70: Oxytocin: The Hormone Women Over 40 Are Sleeping On

Have you been thinking about estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or cortisol, but still feel like something is missing? Maybe you feel anxious, disconnected, burned out, emotionally flat, in pain, stuck in food noise, struggling with libido, or like your body cannot fully shift out of fight-or-flight even when you are doing so many of the "right" things. In this episode of Hello Hormones, I'm breaking down why oxytocin is a hormone we may be completely sleeping on, especially for women over 40. Most people know oxytocin as the hormone connected to childbirth, breastfeeding, bonding, and love, but it also plays a role in cortisol, the nervous system, mood, pain, gut function, inflammation, food cravings, sexual health, bladder symptoms, bone, brain, metabolic health, and more. I also walk through what I learned from Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson's work on oxytocin medicine, including natural ways to support oxytocin, what can interfere with it, and how it may be used as a compounded hormone. We get into vitamin C, zinc, vitamin A, iodine, magnesium, P5P, estrogen, thyroid health, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, nasal sprays, lozenges, injections, vaginal oxytocin, and what to talk through with your healthcare provider if oxytocin sounds like it may belong in your hormone conversation. What's Discussed: (01:04) What oxytocin is, where it is made, and why it goes far beyond childbirth, breastfeeding, and bonding. (03:40) How oxytocin may support physical pain, emotional pain, depression, anxiety, and feeling connected again. (05:14) The gut, food noise, cravings, constipation, GERD, metabolic health, and weight connection. (06:59) How oxytocin may support sexual health, orgasm, clitoral sensation, vaginal pain, bladder symptoms, and pelvic inflammation. (09:05) Why oxytocin can help shift the body from fight-or-flight into rest, digest, heal, and repair. (11:39) What helps oxytocin work better, what can interfere with it, and the different ways it may be used.   ✍️ FREE GUIDES: Top 7 Perimenopause Myths You Need to Stop Believing ASAP: drcarriejones.com/myths Hormones 101 Cheat Sheet: drcarriejones.com/hormones101   The Perimenopause & Menopause Labs Test Checklist: drcarriejones.com/labs The 101 on Stress, Cortisol And Your Nervous System Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stressfreebie   Which Stage of Perimenopause Am I In? Ebook: drcarriejones.com/stages Find more from Dr. Carrie Jones: Website: drcarriejones.com Newsletter: drcarriejones.kit.com/newsletter Instagram: @dr.carriejones Facebook: @drcarriejones TikTok: @drcarriejones YouTube: @drcarriejones <p