Understanding PMDD is crucial as it differs from PMS, impacting mental health differently.
Transitioning off birth control highlights hormonal journeys affecting overall health and wellness.
Practicing intuitive self-care through lifestyle adjustments and cycle syncing optimizes well-being.
Deep dives
Understanding PMDD and the Journey to Diagnosis
PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is often misunderstood as an extreme form of PMS that can have severe impacts on mental health. Olivia shares her struggle with PMDD, initially mistaking its symptoms for normal challenges faced by many women. She delves into her journey to diagnosis, highlighting the lack of understanding in the medical field that often leads to misdiagnosis or dismissal of symptoms. Through research and self-awareness, Olivia and Ashley began to unravel the complexities of the menstrual cycle and how it relates to hormonal imbalances.
Holistic Approaches to Menstrual Health
Ashley's experience coming off hormonal birth control and encountering postpartum hormonal shifts spurred her and Olivia to found Hummingway, a brand focusing on holistic menstrual cycle care. They emphasize the importance of addressing root causes rather than symptomatic treatment, advocating for a comprehensive approach to women's health. By understanding their unique sensitivities and experimenting with lifestyle changes like alcohol reduction and cycle-synced activities, they highlight the power of intuitive self-care.
Empowerment through Self-Awareness and Intuition
The podcast guests emphasize the significance of self-awareness and intuitive listening to the body's signals. By journaling, experimenting, and building personal practices such as meditation, breathwork, and grounding in nature, they navigate the noise of external recommendations to uncover individual triggers and solutions. They stress the importance of starting young and instilling self-care practices from an early age to establish lifelong well-being.
Prioritizing Sleep, Hydration, and Nature
Simple yet impactful practices like prioritizing sleep, staying hydrated, and connecting with nature play vital roles in their self-care routines. By valuing quality sleep as a recovery tool, understanding the benefits of hydration, and immersing themselves in natural surroundings, they recenter their physical and mental well-being. These foundational practices support their holistic journey towards improved menstrual and overall health.
Managing PMDD Symptoms and Menstrual Cycle Awareness
Recognizing the impact of PMDD on behavior during the luteal phase, the speaker discusses personal experiences of impulsivity and emotional changes before learning about their cycle. By tracking their cycle and using tools like Stardust, they can now anticipate and manage symptoms better. Embracing terms like 'luteal phase' over 'PMS', they emphasize proactive self-care strategies including sun exposure for melatonin regulation and supplementing with iodine and magnesium for symptom relief.
Holistic Health Approaches for Wellness
Incorporating red light therapy for healing benefits, the episode highlights the science behind its effectiveness and recommends a red light panel for versatile health benefits such as collagen production and improved mental well-being. The importance of probiotics like Seeds DSO1 daily symbiotic for overall health support is emphasized, promoting gut health as vital for digestion, skin, heart health, and immunity. Additionally, collagen supplementation and holistic approaches to mental health, including practices like breathwork and psilocybin microdosing, are explored for their positive impact on wellness.
Hummingway founders, Ashley Greene of the mega-hit Twilight series and Olivia Khoury, discuss the commonly untreated major hormonal issues women face like PMDD, cycle syncing, menstrual health, and so much more.
Exactly what PMDD is & how it differs from PMS
How to figure out if YOU have PMDD–because 90% of women are not diagnosed
Ashley’s two huge hormone journeys: post-birth control and postpartum
The tiny tweak that will make your hormone testing way more accurate
Ashley’s terrifying story of her first panic attack right before a magazine cover shoot
How the Twilight cast navigated a sudden skyrocket to fame during key developmental years
Ashley & Olivia’s relationships with alcohol & what led them to being sober-curious
How to cycle sync and why it’s an absolute game changer
The Liz Moody Podcast cover art by Zack. The Liz Moody Podcast music by Alex Ruimy.
Formerly the Healthier Together Podcast.
This podcast and website represents the opinions of Liz Moody and her guests to the show. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for information purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.
