Podcast
The Female Health Solution Podcast
Hosted by The Female Health Solution Podcast · EN
Are you struggling with your health, hormone issues, or weight?
Look no further, The Female Health Solution Podcast and host Dr. Beth Westie are bringing you cutting edge information specific for women.
Each week Dr. Beth dives into a different topic on women's health, nutrition, hormones, weight loss and so much more. She gives you her best tips and tricks that you can start implementing right away.
Along with sharing her expertise she brings you leading experts in the Women's Health field to share in depth information on their specialty.
If you are ready to take your heath, fitness, nutrition, and life to the next level be sure to hit "subscribe" and let's dive in!
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
790. The HPA Axis and Why "Adrenal Fatigue" Is NOT a Diagnosis
1w ago00:38:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I'm tackling one of the most misunderstood topics in women's health: adrenal fatigue. While the term "adrenal fatigue" isn't technically accurate, the symptoms women experience are very real. What's actually happening is something called HPA axis dysfunction, a breakdown in the communication between the brain and adrenal glands that impacts energy, hormones, metabolism, sleep, and overall health. I explain what the HPA axis is, why chronic stress changes how your body responds to cortisol, and how major life events can push your system into dysfunction even when you're doing all the "right" things. We also dive into the three major stressors that affect the body: traumas, toxins, and thoughts. If you've been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, stuck, or like your body just isn't responding the way it used to, this episode will help you understand what's really happening beneath the surface. If you're ready to stop guessing and get personalized guidance, schedule a free Strategy Call with my team. We'll review your symptoms, discuss your health goals, and help you identify the best next steps for your body. Schedule your Strategy Call here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call Download your FREE Hormone Cascade Map here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map
Transcribe →789. The Real Science on Insulin Resistance in Perimenopause
2w ago00:36:15Tap to summarizeIf you're struggling with stubborn weight gain, afternoon energy crashes, 3 a.m. wakeups, sugar cravings, brain fog, mood swings, or hot flashes, insulin resistance may be a bigger factor than you realize. In this episode, I break down why insulin resistance is not just a pre-diabetes issue and how it can quietly impact your hormones for years before it shows up on standard lab work. In this episode, I cover: • Why insulin resistance can explain or worsen many common perimenopause symptoms • The connection between estrogen decline and blood sugar regulation • How muscle mass directly impacts insulin sensitivity and metabolism • Why strength training is more effective than excessive cardio for metabolic health • How cortisol and chronic stress contribute to belly weight, cravings, and sleep disruptions • The most important lab markers to evaluate, including fasting insulin • Why supplements alone rarely solve the problem without addressing underlying hormone imbalances • Practical nutrition strategies to support blood sugar balance and hormone health If this sounds like what you're experiencing, schedule a Strategy Call with my team! We'll discuss your symptoms, review your goals, and help determine the best next steps for testing and support so you can start improving your hormone health with a personalized plan. Book your FREE Strategy Call here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call Download your FREE Hormone Cascade Map here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map
Transcribe →788. The Estrobolome...The Gut Bacteria Deciding Your Hormone Fate
3w ago00:35:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I'm diving into the estrobolome, the powerful community of gut bacteria that plays a major role in how your body processes and clears estrogen. If you've been told your hormones are "normal" but you're still struggling with heavy periods, worsening PMS, breast tenderness, bloating, mood swings, or cycles that keep getting shorter, your gut may be the missing piece. I'm explaining: • What the estrobolome is and how it impacts estrogen detoxification • Why estrogen clearance matters just as much as hormone production • The role of beta-glucuronidase and how estrogen gets recycled back into the body • Signs your gut may be contributing to hormone imbalance • How constipation, bloating, dysbiosis, and low motility affect hormone health • Why GI Map and DUTCH testing can uncover issues standard labs miss • The connection between gut health, serotonin, PMS, and PMDD • How scar tissue, pelvic floor dysfunction, and inflammation can impact digestion and hormone symptoms I also share a client story about how improving gut health and incorporating hands-on bodywork helped dramatically reduce digestive discomfort and hormone-related symptoms. If you feel like you've tried everything for your hormones and nothing is fully working, it may be time to look deeper at your gut health and estrogen detox pathways. Ready to get answers and personalized support?Click the link in the show notes to book a strategy call with my team so we can help you identify the right next steps for your body and your symptoms: 👉 https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call 👉 Download your FREE Hormone Cascade Map here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map
Transcribe →787. Why HRT Isn't Working for Your Friend — The 3 Foundations She Skipped
4w ago00:33:20Tap to summarizeIf your HRT is not working the way you expected, it does not always mean the hormones are the problem. Often, the real issue is that your body is missing key foundations needed to process and respond to those hormones effectively. In this episode, I break down the three biggest areas I look at first: your liver detox pathways, your gut and estrobolome health, and your blood sugar and cortisol regulation. I explain why some women start HRT and feel worse, with symptoms like increased hot flashes, night sweats, bloating, mood swings, and breast tenderness. In many cases, this happens because the body is not clearing estrogen properly, causing it to recirculate instead of leaving the system. I also walk through the three Ps of hormones which are production, processing, and pathways. If even one of these is off, your results can suffer no matter what protocol or supplement you are using. We also talk about how gut inflammation, histamine responses, and insulin resistance can block your body's ability to respond to hormones at the cellular level. If this sounds familiar, download my Hormone Cascade Map to better understand what may be happening in your body: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map And if you are ready for personalized guidance, book a strategy call with my team. We will help you uncover what your body needs and map out your next best steps so you can finally start feeling better: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call
Transcribe →786. Why You Can't Lose Weight After 37 (It's Not Your Metabolism)
May 1800:38:15Tap to summarizeIf you feel like your body stopped responding after 37, it is not because your metabolism suddenly "slowed down" with age. In this episode, I break down the real reason so many women feel stuck despite eating well, exercising consistently, and doing everything "right." The truth is, your body can get trapped in a cycle involving cortisol, insulin, and estrogen that drives fat storage, inflammation, exhaustion, and frustration. I explain how chronic stress raises cortisol, disrupts blood sugar, increases insulin resistance, and fuels estrogen imbalance, creating a loop that makes weight loss feel impossible no matter how hard you work. And if you are exhausted, inflamed, and tired of guessing what your body needs, there is a better way forward. Book your discovery call here: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call Download your Hormone Cascade Map here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map
Transcribe →Episode 785: Root Cause Healing With Dr. Z
May 1500:52:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sat down with Dr. Brandy Zachary (Dr. Z) to talk about functional medicine, menopause, and why so many women are being dismissed when they need real answers most. Dr. Z shares her personal health journey, from life changing illness and being declared permanently disabled to rebuilding her health through functional medicine and creating tools that now help practitioners better serve their patients. Here's what we dive into: Why so many practitioners were never taught how to truly address root cause healing The biggest mistakes women make when searching for menopause solutions Why there is no "one size fits all" menopause protocol How hormone shifts often expose deeper underlying imbalances already happening in the body Why depression and anxiety during menopause are often overlooked and dismissed How bioidentical hormone support can create relief while deeper healing happens The importance of personalized care instead of influencer driven health advice Why women should never "just suffer through it" during this stage of life How menopause can become one of the most empowering seasons of a woman's life with the right support Why practitioners need better education around women's hormones Dr. Z also shares how she is helping train providers and building tools to help end medical gaslighting so women can finally get the care they deserve. This is an incredibly empowering conversation for women navigating hormonal changes and for providers who want to better support them. Connect with Dr. Z: DiganoseThis Podcast FunctionalMedicine 2.0 Podcast https://searchfunctionalmedicine.com/ https://thedrz.com/ Clinical Core Monthly
Transcribe →784. Why You Can't Lose Weight After 37 (And Why Eating Less Makes It Worse)
May 1100:37:48Tap to summarizeIf you feel like your body just isn't responding the way it used to, you're not imagining it. Most weight loss advice out there was never designed for women, especially not women navigating hormone changes in their late 30s, 40s, and beyond. The idea that you just need to eat less and move more sounds simple, but for many women, it actually makes things worse. When your body is under constant stress, whether from under-eating, over-exercising, or life in general, it shifts into a state where it holds onto fat instead of letting it go. A big piece of this comes down to hormones. As estrogen levels change, your body becomes less sensitive to insulin, which means it's easier to store fat even if you're eating "healthy." At the same time, muscle mass naturally declines if you're not actively working to maintain it, and that directly impacts your metabolism. Layer in chronic stress and rising cortisol, and now your body is even more resistant to fat loss. You might notice things like stubborn belly weight, low energy, poor recovery from workouts, or waking up in the middle of the night. These are all signals that your system is under strain. This is also why so many traditional approaches backfire. More cardio and fewer calories might have worked in your 20s, but now they can lead to muscle loss, a slower metabolism, and even more frustration. Your body isn't broken. It's just responding to a different set of internal signals. Instead of trying to force weight loss, the focus has to shift to supporting your metabolism. That starts with getting enough protein, often more than you think you need, and focusing on strength training to rebuild and maintain muscle. Walking and lower-stress movement can also support your system without driving cortisol higher. For many women, the real shift is understanding that you may need to build your body back up before it's ready to let weight go. That's how you create results that actually last. If you've been doing all the right things and still feel stuck, it's likely not about trying harder. It's about getting the right support for your body specifically. If this sounds like you, you can book a discovery call to get a clear, personalized plan for what your body actually needs: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call 👉 Download your FREE Hormone Cascade Map here: https://dr-beth-westie.mykajabi.com/hormone-cascade-map
Transcribe →783. The Full 3am Wake-Up Protocol
May 400:30:37Tap to summarizeWaking up at 3 a.m. is one of the most common sleep struggles for women, especially during times of stress and hormonal change. This is not random and it is not just anxiety. It is often tied to a deeper connection between your liver, cortisol, progesterone, and blood sugar regulation. Between 1 and 3 a.m., your liver is most active in detoxification. If your body is dealing with blood sugar crashes, hormone imbalances, or an overloaded system, it can trigger a cortisol spike that wakes you up and keeps you alert! This is where the "three P's" of hormones matter: production, processing, and pathways. If any of these are off, you can experience disrupted sleep even if you are doing all the "right" things. Common root causes of 3 a.m. wakeups include: • Blood sugar dysregulation from under eating or poor protein intake • Elevated cortisol from stress, overtraining, or lack of recovery • Low or poorly processed progesterone impacting calming pathways • Liver overload affecting hormone detox and overnight balance If you have been trying different solutions without results, the missing piece is often testing. Looking at your hormones, gut health, and blood sugar markers can pinpoint exactly what your body needs. If you are ready to stop guessing and finally fix the root cause, book a discovery call here: 👉 https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call
Transcribe →782. What Your Face Is Telling You About Your Hormones
Apr 2700:33:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I break down what "cortisol face" really is and why cortisol is not the enemy. Symptoms like facial puffiness, under eye bags, jaw tension, acne, and dull skin are not just cosmetic. They are signals that your stress response is out of balance. If your cortisol does not follow the ideal rhythm throughout the day, your body can get stuck in chronic fight or flight. This dysregulation can impact your minerals, blood sugar, gut health, and hormone balance. Facial puffiness is often linked to water retention caused by mineral depletion. Jaw tension and clenching are tied to a stressed nervous system and low mineral status. Skin changes like acne, dryness, and premature aging can happen when cortisol interferes with collagen and repair processes. If you are dealing with these symptoms and want real answers, this episode will help you understand what your body is telling you and where to start. If you are ready for deeper support, schedule a discovery call with our team to create a personalized plan: https://calendly.com/dr-beth-westie/program-discovery-call
Transcribe →
781. Why You Can't Think Your Way Out Of Stress
Apr 2200:35:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I sit down with Leilani Stevens to talk about somatic work, what it really means, and why it can be such a powerful missing piece in healing. We dive into how somatic work focuses on the body, not just the mind. I share how many women try to think their way out of stress and anxiety, but the body can still be stuck in a survival response. If your nervous system is reading your environment as unsafe, no amount of mindset work will fully resolve that. We also discuss how this work helps you reconnect with your body, build self trust, and show up differently in your daily life, relationships, and even medical settings. Leilani shares details about her upcoming immersive retreat, which combines somatic work with aquatic therapy in a heated pool environment. This experience is designed to help the body deeply unwind stress patterns and create a new baseline of calm and regulation. The retreat is a small, intimate experience with guided support, integration, and space to fully reset your nervous system. If you feel disconnected from your body, stuck in stress, or like something deeper is holding you back, this episode will open your eyes to a completely different approach to healing! To learn more about the retreat or see if it's a good fit for you, you can visit this link: https://www.somaticremedies.com/fluid-body-retreat-application
Transcribe →