52: Hormones Uncensored – With America's Holistic Gynecologist Dr. Shawn Tassone

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When I began navigating perimenopause, I felt like I was back at square one, despite years of managing my Hashimoto’s. One of the most helpful resources I turned to was The Hormone Balance Bible by Dr. Shawn Tassone. His archetype-based framework helped me understand what was going on in my body in a whole new way.

I’m thrilled to bring you this conversation with Dr. Tassone, America’s Holistic Gynecologist, where we unpack some of the biggest hormone myths and the real root causes of imbalance.

Dr. Tassone is double board-certified in obstetrics/gynecology and integrative medicine. He’s the creator of the SHINES protocol and a passionate advocate for women’s hormone health. He also happens to be the author of one of my favorite hormone books, which I was honored to endorse!

In this episode, Dr. Tassone shares what he’s learned from listening to over 50,000 women, and why the traditional approach to hormones often misses the mark. We explore the 12 hormonal archetypes he developed to help women make sense of their symptoms, and we get into what your doctor might be overlooking when it comes to low testosterone, thyroid function, and hormone therapy.

Dr. Tassone breaks down the difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones in a way that finally makes sense, and explains why so many women are still suffering, not because they’re broken, but because they’re being misinformed or dismissed.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

Dr. Tassone created hormonal archetypes to make hormone healing easier to relate to. Instead of just reading lab results, women can see their patterns reflected in archetypes like the Mother, the Underdog, and the Nun, and learn how their imbalances can affect their emotions.
The three most common hormone issues Dr. Tassone sees are low testosterone, estrogen deficiency, and subclinical hypothyroidism. These imbalances often show up as fatigue, low libido, mood swings, or weight gain. Many women are told their labs look fine, but a closer look reveals the real story.
Testosterone is not just a “male hormone.” In fact, it’s the most abundant hormone in a woman’s body. Dr. Tassone explains that women can still have symptoms like brain fog and lack of motivation when their levels are at the low end of “normal.” Just nudging them to the right level can bring a huge shift in energy and drive.
Many women still worry that hormone therapy causes cancer, but that fear is based on outdated data. Dr. Tassone breaks down how the original study that sparked this concern used synthetic hormones, and newer research shows that bioidentical estrogen may actually improve longevity and reduce disease risk.
Birth control pills are often used to mask hormonal symptoms rather than resolve them. Dr. Tassone sees young women with low libido, mood changes, or fatigue caused by the very medication meant to help. He encourages a deeper look at root causes, especially when birth control is being used for anything other than contraception.
Dr. Tassone’s SHINES protocol goes beyond medication. By including elements like spirituality, nutrient support, movement, and even energetic therapies, it gives women multiple paths to feel better.

Freebies

Take the Hormonal Archetype Quiz

Guest Resources / Connect with Dr. Shawn Tassone

Learn more at Dr. Tassone’s Website
The Hormone Balance Bible by Dr. Shawn Tassone: A revolutionary, wellness-centered functional approach to managing hormonal imbalance by the first physician in the United States to be certified by both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Integrative Medicine.
Follow Dr. Tassone on Instagram and YouTube
Listen to Dr. Tassone’s Podcast: Confessions of a Male Gynecologist

Supplements We Discussed

Progesterone: Can be supportive for PMS, migraines, sleep, and postpartum mood issues, and is also the first hormone that drops in perimenopause. Available as oral and topical formulations. Oral formulations usually require a prescription.
Testosterone (compounded): Often helpful in women with low motivation, libido, and energy. This is a prescription item – women need lower doses than men!
DIM, Calcium D-Glucarate: Used to support estrogen detoxification.
Magnesium: A critical mineral that can reduce period pain and support mood. Consider Rootcology Magnesium Citrate Powder.
Fish Oil: Anti-inflammatory and helpful for prostaglandin-related pain. Consider EPA/DHA Essentials by Pure Encapsulations.
Berberine: Berberine is a natural plant compound known for supporting blood sugar balance, insulin sensitivity, and gut health. Mentioned as an alternative to Metformin. Consider Rootcology Berberine.

Other Tools and Resources

SHINES Protocol: A holistic framework covering six key areas of healing.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy – Including estradiol patches and compounded progesterone.
NES Health infoceuticals: Energetic remedies mentioned under “I” for Infoceuticals.
Telemedicine hormone care: Dr. Tassone now sees patients in 40+ states virtually – contact his clinic for more information.
Compounding pharmacies: Critical resource for finding personalized hormone support.
Rupa functional medicine lab testing: Suggested tests include the day 21 hormone panels, testosterone, and thyroid labs.

Books and Articles About Hormone & Thyroid Health

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About Our Host

Dr. Izabella Wentz

Dr. Izabella Wentz is a compassionate, innovative, solution-focused integrative pharmacist dedicated to finding the root causes of chronic health conditions. Her passion stems from her own diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in 2009, following a decade of debilitating symptoms.

Dr. Izabella Wentz has written several best-selling books, including the New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, the protocol-based #1 New York Times bestseller Hashimoto’s Protocol: A 90-Day Plan for Reversing Thyroid Symptoms and Getting Your Life Back, the Wall Street Journal bestseller Hashimoto’s Food Pharmacology: Nutrition Protocols and Healing Recipes to Take Charge of Your Thyroid Health, and her latest book, Adrenal Transformation Protocol.

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About Our Guest

Shawn Tassone MD, Ph.D., known as America’s Holistic Gynecologist, is the first physician in the United States to be double board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and by the American Board of Integrative Medicine. He holds a medical degree in addition to a Ph.D. in mind-body medicine.

Dr. Tassone is a practicing OB-GYN in the Austin, Texas area, hormonal expert, author, speaker, highly rated patient advocate, creator of the world’s first integrative hormonal mapping system, and host of the Confessions Of A Male Gynecologist podcast. In his 20+ years of practice, he has listened to over 50,000 women’s stories and is determined to remove the myths surrounding women’s health. As an integrative health practitioner, he believes that you should have an active role in your care.

His work includes studies and publications on hormonal imbalances, spirituality in medical care, whole foods to heal the human body, and integrative medicine. Dr. Tassone is featured in many publications, including The New York Times, NBCNews Online, and Stanford MedX, to name a few. His latest book, The Hormone Balance Bible, published by HarperCollins, is available for purchase worldwide.

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