The Bitch Fix: Health and Hormones for the Modern Woman

Where have I been for the last year, and where am I going next? Why did I take a hiatus?Spoiler alert: The Bitch Fix is retiring, but there's something new coming. Want to download the secret podcast JUST for women with ADHD? Go here: christinemaccarroll.com/privatepod

Today we are dipping back into The Bitch Fix vault for a throwback to a classic episode. This was too good not to be highlighted another time. If you missed it the first go around, do yourself a favour and check it out now.Intuitive eating sounds really great . . . but if we look under the hood, there are some legit challenges and hurdles to actually putting this ideal into practice. On this episode, I break it all down for you: the 5 major problems with intuitive eating, and what you can do to overcome them.

Today we are dipping back into The Bitch Fix vault for a throwback to a classic episode. This was too good not to be highlighted another time. If you missed it the first go around, do yourself a favour and check it out now.Do you think of your period as a curse? I did for years before I learned that my hormones were out of whack . . . and how to fix them. Now I'm able to live in harmony with my hormones instead of fighting a monthly battle! What would that be like for you? ____ Ready to hop off the hormonal rollercoaster for good?

Did you know that the most prescribed medication is a hormone? It is; it's synthetic thyroid hormone, Synthroid. And the majority of people who need it are women. And the majority of women who need it? They have an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto's. Many of them don't even KNOW this though, because of a lack of sufficient testing! Enter today's expert speaker, Dr. Anshul Gupta, author of Reversing Hashimoto's. Dr. Gupta shares with us why this common disease is often undiagnosed, and what you can do to actually reverse it. A must listen if you have or suspect thyroid issues!____Mentioned on the episode: Reversing Hashimoto's book https://amzn.to/3n42Etm

As women, our hormonal picture can literally look different every single day--which will impact our mood, energy, and even cognitive function. For women with ADHD, this may be amplified by the brain changes that come with varying levels of neurotransmitters like dopamine. On this podcast episode, pulled from the recent HerBrain Summit, I had a fun time interviewing MYSELF about this topic! Listen in to get the real scoop on what's going on when hormones and ADHD intersect in women.

You might have heard of Catharine Arnston because she appeared on ABC's Shark Tank. And even though she didn't walk away with winning the show, she certainly has a winning PRODUCT. Everyone from elite athletes to everyday moms swears by the energy enhancing effects of her flagship products, ENERGYbits and RECOVERYbits.Catharine and I talk about the history of algae all the way back from when it was used as warrior food in the ancient Americas to when the Rockafellers invested in researching it after WWII.This is a non-stop interview backed with both Catherine's energy and thousands of papers investigating the benefits of spirulina and chlorella.On a personal note, I have been taking the RECOVERY bits at night, and my Whoop has consistently been showing me getting into more restorative sleep, so for my n=1 experiment, I have a winner!

Bone-level fatigue, what is sometimes known as adrenal fatigue, can also look like feeling downright bitchy, or having trouble sleeping even when you're tired, or feeling “tired but wired.” That's where my guest today comes in.Today's guest is Dr. Izabella Wentz. Izabella Wentz is known as “the thyroid pharmacist” and she has written multiple NY Times bestselling books all about thyroid health.Her new book, The Adrenal Protocol, is all about going from just surviving to actually thriving. We talked about her personal journey, whether you have to give up coffee or take a thousand supplements, what sort of testing to consider, and why conventional endocrinologists unfortunately DON'T take adrenal issues seriously.

What's the deal with supplements anyway? The question isn't as black and white as one might think. First off, what are we even talking about? Vitamins and minerals? Botanicals? Glandulars? Functional supports?On this episode, we're breaking down the context in which supplements support both nutrient needs and physiological function, and what you should consider within this context and your own body.

When you just can't stop eating sugar, it can feel like a drug. Whether you feel like you HAVE to have sugar every day, or once you start you can't stop, there's just something about it that can seem out of your control.On the podcast today, 3 underlying reasons you might feel “addicted” to sugar, and 3 strategies (plus a bonus hack you've never heard!) for freeing yourself from sugar's grasp.

Today we are dipping back into The Bitch Fix vault for a throwback to a classic episode. This was too good not to be highlighted another time. If you missed it the first go around, do yourself a favour and check it out now.Have you ever felt like your healthcare provider was blowing you off, or dismissing your symptoms as "all in your head"? Well, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that situation is not too uncommon. In fact, women's pain tends to be systematically dismissed or minimized, to the extent that when women complain of pain, they may be given a psych med instead of a pain med. It's time for this to stop.

Chronic pain impacts up to 40 percent of Americans. This can be anything from endometriosis to back pain to ongoing pain following an injury, and sadly the problem only seems to be getting worse. So how do we interrupt this pattern? On today's podcast, Dr. Christine Smith takes on pain from a holistic perspective, addressing why we can't seem to shake pain, and how to get hold of its seemingly unrelenting grip.Mentioned on the episode:The Strange Pain Docuseries, https://strangepain.com/?idev_id=32231Dr. Christine Smith's website, https://www.depthwellness.com/resourcesDr. Christine Smith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinesmith

Today we are dipping back into The Bitch Fix vault for a throwback to a classic episode. This was too good not to be highlighted another time. If you missed it the first go around, do yourself a favour and check it out now.Menstrual migraines are a real . . . bitch. But what's causing them? Is it just another case of our female hormones doin' us wrong? Maybe, but maybe not. There could be other root causes for these types of headaches, and today we're diving into what those might be.

Is there something you want? Maybe it's a change in your health. Maybe it's an upgraded relationship. Maybe it's just a new purse If you're anything like me, the list of things you want is pretty damn long. On today's episode, how you can start making those things a reality._____Mentioned on the episode: How to Build a Second Brain, by Tiago Forte

Trying to make change, and feel like despite your best efforts, you always end up back at square 1? Despite what you might secretly believe about yourself, it's probably NOT because you're hopeless and have no willpower. On today's podcast, why change is challenging for everyone, and 3 of my top hacks for successfully implementing something new, even if you don't have willpower.

Are you tired when you wake up in the morning? Have you been told you snore? Do you grind your teeth? Do you ever find yourself breathing with your mouth open? These symptoms could be reflections of a hidden disorder that's hiding in plain sight and causing problems with everything from your hormones to your ability to focus: myofunctional disorders, or how the mouth and jaw function. Myofunctional disorderes impact not just airways, but a ton of other functions in your body!Today's guest is Sara Mercier, and she's a Certified Myofunctional Airway Specialist here to school us on all things mouth, jaw, and breathing.Find her on her wildly popular TikTok channel, https://www.tiktok.com/@healthymouth_healthylifeInstagram https://www.instagram.com/healthymouth_healthylife/Website http://revealmyotherapy.com/

In North America, close to 30 percent of births end in a C-Section. And after this major abdominal surgery, women are left to recover with a newborn and virtually NO resources for how to handle the after-effects of surgery.Enter Janette Yee, a perinatal athletic therapist best known for her groundbreaking online Cesarean birth recovery program and the Proactive Moms Method. According to Janette, it's NEVER too late to recover from your C-section, with just a few minutes a day and the right strategy. Join our empowering conversation this week and connect with Janette on her wildly popular TikTok channel, https://www.tiktok.com/@askjanette, Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/askjanette/ or on her website, https://www.janetteyee.com/

Our modern world is sadly and undeniably toxic. Babies are born with toxic chemicals already in their cord blood. Just breathing air, drinking water, and (shockingly) eating vegetables exposes us to hundreds if not thousands of toxic elements every single day. And as this week's podcast guest, Dr. Peter Kozlowski (or “Dr. Koz”) explains, our individual buckets for handling these toxic exposures vary wildly . . . which means there's really no “safe” level of any of this. But fear not: Dr. Koz also has sensible, straightforward methods for handling this burden. You don't want to miss this conversation.____________Find Dr. Koz's new book, Get The Func Out: A Functional Medicine Guide To Balance Your Hormones and Detox on Amazon or your local booksellerConnect with Dr. Koz at doc-koz.com or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doc_koz/

Lyme disease is poorly understood, and the symptoms are so nebulous that people have often seen many practitioners before the underlying cause of Lyme is recognized. On today's podcast, renowned Lyme expert and creator of the LymeBright Collective, Dr. Marie Matheson. Dr. Marie shares her wisdom on treating Lyme disease and why some people develop Lyme after exposure and some people don't._________Learn more at https://biohealottawa.com/Get 50% off Dr. Marie's Detox Program using code VIP50 at https://learn.healthandwellness.io/bio-heal-detox-rg-1

One of the most common experiences of women wanting to change something in their health is the uncomfortable feeling of either not “fitting in” with her old group, whether friends or family, disliking making change because of the questions it brings, or just not wanting to draw attention to being different. This can be highlighted during the holidays, but it can also come up any time of year. On this episode, a tool for when you feel “pinned” or frozen by someone's questions, whether they mean it that way or not. This tool comes from unrivaled expert Kasia Urbaniak, who you can learn more about from her book, Unbound: A Woman's Guide to Power https://www.amazon.com/Unbound-Womans-Guide-Kasia-Urbaniak/dp/0593084519 and her website, https://www.kasiaurbaniak.com/the-academy

A lot of people I talk to don't think they eat that much sugar. Little do most folks know, sugar is hiding is just about EVERYTHING . . . and it's silently causing a host of issues that affect everything from hormones to brain function. This is the expertise of Dr. Jody Stanislaw, who, as a Type 1 diabetic, has had to mentally do the work of her pancreas since she was just 7 years old, constantly monitoring how food affects her body and what to do about it. Dr. Jody's TedX talk, Sugar is Not a Treat, has had over 4 MILLION views. She's a wealth of knowledge that you won't want to miss!--------------------------------------------------------------------Find Dr. Jody at https://www.drjodynd.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/type1.dr.jody.nd/Watch her TedX talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tic7X3ET4gEHer cookbook of delicious recipes can be accessed at https://www.drjodynd.com/product/dr-jodys-favorite-easy-delicious-recipes-low-carb-ecookbook/ and you can apply for a kitchen makeover here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgrGlGLK8bZXi32TTAUA8-t4i-GTNZARfgjxBJxifrGu7H2g/viewform

Do you want to be happier? A lot of us would likely say YES, especially given recent statistics of declining happiness. But what does it take to actually GET happier? Is it inborn or a learned skill? How do people in the happiest countries in the world do it? These are just a few of the questions I asked Dr. Ellen Wong of the The Joy Avenue. The good news is, Dr. Ellen has some answers!________Download Dr. Ellen's guide, 9 Essential Questions to as for a happier life: https://drellenwong.com/happinessquestions and follow her on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thejoyavenue/ or find her at thejoyavenue.com

On this episode of the podcast, I interview chef-to-the-stars James Barry, who's cooked for folks like Tom Cruise, Mariska Hartigay, and George Clooney. Chef James turned his passion for flavor into a phenomenal superfood, Pluck seasoning, a first-of-its-kind blend based on organ meats. I started using Pluck personally the second I heard about it, and have been sneaking nutrients into my family with it ever since. On this episode, we talk about everything from how eating liver fixed my PMS (really!) to how to get nutrients into picky eaters, and why nose-to-tail eating is key to a sustainable food system. Amazing conversation with a truly amazing human._____Use code BITCHFIX (all caps) for a discount at eatpluck.com!Follow Chef James and Pluck on Instagram: instagram.com/chefjamesbarry and instagram.com/eatpluck

This week on the podcast, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Anna Lembke, the New York Times bestselling author of “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence.” Dr. Lembke has also written about the opioid drug crisis in her book “Drug Dealer, MD,” and appeared as an expert in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma. On this episode, Dr. Lembke and I discuss how our brains are wired for the pursuit of pleasure, how this wiring can get us hijacked in a modern era of abundance, and how everything from romance novels to heroine can be fodder for addictive behavior, even if we don't think of ourselves as “addicts.” This interview is the last in this month's series relating to ADHD in honor of ADHD Awareness Month. While Dr. Lembke and I didn't specifically get into ADHD, dopamine happens to be the primary neurotransmitter involved in the symptoms of ADHD, and Dr. Lembke discusses the use and abuse of stimulants like Adderall in her book. That said, this episode is literally for everyone.-----------------------------Find Dr. Lembke on her website, https://www.annalembke.com/ and buy her books at any bookseller

On this episode of the podcast we're going to the energetic side of healing with Dr. Jesse Pierce. Dr. Jesse and I discuss how she employs the power of frequencies as a tool for healing, and how she's used energy medicine to help patients who have the most complex chronic illness cases finally resolve their health concerns. Learn more about Dr. Jesse on her website, https://drjessepierce.com/Follow her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/drjessepierce/Download her free gift, Healing Frequencies Through Song here: https://drjessepierce.com/frequencies

On this episode of the podcast, I had the honor of interviewing the “mother” of ADHD for women, and author of the very first book on the topic, Sari Solden. After spending 30 years on the specific experience of women with ADHD, Sari is a wealth of knowledge. Her books, Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, A Radical Guide for Women with ADHD, and Journeys Through ADDulthood have helped thousands of women with ADHD transform their lives and experience.Find her on her website, sarisolden.comIf you're a neurodiverse mental health professional who also supports those with ADHD, Sari has an upcoming workshop that you can learn more about here: https://www.sarisolden.com/professional-consultaion-groups

Part 2 of the conversation, addressing the final 4 of the 7 subtypes. A one-size-fits-all approach almost never works. That applies to pretty much anything in our bodies, because we all have unique genes, lifestyles, diet, environments, and even thought patterns. So while one supplement or medication or diet may work great for one person, it may make another worse. When we break ADHD into subtypes, we can then start to align the right supports. On this episode, what those subtypes look like, and some simple strategies that could apply for each.———Mentioned on the episode: http://theaddquiz.com/

A one-size-fits-all approach almost never works. That applies to pretty much anything in our bodies, because we all have unique genes, lifestyles, diet, environments, and even thought patterns. So while one supplement or medication or diet may work great for one person, it may make another worse. When we break ADHD into subtypes, we can then start to align the right supports. On this episode, what those subtypes look like, and some simple strategies that could apply for each.———Mentioned on the episode: http://theaddquiz.com/

Could symptoms you're pinning on a hormonal imbalance (fatigue, irritability, feeling cold, brain fog) actually be a need for iron? And if you're low on iron, is it wise to just run out and grab a supplement? Diving into the world of IRON today, with a special focus on mental health, ADHD, anxiety, and depression related to the need for iron and underlying causes for the low iron to begin with.

It's easy to focus on weight because most of us have been primed for the weight loss conversation since we were elementary students. But if we're thinking about the HEALTH implications of body composition, there are three numbers that matter a hell of a lot more than the number on the scale. On this episode, what the numbers are, why they matter, and how to measure them at home.

On this week's episode, I interviewed the lovely Kate Vazquez, functional medicine physician's assistant and author of “Estrogen Is a Bitch.” Kate and I talked about the common hormonal imbalance called estrogen dominance, the 3 primary patterns of estrogen dominance, and how hormones, the gut and the nervous system are all interconnected.

For the last couple of years, intermittent fasting, or “IF” has been raging like wildfire all through popular culture. If you believe the hype, it's the best thing since sliced bread for everything from weight loss to brain fog. But is this strategy right for EVERYONE? You might imagine I have thoughts. This week I unpack the hype.

On this episode, I interviewed Dr. Anna Arabyan, a faculty member at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and founder of NutrafemmeRx, a brand devoted to women's hormone health and wellness. I was interested in talking to Dr. Anna because of her unique background in both biochemistry, with her doctor of pharmacy degree, and also using holistic strategies for managing her own diagnoses of PCOS and endometriosis.We had an interesting and wide-ranging discussion touching on everything from the power of community to the shared responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies, doctors, and patients. Take a listen!To connect with Dr. Anna, check out her IG: @nutrafemmerx and her website, https://www.nutrafemmerx.com/

If you think ADD or ADHD is just an issue of hyper little boys--think again. Recent research is showing that just as many girls as boys suffer from ADHD . . . AND it's not necessarily something that just “goes away” when that girl grows up. The way girls present, together with inherent gender bias, means it can be easy to miss in girls, or dismissed as a girl just not “trying hard enough.” On today's episode, I'm unpacking the gender differences in ADHD, and sharing my personal journey as a touchstone.Want to connect with me or share your thoughts or questions? Find me on Instagram: @christine.maccarroll

Getting a diagnosis is a very unique experience. It can be stressful and hard--and it can also be a gift. It can be the pin on the map that says “you are here” so that you know now where you're going, no longer lost in a wilderness of symptoms.On this episode of the podcast, my personal experience with receiving a diagnosis, the experiences of 2 of my clients, and the difference between identifying and identifying WITH a diagnosis.

Did you know that almost a third of women over 45 are constipated? People don't often talk about what happens in the toilet, but we probably should! On today's episode, why sluggish bowels can be a reflection of a sluggish metabolism, some underlying reasons for this issue, and what to do about it.

So many women are walking around feeling like they're just cursed with “bad genes.” But are your genetics really the only factor? On today's episode I'm breaking down the relationship between genes and environment, and sharing with you what I've learned from looking at my OWN genetic data and how it's expressing in my metabolism. Want to talk with me about how YOUR genes could be affecting your metabolic function? You can book a call with me here: bit.ly/hormonehealing20

After being hit by lightening at age 15, Lisa Wimberger began having seizures so bad she would flatline. Literally. Desperate to retrain her brain, she invented a brand new modality: Neurosculpting. Now Neurosculpting is being used by everyone from first responders to those who struggle with chronic pain and health conditions, to those who just want to optimize performance. It's a wholly original, intensely impactful tool. On the podcast this week, Lisa and I talk about how she “downloaded” the idea for Neurosculpting, what the vagal nerve why everyone should be “tuning” it, and how vagal nerve tone impacts our female organs.

Have you heard of mast cells? They're these fascinating sentinels all throughout the body, acting like antenna to sense what's going on in our internal and external environments. And when they sense issues too often or respond too intensely, we can end up feeling like we're stuck with "mystery symptoms" that no one can figure out. No one but Beth O'Hara, that is. Beth is an expert in all things mast cell and mast cell activation syndrome, and she's here to drop ALL the knowledge bombs on this week's episode.

On today's episode, I was thrilled to welcome Dr. Louann Brizendine, author of the bestselling book “The Female Brain” and the new book “The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond.” Dr. Louann and I got into some amazing conversation around how our female hormones aren't just sex hormones, but are also neurochemicals (affecting our brains), how those changes are different between cycling women and women after menopause (which she calls “the upgrade”), and what women can expect from not just their brains but their entire lives after the upgrade. A must listen for any woman over 35! 

Is your menstrual cycle irregular? Do you sometimes miss entire cycles, or you can't count on if it will come in 25 days or 40? There's probably a reason why. On today's episode, 5 reasons why your period might be playing hide and seek.

Women have been fed a crap story about what happens after menopause--basically, it's all downhill from here. This may be especially felt by women who've been active in their younger years, and worry that life after menopause will mean a rapid physical decline. Not so fast. Enter Dr. Stacy Sims and her co-author, Selene Yeager. First they blew the doors off with the radical idea that “women are not small men” in the book Roar. Now they're back with the next chapter, Next Level: Your Guide to Kicking Ass, Feeling Great, and Crushing Goals Through Menopause and Beyond. Selene and I talked about how to get women represented in science and media, what it's like to start feeling the peri- and menopausal changes, and why it's important for women to “lift heavy sh*t.” Get the book AND all the bonus material when you purchase directly from https://www.feistymenopause.com/nextlevelbonus

Wanna know how to eat to have great sex? I mean, who doesn't? To the rescue: Christine DeLozier, L.Ac., author of the fantastic book Diet for Great Sex. On the podcast today, you get 2 Christines for the price of 1! Christine and I talk about everything from where exactly you put acupuncture needles for great sex (Christine is an acupuncturist in private practice as well) to her favorite mushrooms, to the story of a chunky squirrel. And of course, what to eat for dinner if you're going to get frisky that night. Find Christine HERE, and buy her book on Amazon. Christine's article on why media is bad for sex: HERE

In the last of this 3-part series on weight, I share my thoughts on thoughts, why mindset matters, and why we have to unhook self worth from weight before we can make any lasting changes.

Bonus! This is a special invitation episode for my new 6-week metabolic reset, The Bitch Fix Anti-Bootcamp. Get the details at www.antibootcamp.com

On part one of this topic, I addressed what I see as the ends of the spectrum in the larger cultural and personal context of weight loss. In part 2, I'm getting into why I think black and white thinking in this arena can be problematic, and how we can start to have a more nuanced, gray-zone conversation and thoughts around this.  

Discussions around weight, body size and body image can be pretty fraught. I'm wading into these waters with a series on the topic, starting with providing what I see as the current context of the larger conversation, and then considering what might be impacting YOUR particular context.

On this “best of” episode, we revisit the idea of doing a detox or a cleanse in honor of the start of spring and the spring equinox. I also share why I love the equinoxes of the year as the perfect time for a detox!

Within the last few decades, fats have been both demonized and hailed. But there's more to the story. The TYPES and QUALITY of your fats have as much if not more to do with the health of your metabolism and hormones as how much you consume. On this episode, what types of fats heal and what types inflame.

When women decide either that they've had enough of the conventional approach to their care OR they want to try something “more natural” first, they often turn to the supplement aisle in their local natural foods store. And there are some great supports for blood sugar to be found there. The trouble is, if we don't understand the MECHANISM for why blood sugar is high in the first place, the products that we're choosing might actually be at odds with why the body is out whack. Forcing the situation won't make it better. Today we're diving into the WHY, talking about some lab numbers that may help, and calling out some nutrients that can hurt or help with both blood sugar trouble and PCOS.

Over the last several episodes, we've been going deeper on the intersection of metabolism and hormones, and talking about one particular “big dog,” insulin, that really impacts both. One clear example (I actually can't think of a better one) of this intersection is with the syndrome PCOS. PCOS, otherwise known as “polycystic ovarian syndrome” is a constellation of symptoms driven, the majority of the time, by metabolic imbalance, particularly with glucose metabolism and blood sugar regulation. On today's episode, what's up with that, and how to get started managing it.

Elevated blood sugar can be one of the first signs that something's off with hormones, metabolism, or both. But there can be hidden reasons for high blood sugar or the beginnings of insulin resistance that have nothing to do with food. On this episode, I uncover 3 reasons NOT related to food why your blood sugar might stay stubbornly on the high side.