Confession: You are being lied to about hormone testing, and, in many cases, you’re either not being tested enough or being tested way too much. There are many “hormone experts” out there, and the information they share is often wildly contradictory. From providers who say hormone imbalance doesn’t exist to those who only want to see results from a specific day of your cycle, how do you filter out the valuable insights from the noise? When it comes to your hormones, I always say, “test, don’t guess.” Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about hormone testing so you can be empowered when you go to your OBGYN, naturopath, or whichever provider you prefer to see. We’re talking about the pros and cons of different hormone tests, how you can determine which tests to ask for, details about how testing is done, how to spot red flags, and more.   Highlights Why a rigid approach to testing doesn’t make sense The right time to test your hormones Why hormone testing is crucial Red flags that suggest your provider isn’t a hormone expert The problem with saliva testing and the cases where it’s worth it Pros and cons of serum/blood testing Hormones and proteins I prefer to check through serum testing How DUTCH tests work Advantages and disadvantages of urine testing Why I believe DUTCH tests are overused   Sponsored by: Femmenessence It's a rare occurrence to find a non-prescription supplement that becomes a go-to for hormone health and Femmenessence is just that. Whether you’re pre-menopausal, menopausal, or struggling with PMS, irregular periods, or other hormone imbalances, I highly recommend giving Femmenessence a try. Visit Femmenessence.com (https://femmenessence.com/) and use my code SHAWN20 for exclusive savings.   Needed Few things are as important in a woman's life as that journey to and through motherhood. There's so much that you can't control, but nutrition is a big one you can. Needed is a perinatal and women's health brand that I recommend to all my clients, whether they're in that perinatal stage or navigating perimenopause. Needed offers radically better nutrition products and education, backed by over 4000 practitioners. Visit ThisIsNeeded.com (https://thisisneeded.com/) and use my code DrT for 20% off your first month.   Resources Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/ The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/ Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/   Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.