Summary of "6 Things Disrupting Women's Hormones (and How to Balance Hormones Naturally)"

Podcast: The Dr. Josh Axe Show
Host: Dr. Josh Axe
Episode Title: 6 Things Disrupting Women's Hormones (and How to Balance Hormones Naturally)
Release Date: February 17, 2025

Dr. Josh Axe delves into the prevalent issues affecting women's hormonal health and provides actionable, natural strategies to restore balance. This episode is a comprehensive guide for women experiencing hormonal imbalances such as PCOS, infertility, painful PMS, and menopause-related symptoms. Below is a detailed breakdown of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes from Dr. Axe.

1. Understanding Hormonal Imbalances in Women

Dr. Axe opens the discussion by highlighting the widespread issue of hormonal imbalances among women in the United States and globally. He emphasizes that conventional blood work often fails to detect deeper cellular issues, leaving many women feeling fatigued, gaining weight, and experiencing mood swings despite normal lab results.

“Think of your blood like a delivery truck carrying nutrients and hormones. But the real payoff happens when your cells open the package and use what's inside.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:00]

2. The Six Disruptors of Women's Hormones

Dr. Axe identifies six primary factors disrupting women's hormonal health:

a. Conventional Medications

• Birth Control Pills: Used by approximately 65% of women under 49 in the U.S., birth control pills supply synthetic hormones (estrogen and progestin) to prevent ovulation. While effective for contraception, long-term use is linked to mood swings, gut microbiome disruption, weight gain, altered stress responses, and reduced libido. Discontinuation can lead to irregular periods and temporary infertility.

  “Birth control pills work by supplying synthetic hormones... long term use has been connected to mood swings, bacterial overgrowth... it changes your personality and really can tank your libido.”
  — Dr. Josh Axe [00:02:30]

• Antibiotics and Other Medications: Antibiotics deplete B vitamins crucial for methylation and cellular energy. Other drugs like anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants also disrupt hormonal balance by pulling essential nutrients from the body.

b. High Stress

Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which disrupts various hormonal pathways. High cortisol suppresses melatonin, progesterone, and testosterone, leading to issues like weight gain, insomnia, and weakened immune response.

“High stress and cortisol absolutely disrupt hormones. Number two, you need to be aware of the stress in your life and lowering those stress levels by simply scheduling things you love to do in downtime.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:10:15]

c. Insulin Resistance

With one in three Americans being insulin resistant, this condition impairs the body's ability to regulate blood sugar, leading to inflammation and exacerbating conditions like PCOS. Insulin resistance is a significant factor in hormonal imbalances affecting fertility and menstrual regularity.

d. Being Overweight or Obese

Excess body fat acts as an endocrine organ, producing hormones like estrogen. High levels of body fat can lead to elevated estrogen, suppressing ovarian function and contributing to infertility and PCOS. Additionally, obesity is closely linked to insulin resistance, further disrupting hormonal balance.

e. Poor Thyroid Function

Approximately 12% of adults experience thyroid conditions, which significantly impact metabolism, energy levels, and overall endocrine function. Thyroid dysfunction often affects reproductive hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, and menstrual irregularities.

“If you have hypothyroidism, most likely the number one cause of you having hypothyroidism is the fact that you took birth control pills for so long.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:05:50]

f. Endocrine Disruptors

Exposure to over 1,000 man-made chemicals, such as BPA, phthalates, and pesticides, interferes with the endocrine system by mimicking or blocking natural hormones. Common sources include processed soy products, plastics, and chemical-laden cosmetics, leading to excess estrogen and increased cancer risks.

“Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the endocrine system... processed soy products have xeno and phytoestrogens which impact your body's own estrogen.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:15:40]

3. Natural Remedies to Balance Hormones

Dr. Axe outlines a multi-faceted approach to restoring hormonal balance, focusing on diet, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes:

• Nutrient Replenishment: After discontinuing medications like birth control, it's crucial to replenish depleted nutrients through high-dose probiotics and B vitamins.

• Stress Management: Incorporating relaxation techniques, scheduling downtime, and reducing overcommitment can significantly lower cortisol levels.

• Dietary Adjustments: Tailoring carbohydrate intake according to menstrual cycle phases enhances hormonal harmony. For instance, reducing carbs during the menstrual phase and increasing them during ovulation supports estrogen and progesterone balance.

• Weight Management: Achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight reduces excess estrogen production from fat cells and improves insulin sensitivity.

• Thyroid Support: Consuming foods rich in selenium, zinc, and iodine, along with supplements like vitamin D and magnesium, supports thyroid function.

• Avoiding Endocrine Disruptors: Minimizing exposure to plastics, processed foods, and chemical-laden products helps maintain natural hormone levels.

4. Tailoring Diet to the Menstrual Cycle

Dr. Axe emphasizes the importance of aligning dietary intake with the menstrual cycle's phases to optimize hormonal health:

a. Menstrual and Early Follicular Phase (Days 1-10)

• Diet: Low carbohydrates, high in meat, vegetables, and healthy fats.
• Top Foods: Organ meats, bone broth, red meat, steamed leafy greens, beets, seaweed, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, citrus fruits, flaxseeds, and avocados.
• Supplements: Iron, dong quai, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, Vitex, cramp bark.

“When estrogen is low, carbs are low. When estrogen is high, carbs are high.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:25:00]

b. Luteal and Ovulatory Phase (Days 11-21)

• Diet: Increased carbohydrates and proteins to support peak estrogen and testosterone levels.
• Top Foods: Eggs, cruciferous vegetables, salmon, zucchini, sweet potatoes, watermelon, turmeric, Brazil nuts, macaroons.
• Supplements: B vitamins, probiotics, zinc, milk thistle.

c. Luteal and PMS Phase (Days 22-28)

• Diet: Reduced carbohydrates, focus on anti-inflammatory and magnesium-rich foods.
• Top Foods: Dark chocolate, bananas, pineapple, sesame seeds, oats, ginger and turmeric teas, spinach, chickpeas, warm soups and stews.
• Supplements: Magnesium glycinate, evening primrose oil, omega-3s, L-theanine, vitamin D, Ashwagandha, rosemary.

5. Perimenopause and Menopause: Dietary and Lifestyle Adjustments

As women transition into perimenopause and menopause, Dr. Axe recommends:

• Diet: Continue high-quality protein intake, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Incorporate phytoestrogen-rich foods like organic soy and flaxseeds to support natural estrogen production.

• Supplements and Herbs: Utilize adaptogenic herbs (e.g., Ashwagandha, Shatavari), probiotics, B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin D to support bone density and hormonal balance.

• Lifestyle: Emphasize weight training to build muscle mass, engage in cardiovascular interval training, ensure 7-9 hours of quality sleep, and cultivate meaningful social connections to enhance hormonal health.

“You need quality protein for cellular repair and anti-aging, especially fatty fish like salmon... getting quality sleep, seven to nine hours a night.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [00:50:10]

6. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) vs. Natural Approaches

While acknowledging the effectiveness of HRT in alleviating severe menopausal symptoms and supporting bone density, Dr. Axe cautions against its overuse due to potential risks like breast cancer and heart disease. He advocates for prioritizing natural methods—diet, herbs, supplements, and lifestyle changes—before considering HRT.

“Don't jump to HRT. The first thing you should try and do is use food, herb and lifestyle medicine.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [01:10:00]

He recommends peptide therapy as an intermediary step before resorting to HRT, outlining specific peptides that can aid in hormonal balance and overall health.

7. Peptide Therapy for Hormonal Balance

For women who do not achieve desired hormonal balance through natural methods, Dr. Axe introduces peptide therapy as a supplementary option:

• Kisspeptin 10: Regulates GnRH hormones, beneficial for PCOS and irregular cycles.
• Ipamorelin: Increases human growth hormone, improving egg quality and ovarian function.
• PC157: Enhances gut health, reduces inflammation, and improves insulin sensitivity.
• Thymosin Beta 4 (TB500): Assists in tissue repair and immune function.
• Epitalin: Regulates melatonin to aid sleep.
• Thymosin Alpha 1: Modulates the immune system, aiding in conditions like Hashimoto's.

“Peptides can help balance your body... but overall, remember, the first line of defense is food, herb, vitamin and lifestyle medicine.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [01:15:30]

8. Final Recommendations and Encouragement

Dr. Axe concludes by encouraging women to develop self-awareness regarding their hormonal health, tailor their diets according to their menstrual cycles, and prioritize natural methods for achieving hormonal balance. He underscores the importance of individualized approaches, recognizing that each woman's body responds uniquely to various interventions.

“Your body is continually changing and fluctuating. So be aware, develop a level of self-awareness of what's going on hormonally in your body... your hormones are going to be healed and they're going to feel great.”
— Dr. Josh Axe [01:25:00]

He also acknowledges other experts in the field, encouraging listeners to seek diverse sources of information and support.

Conclusion

This episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show serves as a comprehensive resource for women seeking to understand and address hormonal imbalances naturally. By identifying the six primary disruptors and offering practical, evidence-based remedies, Dr. Axe empowers his audience to take proactive steps towards optimal hormonal health and overall well-being.