Hormones play a pivotal role in every aspect of a woman's life, from mood to fertility and beyond, understanding how to optimize their function is paramount. Dr. Elena Zinkov shares actionable strategies and insights that empower women to take control of their hormonal health and thrive. Support Your Sleep and Hormonal Balance with innovative Myo Relax and Calm: https://bit.ly/myo-relax-sleep-blend Save with code Podcast at checkout Link to Video & Show Notes: https://bit.ly/3vC0hSK Show Notes: 0:00 Intro 4:50 Hormonal birth control and xenoestrogens from our environment push women into perimenopause and premature ovarian failure. 6:30 Women who come off birth control may experience early perimenopause. 9:30 Bioidentical hormones can help women coming off hormonal birth control to recuperate. 11:30 Women have more testosterone than estrogen. 13:40 PCOS is an insulin and low progesterone issue. 15:40 Women’s estrogen and progesterone are produced in the ovarian follicles. Adrenal glands also produce estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. 18:25 AMH levels reflect the ovarian reserve. 18:50 Egg quality depends upon balanced levels of estrogen and testosterone. 21:30 DHEA is important for energy, healthy estrogen levels, blood sugar metabolism, immune system, muscle mass, and post workout recovery. 29:05 All hormones are at their peak between 8 and 10 am. 29:45 Blood/serum testing is the most accurate. 32:30 Follicle-stimulating hormone FSH helps the egg to mature and stimulates the release of estrogen and progesterone. 34:15 We are starting to see late perimenopause and menopause levels of FSH in young women. 34:40 Optimal estradiol is between 70 to 150. 35:00 The follicular phase starts on day one of bleeding and luteal starts with ovulation. 37:15 Body temperature and cervical fluid are effective ways to determine if you are ovulating. 42:00 Signs of low progesterone 46:50 Bioidentical oral progesterone 50:00 Helps with sleep: valerian root, CBD, magnesium, GABA, and L-theanine (am and pm). 53:30 Growth hormone peptides can help you sleep through the night. 58:45 Oxytocin nasal spray is neuroprotective and can help with stress management and resilience, anxiety, and depression. 59:50 Women should consume 30 to 40 grams of protein at least 3 to 4 times per day, with a minimum of 120 grams/day.