The Female Health Solution Podcast

“That’s just part of being a woman.” “You’re just getting older.” “Maybe you’re overreacting.” “It’s probably all in your head.” Let’s stop right there. Just because something is common doesn’t make it normal. Let’s break down the top five health issues that women experience far too often—and have been told to ignore. 1. Mood Swings Yes, your mood naturally shifts across your cycle—but when it becomes overwhelming, unpredictable, or makes you feel like you’ve lost control? That’s a red flag. If you find yourself: * Crying uncontrollably over small things * Snapping in rage over everyday moments * Feeling like your emotions are running your life …it’s not just “PMS.” It’s a hormonal imbalance that needs support. In Eastern medicine, we look at liver health, stress pathways, and how your body detoxes hormones to bring this back into balance. 2. Bone-Deep Fatigue You’re not just tired because you’re a mom. Or because you're getting older. Or because life is busy. Constant fatigue is your body screaming for help. I personally struggled with undiagnosed thyroid dysfunction after having my first baby—and doctors brushed it off. It took someone finally listening to discover I had a thyroid storm. If you're always exhausted, it's time to stop pushing and start testing. Over-exercising with cortisol dysregulation? That only makes things worse. 3. Weight Gain That Doesn’t Make Sense Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause require lifestyle adjustments—but they don’t mean inevitable weight gain. Changes in body composition should be met with support, not shame. That means: * Updating how and when you eat * Increasing protein and muscle support * Understanding how hormones like insulin and estrogen affect your metabolism If your weight is changing and nothing you do seems to help, it’s time to look deeper than calories in/calories out. 4. Sleep Disturbances That Disrupt Your Life Struggling to fall asleep… or waking at 2am and staying awake until morning? This isn’t just “stress.” Poor sleep affects everything from metabolism to detoxification, cognitive function, and weight regulation. Your body releases its highest levels of natural human growth hormone between 10pm–2am. If you’re not sleeping deeply, your healing is stalling. Sometimes just a simple tincture, nervous system support, or dietary shift can unlock better sleep and—believe it or not—weight loss too. 5. Irregular Menstrual Cycles Heavy periods, skipped days, clotting, pain, spotting, disappearing and reappearing flow—these are not normal. Your period is a vital sign—a direct reflection of your hormonal health, nutrient levels, stress patterns, and more. A cycle that shifts drastically in length or severity is a major signal that your system is out of balance. A healthy cycle: * Runs about 27–29 days, with a 1–2 day buffer * Shouldn’t feel debilitating or unpredictable * Offers feedback about your health over the past 3 months Too many women are dismissed, gaslit, or told their symptoms are just a part of life. But being in pain, exhausted, anxious, or struggling with your body doesn't have to be your baseline. With the Female Hormone Solution Program, we go beyond temporary fixes to create lasting change. We walk with you for 12 weeks to support your body, decode your symptoms, and help you feel like yourself again—stronger and better than ever. And guess what? The waitlist is NOW OPEN. Get the details here: https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/ [https://drbethwestie.com/waitlist/]

Here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: the secret to balanced hormones isn’t in a miracle pill or trendy hack. It’s in the boring basics. As a women’s health and hormone expert, I want to make sure you’re doing these three simple things consistently. Prioritize Protein & Real Food If you’re skipping meals, cutting carbs, or living off coffee and snacks, your hormones are running on empty. Your body needs steady fuel to support hormonal and metabolic functions. * Aim for protein with every meal * Avoid processed and sugary foods * Eat consistently throughout the day I don’t overthink it—sometimes I prep meals myself, and sometimes I grab healthy options from a local meal service. And I always have a backup in the fridge or freezer, because life happens. My kids have definitely eaten the lunch I was planning to save more times than I can count.  Get Serious About Sleep Sleep is a hormonal reset button. If you are up late scrolling or surrounded by bright lights, your body struggles to regulate essential hormones like cortisol and melatonin. * Wind down with dim lighting * Read a real book (not a screen) * Only use sleep support after you’ve established a good routine Move (But Keep It Gentle) Forget “go hard or go home.” Your nervous system doesn’t always want a 90-minute bootcamp. When I’m feeling fatigued or overwhelmed, I focus on: * A 10–15 minute walk * Stretching or restorative yoga * Listening to my body and resting when I need it Movement isn’t punishment—it’s a privilege.  The final layer to these basics:  * Seed Cycling A natural way to align with your cycle using food. → Download My Free Seed Cycling Guide [https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/seed-cycling-guide-1] * Targeted Tinctures Like Estro Balance, Progesterone Balance, Adrenal Balance, and Sleep Support [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com]. These plant-based tools work best when I’m already doing the foundational work. If you’ve been trying to make healthier changes, start here. Lay the foundation. Grab my Free Seed Cycling Guide and take the next step. Click here to grab your free guide now [https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/seed-cycling-guide-1]

One of my top questions: What’s YOUR routine like?” So today, I’m walking you through what I actually take on a regular basis — the supplements that give me energy and balance, even in the middle of the chaos.  A quick note: Yes, I use a lot of supplements. But no, I don’t take everything every day. I listen to my body and respond based on where I’m at in my cycle, what’s going on in my life, and what my most recent labs and genetic testing show.  Cycle-Synced Support Let’s start with my favorite: my hormone-support tinctures. I’m a nerd about this stuff because it works. EstroBalance & Progesterone Balance: I take these in sync with my 28-day cycle (which stays regular 80% of the time thanks to these). EstroBalance during days 1–14, and Progesterone Balance during days 15–28. https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/estrobalance-progesterobalance-bundle [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/estrobalance-progesterobalance-bundle] Adrenal Balance: I take this one consistently, adjusting the dose during my luteal phase (days 15–28) if I’m under more stress. https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/adrenalbalance [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/adrenalbalance] Sleep Support: Not a daily thing, but when insomnia flares — especially during week 4 of my cycle — this tincture is a lifesaver. I’ve struggled with insomnia since childhood, and this is the one thing that consistently helps.  https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/sleep-support [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/sleep-support] These four tinctures are my non-negotiables. Not all at once, but always on hand — ready when I need them. Trying to chase symptoms while you’re already tanking is like running on fumes — and it doesn’t work. Precision-Based Supplementing (Thanks, Genetics) My routine is tailored around my DUTCH hormone test results and my genetic test — and wow, have they been game-changers. Here's how: Vitamin D (10,000 IU): Despite supplementation, I tested very low. My genetics show I don’t absorb D well, so I’ve upped the ante with high-dose D — paired with Vitamin A to help with absorption. I’ll retest in 6 months. https://113022.nutridyn.com/a-d-natural-capsules [https://113022.nutridyn.com/a-d-natural-capsules] Immune Support & Immune Resilience: These two do different things, and I need both. One gives me mushrooms + D + zinc for general immune health; the other helps my histamine response (thanks to quercetin, ginseng, and elderberry). Since going through mold illness, these keep me out of flare-ups and able to function. Without them? I crash. Hard. https://113022.nutridyn.com/immune-resilience-r278 [https://113022.nutridyn.com/immune-resilience-r278] https://113022.nutridyn.com/immune-support [https://113022.nutridyn.com/immune-support] Cellular Energy: This one’s new, and it’s been a total game-changer. With CoQ10, NAC, magnesium, and more — it’s the blend I didn’t know I needed to help with inflammation and recovery. https://113022.nutridyn.com/cellular-energy [https://113022.nutridyn.com/cellular-energy] NeuroBalance: After my last DUTCH test showed bottomed-out dopamine, I added this to help lift me back up. It took two full bottles to notice a difference, but what a difference. https://113022.nutridyn.com/crave-curb [https://113022.nutridyn.com/crave-curb] Occasional, But Vital I also rotate in: Detox Support: A month on, a few months off, to help with methylation and inflammation. https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/detox-support [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/detox-support] Charcoal: For stomach issues or if I get a histamine flare-up. https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Activated-Charcoal-Capsules-detoxification/dp/B078T354SC?crid=I3U3E0T709Q1&keywords=charcoal&qid=1678308212&sprefix=charcoal,aps,154&sr=8-6&linkCode=sl1&tag=drbethwesti07-20&linkId=debf3dbe61a874c3fbb17e0a26310ebb&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl [https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Activated-Charcoal-Capsules-detoxification/dp/B078T354SC?crid=I3U3E0T709Q1&keywords=charcoal&qid=1678308212&sprefix=charcoal,aps,154&sr=8-6&linkCode=sl1&tag=drbethwesti07-20&linkId=debf3dbe61a874c3fbb17e0a26310ebb&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl] All of this is done with intention. Not for the sake of “taking more stuff,” but to build a foundation that supports my energy, immune health, hormonal balance, and long-term wellness. My hormone-balancing tinctures are the foundation. They’re simple, effective, and adaptable. They’re what I use, and what I recommend to every woman who wants to get ahead of the hormone rollercoaster instead of reacting to it. Curious about trying them for yourself? You’ll find everything you need here [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/collections/all]. These aren’t just tinctures — they’re tools for transformation. Whether you’re struggling with irregular cycles, stress, sleep, or perimenopausal shifts, they meet you where you’re at and help guide your body back into rhythm.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is this perimenopause—or something else?”, you’re not alone. For many women, the symptoms can be confusing and frustrating. But here's the truth: perimenopause is a normal, natural phase—and it doesn’t have to feel like the end of the world. Let’s clear the air. Common signs of perimenopause include irregular or skipping periods, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, anxiety, trouble sleeping, brain fog, joint pain, weight changes, low libido, and more. And stress can make any of these 10x worse!  That’s where cortisol comes in. Stress is a major driver behind many of the “classic” perimenopause symptoms. If your cortisol is off, your estrogen and progesterone will feel it too. Perimenopause is like reverse puberty. It’s not a malfunction. It’s your body transitioning. And how you move through it depends on things like stress, sleep, movement, gut health, your environment—even your past habits and genetics. So, what can you do? Start with the basics: get good sleep, manage stress, hydrate, get outside in the morning light, eat protein regularly, and move your body. These things work. And if you need support along the way, herbal tinctures can make a huge difference. My go-to formulas: Adrenal Balance for stress and mood: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/adrenalbalance [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/adrenalbalance] Sleep Tincture for deep, non-groggy sleep: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/sleep-support [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/sleep-support] Estro Balance and Progesterone Balance for cycle support: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/estrobalance-progesterobalance-bundle [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/products/estrobalance-progesterobalance-bundle] You don’t have to be 100% perfect to feel better—70–80% consistency is enough to start seeing real change. I’ve had women feel like themselves again by making small adjustments and using the right tools.  Curious about which tincture is right for you? Learn more: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com [https://nutritionforyourhormones.com]

You’re not just tired — you’re exhausted. You love your life, your family, your work, but lately, you can’t keep up. You lie down to rest but don’t bounce back. You sleep, but never feel restored. You’ve tried yoga, meditation, more coffee, less coffee… and yet, nothing really works. Let’s talk about adrenal dysfunction — more specifically, low cortisol and how it mimics, and masks so many of your symptoms. If you have low cortisol, your body isn’t just tired — it’s depleted. You may: * Need rest to even function — but rest doesn’t revive you * Feel emotionally flat or unmotivated * Lose interest in intimacy (even with a loving partner) * Struggle with dizziness, especially after standing * Feel overwhelmed by even simple tasks So what’s the solution? You need real clarity. That’s where the DUTCH Test comes in — my favorite functional hormone test that gives a full picture of your adrenal health (not just a snapshot). Unlike a blood or saliva test that tells you what’s happening right now, the Dutch Test shows how your body is actually using cortisol over time. Think: zoomed-out, root-cause clarity. It's not about slapping on more stress management hacks or trying harder. Healing is about having the right map to follow.  If you’re tired of guessing, tired of being told “everything looks normal,” tired of feeling like you’ve tried everything… please stop waiting. Let’s get your answers. 👉 Learn more about DUTCH testing: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/ [https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/?fbclid=IwAR1C_N3cnWQs5Vx4PqNiAqr0DScrbKJ65fNjd9-LIF1k8Hj8IHeH0l9Mfoc]