The Advanced Women’s Health Podcast

The Advanced Women’s Health Podcast
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Welcome to the Advanced Women’s Health Podcast, your trusted source for guidance and the latest insights in holistic women’s health. Hosted by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND, this podcast is dedicated to empowering women to thrive at every stage of their lives. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading health professionals, cutting-edge medical research, and practical wellness tips to help you achieve optimal health and well-being. Tune in to discover how you can take charge of your health and transform your life with the power of naturopathic medicine and holistic wellness.

  1. 18h ago

    Episode 102: Do You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy? Safety, Timing and Perimenopause

    Do you need hormone replacement therapy? It is the question we get asked more than any other at Advanced Women's Health, so in the final part of the midlife core four, I answer it. In 2002, one study stopped hormone replacement therapy in its tracks. Prescribing dropped, research slowed, and a whole generation of women were told hormone replacement therapy would give them cancer or blood clots. When I started practice ten years ago, women were begging for it because their doctors would not consider it. Since then, that data has been analyzed again and again, and the risks were not what we were told for most women. The FDA has now removed the black box warning from some forms of hormone replacement therapy. So the pendulum is swinging. And now that hormone replacement therapy is having its moment, everyone is being told to just take it. Neither extreme serves you. In this episode, I walk through the safety research, the timing question, how we use hormones in perimenopause, and why hormones alone will make you feel better without necessarily making you healthier. In this episode: The 2002 Women's Health Initiative study, and why its conclusions did not apply to most womenWhat hormone replacement therapy actually is: estradiol, progesterone, progestins and all the acronymsBioidentical vs synthetic hormones, and why we prescribe bioidentical at Advanced Women's HealthIs hormone replacement therapy safe? Why topical estradiol is the gold standard right nowHow the risk of hormone replacement therapy compares to obesity and to drinking more than four drinks a weekWho should work with an oncologist or cardiologist before starting hormone replacement therapyIs it too late to start hormone replacement therapy? The old 7 to 10 year window, and why it is being rethoughtThe four big reasons women stay on hormone replacement therapy long term: bone, brain, heart and hot flashesWhy vaginal hormones are an option at any ageHormone replacement therapy in perimenopause: progesterone, the estrogen rollercoaster and low-dose hormonesWhy we test hormones, blood sugar, nutrients, gut and inflammation before we prescribeOn-label vs off-label use, and what informed consent really meansWhy hormones are brush strokes, not a set-and-forget prescriptionA recap of the full midlife core four seriesMentioned in this episode: Strategic consults at Advanced Women's Health, to map out all of your optionsAt-home serial urine hormone testingListen to the rest of the Core Four series: Episode 100: Is It Perimenopause or ADHD? Every Woman in Her 40s Needs to Hear ThisEpisode 101: GLP-1s and Protein in Perimenopause: What to Know Before You Start

  2. Oct 1

    Episode 100: Is It Perimenopause or ADHD? Every Woman in Her 40s Needs to Hear This.

    If you have found yourself wondering whether you need Ozempic, HRT, more protein, or an ADHD diagnosis all at once — this episode explains exactly why that is happening and what it actually means. In This Episode, We Answer: Why do so many women in their 40s suddenly feel like they have ADHD?Is perimenopause causing my brain fog and focus problems?What is the connection between hormones and ADHD symptoms?Why are women being put on ADHD medications they do not need?What is the midlife core four and why does Dr. Sarah talk about it? Quick Answers (FAQ): Q: Why do so many women in their 40s suddenly feel like they have ADHD?A: Estrogen supports brain function, focus, memory, and word retrieval. Progesterone calms the nervous system and reduces inflammation. When both begin to fluctuate unpredictably in perimenopause, the result looks clinically identical to ADHD. Add nutrient deficiencies and chronic nervous system overload, and the picture becomes nearly indistinguishable. We go deeper into this at 08:06. Q: Is perimenopause causing my brain fog and focus problems?A: Possibly, but it is more accurate to say perimenopause is revealing a problem that was already building. The hormone shift makes the brain less able to compensate for inflammation, blood sugar swings, and nutrient deficiencies that have been accumulating for years. We go deeper into this at 07:18. Q: What should I investigate before starting an ADHD medication?A: Blood sugar, fasting insulin, inflammatory markers, iron, B vitamins, and choline. If these have not been assessed and addressed, the ADHD-like symptoms may resolve without medication. If they do not, you now have a clearer picture of what the medication is working on top of. We go deeper into this at 17:28. Q: What is the midlife core four?A: The four things Dr. Sarah hears about most in clinic for women in their 40s and 50s: GLP-1 medications, hormone replacement therapy, protein intake, and ADHD. They cluster together because they share the same root drivers — hormonal instability, insulin dysregulation, inflammation, and nervous system overload. We go deeper into this at 01:02. Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.caEmail for programs: info@advancedwomenshealth.ca Leave a review: wherever you are listening, it helps other women find this episode

    Episode 100: Is It Perimenopause or ADHD? Every Woman in Her 40s Needs to Hear This.

  3. Sep 24

    Episode 99: What Is the Late Reproductive Stage and Why Is Nobody Talking About It? A Perimenopause and Menopause Chat with Andrea Donsky

    If you have been told you are too young for perimenopause, your labs look fine, and you should just manage your stress — this episode is the conversation your doctor should have had with you. In This Episode, We Answer: Can you have perimenopause symptoms before your periods change?Why do my hormone labs look normal if I feel terrible?What does insulin have to do with menopause weight gain?Should I do a nutrition program before starting a GLP medication?Why do I feel like a completely different person? Key Takeaways: You can be fully symptomatic with anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, and mood changes years before you are technically perimenopausal by lab criteria. The late reproductive stage is real, it is under-discussed, and standard FSH and LH testing on a single day will miss it. You deserve help regardless of whether you fit a label.Insulin has been more directly associated with hot flashes, night sweats, menopausal weight gain, anxiety, and cognitive changes than reproductive hormones. A normal HbA1c does not rule out insulin dysregulation. A fasting insulin test is inexpensive and changes everything about how a plan is built.The best-performing GLP-1 studies had a three-month nutrition primer built in before starting medication. That nutritional education and habit formation is what produced better sustained results. This is what the headlines do not tell you.Quick Answers (FAQ): Q: Can you have perimenopause symptoms before your periods change?A: Yes. The late reproductive stage can begin in the late 30s and early 40s. Hormone levels on a single blood draw may appear normal while daily fluctuations are already causing anxiety, brain fog, sleep disruption, and mood changes. We go deeper into this at 06:43. Q: Why do my hormone labs look normal if I feel terrible?A: Standard FSH, LH, and estradiol testing on one day gives a single snapshot. Hormones genuinely fluctuate day to day in this stage, meaning a normal reading does not confirm a normal experience. We go deeper into this at 07:47. Q: What does insulin have to do with menopause weight gain?A: Insulin is a storage hormone. When it stays elevated, fat cells are locked in storage mode regardless of how little you eat. Eating less when insulin is high is like making less money when your savings account is locked — the checking account still feels empty. Lowering insulin unlocks fat burning. We go deeper into this at 14:04. Q: Should I do a nutrition program before starting a GLP medication?A: The trials that produced the best GLP-1 results included a three-month nutrition primer before the medication started. Participants learned macronutrient principles, built habits, and changed their relationship with food before the drug was introduced. Results were significantly better at 12 and 24 months. We go deeper into this at 22:38. Q: Why do I feel like a completely different person in perimenopause?A: Hormone fluctuations affect brain function, mood regulation, sleep, and stress response. The late reproductive stage adds a layer of inconsistency — good days and bad days with no predictable pattern — that makes women feel like they no longer know themselves. We go deeper into this at 06:43. Resources Mentioned: Andrea Donsky: @andreadonsky on InstagramMenopause Reimagined Podcast Nourishing Menopause by Andrea Donsky: available at most Canadian bookstores and on Amazon in the USWebsite: wearemorphis.com⁠ Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.ca Leave a review: wherever you are listening, it helps other women find this episode The Advanced Women's Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND, naturopathic doctor, clinic founder, and obesity and immunology researcher. This episode is crossposted with the Menopause Reimagined podcast by Andrea Donsky.

    Episode 99: What Is the Late Reproductive Stage and Why Is Nobody Talking About It? A Perimenopause and Menopause Chat with Andrea Donsky

  4. Sep 17

    Episode 98: Why Women Get Autoimmune Disease More Than Men (And the Three Windows That Explain It)

    If you have ever wondered why your immune system turned on you, why it happened when it did, and why it seems to happen to women so much more than men — this episode has the clearest answer you will find anywhere. In This Episode, We Answer: Why do women get autoimmune disease more than men?What does estrogen have to do with autoimmunity?Can EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) cause Hashimoto's thyroiditis?Did COVID trigger my autoimmune disease?Is leaky gut real and what are doctors getting wrong about it? Key Takeaways: Women make up roughly 78 to 80% of autoimmune disease patients. The three most vulnerable windows are postpartum (the most common), perimenopause into menopause (where conditions like MS most often appear), and puberty. Estrogen gives women a more robust immune system overall but also makes it more likely to misfire into autoimmunity.The gut is accurately rated as important, but the treatment is where things break down. Gut lining integrity is the most underaddressed piece right now. Antimicrobials and elimination diets address bugs and food, but they cannot fix a lining that is already eroded. And you cannot eliminate all exposures when the lining is what is broken.Chronic illness is never just one thing. EBV, COVID, mold, Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia are almost always found together with multiple stressors. Testing for one and treating one while ignoring the constellation is why so many people stay stuck.Quick Answers (FAQ): Q: Why do women get autoimmune disease more than men?A: Before puberty, boys have more immune dysfunction. After puberty, the pattern reverses because estrogen significantly amplifies immune activity — which protects women from infections but also makes autoimmune misfiring more likely. The three most vulnerable windows are postpartum, perimenopause into menopause, and puberty. We go deeper into this at 00:42. Q: Can EBV or mono cause Hashimoto's thyroiditis?A: Yes, there is a well-documented link. EBV establishes lifelong latency in B cells and reactivates when the immune system is stressed. Through a process called molecular mimicry, antibodies made to fight EBV proteins can mistakenly target thyroid tissue because the proteins look similar. We go deeper into this at 19:00. Q: Did COVID trigger my autoimmune disease?A: Possibly, or it accelerated the onset of something you were already predisposed to. COVID's ACE2 receptor gave it access to far more tissues than most viruses, creating widespread inflammation and a higher chance of immune confusion. New research suggests COVID may accelerate disease onset in genetically predisposed people rather than cause it outright. We go deeper into this at 17:00. Q: Is leaky gut real?A: Increased intestinal permeability is a real, measurable phenomenon seen in celiac disease and IBD. The debate is whether it is a cause or a consequence of chronic illness. Dr. Sarah's take: it is part of a system, not a single lock with a single key. Fix the lining without addressing the causes of lining breakdown and nothing sticks. We go deeper into this at 11:30. Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.caLeave a review: wherever you are listening, it helps other women find this episode The Advanced Women's Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND, naturopathic doctor, clinic founder, and obesity and immunology researcher. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

    Episode 98: Why Women Get Autoimmune Disease More Than Men (And the Three Windows That Explain It)

  5. Sep 10

    Episode 97: What Actually Happens at Your First AWH Appointment?

    If you have ever wondered how a naturopathic doctor connects brain fog, anxiety, bloating, and irregular periods into one cohesive plan this episode shows you exactly how that thinking works. In This Episode, We Answer: What happens at a first naturopathic appointment?Why do my symptoms feel so unrelated but my ND says they are connected?What is the AWH clinical framework and how does it work?Why are hormones not always the first thing an ND treats?How many appointments does it take to actually feel better? Key Takeaways: Every symptom on your list can be connected back to dysfunction in the same five to seven areas: blood sugar and insulin, gut health, liver health, nutrient deficiencies, nervous system, mitochondrial health, and immune or inflammatory dysfunction. This is why your ND is not treating symptoms individually but looking for the two to three root systems driving most of them.Hormones are not always treated first, but sometimes they are. If a patient is so depleted that they cannot make lifestyle changes, a hormone win can give them the energy and capacity to do the foundational work. It is not hormones versus foundations — it is how to tie them together.The two-week win matters. AWH practitioners aim for at least one clear improvement between every appointment. Health is not linear, and every appointment involves asking where you are now, where you have been, and where you are headed next.Resources Mentioned: AWH daily lunchtime clinical rounds: mentioned as an internal team tool for collaborative patient careContinuous glucose monitor: used at AWH for monitoring blood sugar in the maintenance phaseHeart rate variability via smartwatch: used to monitor nervous system and stress responseBIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis): used to monitor muscle massBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.caAdvanced Men's Health: advancedmenshealth.ca Related Episodes: Episode 86: Metabolic Rehab Type 1, insulin and insulin resistanceEpisode 87: Metabolic Rehab Type 2, stress and liver dysfunctionEpisode 88: Metabolic Rehab Type 3, gut hormones and inflammationEpisode 80: Mitochondria and fatigue with Dr. Sasha and Dr. Bianca Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.ca Leave a review: wherever you're listening, it helps other women find this episode The Advanced Women's Health Podcast is hosted by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND. This episode features Dr. Ally and Dr. Bianca, naturopathic doctors at Advanced Women's Health. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.

    Episode 97: What Actually Happens at Your First AWH Appointment?

  6. Sep 3

    Episode 96: Start Here Before You Book Your First Aesthetic Appointment

    f you have been curious about Botox, filler, or any aesthetic treatment but do not know where to start or who to trust, this is the episode to listen to first. In This Episode, We Answer: Is Botox safe and does it work long term?What is the difference between filler and Sculptra?What is PRF and how is it different from PRP?What should I look for when choosing an injector?What are the real risks of dermal filler I should know about?Key Takeaways: A good injector says no. If someone is giving you a laundry list of everything you need the moment you walk in, that is not the approach that produces the most natural results. Find someone who gives you the mirror first and asks what you love about your face.Vascular occlusion is rare but real, and every patient should know what to look for: severe pain that is getting worse not better, skin that turns white and does not refill with color. If your injector has not told you this, that is a red flag.Filler lasts longer than the product monograph says, especially high density fillers. Many people are adding to filler that is still present, which is how over-augmentation happens. Ask your injector to review your before photos before adding more.Quick Answers (FAQ): Q: Is Botox safe and does it work long term?A: Yes. The 2006 Botox twin study showed that one twin who received Botox consistently for 13 years looked significantly younger than the twin who had one or two treatments. The key is consistency and appropriate dosing. When Botox wears off, you return to where you were before, not worse. We go deeper into this at 38:30. Q: What is the difference between filler and Sculptra?A: Filler (hyaluronic acid) adds volume immediately and is dissolvable. Sculptra (polylactic acid) is a biostimulator that is reabsorbed after injection, then gradually stimulates your body to produce its own collagen over three to six months. Results from Sculptra can last up to two years. We go deeper into this at 27:00. Q: What is PRF and how is it different from PRP?A: Both are blood concentrates where your blood is spun in a centrifuge. PRF is spun slower and retains white blood cells including mesenchymal stem cells, creating a more concentrated healing response. Unlike filler, PRF cannot cause migration, allergic reaction, or lumps. Dr. Nicola uses it particularly for under-eye hollowing and brightness. We go deeper into this at 13:30. Q: What are the real risks of dermal filler?A: Common risks include bruising, swelling, and soreness. The more serious but rare risk is vascular occlusion, where filler blocks a blood vessel. If caught early and dissolved, it can be reversed. Signs include severe pain getting worse, and skin that turns white and stays white. In extremely rare cases, injections near the nose and glabella have caused blindness due to vascular anatomy in that area. We go deeper into this at 33:30. Resources Mentioned: Botox twin study (2006): search "Botox twin study" to find the photosProcedures discussed: Botox/Dysport/Xeomin, dermal filler, PRF, microneedling, Sculptra, HydraFacial, BBL, Moxie Laser Genesis, Morpheus8Book with Dr. Dasha or Dr. Nicola: advancedwomenshealth.caRelated Episodes: Episode 83: Hidradenitis Suppurativa with Dr. Dasha — skin conditions from the inside out Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook with Dr. Nicola (Squamish) or Dr. Dasha (Vancouver): advancedwomenshealth.ca Leave a review: wherever you're listening, it helps other women find this episode

    Episode 96: Start Here Before You Book Your First Aesthetic Appointment

  7. Aug 27

    Episode 95: What Your Fertility Hormones Are Actually Telling You

    If you have been told your hormones look fine but something still feels off, this episode explains what most fertility workups are missing. In This Episode, We Answer: What should my hormone levels look like throughout my cycle?What does low or high estradiol in the first half of my cycle mean?Why does progesterone matter for getting and staying pregnant?What does blood flow have to do with fertility?What are the signs that circulation to my ovaries might be affected?Key Takeaways: A single progesterone blood test seven days after ovulation is not enough to assess luteal health. What matters is the level, the stability across multiple days, and the length of the luteal phase. A short luteal phase can cause early pregnancy loss before you even know you were pregnant.All the egg quality supplements in the world only work if those nutrients can actually reach the ovaries via healthy blood flow. Circulation is the missing piece that connects everything else — hormones, egg quality, brain-ovary communication, and lining thickness.Post-viral changes, including changes associated with COVID, have measurably reduced ovarian blood flow in many patients. If you have experienced any circulatory symptoms since a viral illness and are on a fertility journey, blood flow should be part of your conversation.Resources Mentioned: Mira: at-home urinary hormone monitor used at AWH for cycle tracking across the full monthAWH Fertility Program: clinically guided fertility programming launching soon, info@advancedwomenshealth.caAcupuncture for fertility: discussed in context of circulation, egg quality, and stress responseRed light therapy belts: emerging research in fertility and mitochondrial healthEgg quality supplements mentioned: CoQ10, B vitamins, carnitine, N-acetylcysteine, resveratrol, vitamin E, vitamin C, Vitex/chaste treeBook a fertility consult: advancedwomenshealth.caRelated Episodes: Fertility Masterclass Part 1: Are You Actually Ovulating?Fertility Masterclass Part 2: The Immune System's Role in Getting and Staying PregnantEpisode 86: Metabolic Rehab Type 1, insulin and insulin resistanceEpisode 88: Metabolic Rehab Type 3, gut hormones and inflammationComing next: Fertility Masterclass Part 4, structural anatomy and can egg and sperm actually meet Connect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook a fertility consult: advancedwomenshealth.caFertility programming inquiries: info@advancedwomenshealth.caLeave a review: wherever you're listening, it helps other women find this episode

    Episode 95: What Your Fertility Hormones Are Actually Telling You

  8. Aug 20

    Episode 94: You Might Have Endometriosis and Not Know It

    If you have been told your painful periods are normal, your recurrent UTIs are just bad luck, or your fatigue is just stress, this episode is the conversation you have been waiting for. In This Episode, We Answer: What is endometriosis and who can have it?Can you have endometriosis without fertility problems?What are the symptoms of endometriosis beyond painful periods?What does endometriosis have to do with gut health?Does stress make endometriosis worse? Key Takeaways: Endometriosis is an immune condition, not just a hormonal one. The tissue responds to hormones, but the root is immunological. This is why it shows up after menopause, after hysterectomy, and in people with no menstrual symptoms at all.Recurrent UTIs with negative cultures, period-related digestive chaos, cyclical fatigue, hip pain that comes and goes, shortness of breath with your cycle — all of these can be endometriosis. The symptom picture is far wider than most people are told.Chronic stress makes endometriosis worse in two distinct ways: it causes lesion growth directly, and it sensitizes pain pathways so that the same signals produce more intense pain. Addressing the nervous system is not optional in endo treatment — it is part of the protocol.Quick Answers (FAQ): Q: Can you have endometriosis without fertility problems?A: Yes. Many people with endometriosis have no fertility issues. Some have no menstrual symptoms at all. The disease does not always produce the symptoms you would expect, and symptoms do not correlate with disease severity. We go deeper into this at 09:52. Q: What does endometriosis have to do with gut health?A: The abdomen is like a pool. Endometrial lesions create inflammatory chaos that affects every organ in that space, including the bowel. This causes diarrhea, constipation, incomplete evacuation, reflux, and nausea. And gut bacteria determine 40 to 60% of insulin signaling, which drives lesion growth. Gut health and endo are bidirectional. We go deeper into this at 10:18. Q: Does stress make endometriosis worse?A: Yes, in two measurable ways. Chronic stress directly causes endometrial lesions to grow. It also causes central sensitization, where the nervous system over-responds to pain signals, making existing pain significantly worse. We go deeper into this at 20:13. Q: What are the symptoms of endometriosis beyond painful periods?A: Recurrent UTIs with negative cultures, cyclical fatigue, lightning rod rectal pain, digestive symptoms that worsen with your cycle, pain with a full bladder, hip or rib pain that comes and goes monthly, shortness of breath with menses, and deep pain with intercourse. We go deeper into this at 06:26. Resources Mentioned: Related episodes: Episode 27 and Episode 30 with Dr. Lauryn Dingwall on endometriosis and fertilityEMDR, somatic therapy, and hypnotherapy: referenced as nervous system tools used alongside medical and naturopathic treatmentBook a visit: advancedwomenshealth.caEmail: info@advancedwomenshealth.ca Related Episodes: Episode 27: Endometriosis and Fertility with Dr. Lauryn DingwallEpisode 30: Endometriosis and Fertility Part 2 with Dr. Lauryn DingwallEpisode 92: Fertility Masterclass Part 2, the immune system's role in getting and staying pregnantEpisode 88: Metabolic Rehab Type 3, gut hormones and inflammationConnect With Us: Website: advancedwomenshealth.caInstagram: @drsarah_nd | @advancedwomenshealthBook an appointment: advancedwomenshealth.ca Leave a review: wherever you're listening, it helps other women find this episode

    Episode 94: You Might Have Endometriosis and Not Know It
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About

Welcome to the Advanced Women’s Health Podcast, your trusted source for guidance and the latest insights in holistic women’s health. Hosted by Dr. Sarah Wilson, ND, this podcast is dedicated to empowering women to thrive at every stage of their lives. Each episode features in-depth discussions with leading health professionals, cutting-edge medical research, and practical wellness tips to help you achieve optimal health and well-being. Tune in to discover how you can take charge of your health and transform your life with the power of naturopathic medicine and holistic wellness.

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  • Creator
    The Advanced Women’s Health Podcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Advanced Women’s Health Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Advanced Women’s Health Podcast

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