Supplements for Women’s Health: Fertility, Hormones & Vaginal Health — What Actually Helps | Episode 31 copertina

Supplements for Women’s Health: Fertility, Hormones & Vaginal Health — What Actually Helps | Episode 31

Supplements for Women’s Health: Fertility, Hormones & Vaginal Health — What Actually Helps | Episode 31

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 In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson breaks down supplements for women’s health—how to use them strategically for hormone balance, fertility, vaginal health, and metabolism, and why more supplements is almost never better. She walks through her testing-first, nutrition-forward philosophy, explains why random supplement stacking can backfire, and outlines how to create a personalized supplement plan that actually works—and eventually allows you to come off supplements altogether. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 🌱 Dr. Sarah’s Core Supplement Philosophy Supplements should: Support nutrition, not replace itBe measured and intentional, not randomBe used in the lowest effective doseAlways have a goal and an exit plan Taking 20–30 supplements because of TikTok, Instagram, or generic advice often overwhelms digestion, metabolism, and absorption—and can worsen symptoms. 🧪 Why Testing Comes First Before recommending supplements, Dr. Sarah emphasizes testing: Nutrient status (antioxidants, vitamins, omegas)Egg qualityHormone production (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)Metabolism and absorption You should never take supplements that work against your hormone profile. ⚠️ When Supplements Can Make Things Worse Dr. Sarah shares examples of supplements that can backfire: DIM lowering estrogen in someone already estrogen-deficientProbiotics worsening symptoms when taken blindlyEgg quality supplements used unnecessarily when egg quality is already strong Without testing, supplements can actively harm progress. 💊 Targeted Supplementation: Less Is More Examples of precision-based supplementation: Low B12 → supplement only B12, not a full B-complexLow omega-3s → supplement omega-3, then recheckHigh omega-6s → adjust diet + omega-3 dose If levels don’t improve, the issue may be absorption or gut health, not dosage. 🧠 Fat-Soluble vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins Water-soluble (B vitamins, vitamin C): Excess is usually excreted in urine Fat-soluble (A, D, E, K): Stored in the bodyCan accumulate to harmful levelsMust be monitored regularly Taking fat-soluble vitamins long-term without testing can impair metabolism and organ function. 🦠 Absorption, Gut Health & Fillers Matter If supplements aren’t raising blood levels: Gut inflammation may be blocking absorptionMicrobiome imbalances may interfereFillers or capsule materials may cause reactions Some patients react to: Microcrystalline celluloseSilicaCapsule binders The issue is often the form, not the supplement itself. 🌿 Why One Supplement at a Time Is Important Starting multiple supplements simultaneously makes it impossible to identify: GI reactionsSensitivitiesWhat’s actually helping Dr. Sarah recommends introducing supplements one at a time—especially for sensitive patients. 🚫 Never Power Through a Bad Reaction If a supplement causes: Stomach painNauseaFatigueFeeling “off” Stop it. Your body should feel better, not worse. A reaction signals: Incorrect dosePoor toleranceWrong formInappropriate supplement for your physiology 🧬 Egg Quality Supplements: Keep It Simple For low egg quality, Dr. Sarah typically recommends: ~3 targeted supplements, not 10 Common options include: CoQ10 / UbiquinolNAC (N-acetylcysteine)GlutathioneResveratrolAlpha-lipoic acid These work best alongside nutrition and gut optimization—not in isolation. 🌸 Using Supplements to Support Hormone Production Supplements should address why hormones are low, not just push levels: Omega-3s for hormone building blocksProtein and B vitaminsDHEA for adrenal support (when appropriate)Vitex or maca in select cases If a supplement doesn’t change lab values or symptoms, it’s discontinued. 🦠 Probiotics Are Not One-Size-Fits-All Different guts need different species: LactobacillusBifidobacteriaSaccharomyces boulardiiAkkermansia Taking the wrong probiotic can worsen overgrowth and symptoms. 🌿 Estrogen Metabolism & Gut Support For estrogen dominance: Address beta-glucuronidaseIncrease fiber intakeUse targeted supplements (e.g., calcium D-glucarate when indicated) Dietary changes are often more powerful than pills. 🔄 Supplements Should Be Temporary Whenever Possible The long-term goal: Restore natural productionOptimize gut healthImprove nutrient absorptionTransition back to food-based support Supplements are a bridge, not a permanent crutch. 🩺 Short-Term Supplement Use After Surgery Example: Post-endometriosis surgery: Omega-3NACCurcumin Used for ~3 months to reduce inflammation and recurrence—then discontinued. ☕ Alternative Ways to Get Antioxidants To reduce pill burden: Food (greens, berries, protein)Teas (green tea)Spices (turmeric)Powders and tincturesIV nutrients (vitamin C, glutathione, ALA) A 360° approach minimizes daily capsule overload. 📊 Measuring Effectiveness Matters Supplements should produce measurable change: Improved labsBetter symptomsObjective data (e.g., CGM for blood sugar) If it’s not working, ...
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