Well, Now: Getting to the Heart of Hormonal Health
Nov 10, 2024
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Alisa Vitti, CEO of FLO Living and a leader in women's hormonal health, discusses the complexities of hormonal imbalances. She challenges the reliance on birth control for treating issues like PCOS and advocates for lifestyle changes and nutrition. Vitti emphasizes the importance of understanding hormonal roles in mood and fertility and shares insights about the MyFlow app for menstrual health. Listeners gain empowering strategies to manage their cycles and restore hormonal balance without conventional pharmaceuticals.
Hormonal imbalances significantly affect women's health, and recognizing their influence on mood, energy, and fertility is crucial for well-being.
A personalized and holistic approach to hormonal health, including dietary and lifestyle changes, enhances treatment beyond conventional synthetic birth control options.
Deep dives
Understanding Women's Hormonal Health
Hormones play a significant role in various aspects of women's health, affecting mood, energy levels, and reproductive functions. The primary hormones—estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—serve essential functions throughout different life stages. Estrogen, for instance, is responsible for key developmental traits in females and regulates the menstrual cycle, while progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy. Recognizing the importance of these hormones can help women gain insight into their health and well-being, as hormonal imbalances can lead to issues such as PMS, mood swings, or fertility challenges.
The Limitations of Conventional Treatments
Conventional medicine often resorts to synthetic birth control for addressing hormonal issues, which may not adequately treat the underlying causes. The reliance on a one-size-fits-all approach can overlook the unique needs and experiences of women dealing with hormonal imbalances. This can lead to further complications, as hormonal treatments can disrupt the natural functioning of the endocrine system and result in long-lasting negative effects. It is suggested that a more personalized and holistic approach, incorporating dietary and lifestyle changes, may provide a better solution for improving women's health.
Cycle Syncing for Hormonal Balance
The concept of cycle syncing promotes aligning lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, with the different phases of the menstrual cycle. This method recognizes that women's hormonal fluctuations require specific dietary adjustments and physical activities throughout the month. For example, women may need more calories during the luteal phase due to increased metabolic demands while experiencing hormonal shifts that affect their fitness capacity. By tailoring self-care practices to their cyclical nature, women can optimize their health outcomes and manage symptoms more effectively.
Empowering Women Through Education and Advocacy
Empowering women to take charge of their hormonal health involves educating them about their bodies and advocating for proper care. Many women experience feelings of dismissal from healthcare providers, leading them to seek more personalized support. It's crucial for women to recognize their role in their health journey, pushing for the necessary diagnostics and tailored treatment. This proactive approach encourages women to gather information, ask questions, and work collaboratively with their healthcare teams to achieve better health outcomes.
Hormones influence everything from mood and energy levels to fertility and long-term health.
Yet for many, hormonal health remains shrouded in mystery.
When women do seek guidance from their OBGYNs, they’re often told birth control is the only option for treating hormone-related issues like PCOS and endometriosis.
On this week’s episode of Well, Now Kavita and Maya tackle hormonal health with the FLO Living CEO and see what other options are available when treating hormone imbalances.
Podcast production by Vic Whitley-Berry with editorial oversight by Alicia Montgomery.
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