Today’s episode dives into a hot topic circling the internet: period products. A recent study reveals that tampons contain heavy metals, raising concerns about their safety. In this episode, I explore why this is alarming for consumers and discuss safer alternatives for managing your period.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Findings from UC Berkeley's Study: Some details about the recent research from UC Berkeley, which found heavy metals like arsenic and lead in tampons, including both conventional and organic cotton products.

-Health Concerns for Women: Why the presence of heavy metals in tampons is a significant health concern and how these substances can affect your body.

-Organic Cotton Pads: Why organic cotton pads might seem like a better alternative but may still be problematic due to the potential of using the same materials as tampons.

Avoiding Conventional Products: Why you need to avoid conventional tampons and pads that contain additional chemicals and fragrances that can disrupt your hormones.

-Exploring Menstrual Cups and Discs: An overview of menstrual cups and discs, including tips on how to choose the best one for you and their pros and cons.

-Period Underwear: Information on period underwear and what to consider when selecting what is right for you.

Being informed about what comes in contact with our body is crucial, especially if you have endometriosis. If you’re worried about heavy metal levels in your body, tests like the HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) can be done with a functional practitioner. This episode is about informing and not to scare you, and provide you with the tools you need to live a better healthier life.

Resources:

Episode info

UC Berkely Research Article

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
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Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
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Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Welcome back to the Endo Belly Girl Podcast! Today is part two of our series on stress and its effects on endometriosis. If you haven’t listened to the first part, definitely check it out before you listen to part two. In this episode, I dive into the underlying reasons for stress and the actionable steps you can take.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-What causes HPA Axis dysregulation: Understand why your body is in a chronic stress response.

-Types of stressors: How the external and internal stressors impact your stress response.

-Taking control: Why it's crucial to identify your stressors, make necessary changes, and know when to seek additional support like therapy.

-Lifestyle changes: How changing your lifestyle can address these stressors, and the importance of supporting it with a nutrient-dense diet.

-Adrenal health nutrients: The specific nutrients you need for adrenal health and why you need to have plenty of them, including protein, carbs, and fats.

-Caloric intake: The importance of eating enough calories, even if you're trying to lose weight, and the benefits of eating three meals a day.

-Limiting caffeine: Why limiting caffeine intake is essential for adrenal health.

-Blood sugar impact: How blood sugar levels affect your adrenal health and act as a stressor.

-Nutrient replenishment: The importance of nutrients, such as B vitamins, that you need to replenish to support your adrenals.

-Lifestyle stressors: Recognize lifestyle factors, like over-exercising, that can be stressors.

Stress is a huge topic, and there are many factors that impact it. If you have questions about what we discussed, feel free to reach out to me on Instagram. I love connecting with you and hope this episode provides insight into what you're experiencing and how to manage it!


Resources:
Episode 34

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

This week’s episode is the first part of our two-part series on stress and its effects on endometriosis! Stress is a crucial topic when it comes to managing endometriosis, so we're diving deep. This episode focuses on the connection between stress and endometriosis and its impact on your body. Part 2 will cover why stress happens and how to manage it effectively.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Identifying Stress Impact: How to recognize if stress is affecting your body and the signs and symptoms of cortisol imbalances.

-Understanding the HPA Axis: What the Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal (HPA) Axis is, its role as a feedback loop responding to stress, and how it becomes dysregulated.

-Adrenal Fatigue Explained: Why what’s often called adrenal fatigue is actually HPA Axis dysfunction.

-Cortisol Levels: The implications of both high and low cortisol levels and how they indicate the duration of your body's stress response.

-Endometriosis and Cortisol: The significance of adrenal and cortisol release in relation to endometriosis.

-Autonomic Nervous System: The importance of the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems and the need for your body to balance between the two.

-Parasympathetic State: Why being in a parasympathetic state is essential for digestion, healing, repair, and immune health; which is all critical for managing endometriosis.

-Sex Hormones and Adrenal Health: How adrenal health directly impacts your sex hormones and their production.

-Blood Sugar and Stress: The effect of stress and cortisol on your blood sugar levels.

-Nutrient Depletion: How the stress response depletes essential nutrients needed for a healthy stress response.

-Cortisol as an Anti-inflammatory: The role of balanced cortisol levels in helping your body manage inflammation.

Next week, we’ll explore why cortisol imbalances and HPA Axis dysfunction occur and what you can do about it. Don’t forget to subscribe and tune in for Part 2 to get the complete picture.


Resources:
Episode 21
Episode 37

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Today's episode we're diving into your questions about endometriosis in another exciting Q&A session. I love answering your questions, so if you have anything you'd like to ask, feel free to message me on Instagram for our next Q&A episode!

In this episode, I answer:

-Will endometriosis cause weight gain?

-Is soy bad for endometriosis?

-Do supplements really help endometriosis?

-Are eggs bad for endometriosis?

-What is the best water source for endometriosis?

Navigating endometriosis can be challenging, especially with the conflicting information available online. Thank you for sending in your questions and keep them coming! I'll be sure to feature more in our next Q&A episode.

Resources:

Will Endometriosis Cause Weight Gain?

Episode 36

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Welcome back to the Endo Belly Girl Podcast! In today’s episode, I dive into the inspiration behind starting the Endo Warrior Circle, my new membership for endo warriors opening this week.


I’m passionate about the importance of having a support system for endometriosis. While friends and loved ones can be incredibly supportive, they often don’t fully grasp what it’s like to live with endometriosis. This is why I felt the need to create a dedicated endometriosis community where we can share genuine human connections and truly understand each other’s experiences.

The Endo Warrior Circle is designed to be that community. It’s a place where we can connect, share our stories, and support one another. Plus, you’ll have access to valuable endometriosis resources to help you manage and address your endo symptoms effectively.

I’m thrilled to offer this endometriosis subscription service to help more women navigate their endometriosis journeys. The doors to the Endo Warrior Circle will be open from June 24th to June 28th for a limited time. If you’re listening after these dates, don’t worry! You can visit my page to find out when the next enrollment period will be.

I can’t wait to see you there and be part of this amazing endometriosis support community!

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

This week’s episode is all about the four foundations of endo health. I’m super excited about the upcoming launch of the Endo Warrior Circle, a subscription-based program where everything is broken down into these four essential foundations. Today, I want to give you a sneak preview of the overarching topics we'll be covering, and help you figure out what you need to support right now.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

-The foundations are what you need to build a solid base to help you create a sustainable approach to managing endo. Focusing on one thing at a time will help you make progress with your endo symptoms and sustain that progress for the long term.

- 1. Mindset and stress: Often overlooked, mindset and stress management are crucial. Believing that you can heal your body and improve your symptoms is the first step toward better health.

-2. Diet: an essential part to manage endo symptoms, and the best diet to focus on is an anti inflammatory diet.

-3. Sleep: Prioritizing sleep and having good sleep habits are crucial when managing endo symptoms. Sleep impacts your diet, stress, and mindset.

-4. Lifestyle: This includes movement, eating habits, creating space for healing, resting, and doing activities you love. A balanced lifestyle is key to managing endo and enhancing your overall quality of life.

-While supplements can be helpful, a quality diet is more important. Additionally, seeking help from mental health professionals, functional practitioners, acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy, and other resources can be extremely beneficial in supporting these foundations.

Making one positive change at a time creates a snowball effect, pushing your life in the direction you want. It’s tempting to change everything at once, especially when in pain, but sustainable progress comes from focusing on one foundation at a time. When you focus on one, the rest will improve because each foundation relies on the other. Doors are open from June 24th-28th. After that, you can join the waitlist. In the Endo Warrior Circle, we’ll dive deeper into these topics and more. I hope to see you there!

Resources:

Episode 34

Episode 35

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

In today’s episode, I’m talking about a common symptom for us endo warriors: fatigue. Often, we don’t realize how tired we are until we start addressing other symptoms of endometriosis and experience more energy throughout the day. We don’t always recognize the signs of fatigue or understand why we have it. Today, I unpack some underlying imbalances and how to start managing them.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Feeling tired at the end of a full day is normal. What’s not normal is feeling completely exhausted after working just a few hours or taking a walk.

-It’s normal to have slightly lower energy levels leading up to and during menstruation, and maybe even during ovulation. However, feeling exhausted daily and struggling to get out of bed is not normal.

-Good sleep hygiene is crucial for managing fatigue.

-Regular physical activity helps your body gauge when you need more energy and typically boosts your overall energy levels.

-Iron, B12, and folate levels significantly affect your energy. If your body is trending towards anemia, incorporate foods like red meat, dark leafy greens, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and use cast iron cookware.

-Inflammation contributes to fatigue, and there are many causes.

-An anti-inflammatory diet rich in whole foods helps manage inflammation. Common inflammatory foods include gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and sugar. A short-term elimination diet can help identify personal triggers.

-Blood sugar imbalances can also lead to inflammation.

-Stress contributes to inflammation, so learning how to reduce and manage your stress load is essential for combating fatigue.

-Factors like gut infections, thyroid health, slow liver function, and adrenal health can also contribute to fatigue. These more advanced symptoms are best addressed with the help of a practitioner.

The best way to start working on fatigue is by focusing on the basics: getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, managing stress, and incorporating regular movement. Think of these basics as the foundation of a house. You need a strong foundation before anything else. Remember, supplements are meant to be supplemental. You can’t substitute a poor diet or lifestyle with supplements, and good health is about the small, consistent habits you build each day.

Resources:
Episode 34
Episode 21

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

Welcome back to the Endo Belly Girl Podcast! Today, I am excited to dive into exercise for endometriosis with Amy Grace. Amy is a fitness trainer specializing in women’s fitness and a hormonal health coach. We also discuss Amy’s journey with endo and how she aims to empower women through their fitness journeys despite endo symptoms.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

-Endometriosis doesn’t end your life; it’s about learning how to work with your body.

-Everyone’s starting point is very different. You might have to do some functional work to get to the point where you feel like you can reach a consistent fitness routine.

-Meet your body where it is right now. Understand your pain patterns, and menstrual cycles, and work towards feeling capable of having a fitness routine.

-Build foundational strength before you can get back to the old routines you had before your endo symptoms.

-Exercise varies with your cycle. Some days will be better, and your approach should align with your symptoms.

-Cycle syncing and symptom awareness are crucial. Knowing when to take it easy helps manage pain flare-ups, and helps you identify when to take it easy with movement.

-Identify movements that feel good. Understanding how different exercises affect your pain can help you stay active on bad days.

-Brainstorm a list of movements that you actually like to do, and then see what you feel from that movement will allow you to start exercising now.

-Start with small, light exercises to keep your routine manageable. This way, you won’t feel worse than when you started. Gradually build up your routine as your body allows.

When it comes to exercising with endo, it can be frustrating when your body can’t do what it used to, or you want to do more than you can. Start with movements that feel good and are fun so you’ll stick with them. You don’t have to do everything at once. Accepting your body as it is now is the best way to build confidence and exercise routines because, over time, you will only get stronger.

Connect w/ Amy:
Website: www.projectfiercefitness.com

IG: @amy_projectfiercefitness

Freebie: https://download.projectfiercefitness.com/endo-starter-guide

Subscribe to The Endo Belly Girl Podcast:
Apple | Spotify

Connect w/ Alyssa:

• Instagram
• Website

Work w/ Alyssa:

• Free Endo Diet Guide
• Work with me 1:1
• Join The Endo Warrior Circle

Learn more about Alyssa

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. This may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.