The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast
Episode: Hormonal Health Uncovered Ft. Brianna Bitton & Dr. Jennifer Shepherd On Acne, PMS, PCOS, & Reproductive Wellness
Release Date: December 27, 2024
Introduction
In this enlightening episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, hosts Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick delve deep into the intricacies of hormonal health with special guests Brianna Bitton, co-founder of O Positive Health, and Dr. Jennifer Shepherd, a board-certified OB-GYN and founding member of O Positive Health. The conversation aims to demystify common hormonal issues such as acne, PMS, PCOS, and reproductive wellness, offering listeners actionable insights and strategies to enhance their well-being.
Understanding PCOS and Hormonal Imbalances
Michael Bostick initiates the discussion by highlighting the impact of the western diet on hormonal health:
"A lot of the western diet and just what we're exposed to from like pesticides and how we prepare our food... PCOS is really at the core insulin, glucose issue and a metabolic issue." (00:25)
Dr. Jessica Shepherd emphasizes the significance of acknowledging and addressing PCOS:
"We're finally talking about it. I think that maybe it has been going on forever... women's health has just been so historically overlooked that we're finally getting to a place where we're comfortable to talk about these things." (00:49)
Brianna Bitton shares her personal journey with hormonal health, revealing how debilitating cramps and mood swings led to the creation of O Positive Health: "I was struggling with period cramps like crazy... And so we started looking into it and realized that there were very amazing, clinically tried ingredients that were proven to help PMS. So that was our first product, the first ever PMS gummy Vitamin Flow." (01:57)
Birth Control: Benefits and Drawbacks
The conversation transitions to the role of birth control in managing hormonal health. Dr. Shepherd discusses the complexities of using birth control to address issues like acne and PMS:
"Birth control is it actually decreases the receptor that bind to testosterone. And so if you have less testosterone around, then you're going to have the decreased oily skin, the decreased acne." (15:09)
Michael Bostick offers a nuanced perspective on birth control:
"I think that we need to kind of be more innovative in how we're creating the hormones that go in the birth control." (09:08)
Brianna Bitton expresses her concerns about the widespread use of birth control and its long-term implications:
"After talking to a lot of scientists and doctors... I've just learned so much about the birth control pill that I almost feel bad for the 16 year old me who went to Planned Parenthood knowing nothing about it." (08:42)
Menopause: Embracing the Transition
Dr. Shepherd and Michael Bostick discuss the often-feared transition of menopause, advocating for a proactive and informed approach:
"We need to actually start these conversations earlier... and then also beefing up their weightlifting, because that's also important too." (23:13)
Michael Bostick adds:
"I think if we can enter this stage more with the readiness of... what can I do in understanding it so that I can make this journey the best version of myself and enjoy this 40% of my life that I'm going to spend in the postmenopausal phase." (40:14)
Brianna Bitton highlights the importance of rebranding menopause to reduce societal fears:
"You're rebranding things that society has put such a fear around. Yeah, periods, PCOS, menopause. These are things that we've been taught... that we need to fear and it shouldn't be like that." (41:00)
Environmental Factors and Endocrine Disruptors
The hosts and guests examine how environmental factors contribute to hormonal imbalances. Michael Bostick points out the role of endocrine disruptors:
"The western diet... pesticides and how we prepare our foods really has wreaked havoc on our body internally and inflammation." (00:25)
Brianna Bitton brings attention to everyday products that may contain harmful substances:
"There's endocrine disruptors in the applicators and the tampons and toilet paper... girls once a month take a plastic microplastic thing, shove it in their vagina." (25:24)
Dr. Shepherd discusses O Positive Health's response to these challenges:
"We created the flow endocrine superfood... to support the endocrine system as a whole... all roots back to this system that's behind the scenes controlling the majority of how we feel." (27:16)
Lifestyle Interventions: Diet and Exercise
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing lifestyle interventions that can aid hormonal balance. Brianna Bitton shares her personal success with weightlifting:
"I lost 60 pounds... I implemented weightlifting and protein, and it changed my hormones and my life and my confidence." (48:29)
Dr. Shepherd and Michael Bostick both emphasize the benefits of weightlifting and exercise:
"Weightlifting is a game changer... It makes your metabolism go all day." (50:10)
"Muscle really is... it also helps support your bones, which we know when you get older, your bones get weak." (50:38)
Michael Bostick elaborates on the metabolic benefits:
"The muscle makes myokines... helps with immune system, decreasing our fat, increasing our muscle... helps with cognition as well." (49:49)
Holistic Solutions and O Positive Health Products
Throughout the episode, Brianna Bitton and Dr. Shepherd introduce the range of products offered by O Positive Health, designed to address various stages and aspects of women's hormonal health.
Dr. Shepherd highlights key ingredients in their products:
"L-Theanine and rhodiola... help the brain by providing calming effects and stopping cortisol spikes." (44:43)
"Iodine and selenium... balance your thyroid and produce T3 and T4." (45:56)
"DIM and artichoke extract... help produce good estrogen and balance hormones." (46:15)
Brianna Bitton praises the vaginal probiotic for its effectiveness:
"It's our bestseller. It's changed my life. It makes everything... fresh as a daisy." (47:44)
Challenges in Women's Health and Medical Practices
The guests discuss the frustrations faced within the medical community regarding women's health. Michael Bostick criticizes the transactional nature of modern medical practices:
"We've constructed this kind of relationship where we wait till we're sick and then we go to the doctor and we give you something." (34:14)
Dr. Shepherd echoes the need for a more proactive approach:
"There should be much more discussion around what this means and what your choices should be." (14:13)
Community Building and Raising Awareness
Brianna Bitton emphasizes the importance of community support and open dialogue:
"We created a community where people feel comfortable to talk about things they can't talk about." (38:08)
"When we started talking about it openly, everyone was going through something." (23:47)
The hosts highlight how O Positive Health has fostered a supportive environment through social media and customer feedback, allowing women to share their experiences and find solutions together.
Entrepreneurial Journey and Product Development
Dr. Shepherd shares the entrepreneurial hurdles faced while building O Positive Health:
"It took us two and a half years of R&D to make this happen... we had to employ all these people, get a dream team together and make this happen." (36:47)
The guests discuss expanding their product line in response to community needs, including developing solutions for menopause based on personal family experiences:
"We launched first with Flo... then we started expanding into more products, like addressing menopause." (38:04)
Conclusion and Takeaways
In wrapping up, the guests encourage listeners to take a proactive role in their hormonal health through informed choices, community support, and lifestyle adjustments. They also promote O Positive Health's products, offering discounts and giveaways to engage the audience.
Brianna Bitton concludes with an invitation for listeners to connect and benefit from the products:
"Follow positive without the E on Instagram and go shop. Use code Skinny." (52:59)
Dr. Shepherd and Brianna Bitton provide contact information for listeners seeking further assistance:
"Contact Jessica at Jessica Shepherd MD and Brianna Bitton via BrianaBitton.com." (53:38)
Key Quotes with Timestamps
-
Michael Bostick:
"A lot of the western diet and just what we're exposed to from like pesticides and how we prepare our food... PCOS is really at the core insulin, glucose issue and a metabolic issue." (00:25) -
Dr. Jessica Shepherd:
"We're finally talking about it... women's health has just been so historically overlooked that we're finally getting to a place where we're comfortable to talk about these things." (00:49) -
Brianna Bitton:
"I lost 60 pounds... I implemented weightlifting and protein, and it changed my hormones and my life and my confidence." (48:29) -
Michael Bostick:
"Weightlifting is a game changer... It makes your metabolism go all day." (50:10) -
Dr. Jessica Shepherd:
"We created the flow endocrine superfood... to support the endocrine system as a whole." (27:16)
Resources and Links
- O Positive Health Website: opositivehealth.com
- Instagram: @positive (without the E)
- Products Available At: Target, Amazon
Promo Code: Use Skinny for 25% off on O Positive Health products.
This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding and managing hormonal health, emphasizing the importance of community, informed choices, and holistic approaches. Whether you're grappling with PCOS, navigating menopause, or simply seeking to optimize your hormonal balance, Lauryn, Michael, Brianna, and Dr. Shepherd provide valuable insights and practical solutions to support your journey.
Note: For any medical concerns or personalized advice, please consult with a healthcare professional.