Send us Fan Mail Birth control is often prescribed as a fix for painful periods, irregular cycles, acne, and mood swings, but is it actually solving the problem, or just masking it? In this episode, Dr. Joshua Sharp sits down with women's health educator and author Tierra Duncan (The Birth Control Illusion) to unpack what hormonal birth control is really doing in the body, the risks that rarely come up in a 10-minute doctor's visit, and what root-cause, lifestyle-based support for hormone balance actually looks like. Tierra shares her own 14-year journey on birth control, the two-to-three-year recovery process that followed coming off it, and the foundational pillars (sleep, stress, nutrition, and movement) that support real hormone health at any age. You'll learn the four phases of the menstrual cycle, why alcohol is one of the most disruptive foods for hormones, which foods actually support balance, and the early warning signs that your sleep and stress levels are working against you. This conversation is for every mom raising a daughter, every woman who was put on the pill as a teenager without being told why, and anyone ready to understand their body instead of just managing symptoms. Wondering if an underlying infection could be behind your own symptoms? Take our free quiz: Could It Be Lyme? https://discoverhealthquiz.com Shop root-cause supplements and resources: https://discoverhealth.gethealthy.store/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoverhealthfm/?hl=en More from Tierra Duncan: Book: The Birth Control Illusion (available everywhere books are sold) YouTube + Instagram: Tierra Duncan Author 00:00 Intro: a teenager's terrifying birth control side effect 01:47 Meet Tierra Duncan and her path into hormone health 04:53 The birth control risks most people are never told 07:32 Why birth control doesn't fix the root cause 09:17 What's really driving hormone imbalances today 12:43 How different birth control types affect mood and energy 14:56 The four phases of the menstrual cycle, explained 17:12 The number one food that disrupts your hormones 18:54 Foods that actually support hormone balance 20:01 Why fiber matters for hormone detox 21:26 Signs you're not getting quality sleep 22:13 Building better sleep hygiene 25:29 Coming off birth control: what to expect 28:39 The priority order: sleep, stress, nutrition, movement 31:13 How to manage chronic stress 34:01 Why small changes beat extreme overhauls 37:31 Over-exercising vs. under-recovering 39:59 Inside Tierra's book, The Birth Control Illusion 41:26 Where to find Tierra Duncan 42:13 Final words of encouragement for moms Topics covered: birth control side effects, hormone balance, menstrual cycle education, coming off birth control, sleep and hormones, stress and hormones, foods for hormone health, functional medicine, root cause healing, women's health education #BirthControl #HormoneBalance #WomensHealth #FunctionalMedicine #RootCauseHealing #MenstrualCycle #HormoneHealth Support the show Check out my site: https://www.discoverhealthfm.com/ Online store: https://discoverhealth.gethealthy.store/ The information provided on the Discover Health Podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While we discuss natural health strategies, gut health, and overall well-being, this content is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or health regimen. The views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of any affiliated organizations. The Discover Health Podcast is not responsible for any actions taken based on the information presented. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that you take full responsibility for your health decisions.
