The Lila Rose Show E271: What Women Aren't Told: Cycles and The Pill w/Dr Sarah Hill | Lila Rose Show
Dec 2, 2025
Dr. Sarah Hill, a research psychologist and author, dives into the complexities of women's hormonal health, dissecting the menstrual cycle and its phases. She explains how cycles affect mood, cravings, and social needs, advocating for a cycle-aware approach to health. Hill also highlights how hormonal contraception impacts attraction and mental health, shedding light on its psychological effects. With practical tips for nutrition and intimacy based on cycling hormones, she empowers women to reclaim their health by embracing their biology.
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Feeling 'Flat' On The Pill
- Sarah Hill described feeling emotionally flat while on the pill and much more alive after stopping it for three months.
- She regained interest in exercise, music, socializing, and her sex drive after discontinuing hormonal birth control.
Two Functional Halves Of The Cycle
- The menstrual cycle has two functional halves: an estrogen-driven attraction/sex phase and a progesterone-driven implantation phase.
- These hormonal states rewire energy, sleep, cravings, social drive, and vigilance to optimize reproduction.
Eat More Calories In Luteal Phase
- Increase calorie intake by ~150–200 kcal/day in the luteal phase because resting metabolic rate rises 7–11%.
- Expect more hunger and plan food to avoid bingeing and energy crashes in the second half of the cycle.
