The Hormone Genius Podcast

What if your body wasn’t something to “fix” or control, but something to understand? In this episode, we explore the concept of natural law, not as a religious idea, but as a pattern woven into every part of life. From the changing seasons to agricultural cycles, the world around us operates in rhythms. When those rhythms are disrupted, the consequences are clear: crops fail without water, ecosystems fall out of balance, and health declines. The same is true for the human body, especially the female hormonal cycle. We break down how the menstrual cycle is more than just a monthly occurrence, it’s a vital sign of health, reflecting the intricate hormonal communication that supports fertility, mood, energy, and overall well-being. When that natural rhythm is interrupted, whether by environmental toxins like BPA and phthalates, chronic stress, or hormonal birth control, the body often responds with imbalance. We dive into the research behind: How xenoestrogens impact fertility and hormonal signaling The classification of hormonal birth control as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization The effects of endocrine disruptors on both women and men The surprising science of pheromones, including the well-known “T-shirt study” and how attraction can shift when hormones are altered We also unpack how hormones naturally rise and fall throughout the cycle, and why those fluctuations are not problems to suppress, but signals to understand. This conversation isn’t about eliminating desire, emotion, or modern convenience—it’s about alignment. True vitality comes when the body’s systems are working in harmony, not against each other. When hormones are in balance, many women report greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and a deeper sense of well-being. We explore real-life examples-, from the “chocolate cake effect” to cultural patterns of attraction, and how small shifts in awareness can lead to profound changes in how we experience our bodies and relationships. Whether you’re preparing for marriage someday, navigating your health right now, or simply curious about how your body works, this episode is an invitation to live more intentionally. Sponsors We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 20% off with code: GENIUS We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami, a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles that enhance the aroma of any space. Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces. Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care! Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm. Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order. grazingbeauty.com/ Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

What if the path to better hormones, clearer thinking, and deeper peace wasn’t found in doing more but in returning to less? In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Kim VanDolah, wife, mother of six, author of Return to Simple, and health and lifestyle coach, to explore what it really means to step away from the noise of modern life and return to the rhythms we were designed to live by. Kim shares her journey of letting go of overwhelm, expectations, and complexity, and how embracing a simpler, more intentional way of living transformed her mind, body, and spirit. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: the body, and life itself—functions best when we live in alignment with natural rhythms. When those rhythms are disrupted, whether through chronic stress, overstimulation, or disconnection from how we were created to live, we often see the effects in our health, especially in our hormones. Together, we explore what Kim calls The Seven Ancient Paths, timeless principles that restore balance, clarity, and vitality: True-Hearted Living – aligning with truth and living with integrity Fasting – creating space by letting go of what no longer serves Nourishment – choosing simple, nutrient-dense foods that truly fuel the body Simplicity – clearing the excess to make room for what matters most Nature – reconnecting with the rhythms of the natural world Play – rediscovering joy, creativity, and lightness Presence – slowing down and being fully where you are We also connect these principles to hormone health; how stress, disconnection, and overcomplication can dysregulate the body, and how returning to simple, foundational habits can help restore balance. From nourishment to rest, from cycle awareness to nervous system regulation, this episode is a reminder that the body often doesn’t need more intervention, it needs reconnection. Kim’s message is both grounding and freeing: your body is not the problem. It’s often the pace, pressure, and patterns of modern life that pull us out of alignment. In this episode, we discuss: Why simplicity is foundational to hormone health The connection between natural rhythms and the menstrual cycle How fasting and nourishment work together—not against each other The role of presence, rest, and nervous system regulation Practical ways to begin simplifying your daily life Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami, a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles that enhance the aroma of any space. Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout www.saltandlightbysami.com Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, we dive into the science behind protein, without getting lost in the intimidating biochemical diagrams. Instead, we take a practical and approachable look at what protein actually does in the body, why amino acids matter, and how much protein people really need to support optimal health. Proteins are literally the structural foundation of our bodies. They make up a significant portion of our tissues, including muscles, organs, skin, enzymes, hormones, and immune molecules. In fact, a large percentage of our body composition is made up of protein-based structures. Every cell in the body relies on proteins to function. That means every day our bodies must continually rebuild and repair protein structures just to maintain normal physiological balance. This process is known as anabolism, the state where the body is building and repairing tissues. The opposite state is catabolism, where tissues begin to break down. Ideally, our bodies maintain a balance between these two states. But if we don’t consume enough protein, or if our bodies are under stress, illness, trauma, or aging—the body can shift toward catabolism. In that situation, it begins breaking down muscle tissue in order to release amino acids needed to sustain essential functions. One of the most common questions about protein is how much we should consume daily. You may have heard the popular recommendation of eating one gram of protein per pound of body weight. While this guideline is common in fitness communities, it may be unnecessarily high for many individuals. Current research from protein experts like Dr. Don Layman suggests that for most healthy adults who exercise moderately, a target of around: 0.7–0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight may be sufficient to maintain muscle mass and support metabolic health. For many people, this translates to roughly 90–100 grams of protein per day. A simple strategy is to aim for 25–30 grams of protein per meal across three meals daily. This approach naturally distributes protein intake in a balanced way and supports consistent amino acid availability throughout the day. In other words, when the body doesn’t receive enough protein from food, it may start consuming its own muscle to survive. This is one reason protein intake becomes increasingly important as we age. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami, a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles that enhance the aroma of any space. Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals — an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces. Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout

What if the reason you still feel “off” — despite eating well, managing stress, and taking supplements — lies deeper than hormones alone? In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen sit down with Star Edwards, MS, RD, LD, a Registered Dietitian specializing in Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy. Star has a deep passion for the rapidly evolving science of the gut microbiome and works to help healthcare practitioners better understand how microbiome testing and restoration strategies can support patient care. Star’s work bridges the gap between emerging microbiome research and practical clinical application. With experience spanning functional medicine testing, provider education, public speaking, and product development, she brings a unique perspective on how clinicians can incorporate microbiome insights into everyday practice. During this conversation, Star explains why the gut microbiome plays such a critical role in whole-body health. The trillions of microbes living in the gut influence digestion, immune function, metabolism, hormone balance, and even mood and sleep. Disruptions in the microbial ecosystem — sometimes called dysbiosis — have been linked to a wide range of chronic conditions, including metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and hormonal imbalance. One of the challenges clinicians face is understanding how to accurately measure the microbiome and translate that information into meaningful action for patients. Star discusses the role of advanced microbiome testing and how newer technologies are helping practitioners gain deeper insights into microbial communities and their functions. In this episode, we also explore the work of Tiny Health, a health technology company focused on microbiome testing across all stages of life. Their testing platform uses shotgun metagenomic sequencing, considered a gold-standard method in microbiome research, which analyzes microbial DNA to identify bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms present in the gut or vaginal microbiome. This technology can screen for more than 120,000 microbes and provide strain-level insights into the microbiome ecosystem. Star shares how microbiome testing may be especially relevant for women navigating fertility challenges, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause. Because the gut microbiome interacts closely with hormone metabolism, immune regulation, and metabolic health, improving microbial balance may help address underlying contributors to symptoms rather than simply treating them. Throughout the episode, Teresa, Jamie, and Star discuss the importance of a root-cause approach to women’s health. By combining clinical wisdom, lifestyle medicine, and emerging microbiome science, practitioners can gain a more complete understanding of the factors shaping a patient’s health. Sponsors We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 20% off with code: GENIUS We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces. Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care! Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm. Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order. grazingbeauty.com/ Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

FACTS 2026 Annual Conference Preview FACTS for Restoring Reproductive & Whole-Body Health 📍 Peoria, Illinois 📅 Friday–Saturday, April 10–11, 2026 📘 Pre-Conference Workshops: Thursday, April 9, 2026 On today’s episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we’re spotlighting an upcoming national conference that aligns beautifully with our mission of root-cause, whole-body hormone care the 2026 Annual Conference hosted by FACTS About Fertility. The conference theme, “FACTS for Restoring Reproductive & Whole-Body Health,” brings together leading clinicians and researchers to explore how endocrine health, mental well-being, fertility, and surgical care intersect across the reproductive lifespan. The conference will be hosted at OSF Healthcare in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday, April 10th and Saturday, April 11th, with optional pre-conference workshops on Thursday, April 9th. Women’s health is not siloed , hormones, stress physiology, immune function, mental health, and fertility are deeply connected. This conference focuses on restoration, informed decision-making, and evidence-based care, equipping clinicians to move beyond symptom suppression toward true healing. Attendees will have the opportunity to: Connect with nationally recognized experts Deepen their understanding of women’s endocrine and reproductive health Learn practical, clinically relevant approaches grounded in physiology and patient-centered care 🎤 Featured Speakers & Topics Autoimmune Thyroid Disease: Perspectives Across the Reproductive Lifespan Teresa Kenney, WHNP From Delay to Diagnosis: Understanding Female Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism Paul Hruz, MD, PhD Adrenal Health: Improving the Stress–Hormone Connection to Restore Cycle Health Monica Minjeur, DO 🩺 Surgical Perspectives Endometriosis and Surgery as First-Line Treatment Patrick Yeung Jr, MD Evaluation and Treatment of Tubal Factor Infertility Kathleen Carlson, MD PCOS and the Role of Ovarian Wedge Resection Helen Ejiogu, MD 🧠 Mental Health & Whole-Person Care Women’s Hormones, Mental Health, and Hormonal Balance Sarah Hill, PhD Transforming Women’s Mental Health Through Coaching and Connection Jamie Rathjen Our interview guest today is Paula Gallagher, Executive Assistant and Events Coordinator for FACTS About Fertility. Paula brings a powerful and personal perspective to her work, aligning her own experience with infertility to FACTS’ mission of educating medical professionals to provide women with more options, better education, and truly restorative reproductive and hormonal healthcare. Registration Details FACTS members receive 20% off registration. Learn more and register at: 👉 www.FACTSAboutFertility.org Sponsors We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 20% off with code: GENIUS We’re excited to partner with Salt & Light by Sami, a brand whose mission is to provide toxin-free candles that enhance the aroma of any space. Their thoughtfully crafted candles offer a simple way to enjoy beautiful scent at home without harsh chemicals an easy, intentional swap for women who care about what they bring into their living spaces. Hormone Genius listeners receive 10% off Use code HORMONEHAPPY at checkout Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care! Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm. Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order. grazingbeauty.com/ Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, Teresa Kenney and Jamie Rathjen sit down with Isabelle Adams, Education Coordinator for Natural Womanhood, to talk about a powerful and growing movement in women’s health education: Cycle Mindfulness Clubs. 👩‍🏫 Meet Our Guest Isabelle Adams is the Education Coordinator for Natural Womanhood and a passionate advocate for holistic, science-based fertility education. She graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Psychological Sciences and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Divine Mercy University. Isabelle has led two Cycle Mindfulness Clubs—one as an undergraduate and another in her hometown after graduation. These experiences deepened her appreciation for women’s health, community-based learning, and the integration of truth, science, and human dignity. As a future counselor, Isabelle hopes to offer marriage and family therapy, walking with couples as they learn Natural Family Planning (NFP) and navigate their fertility journey together. Outside of her work, Isabelle enjoys running half marathons, exploring new coffee shops, and spending time with her husband, Kaleb. 🌱 What Are Cycle Mindfulness Clubs? Cycle Mindfulness Clubs (CMCs), an initiative of Natural Womanhood, provide young women with a safe, supportive, and empowering space to learn about their fertility and menstrual cycles—grounded in science and lived experience. At their core, Cycle Mindfulness Clubs offer: A community-based approach to understanding fertility and cycle charting Education on menstrual and reproductive health rooted in biology and evidence Small-group settings (typically 8–12 women) that encourage discussion and support A non-religious, accessible curriculum open to women of all backgrounds While the curriculum itself is non-religious, club leaders share values rooted in the dignity of the human person, informed by the Christian/Catholic tradition. 📊 Program Snapshot & Impact 28 active clubs currently operating Goal to train 45 new leaders in person next year at the University of St. Thomas in Houston Clubs are hosted on campuses and in local communities (not limited to Catholic centers) https://naturalwomanhood.org/cycle-mindfulness-club-leadership-team/ 💬 Why This Conversation Matters In a culture where menstrual health education is often fragmented, confusing, or purely clinical, Cycle Mindfulness Clubs offer something different: connection, clarity, and community. This episode explores why young women are hungry for better fertility education—and how programs like CMCs are meeting that need with compassion, science, and integrity. Whether you’re a student, educator, clinician, parent, or someone passionate about women’s health, this conversation sheds light on what’s possible when we approach fertility with curiosity instead of fear. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius Grazing Beauty Tallow Skin Care! Grazing Beauty is a small-batch, mama-inspired skincare brand specializing in grass-fed tallow products like body balms, bar soaps, and lip balm. Listeners can use the affiliate code HORMONEGENIUS at checkout for 10% off their order. https://grazingbeauty.com/

In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we’re joined by a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (BCHHP), and Circadian Health Educator with a background in executive leadership, entrepreneurship, and transformational coaching. With advanced training spanning functional nutrition, applied quantum biology, nervous system regulation, and movement-based therapies, this conversation bridges modern health science with real-world implementation. Her work focuses on helping women step away from rigid wellness dogma and instead uncover the root causes of chronic fatigue, gut dysfunction, and hormonal disruption—so results are sustainable, not temporary. A central theme of this episode challenges one of the most overlooked drivers of gut and hormone health: You can’t heal the gut without sunlight. We break down how digestion, gut motility, enzyme secretion, microbiome balance, intestinal repair, blood flow, vitamin D production, melatonin signaling, and hormone regulation are all governed by circadian rhythms—and how those rhythms are set by light exposure. When we live out of sync with natural light and darkness, even the most well-designed supplements, elimination diets, and gut protocols often stall or fail. We also explore the role of seasonal eating as a biological signal—not a trend. Seasonal foods naturally align with changes in daylight, temperature, and metabolic demand, helping support insulin sensitivity, microbiome diversity, hormone signaling, and digestive capacity throughout the year. Eating the same way year-round, despite seasonal shifts in light exposure and energy needs, can quietly work against gut healing and metabolic stability. This episode covers: Why the gut has its own circadian clock How disrupted light exposure drives dysbiosis, inflammation, and sluggish digestion Why many gut protocols only work temporarily How seasonal eating reinforces circadian and hormonal balance The difference between overriding biology and restoring it She also shares her personal journey navigating autoimmune symptoms, how aligning nutrition, movement, stress management, and circadian timing transformed her health, and how that experience now shapes the way she supports clients. If gut or hormone healing keeps stalling despite “doing everything right,” this episode offers a powerful reframe: healing doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from working with biology. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius 🧬 Tiny Health Gut Testing Advanced stool microbiome testing for moms and babies that evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, inflammatory markers, digestive function, and overall gut balance. Their testing helps guide personalized nutrition, probiotic choices, and lifestyle strategies during the postpartum period when both maternal and infant microbiomes are rapidly developing. 🎁 $50 off with code: HORMONEGENIUS Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

Have you ever wondered if your menstrual cycle has a deeper meaning? Have you tried tracking your cycle, only to find it confusing, overwhelming, or hard to keep up with? Did you receive menstrual health education that felt incomplete or disconnected from the lived experience of womanhood? If so, this episode is for you. In today’s podcast, we’re joined by Annie Schuler, author of Women of All Seasons: The Symbolism of the Menstrual Cycle, for a thoughtful and refreshing conversation about the sacred design of the female body and the deeper significance of the menstrual cycle. 📖 What This Book Explores Women of All Seasons offers a unique lens on menstrual health, weaving together biology, symbolism, and faith into one cohesive and accessible framework. In this episode, we discuss: The menstrual cycle as a reflection of the four seasons, and how each phase carries its own physical, emotional, and spiritual meaning The biological foundations of the cycle, explained in a way that supports and enhances symbolic understanding How symbolism can help women understand, remember, and honor their cycles more intuitively Why many women feel disconnected from their cycles—and how this approach restores meaning and reverence How this book can serve girls experiencing their first period, mothers teaching their daughters, and women in every season of life Annie’s work stands out for its ability to hold scientific evidence and symbolic beauty together, helping women better understand not only how their bodies work, but why they matter. 👩‍🔬 About the Author Annie Schuler is a biologist and author with a deep passion for God’s beautiful design of the female body. She graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a degree in Biology and now lives in Lockport, New York with her husband and children. Her work reflects a heartfelt commitment to educating women with both truth and tenderness. 🤍 Podcast Sponsors This episode is brought to you by brands we truly love and trust: We Heart Nutrition Get 20% off your first order with code GENIUS Thoughtfully formulated supplements to support whole-body and hormonal health. Tiny Gut Health Take $50 off your gut health kit Advanced testing and tools to support digestive and immune wellness from the inside out. Wonder Cow Colostrum Get 30% off your subscription with code HORMONEGENIUS High-quality colostrum to support gut integrity, immunity, and overall resilience. Perimenopause Doesn’t Have to Feel Overwhelming That’s exactly why we created the Hormone Genius Perimenopause Course — to give women a clear roadmap and a sense of community as they build sustainable habits in this season. Podcast listeners can use code HGPFRIEND for 20% off this month. The information shared on The Hormone Genius Podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or mental health advice. Please consult your own provider for personal medical needs.

What if one of the most powerful tools for gut healing, immune resilience, and hormone balance has been hiding in plain sight? In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we’re joined by Erica Diepersloot, co-founder of WonderCow Colostrum, to dive deep into the science and real-world benefits of bovine colostrum — a functional food that’s quickly gaining attention in the gut-health and hormone space. Colostrum is the nutrient-dense “first milk” produced after birth, rich in immunoglobulins, growth factors, lactoferrin, and bioactive compounds that support intestinal repair and immune regulation. Erica breaks down why this ancestral superfood is having a modern comeback — and how it can be especially impactful for women dealing with gut dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and hormone imbalances. In this conversation, we explore: How gut health directly influences hormones, including cortisol, estrogen metabolism, and immune-driven inflammation The role of colostrum in supporting the gut lining, microbiome balance, and immune cell signaling Emerging research showing colostrum’s effects on immune response, including studies examining how bovine colostrum influences immune cells when exposed to bacterial stressors Why colostrum may be beneficial for conditions like SIBO, infectious diarrhea, and gut permeability, based on in-vitro and clinical research How colostrum works differently than probiotics, and why it may help create a healthier environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive Erica also shares insights from published research highlighted through PubMed/NIH and peer-reviewed journals, including studies on colostrum’s interaction with the microbiome and its protective effects against bacterial-induced intestinal damage. Whether you’re navigating hormone imbalance, stubborn gut symptoms, or simply looking to strengthen your immune foundation, this episode offers a grounded, science-forward look at why colostrum is becoming a staple in functional health. 🎧 Tune in to learn how healing the gut may be one of the most overlooked keys to hormone balance — and why colostrum could be the missing piece. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius 🧬 Tiny Health Gut Testing Advanced stool microbiome testing for moms and babies that evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, inflammatory markers, digestive function, and overall gut balance. Their testing helps guide personalized nutrition, probiotic choices, and lifestyle strategies during the postpartum period when both maternal and infant microbiomes are rapidly developing. 🎁 $50 off with code: HORMONEGENIUS The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

The postpartum period is one of the most dramatic hormonal transitions in a woman’s life, yet it is rarely explained in a clear or compassionate way. In this episode, Teresa and Jamie walk through what is actually happening inside the body and brain after birth, why so many women say they don’t “feel like themselves,” and how much of this experience is rooted in biology , not personal weakness or failure. They begin by unpacking the role of prolactin, the hormone responsible for breast milk production. While prolactin supports bonding and nurturing behaviors, it also suppresses ovulation and lowers dopamine, the brain’s motivation and reward chemical. This helps explain why many postpartum women feel more emotionally flat, less driven, or disconnected from activities they once enjoyed, even while deeply loving their baby. Next, they discuss the massive drop in estrogen and progesterone that occurs within the first 24–48 hours after delivery. During pregnancy, these hormones are higher than at any other time in a woman’s life. Their sudden withdrawal can contribute to mood swings, anxiety, tearfulness, sleep disruption, and the baby blues, and in some women may play a role in postpartum depression or anxiety. Progesterone’s calming effect on the nervous system and estrogen’s support of serotonin help explain why this shift can feel so emotionally intense. The conversation then turns to dopamine and how its suppression during breastfeeding affects motivation, pleasure, focus, and emotional resilience. Teresa and Jamie emphasize that it is possible to feel grateful, bonded, and deeply loving toward your baby while also struggling internally , and that these experiences can exist at the same time. They also explore why postpartum is uniquely demanding when you combine hormonal changes with sleep deprivation, physical healing, and identity shifts. Together, these factors create one of the most neurologically and hormonally vulnerable seasons of a woman’s life. The episode then transitions into the topic of fertility after birth. Many women are told that breastfeeding prevents pregnancy, but ovulation always occurs before the first postpartum period, meaning pregnancy is possible before cycles return. Prolactin levels vary widely depending on nursing frequency, nighttime feeds, pumping, stress, and individual biology, making fertility unpredictable during this time. Finally, Teresa and Jamie discuss how natural family planning and fertility awareness methods can be used postpartum, but require special education and realistic expectations. Cervical mucus patterns can be irregular, estrogen may rise multiple times before true ovulation, and the body may have several “practice runs” before releasing an egg. With proper instruction and postpartum‑specific guidance, natural methods can be used effectively to avoid pregnancy while respecting the body’s recovery process. Sponsors 💛 We Heart Nutrition Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life. 🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS 🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery. 🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS 🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius 🧬 Tiny Health Gut Testing Advanced stool microbiome testing for moms and babies that evaluates beneficial bacteria levels, inflammatory markers, digestive function, and overall gut balance. Their testing helps guide personalized nutrition, probiotic choices, and lifestyle strategies during the postpartum period when both maternal and infant microbiomes are rapidly developing. 🎁 $50 off with code: HORMONEGENIUS The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.