The Menstrual Cycle DECODED: Fertility, PCOS, and the New Science of Hormones
<p>Pre-Order The Forever Strong PLAYBOOK and receive exclusive bonuses: <a href="https://drgabriellelyon.com/playbook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://drgabriellelyon.com/playbook/</a></p><p>Want ad-free episodes, exclusives and access to community Q&As? Subscribe to Forever Strong Insider: <a href="https://foreverstrong.supercast.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><u>https://foreverstrong.supercast.com</u></a></p><p>In this groundbreaking episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Dr. Heidi, a leading reproductive physiologist who has pioneered research on the ovarian cycle and the transition to menopause. Dr. Heidi breaks down complex reproductive science into actionable insights for every woman and parent.</p><p>You'll get an inside look at the never-before-seen dynamics of the ovarian cycle and learn how factors like obesity, nutrition, and even your gut microbiome directly impact fertility and reproductive aging. This is a must-watch to stop stressing about diet myths and start understanding the profound biology that governs your hormones.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Chapter Markers</strong></p><p>0:00 - Can You Get Pregnant While on Your Period? </p><p>1:21 - Intro to Dr. Heidi & Ovarian Cycle Research </p><p>3:39 - The Uterine Cycle vs. The Ovarian Cycle </p><p>6:19 - Follicle Waves: The Hidden Drama in Your Ovaries </p><p>10:38 - Novel Discovery: Follicle Waves in the Luteal Phase </p><p>12:00 - Why One Follicle is Selected for Ovulation </p><p>13:17 - Does Nutrition Affect Ovarian Function? </p><p>14:48 - The Variation in Menstrual Cycles (It's Not Always 28 Days) </p><p>17:23 - The Impact of Obesity on the Ovarian Cycle </p><p>18:11 - The Problem of Luteal Phase Defects & Fertility </p><p>24:52 - Ovarian Morphology as a Bio-Marker of Health </p><p>26:54 - How Undernutrition Affects Ovarian Health </p><p>31:56 - The Metabolic Tipping Point of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) </p><p>33:26 - The Myth of the "String of Pearls" Ovary </p><p>35:25 - The Menopause Transition & Rogue Follicles </p><p>39:04 - Can We Predict Menopause by Scanning Ovaries? </p><p>45:59 - Early Menarche (First Period) and Long-Term Disease Risk </p><p>48:33 - The Surprising Link Between Puberty Timing and Environment </p><p>52:28 - The Role of Leptin in Reproductive Health </p><p>55:50 - Debunking the Myth: Can Nutrition Cure PCOS? </p><p>59:07 - PCOS Diet Myths (Fruit, Timing, and Supplements) </p><p>1:04:40 - Fish Oil for Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea) </p><p>1:08:37 - Breakthrough: Bile Acid, The Gut Microbiome, and Ovulation </p><p>1:11:50 - Closing Remarks</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Who is Heidi Vanden Brink:</strong></p><p><strong><em>Dr. Vanden Brink</em></strong> holds over a decade of clinical research experience in nutrition, metabolic health, and female human reproductive physiology and endocrinology.</p><h2>Education</h2><p><strong>Undergraduate Education</strong>2009 B.Sc., Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada<strong>Graduate Education</strong>2019-2022 Visiting Researcher, Department of Endocrinology, Children’s Mercy Hospitals, Kansas City, MO2019-2022 Postdoctoral Associate, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York2019 Ph.D., Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York2012 M.Sc., Health Sciences (Reproductive Physiology), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada</p><h2>Professional Summary</h2><p><strong>Professional Certifications</strong></p><p><strong>2012-present </strong>American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Board Certification in Obstetrical and Gynecological Ultrasound.</p><p><strong>About the Investigator</strong></p><p>Dr. Vanden Brink holds over a decade of clinical research experience in nutrition,...</p>
