The hidden story of endometriosis: Pain, lesions, and the microbiome
If you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis, the big question is: What type of lesions?In this episode, Lara challenges long-held assumptions to explore:the three types of endometriosis lesions, emerging evidence that superficial lesions may not explain pain or other symptoms, alternative explanations for pelvic pain and infertility, including pelvic congestion, immune dysfunction, and gut microbiome imbalance, and an update on the bacterial contamination hypothesis.Links:Could pelvic congestion syndrome explain your pelvic pain?Prevalence of endometriosis in asymptomatic women (1991 study)Surgical removal of superficial peritoneal endometriosis for managing women with chronic pelvic pain: time for a rethink? (2019 BJOG article)Bacterial contamination hypothesis (2018 paper)Fusobacterium infection facilitates the development of endometriosis (2023 paper)ANZCA 2024 Statement on pelvic pain and endometriosis
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15:37
Decoding hypoglycemia: Is it insulin resistance or dysautonomia?
Is your low blood sugar a symptom of insulin resistance or mild dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system?In this episode, Lara returns to the topic of hypoglycemia to discuss:the difference between insulin resistance and dysautonomia,why unstable blood sugar does not automatically mean insulin resistance, and her concerns about continuous glucose monitoring. Links:Dr Andrew Maxwell's presentation about dysautonomia, hypermobility, and mast cell activation.
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13:26
Hypoglycemia in young women: The science behind "hangry"
Symptoms of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar include light-headedness, headaches, and anxiety. Hypoglycemia can even feel like panic attacks. In this episode, Lara discusses:why young women are more prone to hypoglycemia,the importance of the autonomic nervous system and a "blunted glucagon response," and what you can do to feel better. Links:Prevalence of self-reported symptoms attributed to hypoglycaemia within a general female population of the UKHypoglycemic symptoms in the absence of diabetes: Pilot evidence of clinical hypoglycemia in young women
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16:27
Food addiction and other causes of abnormally high hunger
Do you feel hungry all the time? Abnormally hungry? If so, it’s worth trying to figure out why. Potential drivers of abnormally high hunger include insulin resistance, gut and microbiome issues, low blood sugar, and food addiction—just to name a few.In this episode, Lara explores food addiction and some of the controversy around the term. She also discusses the next best steps on the road to recovery. Links: Lara's new book about metabolic healthPoll: Addiction to highly processed food among older adultsDr. Jen Unwin's Resource page
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15:53
What's the story with dairy and periods problems?
For some women, stopping normal dairy products can relieve period symptoms. But why?In this episode, Lara discusses:the inflammatory effects of A1 casein how a mast cell histamine response can drive period problems such as premenstrual mood symptoms, heavy bleeding, and pain.Links:Successful mast-cell-targeted treatment of chronic dyspareunia, vaginitis, and dysfunctional uterine bleedingChildhood asthma, allergies and risk of premenstrual disorders in young adulthoodCasomorphins and gliadorphins have diverse systemic effects spanning gut, brain and internal organs
Everything women’s health in under 15 minutes by an experienced naturopathic doctor and bestselling author of the books Period Repair Manual, Hormone Repair Manual, and Metabolism Repair for Women. Simple explanations for topics such as PCOS, endometriosis, hormonal birth control, and more. For more, visit LaraBriden.com
New Zealand