Beyond Hormone Symptoms Podcast

Gloria Halim
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Welcome to "Beyond Hormone Symptoms," your ultimate resource for navigating the complex journey of hormonal changes with confidence and clarity. This podcast is specifically designed for women over 35 who are experiencing hormone imbalances and perimenopause symptoms, offering expert insights, evidence-based strategies, and practical solutions that go beyond conventional advice. Each episode delivers actionable wisdom to help you decode your body's signals, transform frustrating symptoms into meaningful information, and reclaim your vitality during this significant life transition.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 66: Is Your Lymphatic System Behind Your Menopause Symptoms?

    Gloria Halim speaks with John Ossipinski, a certified lymphedema therapist and developer of Lymphpractic, about the lymphatic system and its possible connections to hormone health, brain fog, and inflammation. John explains how movement, breathing, posture, and daily habits feature in his approach, while sharing his own health story and practical routines. In this episode, John describes the lymphatic system as a network that helps move fluid, cellular waste, and immune cells. Unlike blood circulation, it has no central pump, so movement and breathing help propel lymph. John discusses why the lymphatic system often gets less attention than other body systems, and describes its relationship to immune function. He explains his view that lymph flow may be relevant to menopause symptoms such as bloating, joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog. These are his perspectives, not a substitute for medical assessment. John shares how changing his diet and adding regular movement and lymph-focused routines influenced his own health. Gloria connects the topic to her experience of breast cancer treatment and the questions that led her to learn more about lymph nodes. The conversation explores the brain’s lymphatic and glymphatic systems, and John’s suggestions for supporting flow around the head and neck. John demonstrates the “lymph man shoulder shuffle,” a gentle neck-stretching technique, and deep breathing. He also emphasises posture and regular movement. They discuss food choices, fasting, and magnesium. John offers his personal views on diet and supplementation; check with a qualified healthcare professional before changing supplements or treatment. John describes "Lymphpractic" as an approach combining lymph drainage therapy, craniosacral therapy, and visceral manipulation, and distinguishes it from standard manual lymph drainage. John recommends seeking qualified professional support when needed and working with a doctor. Connect with John Ossipinski: Website: healthylymphsystem.com Podcast: The Lymph-Brain Revolution Podcast Email: johno@ossipinskyhealthacademy.com   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lymphman/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LymphMan  X:  https://x.com/LymphMan  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@LymphMan LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ossipinsky-60520914/ Connect with Gloria: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Book a Personal Wellness Session⁠ Timestamps: 00:00 - Gloria introduces the show and the lymphatic system 03:05 - John explains the lymphatic system and its role in moving fluid 07:55 - Why lymphatic health is often overlooked 10:41 - Lymph flow and immune function 14:00 - Hormones, menopause, and the lymphatic system 16:10 - John’s personal health story and routine 20:59 - The brain, lymph flow, and brain fog 28:40 - Symptoms John associates with lymphatic congestion 32:52 - Posture, breathing, and the shoulder shuffle 38:23 - Neck stretches and at-home practices 43:15 - John’s account of feeling unwell after lymph-focused treatments 47:40 - Diet, sugar, and eating habits 52:29 - What lymphpractic involves 53:59 - When to seek professional support 55:36 - John’s suggestions for supporting health during hormonal changes 58:05 - Magnesium and the episode’s closing resources Disclaimer: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Please speak with your GP or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication.

  2. Oct 15

    Episode 65: Why You’re Losing Collagen Faster Than You Think (The Oestrogen Connection Nobody Talks About)

    In this episode, Gloria Halim breaks down the science of collagen: why it declines during perimenopause and menopause, what the oestrogen-collagen connection actually means for your skin, joints and gut, and what the research says about supplementing with it. Takeaways: Why oestrogen decline drives rapid collagen loss: up to 30% in the first 5 years post-menopause The 28+ types of collagen explained and what each of the key types does in your body Why multi-type formulas are a step up from basic Types I & III products A closer look at doTERRA MetaPWR Advantage: 9 collagen types from sustainably sourced marine collagen What the evidence actually shows for hydrolysed collagen peptides Why collagen creams don't work, and what does How to choose, dose, and use collagen supplements effectively Why Vitamin C is non-negotiable alongside collagen supplementation I NEED YOUR HELP to shape what's coming: a resource for women who want to cut through the noise and make smart, informed choices about supplements: 👉 Take the survey Links mentioned: Want to know more about doTERRA MetaPWR Advantage? Send me an email. Free Personal Wellness Call Connect with Gloria: ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Book a Personal Wellness Session Disclaimer: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Please speak with your GP or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication. Timestamps: 00:00 - Why collagen is everywhere, and what the episode investigates 03:14 - The body’s collagen types and what they do 06:26 - Less-discussed collagen types in tissues and organs 09:39 - How oestrogen affects collagen production and breakdown 12:49 - Collagen changes in joints, gut, and pelvic tissues 15:02 - How hydrolyzed collagen peptides may work 16:44 - What studies suggest about skin and joint benefits 19:10 - Why collagen creams may not reach deeper skin layers 22:18 - Dose, vitamin C, and reading supplement labels 25:00 - Product quality, testing, and types of collagen supplements 27:18 - A closer look at doTERRA MetaPower Advantage 30:31 - Choosing a supplement and giving it time to work 32:49 - Sleep, stress, hydration, protein, and sugar 35:39 - Supporting collagen as part of the body’s wider architecture 37:08 - Gloria asks listeners to share what they find confusing about supplements Timestamps

  3. Oct 8

    Episode 64: Creatine for Women Over 40: What the Research Says and What to Be Careful Of

    Creatine ads are everywhere, and they're now aimed squarely at women over 40. But does it work, is it safe, and will it make you bloat? Gloria shares why she's curious too: she's lost muscle mass, wants it back, and has a painful shoulder that makes strength training tricky.  In this episode she breaks down what creatine actually is, what the research shows for muscle, bone, and mood in postmenopausal women, and where the evidence has been overhyped, especially for bone density.  She also covers how to take it, the myths, and the important precautions: your kidneys, how creatine can affect blood test results, water weight on the scale, stomach upset, injuries, who should check with their GP first, and how to choose a quality product. Quotable Moment: "Supplements are the layer on top, never the foundation underneath." Key Takeaways: Creatine's strongest evidence in older adults is for lean muscle, and only when combined with resistance training. Pooled results show roughly 1.4 kg more lean tissue.Individual trials vary, so creatine is helpful for some, not magic for all.The bone evidence is mixed. Two-year trials in postmenopausal women did not show improved bone mineral density, so don't take creatine specifically for your bones.The standard dose is 3 to 5 g of creatine monohydrate a day. Loading isn't needed and tends to cause stomach upset.Food (meat and fish) provides only small amounts compared with a supplement, and people who eat little or no meat tend to have lower stores.Creatine can raise serum creatinine on blood tests without harming your kidneys, so tell your GP you take it.Expect possible water weight of 1 to 2 kg in the first couple of weeks. It is water in muscle cells, not fat.If you have a joint injury, work with a physio or qualified trainer first. Creatine isn't a painkiller or a reason to push through pain.Check with your GP first if you have kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, bipolar disorder, take multiple medications, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.Choose plain creatine monohydrate from a reputable, independently tested brand.Connect with Gloria: Website Instagram Book a Personal Wellness Session Studies & Sources Referenced (in the order they appear in the episode): Muscle and strength Chilibeck PD, Kaviani M, Candow DG, Zello GA. Effect of creatine supplementation during resistance training on lean tissue mass and muscular strength in older adults: a meta-analysis. Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017;8:213–226. doi:10.2147/OAJSM.S123529. Read the full paper Bone health 2. Chilibeck PD, Candow DG, et al. Effects of creatine and resistance training on bone health in postmenopausal women. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2015 (one-year trial, 33 women). University of Saskatchewan news release (please check the full journal reference for the final notes) 3. Sales LP, Pinto AJ, Rodrigues SF, et al. Creatine supplementation (3 g/d) and bone health in older women: a 2-year, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2020;75(5):931–938. PubMed 4. Chilibeck PD, Candow DG, Gordon JJ, et al. A 2-yr randomized controlled trial on creatine supplementation during exercise for postmenopausal bone health. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2023;55(10):1750–1760. doi:10.1249/mss.0000000000003202. PubMed Read the full position stand 6. Creatine in women's health: bridging the gap from menstruation through pregnancy to menopause. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2025. Read the review 7. American Kidney Fund. The creatine scoop: essential cautions for the kidney community. Read the article Disclaimer: This episode is for education and is not medical advice. Please speak with your GP or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication.

  4. Sep 30

    Episode 63: The Impact of Menopause on Marriage & Relationships with Josephine "JoJo" Aligwekwe

    There's a growing conversation about a correlation between menopause and rising "grey divorce" rates in midlife and it's exactly where this episode starts. Gloria is joined by Multicultural Integrative Psychotherapist and Executive Coach JoJo Aligwekwe to unpack that headline properly: is menopause really breaking marriages, or is it the moment everything else already cracking finally comes to the surface?  From there, the conversation moves into the friction menopause creates at home, how a woman's shifts get misread by her partner, and the conversation nobody wants to have out loud - painful sex, low libido, and how to raise it without shame on either side. This episode is for anyone navigating this season with a partner by their side, and for the partners themselves. Key takeaways Jojo explains why menopause may bring existing relationship tensions to the surface, rather than being the sole cause of a breakup. Partners may also be navigating midlife changes of their own. A partner’s first response matters. Changes in mood or intimacy are opportunities for curiosity and care—not rejection, blame, or “it’s your menopause.” Midlife pressures, including changing careers, aging parents, and children leaving home, can compound symptoms. Relationship history and cultural context shape how each couple experiences this stage. Gloria and Jojo discuss using “I” statements, avoiding criticism and sarcasm, and clearly sharing symptoms and needs. A partner can’t offer support if they don’t know what’s happening. Jojo shares calming tools: pause, breathe deeply, try a butterfly hug, or place a hand over your heart and remind yourself, “I am safe.” Practicing before you feel overwhelmed can help. Intimacy is more than intercourse. Jojo encourages couples to talk openly about discomfort, vaginal dryness, and libido, and explore ways of connecting that feel comfortable for both. When couples fall into a pursue-withdraw pattern, one person can help shift the dynamic by stepping back from blame and asking what might be happening for their partner. Jojo encourages women to give themselves grace through brain fog and changing roles, and offers her reframe for fear: “Face everything and recover.” Connect with Jojo ⁠Website⁠ ⁠Book: The Premarital Pep Talk⁠ ⁠Email⁠ Connect with Gloria: Website:⁠ ⁠https://gloriahalim.com⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠@gloriahalim⁠⁠ Timestamps 01:28:  Meet psychotherapist and executive coach Jojo Aliguekwe 03:19:  Jojo’s move from IT and corporate work into therapy 06:04: Menopause, midlife, and “gray divorce” 09:09: How a partner may misread changing moods or closeness 12:24:  Replacing blame with practical support 17:22:  Why communication needs to fit the couple and their context 19:12: Using “I” statements instead of criticism 22:54: Breathing, pausing, and other ways to settle in the moment 27:39: Shame, painful sex, and intimacy during menopause 29:02: How culture can shape conversations about sex and intimacy 34:40: Sharing vulnerability and learning about perimenopause together 39:06: Shifting a pursue-withdraw pattern 42:54: Self-acceptance, aging, and changing identities 47:35: Jojo’s “face everything and recover” reframe for fear 52:02: First steps partners can try this week 54:51: Jojo’s book, The Premarital Pep Talk DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for your individual situation.

  5. Sep 23

    Episode 62: Episode 62: Tracking Your Hormonal Journey - How to Use Data to Take Back Control

    So many of us describe peri/menopause as "random" good days and bad days with no discernible pattern. But in this episode, Gloria makes the case that it's rarely random at all; we just haven't had the tools to see the pattern. Using a real client story as a jumping-off point, Gloria walks through exactly what's worth tracking (and what isn't), how to actually read your data once you have a few weeks of it, and how to choose a tracking method you'll realistically stick with. Whether you're preparing for a doctor's appointment or just want to finally understand your own body's rhythm, this episode gives you a simple, practical framework to start today. Key Takeaways: Menopause symptoms often feel random because our memory isn't built to track patterns across weeks and months, data fixes that. Focus on six simple categories: cycle data, sleep quality, mood, energy, physical symptoms, and stress level. Give it four to six weeks before looking for patterns, and actually sit down to review, tracking without reviewing doesn't help. The best tracking method is whichever one you'll actually use consistently, whether that's an app, a notebook, or a spreadsheet. Common mistakes: tracking too much too soon, quitting once it feels boring, only logging bad days, never reviewing the data, and expecting a perfectly tidy pattern. Patterns are often a combination of factors, not one clean trigger. Sata helps you see which factors are amplifying which symptoms, so you know exactly where to focus. Bringing a simple summary of your tracked data to a GP appointment can transform the quality of care you receive. It replaces a rushed recollection with real longitudinal evidence, and shifts the dynamic from convincing your provider something's wrong to reviewing the same objective picture together. Data gives you three things: language to describe your symptoms to a provider, a sense of agency over your own body, and a baseline to measure whether any new intervention is actually working. Resources The hormone tracker featured in this episode is built into Gloria's Glow With Grace workbook. From Dismissed to Diagnosed: How to Advocate for Your Health Like a PRO - Gloria's ebook on navigating healthcare provider conversations.  Personal Wellness Session: Want help actually reading your own patterns once you've tracked them? Book a Personal Wellness Session with Gloria Connect with Gloria: Website: https://gloriahalim.com Instagram:@gloriahalim DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for your individual situation.

    Episode 62: Episode 62: Tracking Your Hormonal Journey - How to Use Data to Take Back Control

  6. Sep 18

    Episode 61: Menopause Belly, Mood & Genes - The Gut-Epigenetics Connection Explained

    What if the way you eat this week could actually change which of your genes are "switched on" tomorrow? In this episode, Gloria unpacks two of the biggest buzzwords in hormone health - the microbiome and epigenetics and shows exactly where they intersect. You'll learn what your microbiome really is (and why you're almost as much "them" as you are "you"), what epigenetics actually means beyond the science-class definition, and how a compound called butyrate acts as a direct messenger between your gut and your DNA. Gloria also revisits the estrobolome, the gut bacteria responsible for regulating your oestrogen and lays out simple, practical steps you can start today to support this whole system.  Key Takeaways: Your microbiome is made up of roughly 38 trillion microbial cells about the same order of magnitude as your own human cells.Gut bacteria produce about 90% of your body's serotonin and manufacture enzymes that regulate circulating hormone levels, especially oestrogen.Epigenetics is how your genes get "read," not rewritten, your environment (diet, stress, sleep, toxins, gut bacteria) determines which genes are switched on or off.Butyrate, produced when gut bacteria ferment fibre, acts as a direct signal to your DNA helping quiet inflammatory gene pathways.The estrobolome (your oestrogen-regulating gut bacteria) is a clear real-world example of the gut-gene connection at work.Fibre diversity (aim for ~30 different plant foods a week), fermented foods, reduced ultra-processed foods, stress management, and movement all support this system and consistency matters more than intensity.Links and resources: Schedule your free 30-minute Hormone Audit Call with Gloria: ⁠Schedule a Free Hormone Audit Call⁠⁠Join the Facebook Community⁠ Episodes Referenced This Season Ep 52: Blood Sugar & Perimenopause Ep 53: Why Doing Everything for Everyone Is Destroying Your Hormones DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for your individual situation.

    Episode 61: Menopause Belly, Mood & Genes - The Gut-Epigenetics Connection Explained

  7. Sep 9

    Episode 60: What Women Are Really Googling About Menopause (Answering Your Top Searched Questions)

    Season 6 kicks off with a question so many of us have asked at 2am with a search bar open and a spiral of anxiety close behind: "Wait, is this normal?"  This week, Gloria pulls back the curtain on the most-searched menopause and hormone questions out there and answers them one by one, from "am I in perimenopause or just losing my mind?" to the weight gain nobody warned you about, to why sleep and mood seem to fall apart together.  Along the way, Gloria shares which past episodes to revisit for an even deeper dive, and gives a first look at an exciting live workshop coming this September. If you've ever felt like you were the only one Googling your symptoms alone in the dark, this episode is your reminder that you were never alone in that search bar to begin with. Key Takeaways: Perimenopause doesn't show up on a single lab test, it's a pattern over time, so tracking symptoms across a few cycles tells you more than one snapshot ever will. Supplements matter, but they're the last 10%, not the first 90%. Blood sugar and sleep come first. Menopause weight gain isn't a willpower problem, declining oestrogen changes fat storage and insulin sensitivity, so the solution has to be biology-informed (strength training, protein, stress management). There's no universal right answer on HRT, it's a personal risk-benefit conversation, not a natural-vs-medical debate. Poor sleep and mood swings in perimenopause are often connected through declining progesterone, and both respond to blood sugar regulation and consistent sleep routines. Feeling "invisible" or wondering if you'll feel like yourself again is a real, common experience. Menopause is an identity transition, not just a hormonal one. Perimenopause is the years-long transition; menopause is the single 12-months-without-a-period milestone; everything after is postmenopause. 🎟️ Free Workshop — Save Your Seat How Women Over 40 Can Lose Stubborn Weight, Restore Their Energy & Balance Their Hormones Without Restrictive Diets or Guesswork Live, 90 minutes, this September. 🎧 Episodes Mentioned in This Episode Episode 14 – The Perimenopause Plot Twist: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You Episode 15 – Reclaiming Your Sleep Episode 28 – Can't Lose Weight in Perimenopause? Your Liver Might Be Why… Episode 29 – Perimenopause Symptoms Misdiagnosed as Anxiety: Why Your Doctor Got It Wrong Episode 32 – Should You Take HRT? Episode 39 – Why Your Nervous System Is the Missing Link in Your Perimenopause Journey Episode 41 – Tired, Can't Sleep, No Energy? How to Navigate Perimenopause with Ease and Grace Episode 43 – Why Perimenopause Wrecks Your Mood And What to Actually Do About It Episode 46 – Navigating Perimenopause with HRT with Kirsten Samuel Episode 49 – Hormone Therapy Uncovered with Dr. Becky Howie Episode 52 – Blood Sugar & Perimenopause: Why the Way You Ate in Your 30s No Longer Works Episode 30 – Perimenopause Burnout Episode 53 – Why Doing Everything for Everyone Is Destroying Your Hormones Episode 54 – The Nervous System Reset: Why "Just Calm Down" Doesn't Work in Perimenopause and What Actually Does Episode 56 – Why You're Losing Muscle in Perimenopause and Why Eating Less Is Making It Worse 📥 Free Resource https://payhip.com/GHCoaching  Connect with Gloria: Website: https://gloriahalim.com  Instagram: @gloriahalim Book a consult: Calendar Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Summer Reflections 03:46 Understanding Menopause: Am I Losing My Mind? 07:14 Supplements and Vitamins for Menopause 09:25 Weight Gain in Menopause: The Biological Factors 12:30 Natural Alternatives to HRT 15:46 Sleep Issues and Mood Changes in Perimenopause 18:47 Identity Transition During Menopause 20:06 Upcoming Workshop Announcement 21:28 Perimenopause vs. Menopause: Key Differences 23:38 Final Thoughts: Embracing Change DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for your individual situation.

    Episode 60: What Women Are Really Googling About Menopause (Answering Your Top Searched Questions)

  8. Jul 29

    Episode 59: Burnout and Perimenopause: Why Rest Isn't Fixing Your Exhaustion and What Actually Will

    In the Season 5 finale, Gloria Halim addresses something deeply timely for summer: why perimenopausal women can take a holiday, sleep more, do less and still come back exhausted. This is not a failure of attitude. It is a physiological state with real hormonal drivers. Gloria explains what burnout actually is at the biological level, why rest alone does not restore a dysregulated HPA axis, what to practically pack in your bags for genuine recovery, and closes with a warm, personal Season 5 wrap-up and August break announcement. What We Cover Why the holiday that is supposed to restore you sometimes does not and why that is not your fault Burnout as HPA axis dysregulation, not a character flaw Why perimenopausal women are at disproportionately high risk of burnout The pregnenolone steal: how chronic stress actively depletes progesterone Why your nervous system does not automatically switch to rest just because the environment changes The cortisol-oestrogen-progesterone burnout cycle and how every episode of Season 5 connects What to pack in your bags: nervous system tools, sleep architecture, protein and blood sugar, social recovery vs depletion, and joy as medicine Permission to not be productive on your holiday Links and resources: Schedule your free 30-minute Hormone Audit Call with Gloria: Schedule a Free Hormone Audit CallJoin the Facebook Community Episodes Referenced This Season Ep 52: Blood Sugar & Perimenopause Ep 53: Why Doing Everything for Everyone Is Destroying Your Hormones Ep 54: The Nervous System Reset Timestamps: 00:30 - Introduction to season 5 finale and the burnout scenario1:28 - Recognising exhaustion that sleep alone cannot fix2:24 - The biological root of burnout in perimenopause3:54 - Understanding HPA axis dysregulation and cortisol patterns6:15 - Why rest doesn't immediately recalibrate stress response7:49 - Nervous system stuck in fight or flight during burnout9:10 - Hormonal interplay: cortisol, progesterone, and oestrogen10:38 - The inflammatory nature of burnout11:25 - Key strategies for genuine recovery12:17 - Nervous system-first approach: unstructured time in nature13:11 - Optimising sleep architecture during recovery14:59 - Stabilising blood sugar with protein and mindful eating16:12 - The importance of social recovery and introverted needs17:08 - Joy as a biologically restorative activity18:06 - Giving yourself permission to rest without productivity pressures18:46 - Summing up: recovery through nervous system support, sleep, nutrition, and joy19:38 - Season reflections and upcoming episodes22:36 - Announcement of summer break and season six coming in September DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please work with a qualified healthcare practitioner for your individual situation.

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Welcome to "Beyond Hormone Symptoms," your ultimate resource for navigating the complex journey of hormonal changes with confidence and clarity. This podcast is specifically designed for women over 35 who are experiencing hormone imbalances and perimenopause symptoms, offering expert insights, evidence-based strategies, and practical solutions that go beyond conventional advice. Each episode delivers actionable wisdom to help you decode your body's signals, transform frustrating symptoms into meaningful information, and reclaim your vitality during this significant life transition.

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