THE PULSE 8/8/2025

Aug 8
5 min read

Updated: Aug 17

With Janine Rotter, Women's Health Coach

This week: Why Your ‘Low Libido’ Could Actually Be a Gut Issue... #2 Will Shock You”)

Hey beautiful, welcome back to The Pulse, where last week’s hormone plot twists, gut glow-ups, and the estrogen patch shift no one’s talking about set the stage. This week, we’re unpacking a woman’s guide to balance, from lab markers to lunar rituals.

Let’s dive in.

🔥 Hot Take: “Low T” Isn’t Just a Man’s Problem

Dragging through your days with zero spark? Women produce testosterone too, and when it dips, mood, muscle tone, and libido crater. Ask your doc for a full hormone panel, or grab my DIY at-home test link below, and reclaim your edge.

Ladies, let’s cut the crap: if you’re dragging through your days with zero spark, no pep, no punch, no passion, you’ve probably heard the whisper that it’s just “stress” or “getting older.” But here’s the unfiltered truth: women produce testosterone too, and when it dips, everything from your mood to your libido takes a nosedive.

Why you should care: Testosterone fuels muscle tone, bone density, and yes, your drive. Chronic stress, nutrient deficiencies, and hormonal contraceptives can tank your T levels. Ignoring it leaves you stuck in exhaustion, brain fog, and that “meh” feeling that nothing, even coffee, can fix.

The real-world impact: Imagine waking up feeling like yourself again: the joy in your morning yoga flow is back, conversations feel vibrant, and you actually crave quality time with your partner. That’s what balanced T can do.

Fierce-action tip: Don’t wait for “old age” to diagnose you. Ask your doc for a comprehensive hormone panel that includes free and total testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA. Or better yet, skip the waiting room, grab a quick DIY at-home hormone test, and get results in days. → DIY Testosterone Test (absolutely no affiliation to Everywell, I've just used them in the past).

Deep Dive: Want the exact lab ranges you should be aiming for, and the top three nutraceuticals to nudge your T back into sacred territory?

➤ [Click here for your free Hormone Health Cheat Sheet]

No more excuses. It’s time to reclaim your edge. Because low T isn’t just a man’s problem, it’s your opportunity to rise.

🧪 Functional Medicine Find: The Surprising Link Between Gut Permeability and PMDD

Ever wondered why your premenstrual days feel like a hormonal hurricane? Recent research shows that when your gut lining goes “leaky,” inflammatory cytokines sneak into your bloodstream, and those inflammatory hits can send your mood, cramps, and cravings into overdrive.

Here’s what’s happening:

Gut permeability (aka “leaky gut”) allows bacterial fragments like LPS to escape from your intestines.
Those fragments trigger systemic inflammation.
Inflammation disrupts neurotransmitter balance, amplifying PMDD symptoms: irritability, crippling cramps, and emotional volatility.

Why this matters for you:

Traditional PMDD protocols focus on SSRIs or birth control, ignoring the gut-inflammation root cause.
Addressing gut health can slash PMDD severity by up to 40% in just one cycle.
You don’t have to settle for “ride it out” every month.

Quick Wins to Try:

Zinc + Glutamine Support: 10–15 g of L-glutamine and 25 mg of zinc twice daily helps seal tight junctions in your gut lining.
Bone Broth Boost: Sip two cups of collagen-rich bone broth on your low-estrogen days (days 18–28).
Fermented Foods: Daily servings of sauerkraut or kimchi introduce beneficial flora that outcompete LPS-producing bacteria.

Deep Dive: Want my exact 7-day “Hormone Edge: Gut Reset” meal plan & supplement protocol I recommend with clients? ➤ [Grab the Gut & Cycle PDF →]

Taking control of your gut is your fastest ticket to a calmer, more centered luteal phase. Let’s heal from the inside out, because you deserve symptom-free cycles.

🌿 Ritual of the Week: Moon-Phase Journaling to Harmonize Your Estrogen Peaks

Your cycle isn’t a curse, it’s a compass. Starting tonight, lean into the waxing moon to ride your estrogen rise with intention, clarity, and compassion. By aligning your journaling practice with lunar energy, you’ll anchor your insights in a rhythm that supports emotional balance, creative flow, and sacred self-connection.

Why this matters:

Amplifies self-awareness: Writing when estrogen is climbing enhances neural plasticity and creativity.
Eases overwhelm: Ritualizing your thoughts transforms mental clutter into focused action.
Honors your sacred cycle: Co-creates with the moon’s energy to reinforce your sovereignty.

Your 5-Minute Moon Journal (Waxing Phase, Days 4–12):

Set the Scene (1 min): Find a quiet corner with soft light. Light a candle or diffuse lavender to signal ritual time.
Free-Write Your Intention (2 min): Prompt: “What do I most want to invite forward as my energy expands?” Let pen meet paper without judgment.
Map Your Momentum (1 min): Quickly list three actions, no matter how small, that will move you closer to that intention this week.
Anchor with Gratitude (1 min): Write one thing your body is doing brilliantly right now (e.g., “My lungs breathe freely,” “My heart beats steadily”).
Close with Breath: Snuff the candle and take three deep inhales through the nose, exhaling slowly, visualizing your intention as already unfolding.

🔍 WTF Decode: Is “Biohacking Your Pelvic Floor” a Scam?

You may have seen TikToks touting kettlebell swings, high-tech stimulators, or “pelvic floor hackers” promising instant core strength and zero incontinence. But before you drop $299 on the latest gadget, let’s break down what’s real, versus what’s marketing fluff.

Here’s what’s going on:

The claim: Targeted “biohacks” can retrain your pelvic muscles faster than traditional kegels.
The tech: From Bluetooth-enabled stimulators to vibration plates, these tools promise to isolate deep pelvic fibers you can’t feel.
The controversy: There’s limited peer-reviewed research showing anything beyond a marginal benefit, and some devices can exacerbate tension or even cause discomfort when used improperly.

Why you should care:

Cost vs. benefit: A quality pelvic-health professional + a consistent home-practice plan costs a fraction of a gadget, and often delivers better, longer-lasting results.
Hidden risk: Over-stimulating or misplacing electrodes can trigger spasms or worsen prolapse symptoms.
Holistic perspective: True pelvic-floor health lives at the intersection of breath, alignment, nervous-system tone, and emotional safety, not just muscle contractions.

Fierce-action tip: Before you splurge on “next-gen” biohack tools, commit to a 4-week body-based protocol: diaphragmatic breathing, hip-hinge alignment drills, and light manual release. Notice the difference in tension, control, and comfort.

Deep Dive: 🎧 [Listen to “Female Sexual Health & Vaginal Rejuvenation” with Cheryl Schaaf on my In The Moment Podcast →]

We’re diving deep into all things “down there,” spotlighting breakthrough vaginal rejuvenation treatments... Femilift, Cliovana, Viveve, and the O-Shot, all designed to elevate your sexual pleasure while effectively addressing vaginal laxity, mild stress urinary incontinence, and dryness or discomfort during intercourse.

💡Need a shift now, not next week? Try In The Moment

24/7 AI Coaching.

When life is loud, you don’t need a program, you need a pause with precision. In one focused session, your question opens the door (“exhaustion or misalignment?”), mirror back the woman you forgot you already are, and map one next step you can take today.

For the moments when you’re…