Episode 8: Key Ways to Balance Your Hormones Naturally as a Woman

From PMS to perimenopause to post-menopause, your hormones shape every decade of your life—so why aren’t we taught how to support them? In this episode, Brigid breaks down the hormone pyramid and shows how functional nutrition and lifestyle shifts can calm stress, balance blood sugar, and ease symptoms from PMS to perimenopause and post-menopause. If you’ve been told “your labs look normal” but you don’t feel normal, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn In This Episode: The “hormone pyramid” and why cortisol + insulin control the rest How blood sugar, insulin resistance, and PCOS tie into cycle issues and fertility The truth about HRT—when it helps and why basics still matter Thyroid dysfunction (TSH vs full panels) and why it’s missed—especially postpartum Nutrition that stabilizes blood sugar (protein, fiber, healthy fats) The hidden stressors: under-eating, over-caffeinating, poor sleep, intense workouts Endocrine disruptors (plastics, fragrance, PFAS) and simple swaps that help How to apply Food is Medicine for women’s health across life transitions Timestamps: 00:03 – Intro: Brigid’s mission, why hormones matter for women’s health 02:22 – Monthly cycle ebbs/flows & common PMS symptoms 04:46 – Real-life hormone timeline: fertility → postpartum → perimenopause → menopause 07:03 – HRT: benefits, myths & why it’s not the whole answer 11:44 – The Hormone Pyramid: cortisol & insulin → thyroid → sex hormones 14:06 – Cortisol: stress pattern, symptoms, and real-world story 18:37 – Insulin, blood sugar, PCOS & inflammation 21:04 – Thyroid (T3/T4, antibodies) & why TSH alone misses issues 23:29 – Sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone 28:00 – The “basics” that move the needle: nutrition, sleep, stress, movement 30:14 – Nutrient repletion (prenatal/postpartum, B vitamins, magnesium, choline) 34:46 – Stress load, stimulants (alcohol, caffeine, sugar) & balance 37:01 – Endocrine disruptors 101 + practical swaps 44:01 – Recap & next steps If this episode resonated, share it with a friend and leave a review—it truly helps more women find functional nutrition support for hormone health, blood sugar, and thyroid balance. Links & Resources: Watch the full episode on YouTube Brigid’s Website Brigid’s Instagram