Episode 69: Irregular Periods, PCOS, and Insulin Resistance — The Hormone Connection

Irregular periods, painful cycles, fertility struggles, and symptoms like fatigue or brain fog are more common than many women realize. But what many people don’t know is that these symptoms are often connected to hormone balance, blood sugar regulation, and metabolic health.

In this episode of the Path to Better A1C Podcast, Jenny Pena welcomes Vanda Aubrey, RN functional medicine nurse and founder of Wellness with Vanda, to discuss the connection between irregular periods, PCOS, insulin resistance, and mineral balance.

Together, they explore how metabolic health and hormone health are closely linked — and why addressing nutrition, minerals, hydration, and lifestyle habits can play a powerful role in improving symptoms.

This episode is especially helpful for women in their 30s and 40s experiencing irregular cycles, PMS symptoms, fertility challenges, or early signs of insulin resistance.

• Why PCOS is often connected to metabolic health and insulin resistance
• The link between blood sugar balance and hormone regulation
• How irregular periods and fertility challenges may be related to metabolic health
• Why many women may be undereating and unintentionally impacting hormones
• The surprising role of minerals and electrolytes in hormone balance
• Practical ways to improve hydration and support your body with mineral-rich foods
• How balanced meals help prevent blood sugar spikes and crashes
• Simple lifestyle strategies that support hormone health and energy levels

Jenny and Vanda also discuss why many women experience symptoms even when lab work appears “normal,” and why learning to understand your own menstrual cycle patterns can provide powerful insights into your overall health.

✔ Supporting your body with minerals and electrolytes
✔ Eating balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
✔ Monitoring your menstrual cycle patterns
✔ Understanding how blood sugar affects hormones

If you are dealing with irregular periods, PCOS symptoms, fertility challenges, or blood sugar issues, this conversation will help you better understand what may be happening in your body and where to start.

How to connect with Vanda:

Email: vanda@wellnesswithvanda.com

Website: https://www.wellnesswithvanda.com/

FREE Guide: https://www.wellnesswithvanda.com/minerals-for-mamas-guide/

How to Connect with Jenny:

📘FREE Prediabetes Guide: https://wwwsubscribepage.io/starterguide🍽️FREE Dinner, Solved Guide: blood sugar–friendly dinner ideas: https://jennypena.kit.com/dinner🗒️FREE Balancing Snacks List: https://subscribepage.io/snacks📞Book a FREE Call - https://calendly.com/coachjenp7/call🌐 https://www.jennypena.com📲 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coachjenp/

Many women who struggle with irregular periods, PCOS, fertility challenges, fatigue, or stubborn weight gain are often told the problem is purely hormonal.

But what many people don’t realize is that blood sugar balance and insulin resistance play a major role in hormone health.

In this episode of the Path to Better A1C Podcast, Jenny Pena, National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach and Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, explains the connection between hormones, blood sugar, and metabolic health.

Understanding this relationship can help explain why many women with PCOS or irregular menstrual cycles experience symptoms like cravings, energy crashes, mood swings, and difficulty losing weight.

Jenny breaks down the key hormones involved and explains how insulin resistance can disrupt ovulation, menstrual cycles, and overall hormone balance.

• How insulin affects hormone balance
• Why insulin resistance is common in PCOS
• The role of estrogen and progesterone in menstrual health
• How cortisol (the stress hormone) can impact blood sugar and hormones
• Signs that blood sugar imbalance may be affecting your hormones
• Why more women are experiencing metabolic dysfunction earlier in life
• Simple strategies to support both hormone balance and blood sugar stability

This episode also sets the stage for the next conversation on the podcast, where Jenny will be joined by functional medicine nurse Vanda to dive deeper into hormones, minerals, and practical strategies for women experiencing irregular periods.

🎧 If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who may be struggling with PCOS, irregular periods, or blood sugar imbalance.

Episode 67: The Emotional Side of GLP-1 Weight Loss: Identity Shifts, Emotional Eating & Fear of Regain

In this episode of the Path to Better A1C Podcast, we explore an often overlooked part of weight loss: the emotional experience.

While medications like GLP-1s can help reduce appetite and support weight loss, many people are surprised by the emotional shifts that can happen along the way. Changes in appetite, body image, and daily habits can bring up new questions about identity, coping strategies, and long-term confidence.

In this conversation, Jenny Pena, NBC-HWC and Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach, discusses the emotional aspects of weight loss that many people are not prepared for.

We cover topics such as:

• Identity shifts that can happen during rapid weight loss
• Why appetite suppression doesn’t eliminate emotional eating
• The fear of regaining weight after stopping medication
• Social pressure and comments about weight loss
• Unrealistic expectations created by social media
• Why behavioral and emotional support matter for long-term success

If you are using GLP-1 medications, considering them, or simply working on improving your metabolic health and blood sugar balance, this episode will help you understand the deeper emotional side of the journey.

Weight loss is not only physical. Sustainable progress requires awareness, habits, and support.

Resources & Support

If you’d like personalized guidance on improving blood sugar, lowering A1C, and building sustainable health habits:

✔ Book a Clarity Call HERE
✔ Download the Free GLP-1 Guide HERE
✔ Learn more about the A1C Reset Protocol HERE