Peptides for Women

Jennifer Woodward

Peptides for Women is a podcast hosted by Jennifer Woodward, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner who has spent over a decade helping women navigate midlife health. This show explores how peptide therapy can support weight loss, hormone balance, energy, sleep, inflammation, and emotional well-being. Jennifer combines personal experience with clinical insights to guide women through the science and the nuance of using peptides as a supportive health tool. Each episode is packed with education about what actually works for women who are doing all the right things but still feel stuck.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 36: Peptides Are Back | The Real Story Behind the Ban, the Reversal, and What it Means for Your Health

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this solo episode, I break down the real story behind the recent peptide restrictions, why the FDA originally cracked down on several popular compounds, and what a potential regulatory shift in 2026 could mean for clinicians and patients. Over the past few years, peptides have exploded in popularity across longevity medicine, sports medicine, and metabolic health clinics- but that rapid growth also placed many peptides into a regulatory gray zone. I walk through how the FDA’s Category 2 bulk substance list affected compounding pharmacies, why peptides like BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin were restricted, and how demand for these therapies never actually disappeared. I also discuss why a proposed policy shift could allow several peptides to return to compounding pharmacies under medical supervision, what peptides may remain restricted, and why safe access through licensed physicians and pharmacies is so important. If you’ve been hearing conflicting information about peptide bans, research peptides, or regulatory changes, this episode breaks it down in a clear and practical way so you can better understand what’s happening in the peptide world right now. In this episode, I cover: Why peptides suddenly exploded in popularity in longevity and functional medicineThe FDA crackdown on compounded peptides starting around 2023What the Category 2 bulk substance list means for compounding pharmaciesWhy peptides like BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin were restrictedHow the ban pushed many people toward unregulated research peptides onlineThe proposed regulatory shift that could allow certain peptides again in 2026How peptides like BPC-157 and TB-500 are used for inflammation and recoveryGrowth hormone peptides including CJC-1295 and ipamorelinThymosin alpha-1 and its potential role in immune supportPeptides that were never banned, including GLP-1 medicationsWhich peptides are still likely to remain restrictedConnect with Me! Website: ⁠⁠https://jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/⁠Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course to learn safe, ethical peptide use—50% off for FEBRUARY only: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc/checkout?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    22 min
  2. MAR 6

    EPISODE 35: A Cancer Survivor’s Journey to Healing and Hormonal Resilience with Blair Critch

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Blair Critch, a cancer survivor, menopause mentor, and peptide educator, who shares her powerful and deeply personal journey through ovarian cancer, medically induced menopause, and finding true healing through integrative care and peptides. Blair opens up about advocating for herself when something felt “off,” navigating an estrogen-driven cancer diagnosis, and how peptides like NAD, glutathione, and GLP-1s helped her reclaim her health, energy, and confidence in midlife. In this episode, we cover: Blair’s ovarian cancer diagnosis and why trusting your intuition mattersThe PALB2 gene, inflammation markers, and catching cancer earlyMedically induced menopause after cancer treatment and its symptomsWhy NAD and glutathione were foundational in her recoveryUsing low-dose, physician-guided peptides safely after cancerGLP-1s for inflammation, metabolic health, and weight regulationImprovements in labs including A1C, cholesterol, thyroid, and CA-125Integrative healing during and after chemotherapyLibido, sexual wellness, and hormone shifts in midlife womenEmpowering women to ask for labs and advocate for their healthConnect with Blair Critch! Website: https://blaircritchofficial.com/Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/blaircritch2/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Blair-Critch/61550648561158/?ref=_xav_ig_profile_page_webLinks & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    48 min
  3. FEB 27

    Episode 34: The 7 Peptides That Make Perimenopause Easier

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women Podcast! In this solo episode, I’m diving into a topic I’ve been wanting to cover for a long time: the seven peptides every woman in perimenopause should understand. After more than a decade working in women’s health and hormones, I see over and over again how perimenopause creates a full-body signaling shift, impacting metabolism, energy, inflammation, sleep, muscle, skin, gut health, and immune resilience. Once lifestyle foundations like nutrition, rest, movement, stress management, and minerals are dialed in, peptides can become a powerful way to restore communication between systems that are no longer responding the way they used to. I walk you through why how estrogen and growth hormone decline drive many midlife symptoms, and how peptides can help your cells remember how to function again. This episode is meant to educate, not replace medical care, and to help you understand why certain peptides are so impactful during the perimenopause transition. In This Episode, I Cover: Why perimenopause is a metabolic and cellular event, not just hormonalHow estrogen and growth hormone decline affect energy, muscle, fat, and inflammationWhy lifestyle alone often stops working in midlifeMOTS-c for mitochondrial function, metabolism, and fat signalingNAD+ for cellular energy, DNA repair, and mitochondrial biogenesisGrowth hormone secretagogues (CJC-1295, ipamorelin, sermorelin, tesamorelin) for muscle, sleep, and recoveryGHK-Cu for collagen production, skin, hair, and tissue repairBPC-157 for gut integrity, inflammation, and healingTB-500 for joints, fascia, connective tissue, and recoveryThymosin alpha-1 for immune balance and resilience in midlifeWhy sourcing, dosing strategy, cycling, and medical oversight matterContraindications and situations where peptides are not appropriateConnect with Me! Website: ⁠https://jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course to learn safe, ethical peptide use—50% off for FEBRUARY only: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc/checkout?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    50 min
  4. FEB 20

    Episode 33: What Comes After GLP-1s and Long-Term Results in Midlife with Kayla & Mike Neal

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by returning guests Kayla and Mike Neal to talk about the next phase of peptide use; what happens after GLP-1s are working and you start asking, “I feel good… so what’s next?” We discuss how peptides can evolve over time, why foundations still matter, and how midlife women and men can continue building energy, muscle, and confidence instead of accepting decline as inevitable. Kayla also shares her personal perimenopause journey, including microdosing GLP-1s, maintaining lean muscle, and layering in peptides like NAD+ and growth hormone secretagogues. Mike brings the male perspective; staying strong, recovering better, and chasing optimal performance in midlife. We also talk through real client case studies, healing and recovery peptides, and why support, education, and coaching make all the difference. In This Episode, We Cover: Why many people ask “what’s next?” after success with GLP-1 peptidesKayla’s perimenopause journey and unexpected fat gain during COVIDMicrodosing GLP-1s to lose fat while preserving muscleWhy lifestyle foundations must come before peptidesUsing NAD+ to support energy and stamina in midlifeGrowth hormone secretagogues (like tesamorelin) for muscle and visceral fatHow peptides supported strength, recovery, and motivation in the gymHealing and skin repair with copper peptides after injuryWhy lean muscle is critical for longevity in women and menReal client results using data, body composition, and long-term coachingThe importance of partner support during health transitionsWhy midlife doesn’t have to mean slowing downConnect with Kayla & Mike Neal! Website: https://www.kaylajohnsonfitness.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylajohnsonfitness/Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course to learn safe, ethical peptide use—50% off for FEBRUARY only: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc/checkout?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    43 min
  5. FEB 17

    Episode 32: Peptides 101 for Women — What Works, What Doesn’t, and Where to Start with Tina Haupert, FDN-P

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women Podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Tina Haupert, founder of Carrots ‘N’ Cake, to have an honest, practical conversation about peptides for women; including what they are, how they actually work, and why education and foundations matter more than chasing the next trending protocol. We also dive deeper into the Peptides for Practitioners course, discussing why structured education is critical in today’s peptide space, who this course is designed for, and how it helps practitioners and health professionals use peptides more responsibly and effectively. What We Discuss In This Episode: What peptides are and how they function in the bodyThe importance of cycling, dosing awareness, and realistic expectationsSafety concerns, misinformation, and social media peptide hypeWhy “more” is not better when it comes to peptidesHow education helps reduce misuse and overwhelmWhen peptides make sense and when they don’tWhy the peptide space desperately needs education-first leadershipUnderstanding peptides within the context of metabolic health, hormones, and lifestyle foundationsWhy practitioners must know who peptides are appropriate for and who should not use themEthical considerations, safety, and staying within scopeHelping practitioners speak confidently and responsibly about peptides with clientsHow the course is positioned as a way to raise the standard of peptide education, reduce misinformation, and help professionals make more informed, ethical decisions when discussing peptides.Connect with Tina Haupert, FDN-P! Instagram: ⁠⁠@carrotsncake⁠⁠Website: ⁠⁠www.carrotsncake.com⁠Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course to learn safe, ethical peptide use—50% off for FEBRUARY only: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc/checkout?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    36 min
  6. FEB 13

    Episode 31: The GLP-1 Crackdown, Microdosing, and the Future of Metabolic Health with Dr. Dean Jones

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast!  In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Dean Jones, and we’re diving into what’s really happening in the peptide and GLP-1 space right now. This is an important, timely conversation about regulation, safety, dosing, and why so much of the current GLP-1 messaging online is missing the bigger picture, especially for midlife women. We talk about the growing scrutiny around research peptides, why GLP-1s are under the microscope, and how fear-based headlines are creating confusion for patients. Dr. Jones explains the difference between aggressive weight-loss dosing and more conservative, long-term metabolic dosing, why microdosing is gaining traction, and how GLP-1s actually work in the brain and body beyond appetite suppression. If you’re trying to understand GLP-1s without hype (or panic), this episode brings clarity. In this episode, we cover: Why GLP-1s are facing increased regulatory scrutinyThe difference between research peptides and prescription useHow misinformation is shaping public fear around GLP-1sWhy high dosing often backfires long-termWhat microdosing GLP-1s is, and who it’s forAppetite regulation vs true metabolic supportFood noise, weight regain, and brain signalingMuscle loss concerns and how dosing impacts outcomesWhy lowest effective dose matters for sustainabilityWhat the future of GLP-1 therapy may look likeConnect with Dr. Jones, DC! Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://drjonesdc.com/pfwpod⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drjones_dc/ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@drjonesdc⁠Links & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course to learn safe, ethical peptide use—50% off for FEBRUARY only: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc/checkout?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    33 min
  7. FEB 12 · BONUS

    BONUS Episode: Peptides for Practitioners 2026 Certification Course!

    Welcome back to the Peptides for Women podcast! This is a special bonus episode to share something I’ve been working on behind the scenes for a long time: Peptides for Practitioners, our brand-new certification course designed to take the confusion, guesswork, and overwhelm out of peptides. If you’re a practitioner, health coach, or even someone who keeps getting asked about peptides and isn’t sure what’s actually safe, ethical, or effective, this episode is for you. And if you’re not a practitioner but want a deeper, responsible understanding of peptides, you can absolutely take this course too! Peptides for Practitioners is our certification course that teaches you the science, safety, and real-world strategy behind peptide therapy, so you can confidently integrate them into your existing protocols for fat loss, gut repair, inflammation, hormones, and metabolic health. Inside the course, you’ll learn: Exactly which peptides actually work How to dose and stack them responsibly How to stay within ethical and legal scope, whether you’re licensed or not And how to layer peptides with nutrition, labs, lifestyle, and hormone work to get better results (without burnout!) In March 2026, we’re hosting a live cohort with four interactive calls, where Tina Haupert and I walk you through real cases, answer your questions, and show you how we actually use peptides in our practices. You’ll earn NASM continuing education units, plus get done-for-you clinical tools, white-label resources, microdosing strategies, and a full peptide integration blueprint you can start using immediately. If you’re ready to step into one of the fastest-growing areas in functional health with confidence and credibility, Peptides for Practitioners is your next move! For one month only, February 2026, we’re offering 50% off this course.You get the full course, which you can complete over a weekend, plus four live calls. You’ll also receive multiple bonus modules and recordings from our October 2025 live cohort.This is a steal! ⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/Hrosw4Mc?coupon_code=MARCHJENNIFER⁠⁠ The coupon code is valid for February 2026 only.After March 1st, the price goes back up to $497. We hope to see you there.

    2 min
  8. FEB 5

    Episode 30: Using Peptides Safely for Hormones and Fertility in a Highly Regulated Space with Taylor Williams

    Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I sit down with someone I deeply admire and personally learn from, Taylor Williams. Taylor is a women’s health educator specializing in peptides, hormone optimization, and metabolic health, and she’s also the co-founder of the Axion Collective. This conversation takes a more personal and real-world turn as we talk about how peptides entered Taylor’s life, her relationship with her husband Hunter, and how education, hormones, and lived experience shaped the work they do today. This episode is equal parts science, life experience, and honest conversation about using peptides responsibly as tools, not magic fixes. We talk about: Taylor’s journey from the fitness and hair industry into peptides and hormone education.How inflammation and misdiagnosis pushed her to look for alternatives.How foundational hormone replacement therapy changed everything for her, especially as she and Hunter enter their fertility journey. The realities of teaching peptides online right now, including social media censorship, misinformation.Her early health challenges, inflammation, and a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosisHow Taylor and Hunter built a business together while respecting masculine and feminine rolesTaylor’s personal hormone replacement therapy journeyUsing HCG and HMG to support sperm productionWhy mitochondrial health and cellular signaling matter before pregnancyBioregulators, ovary support, and knowing when not to use a peptideConnect with Taylor Williams! Website: https://linktr.ee/taylormreidInstagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/taylorwilliamscoaching/?hl=enYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@taylorreidcoachingLinks & Resources: 🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️ This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.

    37 min
4.7
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Peptides for Women is a podcast hosted by Jennifer Woodward, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner who has spent over a decade helping women navigate midlife health. This show explores how peptide therapy can support weight loss, hormone balance, energy, sleep, inflammation, and emotional well-being. Jennifer combines personal experience with clinical insights to guide women through the science and the nuance of using peptides as a supportive health tool. Each episode is packed with education about what actually works for women who are doing all the right things but still feel stuck.

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