Welcome back to our hormone mini-series! Following our deep dive into estrogen, Part 2 unravels the mysteries of progesterone – arguably the TRUE 'female hormone,’ crucial for a healthy cycle and beyond.
Unfortunately, most women aren’t making adequate levels of progesterone, or even know that it even exists. It’s time to give it the spotlight it deserves with its key role in your cycle and overall health.
In this episode, we'll dive into:
→ Signs of low progesterone (like PMS, spotting, early miscarriage)
→ The daily habits keeping your progesterone low & how to increase it naturally through nutrition & lifestyle shifts
→ Accurately testing & measuring your hormones
→ Natural progesterone vs. synthetic progestin
→ Progesterone’s vital role in your brain, fertility, metabolism, mood, and overall health
Achieving optimal progesterone isn't just about the ovaries; it's a whole-body effort involving your thyroid, mitochondrial function, nutrition, the delicate balance with other hormones like estrogen and LH, your liver, brain, and adrenal system.
After this episode, you’ll know how progesterone made, used, and how to best support it in your everyday life for fertility, healthy menstrual cycles, mental health, youthfulness, stress management, and more.
Feeling frustrated by PMS, spotting, or other signs of low progesterone? You don't have to navigate this alone. Book a 1-on-1 call with me to uncover the root causes of your imbalance and create a personalized strategy to increase your progesterone naturally. Let's get started on your path to balanced hormones – schedule your call below ↓
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ Vit. C - Acerola Cherry Supplement: https://www.perfectsupplements.com/perfect-acerola/ (10% off with the code FLOURISHNFLOW)
→ Work 1-on-1 with me: www.flourishnflow.com/support
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Fertility Freedom Masterclass: www.flourishnflow.com/product-page/fertility-freedom-masterclass-replay
→ Email List for Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
Ever wonder what's really going on with your hormones? In Part 1 of our hormone mini series, we’re diving deep into everything you need to know about ESTROGEN (spoiler alert: Despite what you might hear, estrogen isn't the enemy!)
We’ll dive into:
The different types of estrogen (natural and synthetic)
How estrogen is made, used, and eliminated by your body
Understanding “estrogen dumping'”
Estrogen's crucial role in fertility and your menstrual cycle
Key factors that can throw your estrogen levels out of balance
We'll break down the vital roles estrogen plays – from building your uterine lining and supporting fertility to its surprising impact on every aspect of your well-being: from your gut microbiome and energy levels to your memory, mood, and even your creativity.
But what about when estrogen levels become imbalanced? You may have heard of “estrogen dominance,” but what does that actually mean for your health?
We'll explore the common culprits behind high estrogen hiding in plain sight. Discover the surprising impact of birth control, environmental toxins (xenoestrogens), inflammation, stress (cortisol), and even your gut health and liver function, as well as the energetic patterns that can mirror hormonal imbalances.
↳ Be sure to tune in to Part 2, where we'll explore the vital role of progesterone!
Stop guessing why your hormones are off. If you're ready to get to the root of your hormonal imbalances and create a personalized plan, book a 1-on-1 call with me ↓
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Book a FREE Call: www.flourishnflow.com/service-page/free-exploration-call
→ Fertility Freedom Masterclass: www.flourishnflow.com/product-page/fertility-freedom-masterclass-replay
→ Email List for Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
Navigating the world of supplements can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we cut through the confusion to explore the crucial question: Do you really need supplements to support your health?
How often have you been told you're deficient and handed a bottle of pills without a deeper conversation?
We'll discuss the importance of trusting the safety and quality of what you're taking, if and when supplementing is actually needed for fertility & hormone support, and ultimately, how to prioritize real, nourishing food for optimal well-being and healthy, happy periods, whether it’s…
individual nutrients (vitamins & minerals)
multi-vitamins & prenatals
herbal hormone balancing supplements
Bio-identical hormones (like progesterone)
But what happens when testing reveals a deficiency? Are supplements always the answer? And how do you navigate the poorly regulated supplement industry to find products you can actually trust?
We break down the reality of how the supplement industry is regulated, how blindly taking a vitamin can throw your body further out of balance, how to nourish your body intuitively with a food-first approach and using supplements as they were designed to- as a boost to the foundation of healthy living.
If you're tired of blindly buying supplements and want personalized guidance on nourishing your body for easy, regular, fertile cycles, book a 1-on-1 call with me ↓
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ My Favorite Trusted Brands: https://www.flourishnflow.com/favorites
→ Book a Free Call: www.flourishnflow.com/service-page/free-exploration-call
→ Email List for Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
Imagine making health decisions – about birth control, pregnancy, and beyond – from a place of unwavering confidence and deep faith, not fear. Join Caroline Bomer and guest Taylor Shelabarger as we explore how on this episode of the flourish & flow podcast.
How often have you felt like your concerns were brushed off, leaving you with limited options and decisions you later regretted? How different would your life look if you were able to feel full trust in your body and knew what next steps to take to find healing and support your health?
But what do you do when your intuition is leading you in a different direction than what you’re being told? How do you not give in to pressure and fear?
We break down what it means to have “radical responsibility” and share our personal experiences navigating healthcare in and out of the system and how choosing to take responsibility has shaped our lives from supplements to birth to relationships.
Taylor powerfully shares the importance of faith in God and unshakable trust in your body – even when facing disagreement from medical providers, holistic practitioners, or loved ones.
Your health is ultimately a reflection of your choices, so getting clear on your values, beliefs, and actions is key to feeling confidence, clarity, and peace in life.
⟫ If you want to explore other ways to heal your cycle outside of birth control & just hoping things get better, book a FREE call with me and let me show you what other options you have! The first step to taking responsibility is knowing your options. Click below to schedule a call.
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ Book a Free Call: www.flourishnflow.com/service-page/free-exploration-call
→ Email List for Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Find Taylor on Instagram: @holisticallytaylor
What does it really mean to prepare your body and mind for pregnancy? In this deeply personal episode, I'm opening up about my own fertility journey – how charting my cycle prepared me for conception, navigating 2 early miscarriages with hope, and now being 7 months pregnant.
I’ll walk you through the timeline of how both my husband & I prepared for conscious conception, how long it really took to get pregnant, and the and the invaluable lessons I learned along the way, including what I’m glad I did and what I wish I knew sooner (insights I hope will help you).
The season of TTC (trying to conceive) is deeply raw and exposing. Even if you are well prepared, you will face things about yourself you may not otherwise. It will reveal to you just how much you truly understand and trust your body, if you’re making decisions based on fear or confidence, and shape you into the person you need to become physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Whether you're in your preconception phase, actively trying to conceive, or navigating early pregnancy after loss, this episode offers an honest look at the physical, emotional, and intuitive aspects of getting pregnant. We'll explore everything from the importance of cycle charting and how your lifestyle determines your pregnancy to understanding early pregnancy signs and processing the complex emotions surrounding miscarriage. This is about taking radical responsibility for your body and tuning into its innate wisdom.
Ready to create the foundation to conceive with confidence? Book a 1-on-1 call with me for personalized fertility support (available only through May before I go on maternity leave!) ↓
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:→ Kaley Skinner (HTMA + Perinatal expert): www.kaleyskinner.com
→ Work with me: www.flourishnflow.com/support
→ Join the Email list: www.flourishnflow.com/links
→ FREE Period Checklist: www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Flourish & Flow Podcast: The Basics: Building the Foundation for Happy Hormones
→ Village Sessions Podcast: Your Life is Your Prenatal
Tired of all-day fatigue, PMS, caffeine dependence, melatonin reliance, and burnout? It's time to check your circadian rhythm.
If you’ve ever wondered why your hormones (cortisol, progesterone, melatonin, thyroid, etc.) are out of balance, consider the stark difference between our ancestors' natural light exposure and our modern lives filled with artificial LED lights and limited sunlight. Since all of our hormones respond directly to light, it’s no wonder women now are struggling with all sorts of hormone problems.
Light affects your entire spectrum of hormones from appetite & metabolism to sleep, libido, and your menstrual cycle. Simply realigning with the sun's natural rhythm is a powerful way to "reset" your hormones for significant improvements in energy, sleep, stress, and your period.
In this episode, we'll reassess your relationship with light and I'll give you the blueprint for my 7-Day Circadian Reset Challenge to reclaim all-day energy, quality sleep, less PMS, boosted progesterone, lower stress, and overall vitality. Ready to feel the difference? Let’s dive in!
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Village Sessions Podcast: How Light Shapes Us (Spotify)
→ Village Sessions Podcast: How Light Shapes Us (Apple)
→ Village Sessions Podcast: How Light Shapes Us (YouTube)
Welcome back for Season 2! Ready to reclaim easy cycles & vibrant health? This is the “basics blueprint” to know what signs of health to look for and the simple steps to start taking to feel your best with regular, symptom-free periods, all-day energy, lower cortisol & stress levels, and overall hormonal balance. We're going back to the foundational habits around nourishing food, supportive environments, and purposeful movement.
Modern problems don’t always require modern solutions. Before you try the next quick fix & health trend, start with these timeless, foundational principles that have supported human thriving for all of history.
Get ready to take notes, then grab your FREE Period Checklist and explore how working 1-on-1 with me can boost your health journey ↓
LINKS & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
→ Podcast Sneak-Peeks + Bonus Tips: www.flourishnflow.com/links
→ FREE Period Checklist www.flourishnflow.com/checklist
→ Work 1-on-1 with me: www.flourishnflow.com/support
→ Primal Movement (Bam Lionhart): https://www.youtube.com/@primalmovement
→ Bowspring 30-Day Challenge (Kori Meloy): https://www.instagram.com/p/C9DWemXy7lx/?hl=en
How does your cycle impact your relationship? Is it a roller coaster of struggle, or does it naturally flow and bring you closer together? (Spoiler: Your cycle can deepen & strengthen your connection and trust with your partner)
My husband, Hayden, & I discuss how our relationship has evolved- from when we were dating and he first found out I was on birth control for period problems, to how we got to where we are now, where he knows what phase I'm in and how to best support me.
We walk through each of the 4 phases and how we adjust our life naturally throughout them, answering all of your questions along the way.
Understanding how your cycle can positively impact not just you as an individual, but also your relationship & your partner is life-changing.
IG & FB: @cycleway.workshop
Cycle Syncing Planner: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/product-page/thrive-planner
How do you navigate accurate cycle charting after giving birth with all the changes in your body? What's happening to your hormones? What's normal?
Dr. Crisia Tabacaru joins us today, sharing her expertise as both a fertility & cycle charting educator and as a mother who has used FAM herself when postpartum (twice!)
We discuss...
Get the Cycle Syncing Planner HERE
Connect with Crisia @cycle.and.flow or https://cycleandflow.com/
Cycle syncing your workouts with each of your 4 phases might just be your missing piece to a better, easier period. If you haven't heard already, your cycle impacts your fitness, including your performance & even your risk of injury.
The same workout is going to impact you differently depending on where you're at in your cycle. BUT, here's the catch- "Cycle Syncing" isn't just another protocol telling you what you should and shouldn't do in each phase. Your goals, lifestyle, and even where you are in your healing journey are different than others.
So stop outsourcing your intuition and listen in as Nicole and I dive into what it really means to adapt your fitness in a way that supports your hormones.
---
Connect with Nicole @nicolerodnourished
Connect with me @cycleway.workshop
NEW Cycle Syncing Planner - Cycle Syncing made simple for the everyday woman
https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/product-page/thrive-planner
Your period can tell you a ton about your gut, inflammation, stress, and hormone balance. But how? It's no secret I talk (& think) about periods a LOT. As someone who is still in the middle of her hormone healing journey, this is what goes through my head. Listen in as I peel back the curtain on what I look for, how I dive into symptoms, and decode my period so I can take the next steps to heal and have consistent, pain-free periods.
After over a decade of painful periods & 2 years of trying to heal my hormones, I share my latest breakthrough of how I realized I have endometriosis (even though I have none of the typical symptoms). My perspective did a complete 180 in less than 24 hours as I connected with other women who have similar stories.
Welcome to my brain! Happy periods my friend.
---
SHOW NOTES:
Kori Meloy (Instagram) | Freely Rooted
Kori's Story with healing Endo naturally: https://freelyrootedpodcast.com/blog/how-a-chiropractor-treated-my-endometriosis-naturally
Alisa Vitti's Story with healing PCOS:
https://youtu.be/9vKRj9yV8pI?si=XpYiQGyyZPhli7X0
My website (& email list): https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/
You may have heard of Endometriosis, but have you heard of its twin, Adenomyosis?
Jackie Denham shares her journey from struggling with extreme abdominal pain for months & multiple ER visits until finally she found a doctor who would listen and help.
While her case is extremely rare (even among those who do have Adenomyosis), she offers a great deal of wisdom and hope when healing doesn't go the way you think it will.
But it still wasn't smooth sailing from there. Surgery revealed it wasn't endo- leaving her with the choice between toughing it out indefinitely (leaving her practically bed-ridden in pain constantly) or getting a hysterectomy at just 21 years old.
Join in as we talk about how she navigated these decisions, what the difference between Endometriosis & Adenomyosis is, and how getting a hysterectomy changed her view on womanhood and motherhood.
---
Want an exclusive sneak-peek of our next episode? Click below to join our email list so you don't miss it!
Despite what you've likely been told, pain isn't normal. Whether it's painful sex or painful periods, we're here to help coach you through it.
Hanna Ward, host of the Say What? Podcast, is an advocate for women to have confident, shame-free, pain-free sex! She empowers Christian women to overcome toxic purity culture through her podcast and Instagram community. We dive into her story with vaginismus & painful sex and what we've both learned about speaking up about our health- especially when it comes to women's issues.
Join in as we give you our best tips for helping you feel prepared for your next appointment, share how to build confidence in yourself, and offer a boost of support knowing that you're not the first to go through this.
---
Connect with Hanna:
Instagram: @say.whatpodcast
Podcast: Say What?
Connect with me:
Instagram: @cycleway.workshop
Facebook: @cycleway.workshop
Website/Email List: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/
What do you do when fertility treatments work the first time, but not the second?
Holly Boyd was told that she just "didn't ovulate", so she wouldn't be able to have children naturally. She did treatments to conceive their first and it worked, but when it came time to have their second, it didn't. They were also in the middle of moving across the country and no longer had the support of their medical team, so she dived into Google to discover if there were other ways she could fulfill her dream of growing her family.
Join in as we talk about the changes she made, why they worked, and how much influence you really have over your fertility & cycle.
---
Connect with Holly:
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/hollyboyd/home?authuser=0 (All of the books & resources she mentions are linked here, highly recommend checking it out!!)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.boyd.338
Connect with me:
Website/Email List: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cycleway.workshop
As much as experts can teach us about niche topics in women's health, I also believe that there is a unique kind of value in hearing individual stories from women who have experienced things firsthand. It helps us realize that we aren't alone in our struggles.
Elizabeth, a friend I met through Instagram, generously offered to share her story about PMDD & infertility (which we cover in part 2). PMDD is basically "PMS on steroids" and is classified as a mood disorder. It's not the same as typical PMS which is primarily driven by hormonal imbalances. There is a lot of stigma tied to it historically, but it is a very serious condition that affects an estimated 5 - 10% of women. She shares how she got diagnosed, different things that have helped her manage it, and how she's found support from those in her life.
In any case, I hope this episode will help encourage you with your health journey to realize that you aren't alone and to help you better understand those in your life who may struggle with PMDD.
NOTE: Since we're diving deep into two different topics, and I want to be mindful of those who aren't in a place to hear about both PMDD & Infertility, I'll be splitting this "episode" into 2 parts. Part 1 only talks about PMDD.
---
Let's connect on Facebook & Instagram: @cycleway.workshop
Get a sneak peek of next week's episode: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/
Choosing a birth control method is arguably a major decision that almost every woman has to make at some point. So why aren't we better educated on our options?
What form of birth control is best for YOU? What are the risks to hormonal birth control (that your Dr. likely won't tell you)? Is "natural" family planning for everyone? Why or why not?
Since I personally am not (yet) certified in teaching FAM (the Fertility Awareness Method), I wanted to bring on Vanessa Saskia Oly- an expert on hormonal health and FAM education- to discuss your options for birth control and how to get started with FAM (if that's what's right for you). We bust some myths about its reliability, as well as dive into the different ways you can track your cycle, and even how tracking your cycle can tell you about your overall health including your thyroid and stress. We answer all the questions you asked about the copper IUD, hormonal IUDs, and give you the info you need to make and educated, informed decision.
Although every form of birth control could have its own episode entirely (maybe we'll do that one day?), this is a great jump start to getting started whether
1. FAM is the right option for you
OR
2. It may not be the right season for you to jump into natural planning, but either way this episode will help make your decision about birth control easier and leave you feeling more confident!
Happy periods, my friend ♡
---
COPPER IUD EPISODE:
"Are You Menstrual?" Podcast, All About the Copper IUD https://open.spotify.com/episode/2PSyFmRODAtS9TOwL3eItw?si=h7gWE2psS72eNgceErTx1Q
Connect with Vanessa:
@Vanessaolywellness (IG)
https://www.vanessaolywellness.com/
Connect with me:
@Cycleway.workshop (IG & FB)
Simply put, women with menstrual cycles aren't typically included in research because our cycles are "too complicated" to study. After being heavily involved in research in my undergraduate program, I can't stay quiet as I see post after post on social media of people misinterpreting research, manipulating numbers, and not using reliable sources.
Even if you aren't a science nerd like me, you won't want to miss this episode as I walk you through the basics of what to look for with "good" research and red flags to look for with "bad" research. (Spoiler alert: just because it's a number or from a research study, that doesn't make it "True" unquestionable fact.) The common public gets science all backwards, and now you'll know to think twice when you see a trending post online touting a research study that "proves xyz."
NOTES:
Curious to see more examples of how correlation ≠ causation? Check out this site or google that phrase for some hilarious examples.
https://www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
---
Connect with me: @cycleway.workshop (IG & FB)
Get a sneak peek of next week's episode: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/
There's a LOT more to your pelvic floor than peeing your pants & kegels- it can even be connected to your period!
As a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Madi helps women and men with pelvic floor dysfunction by providing treatment and education to address sexual dysfunction, hip/low back pain, urinary/bowel incontinence, constipation, painful menstrual cycles, and much more. Her goal is to empower her clients to take their health and recovery into their own hands, finding clarity in a world that may be a little “taboo” or that is often disregarded as “in their head” or “will get better with time.”
Madi is actually my pelvic floor physical therapist that I've worked with the last 6 months. I was nervous to go to PFPT, but I truly believe God led me to her specifically. Working with her has been a huge part of my healing journey (including painful periods, inflammation, chronic hip pain, painful sex, digestion, etc.) and I've learned
Join us as we talk about...
If you're wondering if pelvic floor PT could be helpful for you now or in the future, this is a great spot to get started. While nutrition, stress, and other factors play a huge role in our health, so do our muscles and their ability to move and function properly. Your body is designed to work & THRIVE!
Happy periods, my friend ♡ ---
Connect with Madi: www.pelvicclaritypt.com
Connect with us:
@cycleway.workshop (IG & FB)
https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/ (& sign up for our email list for a sneak peek of next week's episode!)
Back in January when I asked who you'd like to see on the podcast, Faith was the #1 recommendation, and it's no surprise why! She's one of the sweetest friends I've met through Instagram and one of my personal favorite accounts to keep up with.
Faith is a "product girl" when it comes to makeup & beauty. But as she started learning about endocrine disruptors, she started on a mission to find safe, effective products and share them to help other women too. You don't have to choose between happy hormones and makeup, effective household cleaners, good smelling perfumes, etc.
While we often focus on what goes into our bodies in terms of food, we often overlook the harsh chemicals hiding in our lotions, perfume, shampoo, nail polish, deodorant, bathroom cleaner, air fresheners, etc. It might just be the missing piece in your hormone healing journey.
But I also get that it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Good news - you don't have to throw everything out right now!
Supporting your cycle in your everyday life- even with the products we use- doesn't have to be complicated and confusing. Join in as we discuss what endocrine disruptors are, where we find them, and how to start swapping everyday products with ease and confidence!
Happy periods, my friend ♡
---
Connect with Faith
Instagram & TikTok: @radiantlylivingwithfaith Safe Swap Product Guide
Connect with Me:
Instagram & Facebook: @cycleway.workshop
Website: https://www.cyclewayworkshop.com/