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Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show

Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show

Written by: Anne Hussain
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About this listen

 Phase to Phase is a podcast hosted by naturopathic doctor Anne Hussain. She's on a mission to empower and educate women to better understand their menstrual cycles and hormonal health. Anne’s passion for menstrual advocacy and body literacy began in Pakistan where she received no education about periods or reproductive health growing up. Navigating her own polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also inspired her to become an ND and write The Period Literacy Handbook. Anne hopes to guide women through all phases of their hormonal health with this podcast, from their very first period to beyond perimenopause. Drawing on her training as a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, Anne will support listeners through symptoms ranging from mood, sleep and flow changes, to the impacts of hormone change on your skin, metabolism and bones. Anne reminds us that your health journey is unique and may be different from your mother, your neighbour, or your best friend. At the heart of it all, she believes that learning about your body and having agency over your health is not only an act of care for yourself, but also for each other and the world we share. Listen for new episodes every other Thursday starting in September 2025. Follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your physician or a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health.2025 Anne Hussain Phase to Phase Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Why You Need Fibre for Your Heart, Hormones, and Longevity

    Why You Need Fibre for Your Heart, Hormones, and Longevity
    Feb 12 2026
    If there was a magical solution that could lower your cholesterol, improve your hormonal health, and support true longevity, would you take it? In this solo episode, Dr. Anne Hussain, ND argues that fibre needs a PR campaign that goes beyond gut health. With heart disease remaining the leading killer of women in Canada, she breaks down why this "unsexy" nutrient is the missing link for your heart health (blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure) especially if you have a condition like PCOS and perimenopause. She explains why fibre is more important than protein to live a long healthy life while decreasing the risk of chronic illnesses (heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline). She takes you through the importance of getting 25-30g of fibre per day and tips for anyone who’s worried that fibre gives them gas, bloating, and weird poops. Key Takeaways Which foods are good for longevity? They’re the kinds that are “unsexy”--the ones that come from plants that are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients like fibre. While the wellness industry tries to sell expensive biohacks, fibre is the straightforward solution that lowers cholesterol, improves blood pressure, stabilizes blood sugar, and reduces the risk of dying from chronic illness. True longevity has more to do with systems and lifestyle modification including nutritious food (and access to said food!) than gadgets and supplements. Why is fibre crucial for hormone health and heart health? Heart disease remains the leading killer of women in Canada, and fibre is the unsung hero of cardiovascular protection. Beyond the heart, fibre plays a big role in supporting cardiometabolic changes seen in perimenopause and in conditions like PCOS by improving insulin resistance and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. How much fibre do women need daily? While protein is vital, the obsession with animal protein (which has zero fibre) has led to people forgetting about fibre. Most Canadians are only getting 10–15g per day, which is about half of the recommended 25-30g for women needed for a healthy gut microbiome, long-term health, hormones, disease prevention, and your heart. How do you figure out how much fibre you’re getting? Whether you use an app or a simple journal, knowing your baseline is the first step to closing the gap. Use 1 or more days of regular eating, input that into an app or discuss with a nutrition and dietetics profession, and take it from there! What is fibre anyway? Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. The two broad categories include soluble and insoluble fibre. Fibre’s only found in plant foods (whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds). Animal products like meat, eggs, and dairy contain zero fibre, which is why a diverse, plant-forward diet is the way to hit your daily targets. What if fibre causes an upset digestive system, like gas or bloating? If you jump from 10g to 30g overnight, you will experience gas and bloating. To avoid this, it is recommended that people increasing their fibre do so slowly. If you have a condition like IBS, it’s best to discuss fibre additions with your health team as different kinds of fibre as well as fibre-containing foods might be less suitable, leading to more symptoms. Supplements like Metamucil (psyllium husk) can offer convenience and help with blood sugar regulation, but they shouldn't replace whole foods. A supplement can't mimic the full nutritional matrix of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals found in raspberries, lentils, and oats. Dr. Anne’s blog post on fibre: https://annehussain.com/blog/fuelling-your-heart-and-hormonal-health-with-fibre Heart and Stroke Foundation on fibre: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/healthy-living/healthy-eating/fibre-and-whole-grains Canadian Digestive Health Foundation on fibre: https://cdhf.ca/en/fibre-and-its-benefits/ phasetophase.ca annehussain.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • The Truth About The Birth Control Pill with Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn, ND

    The Truth About The Birth Control Pill with Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn, ND
    Jan 29 2026
    Heavy periods? Take the pill. Period pain? Take the pill. Acne? Take the pill. It feels like the universal solution for every hormone-based problem, doesn’t it? Even if you aren't trying to prevent pregnancy, chances are you’ve walked out of a doctor's office with a prescription in hand. But is it a "band-aid" solution that masks the root cause, or is it a valid, life-changing tool? In this episode, Naturopathic Drs. Anne Hussain and Brittany Schamerhorn have the nuanced conversation about birth control that most of us never got to have in the doctor's office. They tackle the biggest myths and worries patient face: Does the pill cause infertility? Am I going to get “post-pill syndrome”? Is it actually just masking symptoms? Whether you are happily on the pill, desperate to come off, or somewhere in between, this episode gives you the permission and the scripts to make the choice that is right for you. Takeaways The birth control pill is often seen as a universal solution for hormonal issues from acne and PMS to heavy flow and period pain. The combined oral contraceptive pill has estrogen and progestin that suppress ovulation and the symptoms associated with hormone change over a menstrual cycle. There are different types of birth control pills with varying mechanisms of action. Withdrawal bleeds are not necessary for everyone on the pill. Many side effects of the pill can be adjusted with different formulations. The pill does not cause infertility or ruin your fertility. However, it can cover up underlying fertility issues (like irregular ovulation due to PCOS, or heavy periods due to adenomyosis) for years. This means that when you come off the pill, these conditions still exist. Post-pill syndrome is often overstated and requires time for adjustment. Women should feel empowered to change their contraceptive choices at any time. Hormonal contraception provides significant value in family planning and hormonal management. Open communication with healthcare providers is crucial for informed decision-making. It's essential to have open conversations about health decisions with providers. Patients should feel comfortable questioning their treatment options and changing their mind based on their experience and circumstances. Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn is a naturopathic doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the founder of Ivy Health Clinic in Kelowna, BC. Dr. Brittany focuses in women’s hormone health - supporting women from PMS to menopause and everything in between. She’s known for her down-to-earth, evidence-based approach that helps women feel seen, heard, and empowered with real answers. Beyond her clinical work, she’s a mentor and educator to other clinicians, helping them grow their confidence in prescribing and women’s health Links: Dr. Brittany’s Clinic in Kelowna, Ivy Health Connect with Dr. Brittany on Instagram: Resources: Blog post on the pill and fertility Blog post on PCOS and the pill Grab Dr. Anne's Period Literacy Handbook⁠ Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phasetophase.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://annehussain.com/ Chapters (00:00) Understanding the Birth Control Pill (03:12) The Role of Hormones in Women's Health (06:26) Mechanisms of the Pill: Combined vs. Progestin-Only (09:01) Who Should Avoid the Combined Pill? (12:34) The Necessity of Withdrawal Bleeds (18:05) Navigating Patient Conversations (23:31) Fertility Considerations and the Pill (28:40) Post-Pill Syndrome: Myth or Reality? (31:07) Navigating Fertility and Hormonal Health (35:47) Understanding Contraceptive Choices (39:26) The Value of Contraception (41:43) Common Side Effects of the Pill (45:17) Evolving Perspectives on Health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins
  • 2026 Hormone Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not

    2026 Hormone Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not
    Jan 15 2026
    When the year resets, the wellness world is flooded with trend reports promising the "next big thing." In this solo episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain looks into her (metaphorical) crystal ball to share her predictions for the biggest hormone health trends of 2026. She breaks down what is "hot" (the unsexy return to basics), what is "not" (the fear-mongering around seed oils), and the trends she is actively trying to will into existence. She takes us through why we need to stop diagnosing ourselves with "cortisol face," why the protein obsession needs to make room for fibre and calcium, and why "hormone imbalance" is a description, not a diagnosis. She also tackles the more serious reality of health inequity and explains why true hormone health isn't about buying more gadgets, but about community, advocacy, and protecting our public healthcare systems. Whether you are an early adopter and trend-chaser or a skeptic who loves science, this episode is a must-listen. Key Takeways: We’re making room for fibre and calcium in 2026. Protein is going to share the limelight this year because fibre is critical for gut health, hormonal health, and heart health, while calcium is essential for your bones (and many other things) especially as you get older. We’re predicting a shift away from the "butter and beef tallow everything" trend. Saturated fats can increase heart disease and cancer risk, while worsening insulin resistance and inflammation (PCOS, anyone?). So, we’re moving toward less saturated fat and less anti-scientific fear-mongering regarding “inflammatory” seed oils. The trend for fitness is moving away from vibrating plates and weighted vests and back to the foundations: lifting heavy things, cardiovascular health, and joyful movement. We are likely going to see AI-infused apps and gadgets, which serve a purpose, but beware of who’s harvesting your data! We need to stop pathologizing normal human physiology like water retention. Fluid retention has been conflated with “cortisol face”, “cortisol belly”, and “inflammation” a lot in 2024 and 2025. We’re leaving that behind and understanding that cortisol normally fluctuates (and is an important player in your body), while water retention can also change based on salt, carbs, heat, and hormones. Health and wealth inequities are an increasing trend I’m hoping will go away, but are likely here to stay for 2026. You can’t biohack your way out of a broken system, so let’s focus on the pillars of hormonal health: accessible and supportive healthcare, voting with our voices and dollars, and focusing on community instead of consumerism. Chapters (00:00) The Hormone Health Ins and Outs of 2026 (01:08) The Return of Fibre and Calcium (04:32) Beef Tallow, Saturated Fat, and Seed Oils (06:26) Physical Activity: Weighted Vests, Vibration Plates, Cycle Syncing, Weight Lifting, and Cardio (08:05) Nuance in Health Content and Hormone Science (09:46) Cortisol Face, Inflammation, Water Retention, Salt, Electrolytes, and Hormone Imbalance (13:45) Health Equity and Community Building Resources: Osteoporosis Canada Calcium Calculator Grab Dr. Anne's Period Literacy Handbook Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phasetophase.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://annehussain.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
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