The Female Health Solution Podcast

If there’s one thing you need to know about me, it’s that I love hormone testing. I’m talking about the DUTCH test - dried urine test that gives us a deep, behind-the-scenes look at what’s really going on with your hormones. And let me tell you, after looking at hundreds of DUTCH test results, there are three big things I see again and again—things that could be the missing puzzle piece to why you’re feeling off. So let’s get into it! 1. 🚨 Stress is Running the Show (a.k.a. Cortisol Chaos) Let’s get real: when was the last time you weren’t stressed? If you’re anything like the women I work with, your stress levels have been through the roof for years. Maybe you went through a tough divorce, had a high-pressure job, or just navigated the circus act of balancing work, family, and life (hello, cortisol rollercoaster!). Your body doesn’t just forget stress. Even if life is good now, your nervous system might still be stuck in “fight or flight” mode. And when your cortisol is constantly high (or completely tanked from years of overdrive), you’ll feel it—fatigue, anxiety, gut issues, stubborn weight gain, the whole shebang. 💡 The fix? We can’t guess where your cortisol is—we have to test it. Then, we tailor the right strategy (because high cortisol and low cortisol need completely different approaches!). 2. 🚨 Estrogen is Stuck in a Traffic Jam Maybe you’ve been told your estrogen levels are “normal,” but your periods say otherwise. Heavy bleeding, clots, painful ovulation, mood swings? Yeah, that’s not fine. Here’s the deal: estrogen isn’t just about how much you have—it’s about how your body is processing it. DUTCH testing shows us whether estrogen is getting stuck in phase one, struggling in phase two, or just plain refusing to leave your system. And the crazy part? You won’t see these imbalances on a standard blood test. That’s why so many women get dismissed when they know something’s off. 💡 The fix? Supporting your body’s natural detox pathways (like your liver and gut) and, if needed, using targeted herbs or nutrients to get estrogen moving the right way. 3. 🚨 Low Dopamine = No Motivation (and Zero Joy) I have to admit something: when I saw my own DUTCH test results, my dopamine levels were in the toilet. And I didn’t even realize it—until I started fixing it. Low dopamine doesn’t just mean feeling “a little off.” It’s waking up and dreading the day, losing interest in things you used to love, and craving constant stimulation (hello, endless Instagram scrolling). It’s looking at a Halloween store vampire coffin and thinking, Wow, that looks cozy (true story—red flag, right?). 💡 The fix? Dopamine isn’t just about supplements—it’s about lifestyle. More movement, more joy, more creativity, more connection. And sometimes, targeted nutrients to give your brain the extra push it needs. If you’re struggling with fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, or just feeling off, it’s time to stop guessing. A DUTCH test gives you real answers, so you can take real action. So tell me—do any of these red flags sound familiar? And if you’re ready to finally get to the root of your hormone struggles, let’s test your hormones: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/ [https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/?fbclid=IwAR1C_N3cnWQs5Vx4PqNiAqr0DScrbKJ65fNjd9-LIF1k8Hj8IHeH0l9Mfoc]

Ever feel like stress is just... part of life? Like no matter how much deep breathing you do, your to-do list laughs in your face? Here’s the deal: You don’t just need less stress—you need a bigger bucket to hold it. I just had a game-changing conversation with Dr. Jenny (one of our fantastic docs on the team!) about increasing your capacity for stress. Because let’s be real: some stressors aren’t going anywhere. The job you can’t leave yet. The special needs child you love fiercely. The ongoing life changes. The answer isn’t just “reduce stress.” It’s learning how to handle it better. Imagine your stress capacity as a glass of water. If it’s already full to the brim, one more drop sends it overflowing. But what if you could make the glass bigger? That’s the goal. Here’s how you start expanding your stress bucket: ✅ Know your cortisol levels. High and low cortisol can feel the same—exhaustion, brain fog, and overwhelm. Testing (like the DUTCH test) helps you treat the actual issue, not just guess. ✅ Support your adrenals. Your body is working hard. Give it what it needs—nutrients, sleep, and the right adaptogens (because the wrong ones can make things worse!). ✅ Make it a lifestyle. This isn’t a quick fix. Women who truly feel better see changes over 3-6 months, sometimes even a year. But the results? Worth it. Here’s what I love: When you understand your body, you stop fighting it. You learn to work with it, build resilience, and feel more you again. Sometimes, the way forward isn’t something you figure out on your own. Whether it’s working with a practitioner, trying acupuncture, seeing a chiropractor, or just reaching out to a friend who gets it—getting support isn’t a weakness, it’s wisdom. You don’t have to do this alone. Here’s what’s amazing: when you start taking care of yourself, the world around you shifts, too. You feel more like yourself again. You have more patience. More energy. More capacity to show up for the people you love. It’s not just about stress—it’s about reclaiming your vibrancy. If you are ready to increase your capacity for stress and FEEL better, get started with a hormone test here: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/ [https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/?fbclid=IwAR1C_N3cnWQs5Vx4PqNiAqr0DScrbKJ65fNjd9-LIF1k8Hj8IHeH0l9Mfoc]

Ever find yourself irrationally irritated by the way your partner breathes? Like, truly—why does he have to inhale like that? Or maybe one minute, you're feeling all the love, and the next, you’re convinced your relationship is doomed. If so, before you start drafting a breakup text or Googling divorce lawyers, I need you to hear this: it might not be your relationship. It might be your hormones. The Hormone-Relationship Connection I hear these stories all the time—women who suddenly can’t stand their partner’s quirks (you know, the ones that were once “cute”). They feel distant, resentful, exhausted, or just off. They think it's perimenopause, or stress, or maybe just a sign their relationship is failing. But here’s what happens when we dig deeper: 👉 Adrenal fatigue. Chronic stress burns you out, leading to exhaustion, mood swings, and a total lack of patience. (Suddenly, everything your partner does is annoying.) 👉 Hormonal imbalances. When estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone are out of whack, so is your mood. Anxiety, irritability, and low libido? Yep, all connected. 👉 Gut health issues. 95% of your serotonin is made in your gut. If your digestion is struggling, so is your happiness. And if you’re not happy, guess who feels it? Your partner. The Power of Testing One woman I worked with was convinced she was going into perimenopause. Her cycles were irregular, she was exhausted, and she had ZERO tolerance for her husband. Turns out, it wasn’t perimenopause at all—her adrenal health was completely shot. We targeted that, and within a few months, she felt like herself again. Her mood stabilized, her energy returned, and—bonus—her marriage improved. And this is exactly why guessing isn’t the answer. You deserve real answers. You deserve to know what’s actually happening in your body so you can make decisions from a place of clarity, not frustration. The Big Question: Will Balancing Your Hormones Save Your Relationship? Maybe. Maybe not. Some women go through this process, feel amazing, and realize their relationship was never the problem. Others? They gain the clarity and energy to finally admit what they’ve known all along: they’re ready to walk away. Either way, the answer starts with YOU. If you feel like you’re losing yourself—if you’re constantly questioning your emotions, your reactions, or even your entire relationship—it’s time to check in with your body. Don’t make life-altering decisions from a place of exhaustion and imbalance. Let’s get you back to feeling like YOU first. Learn more about the 1 to 1 program here: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/ [https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/?fbclid=IwAR2804UXZO7mMMyXRA00G4N0hPHS8gxOkT6WEw0OSR-ye3svrK9nCboZv-g]

You’ve tracked your cycle. You’ve cleaned up your diet. You’ve done the DUTCH test. You’ve optimized your hormones. And yet… still waiting on that positive pregnancy test? Let’s talk about the OTHER 50% of the equation: HIM. I know, I know—male fertility doesn’t get the same attention. But the reality? Men’s bodies respond to change faster than women’s, and the right shifts can have a massive impact on sperm health. The best part? It’s usually not about adding more—it’s about taking the right things away. So, where do we start? Here are the BIGGEST hidden culprits behind low male fertility: 1️⃣ Endocrine Disruptors That car air freshener? The heavily scented body spray? Those sneaky chemicals are tanking testosterone and sperm quality. One of my clients had her husband ditch the artificial fragrances, and just weeks later, she noticed a big difference (yes, in that way). 2️⃣ Toxic Food & Drinks Gas station snacks and energy drinks? They’re loaded with chemicals that mess with hormones. A switch to cleaner options (plus more protein—think caveman-style eating!) can make a night-and-day difference. 3️⃣ Environmental Exposures If your partner works around chemicals, oils, or industrial materials, his skin is absorbing toxins daily. Protective gear is a must. One client’s husband worked in a mechanic shop, changed a few key habits, and within weeks, their fertility outlook totally shifted. 4️⃣ The Gut-Hormone Connection A messed-up gut means messed-up hormones. I’ve seen parasites, Candida, H. pylori—things men brush off as “normal” bloating or stomach issues. If his gut isn’t right, his hormones won’t be either. 🚨 The Next Step? Test, Don’t Guess. 🚨 If you’ve made these changes and still feel like something’s off, it’s time to get serious. The truth is, regular fertility check-ups often miss key hormone imbalances. That’s where DUTCH testing + Gut testing comes in. They give us the full picture—no more guessing, no more wasted time. ✨ Let’s get you clarity and a plan. I work 1:1 with couples to dive deep into fertility, testing, and strategy so you can move forward with confidence. Click below to apply to work with me and let’s optimize both sides of the equation. Learn more about the 1 to 1 program here: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/ [https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/?fbclid=IwAR2804UXZO7mMMyXRA00G4N0hPHS8gxOkT6WEw0OSR-ye3svrK9nCboZv-g]

Brie came to me after spending over a year trying to get pregnant with no success. She was frustrated, exhausted, and wondering what the heck was wrong with her body. After all, she had no trouble getting pregnant the first time—so why was it so hard now? She had an active lifestyle, a job she loved, a wonderful husband, and a strong desire to grow her family. But her cycles were all over the place, her energy was low, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something just wasn’t right. And yet, when she went to her OB? No tests. No real answers. Just the classic “keep trying” and “maybe you’re too stressed” advice. (Insert eye roll.) So we took a deep dive into her health. We ran a DUTCH test to get a clear picture of her hormones, mapped her ovulation, and did a GI test that revealed Candida overgrowth (hello, bloating and gut issues!). We also looked at her genetics and found methylation issues that were likely messing with her hormone balance. Over the next six months, we tackled each issue one by one. Her cycle regulated, her painful cramps and clotting eased, her energy skyrocketed, and she even naturally lost 12 pounds without focusing on weight loss at all. And then… she got pregnant. Naturally. No more second-guessing. No more wondering what was wrong. Just a body that was finally working for her instead of against her. Here’s the thing: If you’re struggling with your hormones, your fertility, or even just feeling like yourself again, you don’t have to do it alone. There’s a reason you haven’t found the answers on Google or a 10 minute well visit with your primary care.  This is exactly why I offer 1:1 coaching—to help women like you get real answers and real results. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start feeling incredible in your body again, this is for you.  This is my MOST in-depth program, with over $2,000 of testing included and the most hands-on coaching. I will be with you every step of the way.  This is NOT for you if you are just looking for the basics or wanting to scratch the surface - this is a DEEP DIVE and will overhaul your health.  Click here to apply for 1:1 coaching and see if it’s a good fit: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/ [https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/?fbclid=IwAR2804UXZO7mMMyXRA00G4N0hPHS8gxOkT6WEw0OSR-ye3svrK9nCboZv-g]