The term ‘hormonal’ has become synonymous with ‘moody'. While hormones do affect mood, they do much more in the body than that. We tend to think of certain times in life, such as puberty, pregnancy, and the transition to menopause as hormone-fueled, but the truth is that our hormones influence the health of our bodies and minds every single day.So what exactly are hormones? Hormones are special chemicals that travel through the bloodstream. They carry messages from the glands where they are produced to cells in different parts of the body. These chemical messages help to manage cellular processes that control appetite, growth, stress, blood sugar, sleep cycles, sex drive, and sexual function, to name a few. The endocrine system is a complex web of interactions. Hormones interact with each other and with many other systems of the body, including the immune system, in ways that we don’t yet understand.About Our Guest:Ana G. Herrera spent 17 years in the corporate world, leading well known beauty brands. Her life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis in her mid 20s. This condition brought unimaginable pain into her life, leading to five surgeries, infertility, surgical menopause, and numerous other challenging consequences. Frustrated by the lack of specific research, clear information, and natural products that she could apply into my daily life, Ana decided to embark on a new path. She began talking to hundreds of women and discovered that many shared a common thirst for knowledge and trustworthy products, yet they didn't know where to begin. It was this realization that led her to leave a successful corporate career behind and dive headfirst into the most challenging endeavor of her life—creating a company from scratch.Ana's vision is to empower others with the knowledge and products necessary to take charge of their hormones, rather than allowing hormones to dictate their lives. With a steadfast belief in authenticity and solidarity, Ana strives to create a powerful movement that transcends societal stigmas and empowers individuals to live their lives to the fullest.Resources Mentioned:Hormone University Glow productsThe Business of Birth ControlEnvironmental Working Group - Personal Care ProductsDirty DozenConnect with Ana:FacebookInstagramWebsiteLinkedInTwitterThe hashtag for the podcast is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our practice on the following social media outlets:Facebook: The Eudaimonia CenterInstagram: theeudaimoniacenterTwitter: eu_daimonismFor more reproductive medicine and women's health information and other valuable resources, make sure to visit our website.Have a question, comment, guest suggestion, or want to share your story? Email us at info@laurenawhite.com.Support the show