The Hormone Genius Podcast

When “Normal” Isn’t Safe: Chelsey Painter Davis on Advocacy, Risk, and Real Informed Consent

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Chelsey Painter Davis to hear her story, one that challenges assumptions about “routine” medical care and underscores the life-changing importance of informed consent.

At just 18 years old, Chelsey was prescribed hormonal birth control without a full conversation about risks or alternative options. What followed was a series of devastating complications, including a pulmonary embolism and pseudotumor cerebri, ultimately leading to permanent vision loss. Later, she discovered underlying blood clotting disorders—Factor V and Factor II—that had gone undiagnosed.

Chelsey’s journey didn’t end there. During a later pregnancy, she was encouraged to undergo amniocentesis, until she asked deeper questions and uncovered that the recommendation was tied to abortion planning, not medical necessity. She declined, and her son was born healthy.

This episode is a call to awareness, equipping women with the tools and confidence to ask better questions, trust their intuition, and take an active role in their healthcare decisions.

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Medical Disclaimer
This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information shared in this episode is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your healthcare routine.h

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sarah Pederson, a holistic OBGYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility, to explore a refreshing and deeply restorative approach to women’s health and fertility.

After years in traditional obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Pederson recognized a gap in care, one that often prioritizes symptom management over true healing. That realization led her to build a practice centered on identifying and addressing root causes, helping women restore hormone balance and optimize fertility naturally.

Together, we dive into the foundational role of nutrition, the power of continuous glucose monitoring, and the often-overlooked connection between gut health and reproductive function. This conversation challenges conventional fertility approaches and offers a hopeful, science-backed path forward for women seeking to understand their bodies more deeply.

Dr. Pederson’s journey from conventional OBGYN to holistic care
Why a root-cause approach is essential for hormone balance and fertility
The “Six Pillars” of hormone health: diet, sleep, exercise, stress, weight, and mindset/spirituality
How nutrition, especially protein intake and breakfast timing, impacts hormones
The hidden effects of sugar and artificial sweeteners on inflammation and fertility
How Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) provide personalized insights into metabolic health
The connection between gut health and reproductive function
A look into Restorative Reproductive Medicine and how it differs from conventional fertility treatments
Key Takeaways
1. Fertility starts with foundational health
Dr. Pederson emphasizes that true hormone balance begins with lifestyle: what we eat, how we sleep, how we manage stress, and how we care for our bodies as a whole.

2. Food is powerful data
Using tools like CGMs allows women to see in real-time how their body responds to certain foods empowering personalized, effective changes.

3. Gut health matters more than you think
Underlying gut dysfunction and inflammation can significantly impact fertility, and addressing these issues can lead to profound outcomes.

4. Healing over bypassing
Unlike conventional approaches that may override the body’s natural processes, restorative reproductive medicine works to heal and support the body—leading to healthier pregnancies and long-term outcomes.

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The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

In this episode of The Hormone Genius Podcast, we sit down with Olivia Chasteen, Director of SymptoPro Fertility Education, to have an honest and empowering conversation about women’s health, fertility awareness, and the gap between conventional care and true root-cause solutions.

So many women are handed quick fixes, band-aid solutions that often mask symptoms rather than address what’s really going on. Hormonal contraception is frequently prescribed as a way to “regulate” cycles, yet it doesn’t actually restore or regulate the body’s natural rhythms, and it comes with real side effects that can impact nearly every system in a woman’s body.

Olivia shares how the SymptoPro method, a sympto-thermal approach to Natural Family Planning (NFP), offers a science-based, effective alternative that works with a woman’s body instead of against it.

We explore the history and effectiveness of SymptoPro, including how it has helped couples confidently avoid pregnancy when used correctly, while also serving as a powerful tool for those trying to conceive. But this conversation goes far beyond family planning.

Cycle tracking is a window into a woman’s overall health.

Whether married, single, trying to conceive, or simply wanting to understand her body better, charting can reveal valuable insights from hormonal imbalances to thyroid concerns, luteal phase defects, and more. Olivia explains how even women with no immediate fertility goals can benefit deeply from learning to read the signs their bodies are giving them each day.

We also dive into the reality that charting isn’t always straightforward—and that’s okay. If your charts feel confusing or inconsistent, it doesn’t mean your body is broken. It means there’s more to uncover. Olivia walks through practical troubleshooting strategies and emphasizes the importance of individualized support and education.

In a culture that often paints the female body as inconvenient or flawed, true healing begins when we learn to understand and respect what our bodies are communicating.

There is real support. There are real answers. And there is real beauty in understanding your fertility.

What the SymptoPro method is and how long it’s been helping women and couples
How effective SymptoPro is for avoiding pregnancy when used correctly
How it supports couples trying to conceive
Why cycle tracking is a powerful health tool for all women, not just those planning families
What your fertility chart can reveal about your overall health
Practical tips for when charting feels confusing or overwhelming
Why one method may not fit everyone, and how to find the right approach for you
The deeper issue with “quick fix” solutions in women’s healthcare

Olivia also shares her work as a Certified Lactation Consultant, wellness professional, and instructor serving families in rural Wisconsin where access to fertility education and medical support can be limited, yet deeply needed.

Sponsors
💛 We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS

🐄 Wonder Cow Colostrum

Supports gut health, immune function, inflammation balance, and tissue repair — especially valuable during postpartum recovery.

🎁 30% off your subscription with code: HORMONEGENIUS

🔗 www.wondercow.com/hormonegenius

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Hormone Genius Podcast. This content is for information is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

In this episode, Teresa sits down with Myah Jenae, founder of Right to Know, a grassroots women’s health initiative reaching college campuses across the country. At just 22, Myah is helping young women reclaim an understanding of their bodies through cycle literacy, education, and community.

Myah shares her personal story of early puberty, severe period pain, and the frustration of being dismissed by healthcare providers who offered hormonal birth control as the only solution. After years of struggling, she found healing through nutrition—eliminating her pain and transforming not only her physical health, but her emotional well-being.

Through her work, Myah has spoken to nearly 1,600 college-aged women in just eight weeks. She’s found a striking pattern: the vast majority have felt dismissed or minimized when bringing up concerns about their cycles. Many were made to feel that tracking their cycles was unnecessary or even silly, leading them to disconnect from their bodies.

Right to Know exists to change that narrative. The initiative emphasizes both body literacy and identity, helping women understand that painful cycles are not normal and that their bodies are not broken. Myah addresses the deeper “identity lies” many women carry: the belief that suffering is simply part of being female.

On campuses, Right to Know sparks conversation in bold and creative ways including signs that read “period cramps aren’t normal” and a period cramp simulator that invites men into the conversation. These encounters open the door to deeper discussions about hormone health, fertility awareness, and alternatives to hormonal birth control.

But the mission goes beyond symptom relief. Myah explains how healing her cycle unlocked joy, energy, and the ability to connect more deeply with others. What began as physical healing became a profound emotional transformation.

At the heart of Right to Know is community. Their “Big Sister” program equips women to walk alongside others with compassion and clarity, creating spaces where women can learn, track, and grow together. Through shared practices like prioritizing sleep, nourishment, and cycle awareness, participants experience both education and support.

Myah’s message is simple but powerful: the female body is not designed for chronic pain. Instead, symptoms are signals an invitation to look deeper and restore balance.

Teresa closes the episode with a call to action: share this message. Whether you’re a young woman navigating your own cycle or someone who wishes you had learned this earlier, you have the ability to pass this knowledge on. Change begins with awareness and with the courage to start the conversation.

Consider also checking out Cycle MIndfulness Clubs sponsored by Natural Womanhood;
https://naturalwomanhood.org/cycle-mindfulness-club-leadership-team/

https://naturalwomanhood.org/making-sense-of-your-menstrual-cycle/

The information presented in The Hormone Genius Podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for actual medical or mental health advice from a doctor, psychologist, or any other medical or mental health professional.

Sponsors
💛 We Heart Nutrition

Thoughtfully formulated supplements designed to support women’s health at every stage of life.

🎁 20% off with code: GENIUS

Grazing Beauty Tallow for Skin
10% discount code HORMONEGENIUS

Wonder Cow Colostrum for GUT Health
30% off with Code HORMONEGENIUS

In this episode of the Hormone Genius Podcast, the hosts sit down with Dr. Marina Suri, an OB-GYN with more than 30 years of experience in restorative reproductive medicine and women’s health. Together, they explore a refreshing and hopeful perspective on fertility, longevity, and what women can do naturally to support their hormone health and reproductive lifespan.

Dr. Marina introduces the idea of “biological age” versus chronological age. While we cannot stop time, she explains that the health of our bodies is deeply influenced by lifestyle choices. The same habits that support longevity.

The conversation dives into practical, foundational approaches that often get overlooked in conventional medicine. Rather than focusing first on expensive biohacking trends, Dr. Marina encourages women to start simple: eat whole foods, reduce ultra-processed foods and sugar, move the body regularly, and prioritize nutrient sufficiency. She shares how deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and omega-3s are incredibly common in her patients and can significantly impact hormone health and fertility.

The hosts also discuss the overwhelming amount of health information women encounter online today. Dr. Marina reminds listeners that the basics matter most. A Mediterranean-style diet, reducing inflammatory foods, regular exercise, and stress management are still some of the most evidence-based ways to improve fertility and overall wellness.

Another major topic of the episode is low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a therapy gaining attention in restorative reproductive medicine.More recently, she has seen promising use in fertility support, particularly for women with inflammatory conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS. She discusses both the potential benefits and considerations of using LDN, including common side effects like vivid dreams and sleep changes.

The discussion also highlights the growing concern surrounding endocrine-disrupting chemicals in modern life. From plastics and water contaminants to personal care products and cleaning supplies, Dr. Marina explains how environmental toxins may be impacting fertility, hormone balance, and even sperm counts. She shares practical ways women can reduce exposure without becoming fearful, including using water filters, cleaner products, and tools like the Environmental Working Group’s Healthy Living App.

The episode closes with a beautiful reflection on body literacy and the importance of women understanding their cycles and hormones. Dr. Marina encourages women not to take fertility for granted and to become more in tune with the natural rhythms of their bodies. Her mission is simple but powerful: to help women understand that they are not powerless when it comes to their health and fertility.

This episode is packed with practical wisdom, encouragement, and empowering reminders that small lifestyle changes can truly transform hormone health, fertility, and long-term wellness.

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The information shared on the Hormone Genius Podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or sponsors.