In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, breaks down why gut health is foundational to hormone balance, fertility, and overall well-being. From how often you should be pooping to advanced gut testing and treatment options, this episode explains how digestion, absorption, inflammation, and the gut microbiome directly impact your hormones and reproductive health.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, dives deep into PMS (premenstrual syndrome) and PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). She explains why PMS is not normal, explores the root causes behind luteal-phase mood and physical symptoms, and outlines a comprehensive, holistic framework for treatment — from nutrition and lifestyle to supplements, hormone testing, and medical therapies.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, is joined again by registered dietitian Callie to discuss how nutrition and lifestyle choices can significantly reduce period pain. They cover anti-inflammatory foods, key nutrients for cramp relief, what to limit during your cycle, and how to support your body throughout the entire menstrual cycle so your period doesn’t disrupt your life.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, sits down with registered dietitian Callie to discuss how nutrition directly impacts fertility, hormone balance, and preparation for conception. Whether you are actively trying to conceive or simply want to optimize hormone health for future fertility, this episode breaks down exactly how to eat to support your body.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, is joined by registered dietitian Callie, who specializes in women’s health and blood sugar management. Together, they break down how to eat with PCOS, support insulin resistance, understand what “low carb and low sugar” actually means, and use nutrition, movement, and lifestyle strategies to support hormone balance and sustainable weight loss.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, explains what cervical mucus is, why it’s essential for fertility, how to identify high-quality cervical mucus, and strategies to improve it.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, breaks down polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). She explains what PCOS really is, how it’s diagnosed, the different types, and strategies for managing symptoms and restoring hormonal balance.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, explains the ovulation process, how to know if you are ovulating, types of ovulation dysfunction, and strategies to treat ovulatory issues.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, discusses irregular bleeding. She explains what counts as an irregular period, the possible causes—from hormonal imbalances to structural issues—and how to properly evaluate and treat irregular cycles. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 💡 Definition & Differential Diagnosis Normal cycles: 24–35 days, varying by no more than 3 days per cycle. Signs of irregular bleeding: Too few or too many periods per year Spotting or brown bleeding before a period Very heavy (multiple pads/hour) or very light flow Mid-cycle bleeding or bleeding after intercourse Causes can be grouped into: Hormonal: Estrogen too high or low, progesterone imbalance, thyroid issues, high prolactin, adrenal dysfunction Structural: Ovarian cysts, fibroids, uterine or cervical polyps, cervical ectropion Blood-related: Genetic or acquired clotting disorders (e.g., Factor V Leiden) 🩺 Workup of Irregular Bleeding Hormone testing: Estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, thyroid hormones, prolactin, testosterone Cycle mapping with urine tracking (e.g., Mira, NEDO) and blood work at multiple points in the cycle Ultrasound: Assess ovaries, uterine lining, fibroids, cysts, or polyps Pelvic exam and cervical check, including vaginal swabs for infections Endometrial biopsy for uterine health or infection 🌿 Treatment & Management Nutrition & Lifestyle: Foods and supplements to support hormone balance; tailored to whether estrogen, progesterone, or other hormones are high or low Medical Interventions: Bioidentical hormones to correct estrogen or progesterone imbalances Medication or surgery for ovarian cysts, fibroids, or polypsCervical treatments (e.g., silver nitrate) for ectropion Antibiotics or probiotics for infections Monitoring & Tracking: Chart cycles to ensure interventions are effective; cycle mapping helps identify hormone shifts and empowers long-term management Key Takeaways: Irregular periods are not “normal” and often signal underlying hormonal, structural, or blood-related issues. Comprehensive evaluation—including hormone testing, imaging, and pelvic exams—is essential to identify causes. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, supplements, medical interventions, and monitoring. Balancing hormones and achieving regular cycles may take 3–6 months, but long-term consistency leads to improved health and well-being. Resources & Next Steps:Dr. Sarah and her team at Vera Health and Fertility can help evaluate and treat irregular cycles with a personalized, holistic plan. 📍 Westminster, Colorado 🌐 Schedule a consultation: verafertility.com 📧 Follow along: @verafertility on Instagram & TikTok

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, dives into the topic of painful cycles. She breaks down what a normal period looks like versus a painful cycle, explores the different causes, how to properly evaluate your pain, and shares treatment strategies to help reduce discomfort. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: 💡 Definition & Differential Diagnosis Normal periods should allow you to function without needing excessive pain relief. Signs your cycle may be too painful: severe cramps requiring multiple ibuprofen doses, missed school/work, or reliance on heating pads for hours. Potential causes include: General inflammation (autoimmune issues, gut inflammation, leaky gut) Endometriosis or scar tissue on/around the uterus Adenomyosis (inflammation within the uterine walls) Endometritis (infection inside the uterus) Cervical inflammation Vaginal dysbiosis or infection 🩺 Workup of a Painful Cycle Labs: ANA, ESR, CRP to check for inflammation or autoimmune conditions Gut health testing for leaky gut or bacterial overgrowth Imaging: ultrasound or MRI to detect adenomyosis, cysts, or swelling Procedures: biopsy, laparoscopy, or vaginal swabs to check for endometriosis, infections, and bacterial imbalances Comprehensive evaluation is key, especially if prior treatments (like endometriosis surgery) did not fully relieve pain 🌿 Treatment & Management Lifestyle & Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory diet (low sugar, high magnesium, leafy greens, protein), regular exercise for blood flow Supplements: Omega-3, curcumin (turmeric), magnesium Medical Interventions: Surgery for endometriosis or scar tissue Antibiotics and probiotics for endometritis or vaginal infections Long-term inflammation management for adenomyosis Advocate for yourself: proper evaluation can uncover treatable causes and significantly reduce period pain Key Takeaways: Painful cycles are not “normal”—you should be able to function on your period. Multiple factors can contribute to pain, from gut inflammation to endometriosis and infections. A thorough evaluation is essential to identify and treat underlying causes. Lifestyle, diet, supplements, and medical interventions can all help reduce discomfort. Resources & Next Steps: If you experience painful periods, Dr. Sarah and her team at Vera Health and Fertility can provide a full evaluation and personalized plan to help you manage and reduce cycle pain. 📍 Westminster, Colorado 🌐 Schedule a consultation: verafertility.com 📧 Follow along: @verafertility on Instagram & TikTok

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, sits down with Nurse Practitioner Emily, a women’s health specialist who recently experienced postpartum herself. They discuss key strategies for postpartum self-care, covering sleep, partner support, vaginal and perineal health, breast care, nutrition, exercise, sex, and returning periods. They share practical tips to help new moms recover, manage expectations, and maintain wellness for themselves and their families.

In this episode, Dr. Sarah sits down with Nurse Practitioner Emily, a women’s health specialist who recently experienced postpartum herself. They discuss one of the most important and often under discussed aspects of postpartum care: postpartum anxiety and depression (PPAD). They cover how to recognize the difference between typical “baby blues” and more serious mental health concerns, strategies for prevention, treatment options (both holistic and medical), and how friends and family can provide support.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson teams up with Physician Assistant Sierra Wolfe to break down one of the most overlooked areas in fertility: men’s reproductive health. With male factors contributing to 30–60% of infertility cases, understanding sperm health is essential — yet most men never get evaluated.

Dr. Sarah explains how egg quality is measured through key tests like antral follicle count, AMH, and FSH/LH levels, and breaks down what those numbers actually mean. From there, Dr. Pederson shares her holistic approach to improving egg quality through nutrition, supplements, movement, and targeted therapies—all rooted in the belief that your body can heal and thrive at any age.

Dr. Sarah shares the four main causes she sees most often and how to prevent them: poor egg quality, hormone imbalance, uterine lining issues, and inflammation. She walks you through how each of these areas affects fertility and offers practical, science-backed ways to strengthen your body, balance your hormones, and increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy. You’ll learn why one miscarriage is reason enough to do a full workup — and how small optimizations can make a big difference in future pregnancies.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, dives into one of the most important (and often ignored) topics in women’s health: vaginal health. She explains why your vaginal microbiome matters for fertility, hormones, and everyday comfort—and what it means when something feels “off.” From dryness, odor, and discharge to recurrent infections and spotting, Dr. Sarah breaks down what’s normal, what’s not, and when to get tested. You’ll learn how vaginal health connects to your hormones, gut, and fertility—and how to support your microbiome naturally through the right testing, treatments, and habits.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, discusses endometritis (also called metritis), a commonly overlooked uterine condition that can cause chronic pain and infertility. Dr. Sarah explains what endometritis is, how it develops, the signs and symptoms to watch for, and why it’s important to get tested. She also shares her holistic approach to treatment, including antibiotics, uterine washes, PRP therapy, diet, lifestyle, and immune support, along with strategies to prevent recurrence. If you’ve ever wondered why you experience unexplained pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or fertility struggles, this episode is a must-listen.

Painful periods, bloating, or unexplained infertility? You could be dealing with endometriosis. In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility, explains what endometriosis is, how it’s diagnosed, and her holistic approach to treatment—including lifestyle changes, supplements, hormone support, and robotic surgery techniques that promote healing and prevent recurrence. Learn how endometriosis affects your fertility and what steps you can take to find relief and feel like yourself again.

Your hormones are talking—are you listening to what you eat? In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Denver, explains daily nutrition guidelines for hormone balance: breakfast timing, protein intake, carbohydrate pairing, and sugar moderation. Learn how practical, natural nutrition tweaks can improve your energy, mood, fertility, and long-term hormone health. If you’re ready to feel like yourself again, visit https://verafertility.com to connect with Dr. Sarah and her team.

Your hormones are talking—are you listening? In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Denver, explains the six pillars of hormone balance that every woman should know: diet, sleep, stress, exercise, weight, and mindset. Learn how simple, natural lifestyle changes can dramatically improve your hormone balance, fertility, mood, and energy—without restrictive diets or quick fixes.