Ep 11: You’re Not Broken: Brain Fog, Libido & Hormones Explained (Luminescence Podcast Feature)
Share
Subscribe
Your Brain Controls Your Libido
Ever wonder why your sex drive vanishes, your brain turns to mush, or you want to rage-quit your entire life for no reason? Blame your hormones, or, more specifically, how estrogen and progesterone run your brain. In this episode, Schuyler Grant and her expert panel (Dr. Jolene Brighten, Dr. Marisa Snyder, and Rosie Acosta) break down why it can feel like your brain is actively betraying you, particularly in perimenopause.
Connect with Luminescence Podcast https://www.onecommune.com/luminescence-podcast
What you'll learn:
- Estrogen and progesterone are brain hormones (not just “lady parts” hormones)
- The hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis explained in plain language
- Why perimenopause brings brain fog, mood swings, anxiety, and vanishing libido
- The menstrual cycle phases and how hormones shift throughout
- What's happening to your serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels
- Why 80% of perimenopause symptoms happen in your brain
A simple breathing technique to calm your nervous system
Here's the thing: for decades, doctors thought women's hormones only affected reproduction. Turns out, estrogen and progesterone control your brain, bones, heart, metabolism, gut health, and basically everything. When they start declining in your mid-to-late thirties, your brain goes through a massive remodeling. No wonder you feel like you're losing your mind. This episode helps you understand what's actually happening and how to take back control.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: You're not broken—embracing menopause transitions
00:29 - Hormonal influence on brain function and mental health
02:44 - Neuroendocrine remodeling during perimenopause
03:23 - Estrogen as the master regulator of neural pathways
04:18 - Progesterone's calming effects and cortisol regulation
05:05 - Communicating hormonal changes with partners
06:07 - How hormones are produced and feedback loops in the body
07:56 - The impact of estrogen decline on brain and body systems
09:31 - Recognizing cyclic changes and perimenopausal symptoms
10:49 - Explaining hormonal pathways in layman's terms
12:06 - The hormonal timeline from ovulation to menopause
13:28 - How brain and ovaries communicate via hormonal signals
16:36 - The profound effects of estrogen decline in perimenopause
18:10 - The gap in medical training and care for menopausal women
19:42 - The importance of early intervention and awareness
22:34 - Risks of untreated hormone imbalances on cognition and cardiovascular health
25:37 - Integrating mindfulness and self-care practices during transition
28:20 - The significance of herbal, dietary, and lifestyle support
32:11 - Addressing body image, societal archetypes, and education gaps
36:23 - The debate over over-the-counter hormone therapy
40:10 - How to talk to your doctor about hormones: preparing your case
44:29 - Role of pharmacists, allied health professionals, and integrated care teams
47:19 - Linking premenstrual symptoms to perimenopause experiences
50:02 - Recognizing early menopause and the importance of tracking symptoms
52:25 - Societal perceptions and medical stereotypes about aging women
55:22 - Practical self-care tips: movement, nutrition, and stress reduction
58:13 - Closing thoughts on supporting women through menopause and future resources
This episode is sponsored by:
BIOptimizers: Essential mineralization for cognitive longevity
Protect your brain health and reclaim your sleep during life’s biggest transitions with full-spectrum magnesium.
➡️ 15% off with code radicallyloved at https://bioptimizers.com/radicallyloved
💌Dive Deeper With Me For support & Begin Your Path to Radical Self-Compassion: https://radicallyloved.kit.com/selfcompassionbook
Deepen Your Practice with the Mindful Love Hub: https://radicallyloved.substack.com/?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web&r=2t314w
Transforming Through Mindful Living
Hi, I’m Rosie Acosta. I’m here to question the conventional and share what truly makes a difference in living with presence, love, and compassion. Whether it’s through meditation, mindful living, or healing the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to ignore, I believe every moment of our journey holds the power to transform us. I’m not about quick fixes or surface solutions. I’m about real, conscious practices that reconnect us to our truth, our roots, and our higher purpose.
Connect with Rosie
✨ Instagram: https://instagram.com/rosieacosta
✨ Facebook: http://facebook.com/radicallylovedrosie
✨ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/rosieacosta
✨ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RosieAcosta
Connect with Tessa:
✨ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tessamarietovar/
✨ Website: https://tessatovar.com/
✨ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tessatovar