Hello Hormones with Dr. Carrie Jones

What if the leaks, the pain, and the feeling that something just isn't right “down there” aren’t a normal part of life? In this vital episode, I'm joined by the incredible Dr. Sara Reardon, the Vagina Whisperer, to pull back the curtain on our pelvic health.    We challenge the biggest myths, like the idea that Kegels are a cure-all, and get to the root of symptoms that so many women quietly endure. Dr. Sara reveals how perimenopause, scar tissue, and even a C-section can impact your pelvic floor, offering a roadmap for proactive care.    We demystifies what a physical therapy session is actually like and shares simple, actionable tips that empower you to take back control of your body and find true, lasting relief.   Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as "the Vagina Whisperer," is a doctor of physical therapy with 18 years of experience as a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist. She is also the author of "Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage."    What's Discussed: (00:00) Why We Need to Talk About Vaginal Health: Introducing Dr. Sara Reardon, The Vagina Whisperer (01:29) Busting Vaginal Myths: Why Kegels Aren’t Always the Answer and How Pelvic Needs Shift Through Life (03:08) Is Your Pelvic Floor Healthy? Signs, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help (12:53) Pelvic Floor Health Through Perimenopause and Menopause: Hormones, Estrogen, and Proactive Care (21:01) Bladder Habits and Urge Myths: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How to Retrain Your Body (25:53) Inside a Pelvic Floor PT Session: What Actually Happens and Why Trauma-Informed Care Matters (36:39) How Your Pelvic Floor Connects to Everything: Back Pain, Hip Tightness, Breathing, and Scars (42:34) Rebuilding Strength and Confidence After 40: Prolapse, Exercise, and Real-Life Stories (50:30) Where to Start: Dr. Sara’s Programs, Her Book Floored, and How to Begin Your Healing Journey Thank You To Our Sponsor: Timeline Nutrition: If you’re feeling tired, foggy, or drained during perimenopause, Timeline’s Mitopure Gummies support your energy from the inside out. Powered by clinically proven Urolithin A, they help your cells clean out damaged mitochondria and build new, stronger ones. If you’d like to give it a try, visit timeline.com/drcarrie  and get 20% off. ✍️ FREE GUIDES:   Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101  The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom  Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause    LETS CONNECT:    Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: www.drcarriejones.com  Newsletter:https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones   TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones    Dr. Sara Reardon (The Vagina Whisperer): Instagram: @the.vagina.whisperer TikTok: @thevagwhisperer Website: thevaginawhisperer.com   ==========   Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

Navigating your 40s? Discover why common symptoms like fatigue and weight gain might need more than just aging to explain them. Learn about the essential lab tests every woman should consider, including thyroid panels, hidden iron issues, and B12 deficiencies. Understand the significance of vitamin D and insulin testing in managing your health. This insightful discussion reveals how to take charge of your well-being and find the answers your body has been hinting at.

You’re not in the mood. You’re not even in the mood for life. The spark is gone, your libido left the chat, and if one more person tells you to “just relax” or “get out of your head,” you might actually scream. In this episode, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Nan Wise, neuroscientist, sex therapist, and author of Why Good Sex Matters, to talk about something no one’s saying out loud: what happens when pleasure disappears. This isn’t just about sex. It’s about the loss of joy, connection, curiosity, and vitality that so many women feel in perimenopause and beyond. We talk about the real reasons your body shuts down, why pleasure is a biological need, and how stress, trauma, and social media are hijacking your brain chemistry. And, most importantly, we get into what you can actually do about it. Here’s what we dive into: What “rage at your partner’s touch” is really telling you Why pleasure plummets in midlife, and how to bring it back The difference between feeling blah and actual anhedonia What “healthy hedonism” means and how to reclaim it How dopamine, play, and connection shape your mood and sex drive The orgasm-a-day challenge (yes, it’s a thing) How your brain is your best pharmacy, and how to activate it What to do when you feel numb, depleted, and disconnected Why good sex has nothing to do with performance and everything to do with presence This episode is about reconnecting with yourself in a world that’s constantly pulling you away. Whether you’re partnered or not, sexual or not, hormonal or not, you deserve to feel alive. And Dr. Nan is here to help you find your way back. Thank You To Our Sponsor: Timeline Nutrition: If you’re feeling tired, foggy, or drained during perimenopause, Timeline’s Mitopure Gummies support your energy from the inside out. Powered by clinically proven Urolithin A, they help your cells clean out damaged mitochondria and build new, stronger ones. If you’d like to give it a try, visit timeline.com/drcarrie and get 20% off. ✍️ FREE GUIDES:   Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101  The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom  Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause    LETS CONNECT:    Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: www.drcarriejones.com  Newsletter:https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter IG: dr.carriejones   TikTok: @drcarriejones Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones    Guest: Dr. Nan Wise Website: https://askdoctornan.com/  Instagram: @askdoctornan

Feeling off with your hormone therapy? Discover why it might not be working as expected. Explore five key reasons, from starting with the wrong hormone to dosing mistakes. Learn about the impact of delivery methods like patches and gels, and how application sites can affect absorption. Dive into the debate of bioidentical versus synthetic hormones. It's the troubleshooting guide every woman needs to ensure hormone therapy delivers real results.

Join Esther Blum, an integrative dietician and menopause expert, as she shares her vibrant journey through midlife health. She dives into the importance of hormone therapy, detailing her personal HRT stack and its surprising benefits. Discover the crucial gut-hormone connection and why many women are under-eating. Esther advocates for protein’s role in hormonal balance and tackles why intermittent fasting may no longer work for you. It's all about practical insights to reclaim your health and confidence during this transformative life stage.

Discover the surprising timeline of perimenopause and understand why symptoms like anxiety can ebb and flow. Delve into the science behind hormonal changes and learn about tools like Prometrium that can ease the transition. Find out if you still need progesterone after a hysterectomy and how it affects your hormonal health. This engaging discussion demystifies the challenges of perimenopause, offering clarity and insights to navigate this significant life phase with confidence.

In this insightful discussion, Tyna Moore, a naturopathic physician and hormone expert, addresses the hormonal chaos that often plagues women in their 40s and 50s. She highlights the importance of personalized care over standard treatments, debunking myths about strength training and metabolism. Tyna also explores the potential of GLP-1 medications for weight management, urging an integrative approach to health. Listeners will gain practical tips on building strength, enhancing energy, and navigating hormonal fluctuations with confidence.

Everyone talks about hot flashes and night sweats. But what about the symptoms that make you wonder if you’re just losing your mind? You go to the doctor. You get labs done. You’re told you’re “fine.” But you still don’t feel like yourself—and nobody’s giving you real answers. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the lesser-known (but incredibly common) symptoms of perimenopause that too often get brushed off or misdiagnosed. These are the symptoms that leave women feeling dismissed, confused, and alone in a body that suddenly feels foreign. I cover: Why hormone shifts can trigger heart palpitations (even when your labs are “normal”) The surprising reason your mouth, lips, or tongue might burn How changes in estrogen affect your gums, oral health, and dental visits Why you might start hearing ringing in your ears (and no, it’s not just stress) The deal with phantom smells like smoke, sewage, or burning wires What causes sudden changes in body odor (and why it’s like puberty in reverse) We also talk about how to rule out other causes—like low iron, B12, thyroid issues, or real dental problems—and why you always deserve a thorough work-up, even if your doctor shrugs it off. Your symptoms are real. You’re not overreacting. And you deserve real answers. Thank you to our sponsor: Timeline: If you want to stay strong and energized now and as you age, then you have to try Mitopure Gummies. Head to timeline.com/drcarrie to get 20% off. Your cells will thank you.   FREE GUIDES:   Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101  The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist   The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom    Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause    LETS CONNECT:    Website: www.drcarriejones.com    Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter    IG: dr.carriejones     TikTok: @drcarriejones    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones  ==========   Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.

You’ve probably heard the term “bioidentical hormones” tossed around like a wellness buzzword—but is it actually legit or just marketing fluff? Some people swear by them. Others say they don’t even exist. So what’s the real deal? In this episode, I’m clearing up all the confusion around bioidentical hormones, what they really are (and aren’t), and why so many women are getting the wrong info from well-meaning providers, influencers, and even doctors. If you’ve ever been told they don’t exist, they’re only available as pellets, or they come without side effects… this one’s for you. In this episode, I cover: What “bioidentical” actually means (hint: it’s not just marketing) The difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones Why Prometrium and estradiol patches are bioidentical—even if they’re FDA-approved What makes something synthetic (like progestins or Premarin) Why pellets aren’t the only form of bioidentical hormone therapy When compounded hormones are helpful—and when they’re not required Whether you need a prescription (and what to watch for in OTC creams) Why your doctor might say “bioidentical isn’t real” (and why that’s not true) The myth that bioidentical hormones have no side effects How to work with your provider to stay safe and symptom-free ✍️ FREE GUIDES: FREE GUIDES:   Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet:  https://drcarriejones.kit.com/hormones101  The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/labtestchecklist   The Symptoms of The Perimenopausal Transition (WTF…) Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/perimenopausesymptom    Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/stagesofperimenopause    LETS CONNECT:    Website: www.drcarriejones.com    Newsletter: https://drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter    IG: dr.carriejones     TikTok: @drcarriejones    Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drcarriejones  ==========   Disclaimer: Information provided on this channel is for informational purposes only. This information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional, or any information contained on or in any product. Do not use the information provided on this channel for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing medication or other treatment. Always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before taking any medication or nutritional, herbal or other supplement, or using any treatment for a health problem. Information provided on this channel and the use of any products or services related to this podcast by you does not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Dr. Carrie Jones. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent ANY disease.  

Feeling emotional or restless? Your progesterone levels might hold the key! Explore the signs of low progesterone that can wreak havoc on your mood, sleep, and monthly cycles. Learn about the subtle differences between estrogen dominance and low progesterone, as well as the symptoms to keep an eye on. Discover practical insights on natural ways to support hormone balance and regain your sanity, especially after 35. It’s a whirlwind of hormonal wisdom perfectly tailored for those navigating turbulent times.