E177: Will DUTCH Hormone Testing Help Your PMS/PMDD Symptoms? Progesterone, GABA, Estrogen, and Cyclical Mood Changes with Dr Kelly Ruef

HAPPILY HORMONAL | hormone balance for moms, PMS, painful periods, natural birth control, low energy, pro-metabolic

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In this episode, we discuss PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), along with the impact of hormonal imbalances on mood, energy, and overall well-being. I am joined by Dr. Kelly Ruef from Dutch, a naturopathic physician with a strong interest in biochemistry, biochemical pathways, and natural hormone pathways. She will explain how tools like the Dutch Test can help uncover what is happening beneath the surface and provide steps you can take to feel better.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- The Role of Hormonal Fluctuations in PMS and PMDD*

We dive into why some women experience extreme symptoms during the luteal phase and the role hormones like progesterone and estrogen play in mood regulation.

- The Connection Between Progesterone and GABA

Dr. Kelly explains how progesterone and its metabolites impact GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps regulate anxiety, irritability, and sleep. We explore why low progesterone—or how your body processes it can lead to anxiety, irritability, and poor sleep.

- Understanding Estrogen Dominance

Ever feel overly emotional, get headaches, or have heavy periods? These can all be signs of too much estrogen relative to progesterone. We also discuss how the balance between estrogen and progesterone plays a critical role.

- The Paradoxical GABA Response

Dr. Kelly uncovers the phenomenon where some women experience increased anxiety and irritability during their luteal phase due to a paradoxical response to progesterone metabolites.

- Why the Dutch Test is a Game Changer

Learn how this advanced hormone test provides a full picture of your hormonal health, helping uncover the root cause of your symptoms.

- Cholesterol, Lipids, and Estrogen

Explore the surprising link between estrogen and lipid health and why low estrogen can affect cholesterol levels.

Quick Tip:

Simple lifestyle changes, like getting better sleep, managing stress, and stabilizing blood sugar are powerful first steps to better hormonal health before diving into more advanced protocols.

Connect with Dr Kelly Ruef on Instagram

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Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.
This podcast is for women and moms to learn how to balance hormones naturally in motherhood, to have pain-free periods, increased fertility, to decrease PMS mood swings, and to increase energy without restrictive diet plans. You'll learn how to balance blood sugar, increase progesterone naturally, understand the root cause of estrogen dominance, irregular periods, PCOS, insulin resistance, hormonal acne, post birth-control syndrome, and conceive naturally. We use a pro-metabolic, whole food, root cause approach to functional women's health and focus on truly holistic health and mind-body connection.
If you listen to any of the following shows, we're sure you'll like ours too!
Pursuit of Wellness with Mari Llewellyn, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, Found My Fitness with Rhonda Patrick, Just Ingredients Podcast, Wellness Mama, The Dr Josh Axe Show, Are You Menstrual Podcast, The Model Health Show, Grounded Wellness By Primally Pure, Be Well By Kelly Leveque, The Freely Rooted Podcast with Kori Meloy, Simple Farmhouse Life with Lisa Bass