Great info Sophie/Dr West. As women, it seems like once we hit a certain age, we're on our own when it comes to getting information about menopause. From personal experience, it feels like most doctors are clueless when it comes to the subject. Finding information, answers, and knowledgeable doctors who understand the subject feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. Kudos to you for shedding light on the topic!
You are so welcome, and thanks for your comment. It encourages me to continue to bring people to my small platform to educate and inform women of things that they're not ordinarily getting.
Will you talk more about cortisol and hormones, please? And the effect of that long term? My perimenopause nearly killed me. I went from well, fit and slim at 48 to fibroids, breast cysts and irregular heart beat at 52. Weight piled on despite my good diet. 'Natural" hrt under excellent supervision made me haemorrhage. It's devastated my life. At 62, two years after things finally settled down, I realise the suffering probably isn't over - the after-effects are adrenal burnout, depleted mental capacity and too-rapid ageing. But in hindsight, I see clearly that chronic long-term stress was responsible. I find it surprising that testing for hormones doesn't include stress tests in many places. Surely there's the clearest link and if hormones are out of whack, that's the place to start? Many women at this age have had years of stress - I wonder if the ones who 'sail through' have a different way of dealing with stress or less of it. Thank you
Truth since I had to take care of my mental abusive mother I have been sick with hormones it’s due to her placing stress on me . I can’t wait to get out of here . My brother or a caregiver can take care of her I can’t anymore she’s to stressful to deal with
May be get Dr West on her own to do an in-depth video of Menopause from pre to post and how to best manage these symptoms through the transition to post as a lot of digest in 15 mins (eg from the ages of 45 to 55 seems to be the window when it hits the body most). Dr West is a complete gem for women health. I felt the video was not long enough to cover key points. Thank-you ladies!
I LOVE what you said! Most people say my videos are too LONG!!!! So I primed Dr. West to keep her answers short! We could otherwise go on for at least 40 minutes. She is a trove of information.
I appreciate these videos as I am in my perimenopause stages going into my 50's & have no doctors around who believe like I do in herbs, oils, food etc. For healing. I am so glad I found your channel & thank you so much for all you do!!
Yep, adrenals everything. Sugar zaps them, as well as crappy sleep habits, alcohol, and stress (forgiveness, anyone?) Minerals are important food for adrenals. Also liver congestion causes the body to hang onto fat because the liver needs to process the toxins that get released when fat is released, and it can't handle those toxins if it's clogged up. We can get expensive blood tests and really high priced doctor's advice, but detox, sleep and letting go of bitterness and unforgiveness (reduces stress massively and helps heal from food/alcohol self medicating) will balance our hormones, and it's the advice we are going to get anyway.
These are great, informative videos!! Keep them coming! I have a couple of questions. Soooo...I'm 68. Menopause started 17 years ago. Wore an HRT patch on my thigh for 6 months only, which knocked out the every-30-minutes cycle of hot flashes (it was hell) to more endurable levels. No HRT after that. Now I very rarely have even a mild hot flash. For the last 8 years I have not taken care of myself -- little exercise, less than ideal diet. While still working full time, I moved my mom in with me for the last 5 1/2 of her 94 years. It has taken me a few years to recover from that and I'm finally getting myself back. Which is why I joined (last March + now) PPC plus the upcoming digital retreat. My belly blob is my biggest concern. It crept up on me over the last year or two. I plan on seeing a functional doctor in the near future. I don't take any prescription meds, so far. I see my regular doc in 2 wks. for my yearly exam. So I thought I'd request more expansive labs based upon Dr. West's suggestions. Questions: Are the labs/levels, and types of meds or alternatives that you and Dr. West discussed relevant to someone my age? It seems like it's more applicable to women that are perimenopausal or are in the throes of menopause, not someone well past it? If so, which specific levels should I be testing? Note: I'm medicine averse as my mom's docs had her on 36 medications and had her taking HRT for 35+ years and mammograms at 90 until I stepped in and questioned it.
Hi Sophie, I’m on 400 mg of progesterone at bedtime, and I have a pellet with estrogen and testosterone, but I’ve gained 17 lbs in my abdomen in a year and I have terrible cravings. Would taking DIM supplement help with my cravings?
I purchased some DIM…but am reluctant to take it after reading warning on label…if you have low estrogen not to take it…it’s only recommended for high estrogen levels….low estrogen levels consist of night sweats and hot flashes…among other symptoms.
Sophie and Dr West, This video has been Extremely helpful and full of good information about the subject of hormones effecting the body along with possible risks and prevention info. Love You Girls!! Thank you for all you do!!
Lynn - you are so welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful. Check out the other video that I did with her on Adrenals because there's a lot of great info in there.
Thanks so much for doing these videos! This information is so important as I'm in that perimenopause stage( age 50)..you're the only one I know sharing this information that's eating a plant based diet. You're amazing!
I have so many questions that my GYNECOLOGIST has refused to answer! I’m a 39 year-old organ transplant recipient experiencing “the shift” and am being told that I’m too young to worry about peri-menopause, but I have an array of symptoms that are all being overlooked. I feel like I’m being told, “you’re imagining things/crazy”! And you know that’s the last thing a woman seeking hormonal balance should be called! Can immunosuppression spur early onset of menopause?
Sophie I think you are wonderful and you look fantastic. Take a look at menopause Taylor she goes through everything step by step and people could learn so much. Thank you
Im 54 and in post menopause for 2.5 years. I was put on HRT 1 year ago (bioidentical 1mg estrogen 100 mg progesterone pills). I gained so much weight, especially in my breasts and belly. I’m so miserable not fitting in clothes! never had trouble with wt or with sleeping. Is it possible I need MORE Estrogen? Dr visits were limited due to covid, but now have appt next week.
Thanks good video.Do you think its ok to eat soy sometimes if one has no thyroid and I am vegan but should I eat some animalproducts as well?.Cannot eat diary and fish.I have no thyroid and cannot eat fish,alges due to the iodine content.I hade thyroidcancer.Do you think that I can thrive on a vegan diet dispite of having no thyroid? I know exactly when I got it.When a traumatic time happened in my family-And now I got pankreas problems with too low glukos.What can it depend on?Do you know thanks,I had no menopause but it started then in all this stressful time.Is it better to eat low fat when having these problems?Sorry for so many queastionsbut you seems so wellinformed.
@@SophieUlianoGorgeouslyGreen can not and should not eat any not eat iodine.due to that I can get cancer of iodine.I have no thyroid to catch up the iodone.had thyroidcanver.cannot eat seavegetables
Not always easy to find a good doctor. It can be a mouse race. 9:56 actana boron something can not find it has to do with phytoestrogens, I really tried understanding what it is and to search it.
Does anyone know where you can get your hormones tested here in the U.K.? The NHS NICE guidelines basically say if you’re over 45 and showing symptoms they will automatically assume you are in perimenopause (my doctor will not test me!) and then they recommend HRT in a kind of ‘one size fits all’, I really would like to know what my levels are, or at least have a slight idea?
According to my friends in the UK, it's really tough. I just know a few who have found an Integrative style doc in Harley Street. You just need to ask around for great recommendations. Can anyone in the UK help Becky????
TY so much. Have heard from other sources that taking HRT helps prevent heart attack, dementia and osteoporosis. Would appreciate additional opinion. :)
Hi Sophie, Great video and content. Sophie, I am menopausal and athlete. I eat very clean and for 2 years I am dealing with water retention and weight gain on belly area only. Most of the medicines I take to help gives me even more water. Here a few meds I took and gave me way too much water: Melatonin and 5-HTP to help with sleep, gave me too much water also DIM gave me. water and lots of breast tenderness I really dont know what to do to help and so far nothing seems to help. Also e did keto for 2 months it didnt help and also i didnt like it, Vegan i liked it, but istarted having breast tenderness and abdominal cramps and never lost one pound. I did some intermittent fasting and never loist any pound also e made me grampy and even more hungry.
@@sophieuliano7955 do you think soy is good for women ?how many times a week do you think women should or can eat soy.?A Chinese old man said that they ate tofu twice a day and beans when they were living in China and had no health issue.But now he thought it was problems because of GMO- and the western way of living.Because when chinese people come to the western countries like USA .They get the same health issues.
I am so grateful for this information. Coincidentally, I have been trying to find a source for Xymogen supplements so I feel this video was meant just for me. 🤗👍🏽 Thank you both! I wish Dr. West was practicing in Minneapolis. I would see her in a heartbeat.
Good info. Not enough women have their hormone panel done. Many insurance Co. don't pay for it. Vital to our health and aging. Like you, Sophie, I am a certified nutritionist and a fitness trainer. I am now 55 and have been dealing with autoimmune issues. I got diagnosed 8 years ago. Maybe next time touch on that and inflammation- causes and remedies. Thank you.
@@SophieUlianoGorgeouslyGreen Wonderful! I teach a lot of classes on digestion and inflammation. I too am a vegetarian ( I would be vegan if not for Greek yogurt)Plus I am grain-free. Vital to our over health to eat healthy whole foods. But still, have health struggles is not easy. Always seeking new info to better my own life as well as others.
Great info Sophie/Dr West. As women, it seems like once we hit a certain age, we're on our own when it comes to getting information about menopause. From personal experience, it feels like most doctors are clueless when it comes to the subject. Finding information, answers, and knowledgeable doctors who understand the subject feels like looking for a needle in a haystack. Kudos to you for shedding light on the topic!
You are so welcome, and thanks for your comment. It encourages me to continue to bring people to my small platform to educate and inform women of things that they're not ordinarily getting.
Will you talk more about cortisol and hormones, please? And the effect of that long term? My perimenopause nearly killed me. I went from well, fit and slim at 48 to fibroids, breast cysts and irregular heart beat at 52. Weight piled on despite my good diet. 'Natural" hrt under excellent supervision made me haemorrhage. It's devastated my life. At 62, two years after things finally settled down, I realise the suffering probably isn't over - the after-effects are adrenal burnout, depleted mental capacity and too-rapid ageing. But in hindsight, I see clearly that chronic long-term stress was responsible. I find it surprising that testing for hormones doesn't include stress tests in many places. Surely there's the clearest link and if hormones are out of whack, that's the place to start? Many women at this age have had years of stress - I wonder if the ones who 'sail through' have a different way of dealing with stress or less of it. Thank you
I feel like you are describing me. If you are open to talk please message me
Truth since I had to take care of my mental abusive mother I have been sick with hormones it’s due to her placing stress on me . I can’t wait to get out of here . My brother or a caregiver can take care of her I can’t anymore she’s to stressful to deal with
May be get Dr West on her own to do an in-depth video of Menopause from pre to post and how to best manage these symptoms through the transition to post as a lot of digest in 15 mins (eg from the ages of 45 to 55 seems to be the window when it hits the body most). Dr West is a complete gem for women health. I felt the video was not long enough to cover key points. Thank-you ladies!
I LOVE what you said! Most people say my videos are too LONG!!!! So I primed Dr. West to keep her answers short! We could otherwise go on for at least 40 minutes. She is a trove of information.
I appreciate these videos as I am in my perimenopause stages going into my 50's & have no doctors around who believe like I do in herbs, oils, food etc. For healing.
I am so glad I found your channel & thank you so much for all you do!!
So glad you're here, Shannon!
Yep, adrenals everything. Sugar zaps them, as well as crappy sleep habits, alcohol, and stress (forgiveness, anyone?) Minerals are important food for adrenals. Also liver congestion causes the body to hang onto fat because the liver needs to process the toxins that get released when fat is released, and it can't handle those toxins if it's clogged up. We can get expensive blood tests and really high priced doctor's advice, but detox, sleep and letting go of bitterness and unforgiveness (reduces stress massively and helps heal from food/alcohol self medicating) will balance our hormones, and it's the advice we are going to get anyway.
This is EVERYTHING that I teach in my programs: meditation, forgiveness, exercise, proper self-care. We are on the same page!
Forget about forgiveness. I need to get away from the source of my stress which is my toxic mother
Would you suggest anything in particular for a liver detox
These are great, informative videos!! Keep them coming! I have a couple of questions. Soooo...I'm 68. Menopause started 17 years ago. Wore an HRT patch on my thigh for 6 months only, which knocked out the every-30-minutes cycle of hot flashes (it was hell) to more endurable levels. No HRT after that. Now I very rarely have even a mild hot flash. For the last 8 years I have not taken care of myself -- little exercise, less than ideal diet. While still working full time, I moved my mom in with me for the last 5 1/2 of her 94 years. It has taken me a few years to recover from that and I'm finally getting myself back. Which is why I joined (last March + now) PPC plus the upcoming digital retreat. My belly blob is my biggest concern. It crept up on me over the last year or two. I plan on seeing a functional doctor in the near future. I don't take any prescription meds, so far. I see my regular doc in 2 wks. for my yearly exam. So I thought I'd request more expansive labs based upon Dr. West's suggestions. Questions: Are the labs/levels, and types of meds or alternatives that you and Dr. West discussed relevant to someone my age? It seems like it's more applicable to women that are perimenopausal or are in the throes of menopause, not someone well past it? If so, which specific levels should I be testing? Note: I'm medicine averse as my mom's docs had her on 36 medications and had her taking HRT for 35+ years and mammograms at 90 until I stepped in and questioned it.
Bonnie - I will see if Dr West can pop in and answer these questions.
Hi Sophie, I’m on 400 mg of progesterone at bedtime, and I have a pellet with estrogen and testosterone, but I’ve gained 17 lbs in my abdomen in a year and I have terrible cravings. Would taking DIM supplement help with my cravings?
Wow I have watched so many video & read articles to get pieces of the puzzle. This video has truly made it make total sense. Thank you for sharing.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the information Sophie 😘
You are welcome!
I purchased some DIM…but am reluctant to take it after reading warning on label…if you have low estrogen not to take it…it’s only recommended for high estrogen levels….low estrogen levels consist of night sweats and hot flashes…among other symptoms.
Sophie and Dr West, This video has been Extremely helpful and full of good information about the subject of hormones effecting the body along with possible risks and prevention info. Love You Girls!! Thank you for all you do!!
Lynn - you are so welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful. Check out the other video that I did with her on Adrenals because there's a lot of great info in there.
Thanks so much for doing these videos! This information is so important as I'm in that perimenopause stage( age 50)..you're the only one I know sharing this information that's eating a plant based diet. You're amazing!
Thanks Kathy - and a WFPB diet is going to help with the whole situation too!
I agree!
I have so many questions that my GYNECOLOGIST has refused to answer! I’m a 39 year-old organ transplant recipient experiencing “the shift” and am being told that I’m too young to worry about peri-menopause, but I have an array of symptoms that are all being overlooked. I feel like I’m being told, “you’re imagining things/crazy”! And you know that’s the last thing a woman seeking hormonal balance should be called! Can immunosuppression spur early onset of menopause?
I will see if Dr. West can answer this for you!
The good doc here sidestepped the BHRT question totally
Sophie I think you are wonderful and you look fantastic. Take a look at menopause Taylor she goes through everything step by step and people could learn so much. Thank you
Yes I love her!
Im 54 and in post menopause for 2.5 years. I was put on HRT 1 year ago (bioidentical 1mg estrogen 100 mg progesterone pills). I gained so much weight, especially in my breasts and belly. I’m so miserable not fitting in clothes! never had trouble with wt or with sleeping. Is it possible I need MORE Estrogen? Dr visits were limited due to covid, but now have appt next week.
I take same dose.also have belly fat
how can we enhance/boost estrogen without hormone therapy?
Question- How do I get rid of fibroid tumors without surgery? I'm 43 and have had them for about a year.
Let's see if we can get Dr. West to answer this.
Can you please have Dr West write down the blood tests we should get? That would be most helpful!!
yes - I can do that in a couple of days for you!
Thanks for another great & timely video Sophie!
you are so welcome!
I was wondering what is the best and safest product to use to help with dryness and uneasy intimate
Relations, thank u so much...
Check out a wonderful brand called Rosebud Woman :-)
I suffer serve dryness did u find anything that helps??
Thanks good video.Do you think its ok to eat soy sometimes if one has no thyroid and I am vegan but should I eat some animalproducts as well?.Cannot eat diary and fish.I have no thyroid and cannot eat fish,alges due to the iodine content.I hade thyroidcancer.Do you think that I can thrive on a vegan diet dispite of having no thyroid? I know exactly when I got it.When a traumatic time happened in my family-And now I got pankreas problems with too low glukos.What can it depend on?Do you know thanks,I had no menopause but it started then in all this stressful time.Is it better to eat low fat when having these problems?Sorry for so many queastionsbut you seems so wellinformed.
You don't need to eat animal products. Just make sure you eat some sea veggies to get iodine.
@@SophieUlianoGorgeouslyGreen can not and should not eat any not eat iodine.due to that I can get cancer of iodine.I have no thyroid to catch up the iodone.had thyroidcanver.cannot eat seavegetables
Not always easy to find a good doctor. It can be a mouse race. 9:56 actana boron something can not find it has to do with phytoestrogens, I really tried understanding what it is and to search it.
Does anyone know where you can get your hormones tested here in the U.K.? The NHS NICE guidelines basically say if you’re over 45 and showing symptoms they will automatically assume you are in perimenopause (my doctor will not test me!) and then they recommend HRT in a kind of ‘one size fits all’, I really would like to know what my levels are, or at least have a slight idea?
According to my friends in the UK, it's really tough. I just know a few who have found an Integrative style doc in Harley Street. You just need to ask around for great recommendations. Can anyone in the UK help Becky????
Try a good nutritionist. Am working with one just now at Napiers in Edinburgh. Look at their qualifications. Shop around. Get recommendations x
Where is this Doctor at?
Her name is Dr. Rachel West in Los Angeles
TY so much. Have heard from other sources that taking HRT helps prevent heart attack, dementia and osteoporosis. Would appreciate additional opinion. :)
Yes - I've read a lot of studies about this. It makes sense. But as Dr. West says, you need to make sure that the therapy is very safe for you.
Hi Sophie, Great video and content. Sophie, I am menopausal and athlete. I eat very clean and for 2 years I am dealing with water retention and weight gain on belly area only. Most of the medicines I take to help gives me even more water. Here a few meds I took and gave me way too much water: Melatonin and 5-HTP to help with sleep, gave me too much water also DIM gave me. water and lots of breast tenderness I really dont know what to do to help and so far nothing seems to help. Also e did keto for 2 months it didnt help and also i didnt like it, Vegan i liked it, but istarted having breast tenderness and abdominal cramps and never lost one pound. I did some intermittent fasting and never loist any pound also e made me grampy and even more hungry.
I will have Dr. West answer this for you!
Anyone know of a great doctor like her in or near Tampa ?
I don't, but I recommend using a tool like www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/ to find a functional medicine doctor.
This was more about alternatives to HRT, than belly fat.
You will gain a Ton of water weight on Horemone therapy. They’ll tell you it’s you and not the hormones
That has not been my experience. I'm so sorry if that was yours!
what about if one has no thyroid-?
We would need to ask Dr. West.
@@sophieuliano7955 thanks for your answer.it would be good to know
many asien women eat soy and they have not so much belly fat as I have seen.If I am right
Organic soy is preventative in so many ways for women, and yes you are right - it is fat-storing prohibitive.
@@sophieuliano7955 do you think soy is good for women ?how many times a week do you think women should or can eat soy.?A Chinese old man said that they ate tofu twice a day and beans when they were living in China and had no health issue.But now he thought it was problems because of GMO- and the western way of living.Because when chinese people come to the western countries like USA .They get the same health issues.
About 1/2 a cup a day is okay.
I am so grateful for this information. Coincidentally, I have been trying to find a source for Xymogen supplements so I feel this video was meant just for me. 🤗👍🏽 Thank you both!
I wish Dr. West was practicing in Minneapolis. I would see her in a heartbeat.
I knowwwww - you could do a phone consult with her though!
Don't forget that women with lower estrogen levels are also more prone to osteoporosis!
Super interesting!
There wouldn’t be a doctor near me who would do any of this. Just saying.
How can someone talk so much and say nothing really
Good info. Not enough women have their hormone panel done. Many insurance Co. don't pay for it. Vital to our health and aging. Like you, Sophie, I am a certified nutritionist and a fitness trainer. I am now 55 and have been dealing with autoimmune issues. I got diagnosed 8 years ago. Maybe next time touch on that and inflammation- causes and remedies. Thank you.
Wow you and I the same. And both 55! That is so funny because I was thinking about doing a whole video on inflammation.
@@SophieUlianoGorgeouslyGreen Wonderful! I teach a lot of classes on digestion and inflammation. I too am a vegetarian ( I would be vegan if not for Greek yogurt)Plus I am grain-free. Vital to our over health to eat healthy whole foods. But still, have health struggles is not easy. Always seeking new info to better my own life as well as others.