Hysterical Women

Coven Women's Health
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS

For too long, women have been called “too emotional,” “too much,” or simply “hysterical” and our hormones have been blamed for it all. Hysterical Women is the podcast reclaiming women’s health from centuries of dismissal and misinformation. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Jacobson OBGYN and Jenn Patterson, co-founders of Coven Women’s Health, this show makes hormones make sense and creates a safe space where women can be as hysterical as they’d like. We’re here to dig into the questions you’ve been Googling at 2 a.m., the symptoms that freak you out and the things your doctor can’t explain – from PMS and perimenopause to insomnia, sex (or lack of), and everything in between. With evidence, empathy, humour, we’ll decode your hormones, bust myths, and help you feel heard in your health. Because support, clarity, and care shouldn’t be rare. They should be the standard. This isn’t your typical doctor’s waiting room. It’s the women’s health conversation you actually want to be a part of.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    Wide Awake at 3 am? Let’s Fix Your Perimenopause Sleep Cycle with Dominique Williams

    Sleep problems are common in perimenopause and menopause — but what makes them feel especially brutal is the no end in sight part. One bad night turns into worry about the next night… which makes it even harder to sleep… and suddenly you’re stuck in a cycle of anxiety + exhaustion. In this episode, Dr. Michelle is joined again by Coven Women’s Health Registered Social Worker, Dominique Williams, to talk about why sleep gets disrupted in midlife, what “best practice” support actually looks like, and what to do when you wake up in the middle of the night with a blank mind and still can’t fall back asleep. This conversation is part education, part validation, and part “okay but what do I do at 3 a.m. when I’m wide awake?” In this episode, we’re talking about: Why perimenopause and menopause sleep disruption can become a self-perpetuating anxiety cycleThe most common sleep patterns Michelle sees in clinic: trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early, and “wake after sleep onset (WASO)”Why disrupted sleep isn’t always caused by night sweats (and why identifying the actual trigger matters)How a sleep diary, stimulus control, and structured wind-down routines help retrain your brain for sleepWhat to do when you wake up and can’t fall back asleep: the “15-minute rule” and why getting out of bed mattersNervous system tools that can help your body downshift (breath work + progressive muscle relaxation)The small things that make a big difference: room temperature, darkness, fans, night sweats strategies, and minimizing clock-watchingProgesterone and sleep: why feeling sedated doesn’t always mean better quality sleepSleep medications vs. sleep architecture: what’s changing in perimenopause and why newer options are emergingThe daytime habits that quietly impact sleep at night (caffeine, movement, late eating, alcohol — and the “be an adult, accept the consequences” approach) Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    15 min

  2. FEB 11

    Not Here to F*ck Spiders: Mental Health, Menopause & Feeling Like Yourself Again with Dominique Williams

    In this episode, Dr. Michelle is joined by Dominique Williams, a Registered Social Worker at Coven Women’s Health, for a deeply honest and empowering conversation about mental health in perimenopause/menopause, and why so many women feel dismissed, invisible, or like they’re “losing it” during this transition. Dominique shares her personal journey through perimenopause, a breast cancer diagnosis, and the moment she was told by a healthcare provider that there was “nothing” that could help her symptoms - an experience that shaped her work supporting other women today. Together, they unpack the emotional, psychological, and neurological changes that can happen during hormonal transitions, the role therapy (especially CBT) can play in symptom relief, and why addressing mental health is not optional care, it’s essential. In this episode, we’re talking about: Dominique’s personal experience with perimenopause, breast cancer, and medical dismissalWhy so many women feel invisible or minimized when they raise menopause concernsThe most common mental health symptoms in perimenopause and menopauseAnxiety, low mood, irritability, rage, and why your “b******t tolerance” suddenly dropsBrain fog, memory lapses, and why they don’t mean you’re developing dementiaHow hormonal changes impact the brain, including the amygdalaWhy therapy, especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is evidence-based care for menopauseHow CBT can help with hot flashes, sleep disruption, anxiety, and mood changesA simple, practical CBT grounding exercise you can try when your mind won’t stop racingWhy thoughts can intensify physical symptoms and how to interrupt that cycleWhat it really means to say “I don’t feel like myself” and why that feeling is validIf you’ve ever wondered whether what you’re feeling in perimenopause or menopause is “normal,” or if mental health support actually belongs in menopause care - this conversation is for you. Let’s Connect If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    29 min

  3. JAN 28

    Nosh with Nish: Cutting Through Protein Hype, Creatine & Nutrition Noise

    In this episode, Jenn is joined once again by Coven’s Registered Dietitian Nishta Saxena to answer the nutrition questions the Coven keeps asking - from protein overload and creatine hype to whether the latest fitness trends are actually worth your time. Together, they unpack why nutrition advice feels so overwhelming during perimenopause and menopause, how desperation and misinformation fuel fads, and what actually matters when it comes to supporting muscle, bone, energy, and metabolic health as hormones shift. This conversation blends practical education with real talk, helping you cut through the noise and focus on nutrition choices that are evidence-based, realistic, and tailored to your body - not trends or algorithms. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why nutrition fads feel especially tempting when you’re struggling with symptomsWeighted vests: what they actually do, who they may help, and when to skip themWhat truly supports bone density and muscle mass in perimenopause and menopauseCreatine 101: what it is, how it works, and why consistency mattersWhy creatine isn’t a magic fix and how to use it safelyThe truth about protein needs for women as hormones changeWhy “more protein” isn’t always better (and can sometimes backfire)How to think about protein intake in a way that’s individualized, not extremeWhole food protein sources versus protein-fortified everythingHow to build meals that support energy, blood sugar, and hormones without overthinking itThis episode is equal parts myth-busting, education, and reassurance. If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or behind when it comes to nutrition during perimenopause or menopause — this one’s for you. Let’s Connect If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    20 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Q&A With Dr. J: Periods, Pain, Sex, TikTok Myths and Everything In Between

    In this end-of-year episode, Dr. Michelle and Jenn answer the Coven and the Internet’s most Googled (and sometimes unhinged) women’s-health questions – from coffee-ground period blood to butthole zingers, vaginal dryness, TikTok sex rumors, “menopause psychosis,” and whether diarrhea during your period is actually normal (spoiler: yes). This episode blends laugh-out-loud moments with real medical explanations, helping you understand what’s normal, what isn’t, and what your body is trying to tell you without shame, fear, or Dr. Google at 2 a.m. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why period blood sometimes looks black, brown or like coffee groundsThe real reason so many women get diarrhea during their periodsWhat causes the sharp “lighting bolt” pains in your butt (and why you’re not alone)Lighting crotch during pregnancy: what it is and why it happensWhy sex can feel like sandpaper even when you’re arousedThe difference between lubricants, moisturizers and vaginal hormone therapyPelvic floor tension and why your brain may be bracing for painWhether sex actually helps period cramps or if TikTok lied again“Menopause psychosis”: what’s real, what’s not and why this TikTok term is misleadingThis episode is equal parts myth-busting, education, and “OMG I thought it was just me.” If you’ve ever wondered whether something happening in your body is normal — this is your episode. Let’s Connect If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    29 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    The Truth About Mid-Life Weight: GLP1s, Mindset And More Than Your Mom's Diet With Nishta Saxena, RD

    Nutrition in midlife is loud so we brought in Coven Women’s Health Registered Dietitian, Nishta Saxena, to make sense of what your body actually needs in perimenopause and beyond. This episode breaks down metabolism, weight changes, hormone shifts and everything the internet gets wrong about “fixing” your body in your 40s and 50s. If you want less confusion, more confidence, and a grounded plan for nourishing yourself, this conversation is packed with clarity. In this episode, we’re talking about: What a Registered Dietitian actually is and why regulated, evidence-based nutrition support matters.Why weight changes in perimenopause, including shifts in hormones, fat distribution and metabolism.GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, etc.), when they’re helpful and when they can create new problems.Why strength training becomes essential for health, longevity and weight stability.How stress, sleep and mindset impact appetite and midlife weight changes more than most diets do.Why nutrition is emotional, not just practical, and how to build habits that support the life you want.Links from the episode: Learn more about the Weight & Nutrition programs at covenhealth.comGet started with the Diet & Nutrition Program or the Feel Powerful – Weight Management ProgramFollow Nishta on Instagram, @nishtasaxenardLet’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    35 min

  6. 11/12/2025

    What You Need to Know About Cancer Genetics, Screening & Survivorship: Dr. Michelle's Story

    This one gets personal. Dr. Michelle shares how she discovered she carries a BRCA mutation (from her dad’s side), what it meant for her 20s, and why that moment shaped her life’s work. From genetic testing and a preventive double mastectomy to building better care paths for women after cancer, this episode blends story, science, and the kind of straight-talk you wish you’d heard sooner. In this episode, we’re talking about: What BRCA actually is and why you can inherit it from either parentHow to approach genetic testing when family history is missing or complicatedWhat you need to know about screening Michelle’s decision-making: life insurance worries, timing kids, and choosing a preventive double mastectomyWhy “one-size-fits-all” doesn’t exist: individualized choices vs. fear-driven adviceMenopause after cancer: Who can (and sometimes should) consider hormones, and nuanced alternativesThe survivorship gap: Why finishing treatment isn’t the finish line and what better support looks likeHow Michelle’s experience led to Coven Health and the Feel Powerful Menopause After Cancer program (evidence, empathy, and a real plan) If you’ve ever felt in the dark about hereditary risk or been told to simply “tough out” menopause after cancer, this conversation is for you. Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven on Instagram at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    39 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    Progesterone, Rage and The Thing About Testosterone

    Progesterone has a reputation for being the “bad guy” in PMS but it’s also essential for balancing estrogen and protecting your uterus. In this episode, Jenn and Dr. Michelle get into the role of progesterone, why women are told they’re “estrogen dominant,” and how myths around hormones keep us confused (and sometimes taken advantage of). They also touch on the hype around testosterone for women and what the evidence actually says. In this episode, we’re talking about: Progesterone 101: what it is, when it’s made, and why it mattersThe truth behind “estrogen dominance” and other buzzwordsHow progesterone can help (or worsen) PMS and perimenopausal symptomsJenn’s experience with headaches, fatigue, and finding the right combination of hormone therapySide effects, myths, and the importance of safe prescribing and follow-upsTestosterone: when it can help, what it’s not good for, and why it’s suddenly everywhere in your algorithmWhy individualized care, not one-size-fits-all hormone promises, is the key to feeling betterThis episode is equal parts myth-busting and practical education, helping you understand how different hormones actually work together — and what questions to ask if you’re considering hormone therapy. Links from the episode:  MQ6 – Menopause Assessment Tool Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    33 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    Hormone Therapy 101: Myths, Media Panic & Why “Still Getting Your Period” Doesn’t Mean You’re Fine

    Launching a business, raising kids, and navigating perimenopause — Jenn and Dr. Michelle bring it all to the mic in this episode about hormone therapy (or as Dr. Michelle reminds us, it’s now called menopausal hormone therapy). From personal stories to the infamous Women’s Health Initiative study, they break down what hormone therapy actually is, why so many of us were misinformed about it, and how it can support women even if you’re still getting your period. In this episode, we’re talking about: Why Jenn’s personal experience with MHT shifted how she thinks about perimenopauseThe truth about having a regular cycle and being in perimenopauseHow decades of misinformation created a generation of scared and untreated womenWhat’s changed in the science since the early 2000s and why the risks aren’t as scary as the headlines made them soundWhat “bioidentical” actually means (and why it’s more marketing than medicine)Why individualized, evidence-based prescribing matters and how Coven approaches it differentlyIf you’ve ever wondered if hormone therapy was “only for your mom,” this episode is here to set the record straight. Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    36 min

  9. 10/01/2025

    Perimenopause: Why Everything Feels So Hard

    Insomnia. Mood swings. Hair changes. Libido shifts. The random chin hair that wasn’t there yesterday. Perimenopause can feel like your body is playing a cruel joke – all while you’re managing careers, kids, partners, and aging parents. In this episode, Jenn and Dr. Michelle get real about what perimenopause actually is, why it’s unpredictable, and how you can tell if you’re in it. In this episode, we’re talking about: What perimenopause really means and when it starts (hint: often earlier than you think)Why early vs. late perimenopause symptoms can look so differentHow perimenopause impacts sleep, mood, libido, and energyWhy tests aren’t the answer (and what doctors often miss)The link between perimenopause and confidence at work, relationships, and self-esteemSymptoms you should never ignore — and when to push for more investigationThe role of hormone therapy, lifestyle shifts, and support in feeling like yourself againBecause yes, perimenopause is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    37 min

  10. 09/17/2025

    Hormones 101: Why Your Brain Is Betraying You

    Hormones aren’t just about hot flashes and mood swings. They’re the keys and locks that control almost everything in our bodies. But how do they actually work, and what happens when things feel “off”? In this episode, Jenn asks the questions we’re all wondering (sometimes straight from her group chat), while Dr. Michelle breaks down hormones in plain English, with analogies that actually make sense. In this episode, we’re talking about: What hormones really are and how they function in your bodyThe menstrual cycle explained step-by-step, without the jargonPMS, PMDD, and why some people struggle more than othersThe myth of “balancing” your hormones vs. optimizing themWhy your period isn’t the only marker of perimenopause or menopauseHow to track your own data to feel more empowered in your careThis is your crash course in hormones, no thousand dollar influencer program needed. Let’s Connect If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    23 min

  11. 09/17/2025

    Meet the Hysterical Women: Get to Know Your Hosts & Coven Women’s Health

    What happens when a menopause expert meets an entrepreneur with serious health challenges? You get Coven Women’s Health and now, this podcast. In our first episode, Dr. Michelle and Jenn introduce each other (with raw honesty), share the story of their “meet-cute” that turned into a business partnership, and talk about why building a new model of women’s healthcare is so necessary. In this episode, we’re talking about: The hamster, the basement, and the original “Michelle + Jenn jingle”Michelle’s expertise as one of Canada’s top menopause specialists (and why she became passionate about this work)Jenn’s health journey, self-advocacy, and what it’s like to be dismissed in the systemThe failures of “universal” healthcare and why so many women feel unsupportedWhy Coven Women’s Health is built on community, multidisciplinary care, and accessibility for all womenWhat “Coven” really means (hint: witches, power, and a love of Hocus Pocus)If you’ve ever felt dismissed in your health journey or wished there was a place that actually listened – this is your invitation to the Coven. Let’s Connect If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven Women’s Health at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    25 min

  12. TRAILER

    Welcome to Hysterical Women [Trailer]

    Hysterical Women is the women’s health podcast that makes hormones make sense and  creates a safe space where women can be as hysterical as they’d like. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Jacobson and Jenn Patterson, co-founders of Coven Women’s Health, this show is your dose of no nonsense education, empathy, and humour. We’re here to dig into the questions you’ve been Googling at 2 a.m., the symptoms that freak you out and the things your doctor can’t explain – from PMS and perimenopause to insomnia, sex (or lack of), and everything in between. No jargon, no judgment – just honest conversations about your body, your hormonal health, and your options. Because being heard and supported in your health shouldn’t be rare. It should be the standard. Welcome to the Coven. You belong here. Let’s Connect: If this resonated, leave a review or share it with someone who needs to hear it. Follow us and find more information about Coven at @covenhealth or visit www.covenhealth.com

    1 min

Trailer

About

For too long, women have been called “too emotional,” “too much,” or simply “hysterical” and our hormones have been blamed for it all. Hysterical Women is the podcast reclaiming women’s health from centuries of dismissal and misinformation. Hosted by Dr. Michelle Jacobson OBGYN and Jenn Patterson, co-founders of Coven Women’s Health, this show makes hormones make sense and creates a safe space where women can be as hysterical as they’d like. We’re here to dig into the questions you’ve been Googling at 2 a.m., the symptoms that freak you out and the things your doctor can’t explain – from PMS and perimenopause to insomnia, sex (or lack of), and everything in between. With evidence, empathy, humour, we’ll decode your hormones, bust myths, and help you feel heard in your health. Because support, clarity, and care shouldn’t be rare. They should be the standard. This isn’t your typical doctor’s waiting room. It’s the women’s health conversation you actually want to be a part of.

Information

  • Creator
    Coven Women's Health
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Coven Women's Health
  • Show Website
    Hysterical Women

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