Feel Better, Feel Great Podcast

Perimenopause Myths Debunked | PODCAST 178

Perimenopause has been turned into a frightening label—but what if the story you've been told is wrong? In this episode of Feel Better, Feel Great, Dr. Andrea McSwain breaks down the five biggest myths about perimenopause that keep women stuck in fear, confusion, and frustration. If you've been told your symptoms are "just perimenopause" and there's nothing you can do, this conversation will change how you see your body—and your future. Perimenopause is not a medical diagnosis. It's not a hormone collapse. And it's definitely not the beginning of the end. Instead, this phase of life is a hormone communication shift—one that can be understood, supported, and regulated when you speak the right physiological language. In this episode, you'll learn: ● Why perimenopause is a loose descriptor—not a diagnosis ● What's actually happening with estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and metabolic health ● How stress, inflammation, blood sugar, gut health, and nutrient depletion drive symptoms ● Why fatigue, anxiety, bloating, weight gain, and brain fog deserve real explanations ● How to stop accepting "this is just aging" as an answer ● What it really means to be healthy at 100 This is part of Dr. McSwain's Perimenopause Paradigm Shift—a movement to replace fear-based narratives with clarity, confidence, and control. Aging is not a disease. Dysregulation is not destiny. And your body is not broken—it's communicating. If you're ready to stop feeling dismissed, mislabeled, or powerless… If you want to understand your hormones without fear or confusion… This episode is for you. 🎧 Episode 178: The Five Biggest Myths About Perimenopause—and the Truth Behind Them 📘 Free Guide: Hormone Clarity: Your First Steps to Feeling Better https://www.drmcswain.com/hormone-clarity-guide Learn how to restore rhythm, stability, and confidence—starting now. ✨ Remember: your body can be trusted, your hormones can be understood, and your best years are being built right now.

Sex Shouldn't Hurt: Pain Is a Signal — Not a Sentence. | Ep. 177

If intimacy has begun to feel painful, tense, or something you avoid… this episode will help you exhale. Painful sex isn't "in your head." It's not stress. And it's absolutely not something you're meant to live with. It's a message from your body — a message you can respond to and heal. Dr. Andrea McSwain unpacks the real physiology behind: • Burning, stinging, dryness, or tearing • Postpartum discomfort • Hormone-related tissue thinning • Pelvic floor tension • Microbiome disruption • Fear-brain anticipation cycles • Low libido from stress or birth control • When PRP vaginal rejuvenation can help You'll walk away with science, clarity, and practical steps you can apply today — all delivered in Dr. McSwain's warm, validating, and deeply human teaching style. If you remember only one thing: Your body is not broken. It's communicating. And with the right support, it can absolutely heal. Perfect for anyone navigating: • Painful intercourse • Hormone imbalance • Perimenopause changes • Stress-related libido loss • Pelvic floor dysfunction • Tissue scarring or dryness • Postpartum healing Whatever you're facing, you're not alone — and you're closer to relief than you think.

How to Stop Bladder Leaks Naturally | Pelvic Floor & Hormone Health Explained

Cough, laugh, sneeze… and leak? You're not alone — and it's not just "part of getting older." In this episode, Dr. Andrea McSwain unpacks the real reason women experience bladder leaks when they cough, laugh, or sneeze — and what it reveals about your pelvic floor, fascia, and hormone balance. You'll learn how declining estrogen and progesterone can change tissue strength, how pelvic muscles lose adaptability under chronic tension, and why holistic support (not just Kegels) is key to restoring control and confidence. Dr. McSwain also explores the surprising link between hormones and lung health — plus practical ways to reduce seasonal coughs, support tissue repair, and strengthen your core from the inside out. Whether you're in your 30s, postpartum, or perimenopausal, this episode will help you understand your body's signals, calm the frustration, and start healing naturally. #PelvicFloorHealth #BladderLeaks #HormoneBalance #WomensHealth #FunctionalMedicine #HolisticHealing #StressIncontinence

Reconnecting Body and Vibrancy: Hormone Health, Low Libido, and Intimacy | Ep. 175

In this week's episode, Dr. Andrea McSwain gets real about what happens when your spark fades — the energy, motivation, and intimacy that make you feel alive. It's not in your head; your body is asking for help. Join Dr. McSwain as she breaks down how hormonal shifts, stress, and emotional disconnection can dull your vitality — and what to do to bring it back. Inside this episode: ● The mind-body link between hormones, libido, and confidence ● Why estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and cortisol matter more than you think ● How to reconnect with your body through small, practical rituals ● The surprising role of touch, laughter, and PRP therapy in restoring vibrancy Listen if you've been feeling: ✦ Drained, disconnected, or less confident in your body ✦ Unsure where to start with hormone balance ✦ Ready to feel vibrant and in sync again

Masking or Helping: The Truth About Birth Control at 40+

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "b6b5cf57-deaf-42e5-b5ee-eff52abcb5d6" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Birth Control at 40+: Support or Supression? 3 a.m. wake-ups. Heavy day-one flows that hijack your schedule. Mood swings that don't match your life. Sound familiar? In this episode of Feel Better, Feel Great, Dr. Andrea McSwain, D.O. and Functional Medicine Clinician, gets real about birth control in your 40s and beyond—when it's smart, when to screen, and how to feel steady again. 💡 What You'll Learn: * How to know if birth control is helping or masking deeper hormonal issues * The truth about "perimenopause" and why it's often a bucket diagnosis * The differences between progesterone-only, combined, and non-oral contraceptive options * How to match the right method to your symptoms—mood swings, heavy flow, night sweats, or skin issues * Foundational lifestyle and nutrition steps to support hormone balance naturally * The essential labs and screenings every woman 40+ should consider before and during hormonal contraception Dr. McSwain breaks down what conventional medicine gets right, what's often overlooked, and how to take back control of your hormone health—without guesswork. ✨ Whether birth control is your stabilizer or your bridge, this episode gives you the education and options you deserve. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.drmcswain.com/hormone-testing-rp 📱 Follow & Subscribe: For more episodes on women's health, hormones, and functional wellness.