call to Action: Interested in improving your gut health or dealing with hormonal issues? Share your experiences with us on our social media platforms or leave a review. We love hearing from our listeners!

Connect with Us:

• Instagram: @Hormonal_Human
• Megan on IG: @meganrabby

Your journey to better health starts in the gut. Let’s take this step together towards a more balanced and vibrant life. Thank you for joining us and see you in the next episode!