About 4 years ago, I thought I was having a mental health crisis.
I was constantly inside of wild mood swings: from anxiety to rage to sadness. When I did feel more “normal” I couldn’t stay focused on anything. The brain fog was so discouraging.
Unsure of what else to do, I had every kind of test run: saliva, urine, blood work, brain scans… you name it! I got the results and I was thrilled to have some kind of answer. But I was also totally blown away by what it was.
My sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) were wildly unbalanced with estrogen dominating everything. This was causing emotional side effects that were completely ruling (and ruining!) my life.
I was 38 at the time and had never head anyone talk about emotional / mental health being affected by hormones.
With the help of a naturopath doctor and a change in nutrition I was able to balance myself again. But the thing about hormones is, they shift and change with life and it’s stressors. Which means I am (you are too if you’ve got a uterus) very susceptible to another imbalance in my body. Those imbalances can wreak havoc on my life.
Learning as much as I can about my hormones and women’s health has become a passion of mine. I’ve shared how I balanced my hormones, but would love to share some additional favorite resources to heal your hormones.
My first conversation with my naturopath doctor
From my experience, if your hormones are funky or out-of-whack, it can affect EVERYTHING. In this episode of the podcast, I’m talking to Dr. Julie Brush, a Naturopathic Doctor who works at the Amen Clinic, which is focused on brain health. It’s all about an integrated approach, meaning care medicine like medications, but with a preference in utilizing a holistic approach. The Naturopathic approach seeks to identify and treat the cause of what could be wrong, and to empower you with information, which you know I am ALL about.
This woman changed my life. Before I started meeting with her, I had no idea that my hormones were unbalanced and no way of understanding what role that could be playing in my mental health. If you’ve been looking to answers as to why you feel a certain way at different times (probably in your cycle), or why you can’t pin your finger on what feels just…off, then I think this conversation might be for you. I hope this gives you the lightbulb moment it gave me and puts you on a journey of understanding your body – ALL of it – a little better.
Period Power by Maisie Hill
Period Power is my absolute favorite book to recommend on this subject. It’s wild how many of us women (myself included just years ago!!) know almost nothing about our periods, different phases of our cycle and how it all affects our emotional health. This book is a great place to start in learning more!
My conversation with hormone hero, Dr. Taz
Faced with personal health challenges as a medical resident in her twenties and a health care system that didn’t make her feel better, Dr. Taz turned to adding Eastern medical wisdom to her medical quiver. What she found was a wealth of information not yet taught in conventional medical schools. These systems of medicine including Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine with Dr. Andrew Weil ultimately helped her heal herself.
Passionate to share this new knowledge, she opened CentreSpring MD, a nationally recognized medical and wellness practice focused on health transformation. Dr. Taz and her team prescribe personalized lifestyle, diet, exercise, self-care and relationship strategies to help women uncover their own “superpowers” using integrative, functional, Chinese and holistic medicine.
My favorite cycle tracker app
If you’re not using a cycle tracker yet, it will CHANGE your life! My personal favorite is called Clue and it tracks ovulation, your period and PMS. Tracking my cycle really helped me to notice patterns that I wouldn’t have picked up on without it. There are plenty of other apps and free options out there, but this was the one that worked for me!
You guys know I am so passionate about how to heal your hormones and I hope these resources are as helpful for you as they have been for me!!