Why Hormones Aren’t Fixing Your Menopause Symptoms (What Most Women Miss) with Dr Deanna Minich

Is hormone replacement therapy really the whole answer for perimenopause and menopause—or just the shiny object? In this episode of The BeingBrigid Show, Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Brigid Titgemeier sits down with Dr Deanna Minich, internationally recognized nutrition scientist and women’s health expert, to explore the full picture of hormone health.

You’ll learn how the endocrine system, gut health, chronic inflammation, blood sugar balance, and nutrient status all shape symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, body composition changes, and mood. Dr Deanna Minich also shares the science behind Feminessence® maca for supporting hormone balance in cycling women, perimenopause, and post-menopause—plus practical nutrition strategies using phytonutrients, fiber, and healthy fats.

If you care about women’s health, functional medicine, hormone health, and using food as medicine, this conversation is a must-watch.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode
Why jumping straight to hormone replacement therapy can miss the root cause
How the endocrine system actually works in women’s health
The connection between menopause, chronic inflammation, and musculoskeletal pain
How nutrition, phytonutrients, and an anti-inflammatory diet support hormones
What Femmenessence and maca phenotypes are—and how they may support hormone balance
Why fiber, gut health, and mineral status (like magnesium and iron) are non-negotiables
How functional medicine lab testing can personalize your hormone and nutrition plan
Simple ways to improve energy, support blood sugar, and eat for longevity

Timestamps
03:10 – Why “it must be my hormones” is an incomplete story
06:30 – The endocrine system explained: thyroid, adrenals, ovaries & brain
11:40 – HRT as “shiny object”: what it helps and what it doesn’t
13:30 – Feminessence, maca phenotypes & supporting hormone balance naturally
20:20 – Perimenopause, menopause, and why personalization in hormone care matters
27:30 – Phytonutrients, inflammation & the power of eating the rainbow
34:00 – Why diet diversity, fiber & gut health shape women’s health outcomes
39:50 – Omega-3s, hydration, minerals & hormone-related symptoms
46:20 – Iron, fatigue & why lab interpretation needs a nuanced approach
51:50 – If you do one thing for your health, make it this
57:15 – Food as medicine, connection, spirituality & how we relate to eating
1:00:10 – Where to find Dr Deanna Minich and learn more about her work

Resources & Links
Brigid’s Website - https://beingbrigid.com/
Brigid’s Instagram -   / beingbrigid  
Dr Deanna Minich’s Website - http://www.deannaminich.com/
Dr Deanna Minich’s Certification Program - http://www.foodandspirit.com/
Dr Deanna Minich’s Facebook -   / deanna.minich  
Dr Deanna Minich’s Instagram -   / deannaminich  
Dr Deanna Minich’s YouTube -    / foodandspirit  
Discover Feminessence - http:// symphonynaturalhealth.com

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#WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #FunctionalNutrition #MenopauseSupport #FoodIsMedicine