Let's talk about something we've all either said or screamed at some point: Why is my period SO painful?!

I wish I could tell you it's just one thing. That there's one sneaky culprit behind those cramps from hell, and if we fix that, BOOM—pain-free periods forever. But the truth? It's not that simple

Painful periods are often tied to one big bad player: inflammation. Think of inflammation like throwing gas on an already raging fire. If your gut, bladder, or reproductive organs are inflamed, your period pain is likely going to be worse. If going to the bathroom during your period makes you want to cry? That's a sign there's inflammation in play.

But where does inflammation come from? Here are some common culprits:

• Hormonal Imbalances: Estrogen dominance can contribute to conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and PCOS—all of which can crank up period pain.

• Stress: And here's the kicker—stress doesn't just make you feel frazzled, it actually fuels inflammation! When you're in pain, your cortisol (aka your stress hormone) spikes, and that keeps the pain cycle going. It's like your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode… during your period.

• Gut Health Issues: If your gut is inflamed, your whole system is inflamed. And since your digestive system is right next to your reproductive organs, gut issues can make cramps even worse.

The good news? You can work with your body instead of against it. Here are a few things that actually help:

1. Reduce Inflammation

   • Dry brushing (it helps your lymphatic system flush out inflammation!)

   • Staying hydrated (simple, but so effective)

   • Acupuncture, chiropractic care, or massage

2. Support Your Stress Response

   • Adaptogens like ashwagandha and maca can help bring down that amped-up cortisol response.

   • Deep breathing, meditation, and vagus nerve exercises (yep, your nervous system plays a role here!)

3. Balance Your Hormones

   • Get your estrogen levels checked (a DUTCH test can give you a deep dive!)

   • Avoid endocrine disruptors in skincare, makeup, and household products

   • Cycle-sync your nutrition and exercise

Your body is not working against you—it's just trying to tell you something. Painful periods aren't just random bad luck. I've formulated tinctures for cycle balance, stress relief, sleep and more, so if you are struggling check them out here: https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/

In this episode, I had the opportunity to interview Erica Rooney—chief people officer, executive coach, and now, author of Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: Shattering Limiting Beliefs and Toxic Behaviors to Uncover Infinite Possibilities. And let me tell you, this chat was a must-hear for any woman who has ever felt stuck, doubted herself, or hesitated to take a big leap (yep, that's all of us!).

Erica gets it. She's been there. She climbed the corporate ladder, got to the top, and thought… "Wait, this is it?" She realized that women in the workplace weren't just battling glass ceilings—they were also stuck on sticky floors like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and burnout. Sound familiar?

One of the wildest stats she shared? Women will look at a job posting and if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications, they won't even apply. Meanwhile, men apply if they check off just 60%. (Cue the facepalm.)

So what's the fix? Erica's SNAP framework is a game-changer:

✅ Stop and take note – What is your body telling you? Sweaty palms? Racing heart? Pay attention.

✅ Name it – Call out the limiting belief. Imposter syndrome? Fear of failure? Own it.

✅ Ask and answer – Is this belief actually true? What's the worst-case scenario, and can you handle it? (Hint: You can.)

✅ Pivot – Reframe your thinking. Instead of "I have to do this," try "I get to do this."

The best part? This framework isn't just for the boardroom. It applies to every aspect of life—career moves, relationships, big life transitions. Because as Erica says, new level, new devil. The fears don't disappear—you just get better at overcoming them.

This is just the surface of our conversation on overcoming self-doubt, perfectionism, and other limiting beliefs that act as 'sticky floors,' preventing women from reaching their full potential.

Find Erica:

Author of Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floors Host of the Glass Ceilings & Sticky Floor Podcast Follow me on LinkedIn! Follow me on Instagram!

Raise your hand if you've ever been personally victimized by PMS. 🙋‍♀️ The mood swings, the bloating, the "why am I crying over a dog food commercial?" moments—it's a monthly rollercoaster, and not the fun kind.

But what if I told you that you don't have to just suffer through it? That your PMS isn't just bad luck but actually something you can fix with a few simple daily shifts? Yep, it's true, and here are some game-changing tools that you can start using today.

Step 1: Remove the Firestarter 🔥

We all love a sweet treat now and then, but excess sugar (yes, even those sneaky hidden sugars in your "healthy" snacks) can throw your hormones into chaos, making PMS symptoms even worse. The best thing you can do? Cut back on sugar, especially in the week leading up to your period. Think of it as taking the gasoline away from the fire instead of just watching the flames get bigger.

Step 2: Fuel Your Body Right 🍳

Protein is your BFF when it comes to hormone balance. Aim for at least 20 grams of protein per meal (I love eggs + cottage cheese + sautéed spinach for a powerhouse breakfast). Plus, load up on greens—think asparagus, green beans, or kale—to give your body the minerals it needs to keep your cycle running smoothly.

Step 3: Work With Your Cycle, Not Against It 🌙

Your hormones ebb and flow throughout the month, which means your support should, too! I'm a big believer in seed cycling—alternating pumpkin and flax seeds in the first half of your cycle and switching to sesame and sunflower seeds in the second half. I also love herbal tinctures (like Vitex and red raspberry leaf) to naturally support estrogen and progesterone balance. These small shifts can help ease PMS symptoms before they start, so you're not caught off guard every month.

Step 4: Take Charge of Your Cycle 🚀

Instead of just dealing with PMS, what if you took control of your hormonal health? Whether that means trying out these daily shifts, looking into DUTCH testing, or finding the right supplement routine, YOU have the power to change how you feel every month. Your cycle shouldn't control you—you should be in the driver's seat.

A great place to start - my herbal tinctures!! I've got blends for cycle balance, metabolism, stress, detox and more. https://nutritionforyourhormones.com/

Have you ever found yourself reaching for a new supplement because it should help your estrogen, your sleep, or your energy—only to feel exactly the same… or worse?

I get it. The wellness world is overwhelming. You want to feel better, but where do you even start?

Here's the thing: Your body is not a one-size-fits-all equation. That's why testing—not guessing—is the key to finally understanding what's actually going on beneath the surface.

Enter: The DUTCH Test.

This at-home urine test is like getting a personal roadmap to your hormones. Instead of throwing spaghetti at the wall with supplements and hoping for the best, the DUTCH test shows you exactly where your imbalances are, what's driving your symptoms, and how to fix them with a targeted approach.

Let me share a quick story. A client of mine—a total rockstar athlete—came to me exhausted. She'd tried everything: cleaner eating, more sleep, different workouts. Nothing worked.

She thought her stress was too high. But when we ran a DUTCH test? Her stress hormones were actually too low. She wasn't just stressed—she was burnt out. And all the stress-reducing techniques she was using? They were actually making things worse.

Moral of the story? Without testing, it's easy to go in the completely wrong direction.

Hormones control everything—your energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, skin, digestion… So why are we still throwing darts in the dark when we could be using science-backed, personalized data to get real answers?

If you've been struggling and feeling stuck, here's your sign: It's time to stop guessing and start testing.

DUTCH Test: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/

Have you ever walked out of the doctor's office, blood test results in hand, only to hear those dreaded words: "Everything looks normal!"

Meanwhile, you're exhausted, your hormones are all over the place, your energy is in the basement, and you just know something is off. So now what? Just accept that feeling like a tired, cranky version of yourself is the new normal? Nope, not today.

Let me introduce you to a new approach to your health: the DUTCH test.

Unlike a standard blood test (which takes a quick snapshot of your hormone levels at one moment in time), the DUTCH test is a urine test that shows you the full story of what's happening in your body over a 24-hour period. It looks at:

✅ Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and adrenal markers ✅ Free vs. bound hormones (hello, actual usable hormones!) ✅ Cortisol patterns (because stress and energy matter) ✅ Nutrient metabolites like B12, B6, and glutathione ✅ Even neurotransmitters like dopamine and melatonin!

Basically, it's like the full diagnostic workup for your body instead of a quick glance under the hood.

Imagine going for a bike ride. A blood test is like checking to see if the bike technically has two wheels. A DUTCH test? It's making sure the tires are fully inflated, the chain is running smoothly, and the brakes actually work—so you don't just move, you thrive.

And here's the kicker: if you were to order all these tests separately, you'd be looking at over $1,200 (ouch!). But a DUTCH test bundles them together for a fraction of the cost. More info, fewer headaches, and actual insights that can help you feel like you again.

So if you're tired of feeling off and getting zero answers, it might be time to take a deeper dive. Ready to get to the root of your hormone health? Order your DUTCH test here: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/

If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I love hormone testing. I'm talking about the DUTCH test - dried urine test that gives us a deep, behind-the-scenes look at what's really going on with your hormones.

And let me tell you, after looking at hundreds of DUTCH test results, there are three big things I see again and again—things that could be the missing puzzle piece to why you're feeling off. So let's get into it!

1. 🚨 Stress is Running the Show (a.k.a. Cortisol Chaos)

Let's get real: when was the last time you weren't stressed? If you're anything like the women I work with, your stress levels have been through the roof for years. Maybe you went through a tough divorce, had a high-pressure job, or just navigated the circus act of balancing work, family, and life (hello, cortisol rollercoaster!).

Your body doesn't just forget stress. Even if life is good now, your nervous system might still be stuck in "fight or flight" mode. And when your cortisol is constantly high (or completely tanked from years of overdrive), you'll feel it—fatigue, anxiety, gut issues, stubborn weight gain, the whole shebang.

💡 The fix? We can't guess where your cortisol is—we have to test it. Then, we tailor the right strategy (because high cortisol and low cortisol need completely different approaches!).

2. 🚨 Estrogen is Stuck in a Traffic Jam

Maybe you've been told your estrogen levels are "normal," but your periods say otherwise. Heavy bleeding, clots, painful ovulation, mood swings? Yeah, that's not fine.

Here's the deal: estrogen isn't just about how much you have—it's about how your body is processing it. DUTCH testing shows us whether estrogen is getting stuck in phase one, struggling in phase two, or just plain refusing to leave your system.

And the crazy part? You won't see these imbalances on a standard blood test. That's why so many women get dismissed when they know something's off.

💡 The fix? Supporting your body's natural detox pathways (like your liver and gut) and, if needed, using targeted herbs or nutrients to get estrogen moving the right way.

3. 🚨 Low Dopamine = No Motivation (and Zero Joy)

I have to admit something: when I saw my own DUTCH test results, my dopamine levels were in the toilet. And I didn't even realize it—until I started fixing it.

Low dopamine doesn't just mean feeling "a little off." It's waking up and dreading the day, losing interest in things you used to love, and craving constant stimulation (hello, endless Instagram scrolling). It's looking at a Halloween store vampire coffin and thinking, Wow, that looks cozy (true story—red flag, right?).

💡 The fix? Dopamine isn't just about supplements—it's about lifestyle. More movement, more joy, more creativity, more connection. And sometimes, targeted nutrients to give your brain the extra push it needs.

If you're struggling with fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, or just feeling off, it's time to stop guessing. A DUTCH test gives you real answers, so you can take real action.

So tell me—do any of these red flags sound familiar? And if you're ready to finally get to the root of your hormone struggles, let's test your hormones: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/

Ever feel like stress is just... part of life? Like no matter how much deep breathing you do, your to-do list laughs in your face?

Here's the deal: You don't just need less stress—you need a bigger bucket to hold it.

I just had a game-changing conversation with Dr. Jenny (one of our fantastic docs on the team!) about increasing your capacity for stress. Because let's be real: some stressors aren't going anywhere. The job you can't leave yet. The special needs child you love fiercely. The ongoing life changes. The answer isn't just "reduce stress." It's learning how to handle it better.

Imagine your stress capacity as a glass of water. If it's already full to the brim, one more drop sends it overflowing. But what if you could make the glass bigger? That's the goal.

Here's how you start expanding your stress bucket:

✅ Know your cortisol levels. High and low cortisol can feel the same—exhaustion, brain fog, and overwhelm. Testing (like the DUTCH test) helps you treat the actual issue, not just guess.

✅ Support your adrenals. Your body is working hard. Give it what it needs—nutrients, sleep, and the right adaptogens (because the wrong ones can make things worse!).

✅ Make it a lifestyle. This isn't a quick fix. Women who truly feel better see changes over 3-6 months, sometimes even a year. But the results? Worth it.

Here's what I love: When you understand your body, you stop fighting it. You learn to work with it, build resilience, and feel more you again.

Sometimes, the way forward isn't something you figure out on your own. Whether it's working with a practitioner, trying acupuncture, seeing a chiropractor, or just reaching out to a friend who gets it—getting support isn't a weakness, it's wisdom. You don't have to do this alone.

Here's what's amazing: when you start taking care of yourself, the world around you shifts, too. You feel more like yourself again. You have more patience. More energy. More capacity to show up for the people you love. It's not just about stress—it's about reclaiming your vibrancy.

If you are ready to increase your capacity for stress and FEEL better, get started with a hormone test here: https://drbethwestie.com/dutch-hormone-testing/

Ever find yourself irrationally irritated by the way your partner breathes? Like, truly—why does he have to inhale like that? Or maybe one minute, you're feeling all the love, and the next, you're convinced your relationship is doomed. If so, before you start drafting a breakup text or Googling divorce lawyers, I need you to hear this: it might not be your relationship. It might be your hormones.

The Hormone-Relationship Connection

I hear these stories all the time—women who suddenly can't stand their partner's quirks (you know, the ones that were once "cute"). They feel distant, resentful, exhausted, or just off. They think it's perimenopause, or stress, or maybe just a sign their relationship is failing.

But here's what happens when we dig deeper:

👉 Adrenal fatigue. Chronic stress burns you out, leading to exhaustion, mood swings, and a total lack of patience. (Suddenly, everything your partner does is annoying.)

👉 Hormonal imbalances. When estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone are out of whack, so is your mood. Anxiety, irritability, and low libido? Yep, all connected.

👉 Gut health issues. 95% of your serotonin is made in your gut. If your digestion is struggling, so is your happiness. And if you're not happy, guess who feels it? Your partner.

The Power of Testing

One woman I worked with was convinced she was going into perimenopause. Her cycles were irregular, she was exhausted, and she had ZERO tolerance for her husband. Turns out, it wasn't perimenopause at all—her adrenal health was completely shot. We targeted that, and within a few months, she felt like herself again. Her mood stabilized, her energy returned, and—bonus—her marriage improved.

And this is exactly why guessing isn't the answer. You deserve real answers. You deserve to know what's actually happening in your body so you can make decisions from a place of clarity, not frustration.

The Big Question: Will Balancing Your Hormones Save Your Relationship?

Maybe. Maybe not. Some women go through this process, feel amazing, and realize their relationship was never the problem. Others? They gain the clarity and energy to finally admit what they've known all along: they're ready to walk away.

Either way, the answer starts with YOU.

If you feel like you're losing yourself—if you're constantly questioning your emotions, your reactions, or even your entire relationship—it's time to check in with your body. Don't make life-altering decisions from a place of exhaustion and imbalance. Let's get you back to feeling like YOU first.

Learn more about the 1 to 1 program here: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/

You've tracked your cycle. You've cleaned up your diet. You've done the DUTCH test. You've optimized your hormones. And yet… still waiting on that positive pregnancy test?

Let's talk about the OTHER 50% of the equation: HIM.

I know, I know—male fertility doesn't get the same attention. But the reality? Men's bodies respond to change faster than women's, and the right shifts can have a massive impact on sperm health. The best part? It's usually not about adding more—it's about taking the right things away.

So, where do we start? Here are the BIGGEST hidden culprits behind low male fertility:

1️⃣ Endocrine Disruptors That car air freshener? The heavily scented body spray? Those sneaky chemicals are tanking testosterone and sperm quality. One of my clients had her husband ditch the artificial fragrances, and just weeks later, she noticed a big difference (yes, in that way).

2️⃣ Toxic Food & Drinks Gas station snacks and energy drinks? They're loaded with chemicals that mess with hormones. A switch to cleaner options (plus more protein—think caveman-style eating!) can make a night-and-day difference.

3️⃣ Environmental Exposures If your partner works around chemicals, oils, or industrial materials, his skin is absorbing toxins daily. Protective gear is a must. One client's husband worked in a mechanic shop, changed a few key habits, and within weeks, their fertility outlook totally shifted.

4️⃣ The Gut-Hormone Connection A messed-up gut means messed-up hormones. I've seen parasites, Candida, H. pylori—things men brush off as "normal" bloating or stomach issues. If his gut isn't right, his hormones won't be either.

🚨 The Next Step? Test, Don't Guess. 🚨

If you've made these changes and still feel like something's off, it's time to get serious. The truth is, regular fertility check-ups often miss key hormone imbalances. That's where DUTCH testing + Gut testing comes in. They give us the full picture—no more guessing, no more wasted time.

✨ Let's get you clarity and a plan. I work 1:1 with couples to dive deep into fertility, testing, and strategy so you can move forward with confidence. Click below to apply to work with me and let's optimize both sides of the equation.

Learn more about the 1 to 1 program here: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/

Brie came to me after spending over a year trying to get pregnant with no success. She was frustrated, exhausted, and wondering what the heck was wrong with her body. After all, she had no trouble getting pregnant the first time—so why was it so hard now?

She had an active lifestyle, a job she loved, a wonderful husband, and a strong desire to grow her family. But her cycles were all over the place, her energy was low, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something just wasn't right.

And yet, when she went to her OB? No tests. No real answers. Just the classic "keep trying" and "maybe you're too stressed" advice. (Insert eye roll.)

So we took a deep dive into her health. We ran a DUTCH test to get a clear picture of her hormones, mapped her ovulation, and did a GI test that revealed Candida overgrowth (hello, bloating and gut issues!). We also looked at her genetics and found methylation issues that were likely messing with her hormone balance.

Over the next six months, we tackled each issue one by one. Her cycle regulated, her painful cramps and clotting eased, her energy skyrocketed, and she even naturally lost 12 pounds without focusing on weight loss at all. And then… she got pregnant. Naturally.

No more second-guessing. No more wondering what was wrong. Just a body that was finally working for her instead of against her.

Here's the thing: If you're struggling with your hormones, your fertility, or even just feeling like yourself again, you don't have to do it alone. There's a reason you haven't found the answers on Google or a 10 minute well visit with your primary care.

This is exactly why I offer 1:1 coaching—to help women like you get real answers and real results. If you're ready to stop guessing and start feeling incredible in your body again, this is for you.

This is my MOST in-depth program, with over $2,000 of testing included and the most hands-on coaching. I will be with you every step of the way.

This is NOT for you if you are just looking for the basics or wanting to scratch the surface - this is a DEEP DIVE and will overhaul your health.

Click here to apply for 1:1 coaching and see if it's a good fit: https://drbethwestie.com/jumpstart-program/