#288 - Women’s Hormones Explained: Energy, Mood, PMS, and Why “Normal” Labs Miss the Problem | Dr. Anjali D’Souza & Mike Haney

Hormones influence far more than reproduction—they shape energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, and long-term health. In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Anjali D’Souza joins Mike Haney to explain how women’s hormones actually work, why so many symptoms are dismissed as “normal,” and how to interpret labs in a way that reflects real physiology.

They discuss why standard hormone panels often miss functional problems, how nutrient status and lifestyle affect hormone signaling, and how symptoms like PMS, fatigue, and brain fog provide meaningful data—not noise.

They discuss:

• Why hormones affect how you feel day to day, not just fertility
• The difference between “normal” lab ranges and optimal function
• How progesterone, estrogen, and cortisol interact
• Why PMS is often a signal—not a mystery
• How nutrition, stress, and sleep influence hormone effectiveness

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🎙 What Dr. Anjali Dsouza & Mike Haney discuss:

[3:45] — Why hormones influence energy, mood, and vitality

[7:30] — “Normal” labs vs. how you actually feel

[11:40] — Why hormone symptoms are often dismissed

[15:05] — Hormones as a lever to move from “fine” to “amazing.”

[18:20] — Progesterone, estrogen, and the menstrual cycle

[22:10] — Why PMS isn’t random—it’s data

[27:35] — Cortisol, stress, and hormone disruption

[33:10] — Nutrient status and hormone effectiveness

[38:45] — Why labs don’t show tissue-level hormone function

[44:30] — Lifestyle changes that support hormone balance

[50:15] — Rethinking how we assess women’s hormone health

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/MweLkjvNimo

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

⁠https://dcimedicine.com/dr-anjali-dsouza/⁠

⁠https://www.levels.com/blog/dr-anjali-dsouza-wants-to-help-women-level-up-their-health⁠

📲 Connect with Dr. Anjali Dsouza: https://www.instagram.com/anjalidsouzamd