The Dr. Jen Show: Hormones, Health & Living Well After 40

PCOS affects 1:10 women. But is it this common? 

That’s why I wanted to bring in a guest expert on PCOS, Dr. Lara Briden. Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual — practical guides to treating period problems with nutrition, supplements, and bioidentical hormones.

Her podcast is here.  

Topics We Discuss: 
1. PCOS is a metabolic disorder, not just a reproductive issue (a heterogeneous condition).
2. What is PCOS? How do you diagnose it?
3. Hypothalamic amenorrhea vs PCOS?
4. Signs of high androgens
5. Root causes of PCOS and how they drive treatment 

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

"It’s been 18 YEARS since I’ve had a real period and 10 YEARS since I had a “birth control period”.
This is the personal story of Kalle Lemone, co-owner Nourish, a cafe that serves organic, nutrient-dense food for healthy living.  She healed her body to get a real period and conceive a child.
The point is to share her experience and give you hope that you can heal your body. Find what works for you, what practitioner you connect with, and whatever route you choose.
Here is a list of books she would like to share:
In the Flo by Alisa Vitti
The Hormone Cure by Sara Gotfried
Hormone Intelligence by Aviv Romm
The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton
Eastern Body Western Mind by Anodea Judith
Glucose Revolution by Jessie Inchauspe   

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

"By preventing and treating early bladder infections holistially, you can help to prevent multi-drug resistance and hopefully prevent kidney infections that arise from untreated blader infections" - Dr. Jen

We discuss: 

• What are the symptoms of a bladder infection?
• What natural remedies are out there to treat a mild bladder infection?
• How to prevent recurrent bladder infections.
• When to see your doctor

Great Resource: Mountain Rose Herbs

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the current moment. If you’re suffering from the symptoms of a chronic illness, you might think that the last thing you want to do is focus on the moment. However, there are surprising benefits of mindfulness for chronic illness. The practice can help you in a wide variety of ways.

That is why I invited an expert in mindfulness and chronic disease.

Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang is a mother, cancer survivor, mindfulness teacher, and Director of Pulmonary Integrative Medicine. She is a leader and international speaker on wellness, mindfulness, anti-racism, and integrative and pulmonary medicine who has taught courses, led retreats, and designed wellness curricula for a decade. She has been recognized as a four-time San Diego Top Doctor, received the San Diego American Lung Association Lung Health Provider of the Year Award in 2019, and was recognized by Mindful Magazine as one of the 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement in 2021. She co-hosts the Mindful Healers Podcast and founded the Mindful Healthcare Collective, providing free wellness sessions to reduce suffering amongst healthcare professionals.

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.

• Direct access to your doctor
• A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists using comprehensive lab testing is unavailable in your standard Drs office.

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

This week, we’re diving into heart disease, a critical topic for all women especially PCOS women. 

Heart disease is a primary killer of both women and men. It affects many people each year. And modern medicine does not address prevention but instead treatment of disease. 

That’s why I wanted to bring in a guest expert on cardiovascular disease, Dr. Nicole Harkin. She founded Whole Heart Cardiology to provide patient-centered cardiac care, evidence-based nutritional guidance, and personalized lifestyle plans for her patients in a modern setting. She takes pride in helping patients achieve their goals, feel better, and thrive. She is licensed to see patients in California, New York, and Florida.

In this episode, I interview Dr. Nicole Harkin, a preventative cardiologist. 

We discuss: 

• What is preventative cardiology?
• How do you know if you are developing heart disease?
• The Heart disease and PCOS connection. 
• Evidenced-based tips that include nutrition, lifestyle and medications that help prevent heart disease and diabetes. (She gives us great tips to do now)
• BMI vs. waist circumference (here is a link to a great article for waist circumference)
• Even if you are in your 20's, you should start now. 

Great Resource: Preventative Cardiology at Cleveland Clinic

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.

• Direct access to your doctor
• A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists using comprehensive lab testing is unavailable in your standard Drs office.

Whole Heart Cardiology, Dr. Nicole Harkin

Website: https://www.wholeheartcardiology.com/

IT: Nicole Harkin MD Cardiologist (@nicoleharkinmd) • Instagram photos and videos

Ready to gain Freedom From PCOS?

PCOS Symptoms can be difficult to manage, and for many, an actual PCOS diagnosis can take up to two years and as many as three different doctors. 

When you experience Integrative Medicine at Well Woman MD, we'll listen to your concerns and provide you with solutions to heal your body, not merely mask symptoms.

Whether your goal is hormone balance, becoming pregnant, or better health overall, your Well Woman MD team will help you manage PCOS in the best way for you.

Learn more about what to expect with integrative women's health.

1. What is preventative cardiology?

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

This week we’re diving into a common problem for fibroids.

A non-cancerous tumor in the uterus. Symptoms depend on the size and location of the fibroids. In most cases, it will be detected during a routine pelvic examination.

That’s why I wanted to bring in a guest expert on fibroids, Dr. Cheruba Prabakar. the fibroid doc. to talk about everything you need to know about fibroids. 

In this episode, I interview Dr. Cheruba Prabakar, an award-winning minimally invasive surgeon, Board Certified OB/GYN,  and CEO of her practice. 
We discuss: 

• What are fibroids? 
• How do you know if you have them?
• Diagnosis of Fibroids.
• Personalized, evidence-based protocols that include nutrition, surgery, and medications. 
• The most important tips to know about fibroids.

Great Resource: Fibroids: Types, Causes, and Symptoms (healthline.com)

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.

• Direct access to your doctor
• A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists using comprehensive lab testing is unavailable in your standard Drs office.

The Women's Dietitian info: 

Website: www.thefibroiddoc.com

YT: (1) TheFibroid Doc. - YouTube

Ready to gain Freedom From PCOS?

PCOS Symptoms can be difficult to manage, and for many, an actual PCOS diagnosis can take up to two years and as many as three different doctors. 

When you experience Integrative Medicine at Well Woman MD, we'll listen to your concerns and provide you with solutions to heal your body, not merely mask symptoms.

Whether your goal is hormone balance, becoming pregnant, or better health overall, your Well Woman MD team will help you manage PCOS in the best way for you.

Learn more about what to expect with integrative women's health.

Freebies

Steps you can start NOW to heal your PCOS without a doctor's visit. You have the instructions to start healing.

PCOS Nutrition Guide
It's time to ditch the diets and find out what works for YOUR PCOS. In this guide, I will bust the myths surrounding what women with PCOS should eat. And give you a 5-day meal plan with easy recipes for the busy week.

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

This week we’re diving into IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

 A chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine causing diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, and flatulence.

Very common (More than 3 million cases per year in the US)
There is no known cause for IBS, and it is generally considered a “functional disorder,” meaning it interferes with the body’s normal activities by influencing the sensitivity of a system or by impairing the way the brain controls and regulates that system.

Treatments can help manage the condition, but no known cure per conventional medicine practices. But I disagree.

An excellent resource for IBS is Mayo Clinic. And Andrew Weill's IBS article.
My blog article, IBS-symptoms, and treatments.

Great book and cookbook, SIBO Made Simple.

In this episode, the topics I discussed are: 

• The symptoms of IBS that are common and uncommon.
• Diagnosis of IBS.
• The 4 Root Causes of IBS.
• Treatment options include a Lo-FOD Map diet, IBS friendly diet, and herbal treatments. 

            Nutrition: 
            1. LO-FODmap diet.
            2. Anti-inflammatory diet

             Lifestyle Treatments mentioned:
             1. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)
             2. Acupuncture
             3. Hypnosis

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.

• Direct access to your doctor
• A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists using comprehensive lab testing is unavailable in your standard Drs office.

Ready to gain Freedom From PCOS?

PCOS Symptoms can be difficult to manage, and for many, an actual PCOS diagnosis can take up to two years and as many as three different doctors. 

When you experience Integrative Medicine at Well Woman MD, we'll listen to your concerns and provide you with solutions to heal your body, not merely mask symptoms.

Whether your goal is hormone balance, becoming pregnant, or better health overall, your Well Woman MD team will help you manage PCOS in the best way for

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

PMS (premenstrual syndrome) affects most women, around 50%. While some symptoms are mild, most women experience a disruption in their work, home, and relationships due to these symptoms. But this does not have to happen. 

Symptoms that significantly impact a woman’s life quality include psychological symptoms (irritation, anxiety, and depressed mood) or physical symptoms (headaches, fluid retention, breast tenderness, abdominal pains, or cramps). The diagnosis of PMS occurs when a woman has persistent symptoms that occur in the luteal phase of a cycle. 

Severe PMS forms may meet the Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) criteria. PMDD is characterized by emotional lability or dysregulation, which may include outbursts of anger, depressed mood, anxiety, and interference with functioning at home, school, and/or work. It affects about 8% of women with PMS. 

The conventional treatment by most doctors is to treat the symptom:

–you get headaches, here is a migraine medicine.

–you have depression, here is an anti-depressant.

–you have breast tenderness and swelling; here is a diuretic. 

But this does not reverse the cause of your PMS/PMDD. It just treats the symptoms. 

Women do not need to suffer each month; they can get relief by looking for the underlying cause of their symptoms. 

For more on the topic, visit.
PMS/PMDD (wellwomanmd.com)

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd

Direct access to your doctor
A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists using comprehensive lab testing is unavailable in your standard Drs office.
Interested in learning more about how to become a patient, click here.

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok

As a thyroid patient myself, I can attest to the importance of not only addressing thyroid hormone replacement but also addressing the immune system component of this disease.

In this episode I discuss:
1. What is Hashimoto's?
2. Symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
3. What is causing Hashimoto's?
4. Integrative Approach to Hashimoto's: Diet + Lifestyle +Medications
5. Best supplements.

As I mentioned earlier, thyroid health issues caused me infertility until I realized what was wrong. But even then, I did not truly feel better until I took an integrative approach and changed my diet and lifestyle. So, whether you have Hashimoto's or suspect you may, I'd love to help. Reach out to me and let's get started on the road back to reclaim your health.

During a consultation, we'll figure out:

• If your thyroid function is outside of the optimal range
• And if so — which medication is right for you (i.e. is Synthroid best, or might Armour be a better option?)
• The root cause of thyroid antibodies and autoimmunity through advanced functional medicine testing.
• How to address your health concerns through personalized nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations

Contact my office to learn more!

 
Mentions:
Other great podcast on Hashimoto's:
Mark Hyman's podcast about Hashimoto's.

Thyroid Health Updates with. Dr,. Ruscio

3x4 Genetics Test website

Megan Mikkelson: Detox for your health. podcast episode.

Are your hormones a little crazy? Want to find out what is causing your symptoms?
Take my Free QUIZ to find out how to thrive not survive each month.

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice that allows your doctor to be your partner.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd

Direct access to your doctor
A collaborative team of doctors and nutritionists that use comprehensive lab testing is not available in your standard Drs office.
Interested in learning more about how to become a patient, click here.

Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes and leave us a rating and a review!

This episode is brought to you by:
Well Woman MD: Integrative Women's Health And Fertility. Welcome to Well Woman MD, a modern integrative medicine practice where we discover the root cause of your health concern.

Well Woman MD. Taking a holistic and integrative approach to your health and wellness.
Follow me on IG, @wellwomanmd
Follow me on TIkTIK Jennifer Roelands MD, OB/GYN (@wellwomanmd) | TikTok