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Today Jody speaks to Trauma Therapist Paula Rastrick about how the nervous system impacts our hormones. Paula shares her story of being prescribed HRT and the complications that arose from being over prescribed estrogen.

Following this she embarked upon a journey of trying to understand how trauma and a disregulated nervous system can play havoc with a womens hormones in puberty, pregnancy and perimenopause. Paula believes that we need to learn how to stay within our Window of Tolerance by learning how to strengthen the Vagus Nerve and describes some of the practices we can do to develop vagus tone.

We discuss the relationship between estrogen and progesterone and testosterone and Paula explains why high levels of cortisol can play havoc with our hormones.

Paula emphasises the importance of recognising when our bodies need rest and why high intensity exercise in perimenopause can often lead to injury.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation and touch on how to stop HRT if you realise it is not working for you and the dangers of not withdrawing safely, bleeding whilst on HRT and the physical and mental health problems that can arise from having too much estogen in your system.

Connect with Paula:

Upcoming Book: Out late 2025

Sensitive Women: A trauma informed, neurodiverse approach to hormonal sensitivity

Instagram:

@mrspaularastrick

Website:

thebrainbodymethod.com

Reference:

Dr Arielle Schwartz PHD

Resilience Informed Therapy

Strengthening the Vagus Nerve

drarielleschwartz.com