Host (1:39)

We just got married, so we want to have kids soon. So we're just planning it and. Yeah, 28 day cycle. Right. It's crazy. Being a guy is so easy.

Dr. Jen (1:46)

Oh, yeah. You're the same every day.

Host (1:47)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (1:48)

So with women, we're. We're different every day of our cycle, but we can really hone in on that and make it better for the woman and for the man.

Host (1:55)

Yeah. What are some things to keep an eye on when it comes to the woman's cycle?

Dr. Jen (1:58)

Yeah. So the first half of the cycle is the follicular phase. So that starts with bleeding. Okay. So men kind of know, you know, the woman's like, oh, I'm on my cycle. So if they keep track of that, they can know a little better. But this. This is when estrogen is more dominant. So this is when you can do the hit workouts. You can push your body, go for the PRs, do the sprints, do the heavy weights, and you're less likely to get hurt, really? Because the second half of the cycle, the luteal phase, they did studies on soccer players in Europe, and this study team, they got injured. More soft tissue injury, joints, ligaments, in that second half of that cycle, that ludal phase.

Host (2:32)

Seriously?

Dr. Jen (2:32)

Yeah. And we're seeing with women, if they're entering in their 30s, late 30s, they're still doing the sprints, the hit workouts, all throughout their cycle to lose weight because they're starting to creep up in weight, and they're actually gaining weight because they're invoking a cortisol response. So their body's freaking out, and they're packing on the belly weight, and. And, you know, they're training for a marathon even. I had a patient train for a marathon, gained 20 pounds. Like, finish line was 20 pounds heavier. Yeah. My worst fear is when a patient's like, I'm going to train for a marathon, and they're in perimenopause, their late 30s, early 40s. I'm like, please don't. Yeah, it tanks their progesterone, tanks their testosterone. They gain weight. Their cortisol is jacked. Yeah.

Host (3:17)

So don't run a marathon if you're experiencing perimenopause.

Dr. Jen (3:20)

Right. Or you can sync it with your cycle. So you could do the harder training days, that first half of the cycle, the follicular phase, and maybe concentrate on more mobility and strength training that second half. So I think there's a way to do it. But all the training programs are usually designed by men for men, and women just are. Are jumping on to the running group. No, we have to do things differently because our hormones demand it.

Guest/Listener (3:43)

Wow.

Host (3:43)

I never even thought about that.

Dr. Jen (3:45)

Yeah, it's. It's pretty cool when you look at the science and. And it's how responsive our cells are to insulin plays a role too. And cortisol influences insulin, because if we're stressed out all the time, we're pumping out that cortisol makes us more insulin resistant. So if you're pushing hard during that second half of that cycle, that luteal phase, you're. You're gonna have consequences. And we See that with irritability, blood glucose issues, because you think about it. So you guys are getting ready to have kids. That second half of that cycle is after ovulation. So what's happening you that egg is getting ready to fertilize and that egg wants to implant and make a nice home. So if we're stressed and trying to run from a bear or literally running, training for a marathon, our body is not going to react well and it's not good.

Host (4:32)

That makes sense. You mentioned birth control earlier. What are the stats on that these days? I know a lot of women are taking it well.

Dr. Jen (4:38)

This is kind of in perimenopause. When women hit their late 30s, they go into their doctor and they're like, well, I'm gaining weight, I'm more anxious. Usually during that, you know, PMS week that we call it the week before their cycle. And what does the doc do? They slap em on hormonal birth control, which is conjugated equine estrogen. It's not bioidentical, it's toxic. The liver has to process it and they give them an antidepressants. It's, it's literally every patient that comes to see me that is not feeling better. That is what they're getting with conventional medicine for their symptoms.

Host (5:12)

Geez. Yeah. There's so many women starting it at a young age too.

Dr. Jen (5:15)

Yeah. And that's another problem because that's going to affect fertility and put them at risk. And really, when you're taking oral conjugated equine estrogen, it's gunking up that liver, so you're not detoxifying as well. And we live in a very toxic world, so it's just building up. And that can cause weight gain, energy loss, mitochondrial issues.

Host (5:34)

What's going on with fertility these days? There seems to be a lot of issues. What do you think's the main driving factors there?

Dr. Jen (5:39)

Well, metabolic health. So we are seeing a lot of polycystic ovarian syndrome, we're seeing a lot of insulin resistance and then that is stressing out the body, that is hurting fertility, ovulation, the cycle. So we're seeing a lot of shortened cycles. So women will start to say, oh, I have a 25 day cycle, I have a 24 day cycle. Well, that progesterone is either declining because of cortisol, stress on the body, erratic blood sugar, or we're having an estrogen dominance where we're not detoxifying the estrogen as well. So that's a shortened cycle and that is not good for fertility. So a lot of women, we work on fixing those root causes first. But more and more women need progesterone to support a pregnancy. A lot of women come to me with recurrent miscarriages and we test their progesterone and it's deficient.

Guest/Listener (6:27)

Wow.

Dr. Jen (6:28)

And yeah, we can try things like Chase tree Berry to support that and have the body make its own. But at a certain point we do give progesterone to support, support that pregnancy. But if you think about it, I mean, we're drinking out of plastic cups, everything's wrapped in plastic. So we have endocrine disruptors.

Host (6:43)

Plastic all over this? Probably.

Dr. Jen (6:44)

Yeah. Well, and then if it, if it's hot, you know, it goes up to the lid and touches the plastic.

Host (6:49)

I love coffee.

Dr. Jen (6:50)

Well, just, just bring your own cup.

Host (6:52)

Yeah, bring my own glass bottle.

Dr. Jen (6:54)

And see, there you go. You're good to go there.

Host (6:56)

Yeah. Do you think fertility issues are mainly a female issue right now or do you think it's something men are dealing with too?

Dr. Jen (7:01)

Oh, definitely both. Yeah, we know sperm counts are declining also, so men are at risk. But once again, testosterone, metabolic flexibility. So if men aren't going to the gym and lifting weights, then that's going to affect their testosterone and fertility. Cortisol is a big driver too, of infertility. If we're stressed in fight or flight all the time, you know, I know you have a lot of passionate guests that get all worked up about stuff like the one before me, like his cortisol, you know, you could feel it in the room.

Host (7:31)

He's dealing with some problems.

Dr. Jen (7:33)

He has some major stress right now, so that is gonna affect his hormones. So he has to figure out how to balance that with supplements with vagal nerve techniques. So it's all fixable. I think it's recognizing it, recognizing that we're running around in a sympathetic stressed out state all the time.

Host (7:49)

You think that's why people aren't having as much sex anymore? People are just stressed all the time.

Dr. Jen (7:53)

Yes. So everyone thinks that it's testosterone, right? Especially I hate to say male doctors think this, but I talk to them and like, oh, they need testosterone like women need testosterone.

Host (8:04)

Crt, baby.

Dr. Jen (8:05)

Well, they get it out, but they don't need it. Yeah.

Host (8:08)

So I know guys in their 20s taking it.

Dr. Jen (8:10)

Well, do they? Are they taking it with other things like omad. To preserve their fertility?

Guest/Listener (8:15)

I don't think.

Dr. Jen (8:16)

Do they know? Honest, they don't know?

Host (8:17)

I don't think so. I think they're just taking it.

Dr. Jen (8:19)

Okay. Well, that's scary. So you need to give them a heads up that it can affect their fertility if they're just taking testosterone. And then what if they meet the women of their dreams? They think they don't want kids, but then what if they meet her and she's like, I want kids and they can't.

Host (8:34)

So that affects your fertility, fertility like abilities.

Dr. Jen (8:37)

When you take trt, it affects the feedback loop. So if you're getting it, your body isn't going to make its own and that messes up that feedback loop. So for men that can be dangerous. Now women giving excess testosterone isn't going to affect that feedback loop as much, but they're going to get more manly. They can have. Well, if they have unopposed testosterone too, it can affect the heart.

Host (8:58)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (8:59)

So we also have to balance that out. But I'll check women's labs and I'm like, you don't need testosterone. So can you guess what their problem is?

Host (9:07)

What is it?

Dr. Jen (9:07)

Cortisol.

Host (9:08)

Stress.

Dr. Jen (9:09)

It's stress. Yes, sometimes. But stress can. Look, it could be, you know, poor metabolic profiles. So they're not metabolically flexible, so their blood sugar is bouncing up and down. They could not be sleeping. It could be a stress from like a stealth infection like mold or Candida. So it can be other things other than just, you know, emotional stress or working too much. It's, it's a lot of different layers but we need to correct that. So once we correct that, then their sex drive comes back.

Host (9:38)

Really?

Dr. Jen (9:38)

No testosterone needed.

Host (9:39)

Stressing, huh?

Dr. Jen (9:40)

Yeah, yeah, stress is, is a big one. But also keep in mind the cycle syncing. So if you're approaching your wife, your girlfriend and it's late luteal phase, right before they get their cycle.

Host (9:50)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (9:51)

They're not going to be as into it.

Host (9:53)

Really?

Guest/Listener (9:53)

Yes, because so right before their period, they're not into it.

Dr. Jen (9:56)

Yeah. That late luteal phase, they're like, don't touch me, I'm just can't focus.

Guest/Listener (10:00)

Struggling to sleep or feeling wired. This balances your brain and body fast. A cutting edge EEG study found something phenomenal with Quantum upgrade. Stress related brainwave activity dropped by 80%. Calming alpha waves in the limbic system increased over 13x and HRV improved big time. That's just the start. Quantum Upgrade is a 24.7quantum energy streaming service that boosts your energy, focus, recovery and sleep with no device needed. I personally use this myself and is also recommended by top athletes, leading biohackers and functional medicine practitioners. It can neutralize the harmful effects of EMFs increase ATP production by up to 29% and improve cell recovery, blood health and circulation within minutes. Yes, Double blind studies confirm it. And with Quantum Upgrade, you don't have to fight against technology, you could thrive with it. Get your 15 day free trial, no credit card required. Use the code dsh, go to Quantum Upgrade IO and experience the upgrade for yourself. Quantum Upgrade IO Chillin.

Dr. Jen (10:59)

They might be. I mean, maybe if you incorporate a little more foreplay, it's going to take longer versus that ovulatory phase, their body. Because we're primed to make babies, we're primed to reproduce. That's what God said, you know, take dominion over the land and reproduce. So when we're in that ovulatory phase, that is when you just say, oh, hey, and we're going to be ready, we're going to be excited. So it's also playing into that because that, that late luteal phase, if you go there, you might look, look at your wife. Wrong. And she's just gonna be like, no, no. But, but also if your hormones are more balanced, you're not gonna have as much mood fluctuation.

Guest/Listener (11:38)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (11:38)

But there's also fun things. Have you heard of PT141?

Host (11:42)

Is that a peptide? What does that do?

Dr. Jen (11:43)

It's a nasal spray. It helps with ar, so keep it in your fridge. Sometimes I'll bring it in my purse for date night with my husband. So I pair it with a little bit of oxytocin. So you can get PT141 with oxytocin. Both nose. My husband and I can both use it. It's male and female can use it. And 30 minutes prior to perceived intercourse and it helps. So the oxytocin helps with more of the intimacy. So that's why I like it with my female patients. And then the PT141 more for like the actual arousal. So it's. Oh yeah, it's great.

Host (12:16)

You just buy that online or you need a prescription?

Dr. Jen (12:19)

Prescription. So. But, but compounding pharmacies make it, it's pretty standard, so that's like a nice little one. Before diving into hormones, you can optimize the peptides. They have an injectable PT141 that's a prescription, but the side effects, nausea. So you're not going to want to like. It doesn't really make sense.

Host (12:36)

It doesn't mix in the bedroom.

Dr. Jen (12:37)

Yeah. So the intranasal is more well tolerated.

Host (12:40)

Wow. What are some other things you're taking

Dr. Jen (12:41)

for the bedroom for, for the bedroom. I mean, there's topical solutions that you can get like, called scream cream that sometimes I'll put patients on.

Guest/Listener (12:49)

Scream cream.

Dr. Jen (12:50)

Yeah. So basically what it's doing is it's increasing blood flow to the clitoris. So that is going to help women also when they're in perimenopause or even before that. So. And then also you want to look if they have any trauma, emotional trauma. I've had a lot of patients where they've needed pelvic floor therapy after having kids and then that helped their sex life. So if they're, you know, I know your audience is mostly men. Take some notes and work with your wife about this because it. There's a. We're a little more complicated than men. I hate to say that, but. But there's a lot more. It's more an emotional thing. So if you don't work on those other layers then.

Host (13:32)

I have heard this though, when, when you have a kid and then you don't have as much sex afterwards.

Dr. Jen (13:37)

Yes. Yeah. So it can be a traumatic situation. A lot of women have birth trauma.

Host (13:41)

Right. From especially these days. I don't even blame.

Ad Read Host (13:44)

Honestly, I don't really chase trends anymore.

Ad Read Guest (13:46)

I just want clothes that work, feel good.

Host (13:48)

And last.

Ad Read Guest (13:49)

I stopped buying a lot of clothes and started buying better ones. Stuff that fits right, holds up and I actually wear.

Ad Read Host (13:54)

That's why I've been going with Quince.

Ad Read Guest (13:56)

They've got basics. I actually use organic cotton sweaters, cream polos, lightweight jackets. Stuff that holds up to daily wear and still looks good, quality, solid, and everything's built to last. What makes Prince different is how they do it. They work directly with top factories. Cut out the middleman. And you're not paying for brand Markov, just quality clothing. And they only partner with factories that meet high standards for craftsmanship and ethical production. Refresh your wardrobe with quint. Go to quint.comDSH for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C-.comDSH now available in Canada too. Free shipping and 365 day returns. Quint.comDSH.

Dr. Jen (14:43)

Yeah, yeah, it's pretty rough. So that pelvic floor can also get like tight in certain places. There. There can be internal trigger points. So you know how you get like sore muscle trigger points in the arm. So that can happen internally.

Host (14:55)

Oh my gosh.

Dr. Jen (14:56)

Yeah. So I'll have women with chronic hip pain and they have never gotten an internal vaginal exam by a physical Therapist to address those trigger points and then you release those trigger points and better and everything's better for them.

Host (15:08)

Wow.

Dr. Jen (15:09)

No back pain, hip pain. So pelvic floor health in general is ignored a lot by most physicians, even ob gyn. So that's another, another thing you need to check off for. For sexual health or just good physical health.

Host (15:23)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (15:23)

Because think about if you carried grocery, really heavy grocery bags for nine months straight in your arm. But, but think of that's what women are doing carrying these heavy babies. I mean, I'll have women come to me and they'll complain of like some low back pain or hip pain. I'm like, have you ever had pelvic floor therapy?

Host (15:39)

I've never even heard of that. Pelvic floor therapy.

Dr. Jen (15:41)

Oh, it's great. It's so helpful for women.

Host (15:44)

Okay.

Dr. Jen (15:45)

Yeah. Usually the good ones are cash pay. Sometimes there are some good insurance ones. But a lot of women actually have like high tone in the vaginal area. Yeah. So it causes, it's just they're always like clenched. So it affects.

Host (15:58)

So it's like your teeth clench but almost your vagina.

Dr. Jen (16:00)

Yeah, yeah. And then that's causing stress on the body. The cranial sacral axis. And it's really interesting once someone gets pelvic floor therapy, even going pee or poop the right way, you know, maybe they weren't doing that correctly. They're squatting and not sitting down and relaxing. They're not breathing properly. I even refer men to pelvic floor therapy too.

Host (16:23)

A lot of people poop the wrong way. Actually.

Dr. Jen (16:25)

Yes. How do you poop?

Host (16:26)

I have the squatty. Potty.

Dr. Jen (16:28)

Yes.

Host (16:28)

That. That's the right way. Right. You're supposed to extend a little bit your legs.

Dr. Jen (16:31)

Yeah, yeah, it was. It's funny, at the hotel, you know, you can flip over the garbage can and use that as a. If you run into. If you're traveling and running.

Host (16:39)

Yeah.

Dr. Jen (16:39)

But yes, I squatty potties. I feel like they should just come on the toilets automatically.

Host (16:45)

They should be there. Yeah. I actually this might be tmi but like I sometimes I play chess on the toilet. So I sit there for like an hour. And that's like really bad for you, right? Yeah, I ended up getting. Fuck, I forgot the name.

Dr. Jen (16:57)

Hemorrhoids.

Guest/Listener (16:57)

Hemorrhoids.

Ad Read Host (16:58)

Still taking your pre workout after you

Guest/Listener (17:00)

get to the gym?

Ad Read Host (17:01)

You're already late. What if your pre workout actually worked with your body? Are you tired of artificial energy drinks? Meet no beats. A beet based nitric oxide booster that supports your body's Natural nitric oxide production for increased blood flow, mitochondrial ATP, energy and endurance naturally. N101 Nitric oxide lozenges is a slight smarter way to fuel your workout. Just dissolve it in your mouth and it starts working before your first rep. No mixing, no jitters, no crash. More nitric oxide means better blood flow, stronger pumps and sustained energy without caffeine overload. Plus it supports your cardiovascular and cognitive health too. You can support your body's nitric oxide production daily and feel the difference with N101. Just mix one packet with a little water and take it as a shot. 10 to 20 minutes with before training. Papa Lozenge. 10 to 15 minutes pre workout and feel the difference. Train smarter with N101@N101.com Yes.

Dr. Jen (17:54)

Yes, yes.

Host (17:54)

Yeah, it was terrible.

Dr. Jen (17:56)

Yeah, that is too much. You kind of want to go in and go out. Were you just sitting there for enjoyment or was it taking that long?

Host (18:02)

I. So I play chess, but I don't stop playing until I end on a win. So like I would go on these losing streaks and then it'd be an hour on the toilet like every day. And then got a hemorrhoid. So I was like, yeah, I'm never doing that again.

Dr. Jen (18:12)

Yeah, you gotta get in and get out. If you're spending too long on the toilet, then you need to start working on your gut health.

Host (18:19)

I have some gut health issues too.

Dr. Jen (18:20)

Oh yeah. So that would make sense.

Host (18:23)

Yeah, but.

Dr. Jen (18:23)

But the good thing is, is that stuff's reversible. Hemorrhoids and everything. So where do you play your chess at now?

Host (18:29)

Not on the toilet.

Dr. Jen (18:29)

Yeah.

Host (18:30)

In bed or standing Now I'm walking actually a lot while I play.

Dr. Jen (18:33)

Oh yeah, that's great.

Host (18:34)

I have to double my step count according to my latest blood work. So.

Dr. Jen (18:39)

Yeah, that's what we want. We want to have that the actual fidgeting is good for us. That non workout and moving in between.

Host (18:47)

Because I sit all day. So in between episodes I try to get some steps on.

Dr. Jen (18:51)

Yeah, because that's going to get that gut moving also. Yeah, that's great.

Host (18:54)

Well, this was exciting. I can't wait to watch your talk tomorrow.

Dr. Jen (18:58)

Thank you. Thank you so much for having me.

Host (19:00)

Yeah. Anything else you're working on or planned or where can people find you?

Dr. Jen (19:03)

Yeah, I have a book, the Perimenopause reset. And you can find me on Instagram. Integrative Dr. Mom. Integrative Dr. Mom. And I'm excited for you to start having kids.

Host (19:14)

Yeah, I'll contacting you for advice, so thank you. Check her out, guys. Peace.

Ad Read Host (19:19)

I hope you guys are enjoying the show. Please don't forget to like and subscribe. It helps the show a lot with the algorithm.

Guest/Listener (19:24)

Thank you.