
Nutrition for Painful Periods: What to Eat (and Avoid) to Reduce Cramps
Period pain can disrupt daily life, but nutrition and lifestyle choices can play a major role in reducing cramps and improving comfort.

Period pain can disrupt daily life, but nutrition and lifestyle choices can play a major role in reducing cramps and improving comfort.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, sits down with registered dietitian Callie to discuss how nutrition directly impacts fertility, hormone balance, and preparation for conception. Whether you are actively trying to conceive or simply want to optimize hormone health for future fertility, this episode breaks down exactly how to eat to support your body.

Nutrition is foundational to fertility and hormone health. Whether you’re actively trying to conceive or preparing your body for future fertility, small, consistent nutrition habits can have a big impact.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, is joined by registered dietitian Callie, who specializes in women’s health and blood sugar management. Together, they break down how to eat with PCOS, support insulin resistance, understand what “low carb and low sugar” actually means, and use nutrition, movement, and lifestyle strategies to support hormone balance and sustainable weight loss.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can make managing hormones, weight, and blood sugar challenging.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN at Vera Health and Fertility, explains what cervical mucus is, why it’s essential for fertility, how to identify high-quality cervical mucus, and strategies to improve it.

Cervical mucus plays a critical role in fertility, acting as a “highway” for sperm and providing insight into hormonal and reproductive health. Understanding what healthy cervical mucus looks like, when it appears, and how to optimize it can improve fertility and cycle awareness.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, breaks down polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). She explains what PCOS really is, how it’s diagnosed, the different types, and strategies for managing symptoms and restoring hormonal balance.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting people with ovaries, and it can have a significant impact on fertility, metabolism, and overall health. Understanding PCOS, recognizing the signs, and taking steps to manage it are essential for restoring hormonal balance and supporting reproductive wellness.

In this episode of The Hormone Café, Dr. Sarah Pederson, holistic OB-GYN and founder of Vera Health and Fertility in Westminster, Colorado, explains the ovulation process, how to know if you are ovulating, types of ovulation dysfunction, and strategies to treat ovulatory issues.