In this Live Event, focused on female hormonal health, we took a comprehensive journey through all stages of a woman's life, from fertility to menopause, understanding what happens at a biological level and how to support each phase through an integrative approach. The conversation featured Dr. Antonio Hernández, medical director and co-founder of be levels, along with Sara Guzmán, a nurse and midwife specializing in fertility, Lola Montes, a pharmacist and nutritionist expert in women's health, and Isabel Castaño, a gynecologist specializing in hormonal health, perimenopause, and menopause. Key highlights Hormonal health is an orchestra, not just a single hormone A key idea was put on the table: we cannot understand female hormonal health only in terms of estrogen and progesterone. The entire system depends on coherence between multiple axes: the central nervous system, thyroid, adrenals, and insulin. When one fails, the rest become misaligned. The body prioritizes survival over reproduction Dr. Antonio Hernández explained that in a context of high stress (physical or emotional), the body enters "survival mode." This means prioritizing vital functions over reproduction, which can lead to cycle alterations or even amenorrhea. The intervention must be integrative, not isolated It was emphasized that there is no single solution. Hormonal balance requires working globally: adequate nutrition, adapted exercise, rest, emotional management, and, when necessary, support with supplementation or hormone therapy. Fertility: understanding the cycle changes everything Sara Guzmán highlighted that most women do not truly know their menstrual cycle. The importance of understanding it as a vital sign was addressed, going beyond apps and using tools like the symptothermal method to interpret what is happening in the body. Stress and normalized symptoms are behind many problems We discussed how sustained stress directly impacts fertility and how symptoms such as incapacitating menstrual pain, spotting, or irregular cycles have been normalized, when in reality they are signs of imbalance. Fertile nutrition: it's not just "eating healthy" The importance of meeting specific needs at this stage was highlighted: anti-inflammatory diet, glycemic balance, and key nutrients like omega-3, vitamin D, inositol, or folate in its active form. The menstrual cycle as a tool for self-knowledge Lola focused on the cycle as the fifth vital sign. Understanding each phase (follicular, ovulatory, and luteal) allows for adapting nutrition, training, and lifestyle to the body's real needs. Cyclical lifestyle and connection with the body We discussed the importance of respecting circadian rhythms (sunlight in the morning, reducing screen time at night), as well as maintaining sufficient protein and fat intake, which is key for hormonal production. Menopause: a stage, not a moment Isabel Castaño explained that menopause is not just the cessation of menstruation, but a process that begins years earlier (perimenopause). During this stage, hormonal fluctuations cause symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, fatigue, or changes in body composition. Cardiovascular risk and long-term health It was highlighted that the loss of estrogen increases cardiovascular risk, which is one of the main health factors for women. Therefore, the approach at this stage must go beyond the immediate symptom. Habits and supplementation that make a difference The role of lifestyle (Mediterranean diet and strength training) was emphasized, as well as the support of certain nutrients like magnesium, omega-3, vitamin D + K2, or CoQ10 to go through this stage with a better quality of life. Hormonal health is cumulative In closing, a key idea was reiterated: how we take care of our health during the fertile stage directly determines how we reach menopause. It is not an isolated event, but a process built over time. Products mentioned in this live [PROD]fertility-formula[/PROD][PROD]fem-balance[/PROD][PROD]vital-woman[/PROD][PROD]omega3[/PROD][PROD]magnesium[/PROD][PROD]iron[/PROD][PROD]isolated-protein[/PROD][PROD]vegan-isolate-protein[/PROD][PROD]d3-k2-vitamins[/PROD][PROD]creatine[/PROD]
