S3 E11: Medical Gaslighting & Advocating for Women’s Hormone Health with Nicole Bendayan

The Fueled & Free Podcast
The Fueled & Free Podcast
S3 E11: Medical Gaslighting & Advocating for Women’s Hormone Health with Nicole Bendayan
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Episode 35 Show Notes

If you follow anyone in the women’s health space, chances are you’ve seen posts about the recent (and very divisive) March 2024 Washington Post article titled ‘Women are getting off birth control amid misinformation explosion’.  

Today’s podcast guest, Nicole Bendayan, is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist who was recently featured in this viral article. Nicole shares her side of the story on being interviewed in the controversial Washington Post article, and how she was a pawn in the politically driven article written to perpetuate misinformation, and persuade women to choose hormonal birth control over anything else.    

Nicole and I talk about her interview experience with the Washington Post regarding hormonal birth control’s impact on women’s health, and what they actually ended up publishing in the very misleading article. We also discuss Nicole’s personal experience with hormonal birth control, how that propelled her into the women’s hormone health space, the increasing censorship of certain content on social media and how this can impact the way you show up on your platforms, controversy surrounding ‘natural’ family planning and pregnancy prevention tools like cycle syncing versus hormonal birth control, and more.

This article from the Washington Post could have been a phenomenal way to open up discussion regarding birth control and women’s health, but sadly, it was just another ploy to continue gaslighting and censoring women. While Nicole definitely hasn’t loved being discredited and portrayed as an influencer only seeking fame and fortune on the internet, this situation HAS solidified her integrity and drive for the work she’s doing in the holistic health space. She’s ready to continue this conversation by spreading awareness and sharing real, lived experiences, so women do feel seen and heard, and ultimately, learn to thrive in their day to day lives! 

in this episode, medical gaslighting & advocating for women’s hormone health, we cover: 

  • Nicole’s involvement in the March 2024 Washington Post article about hormonal birth control & women’s health + what her overall experience was like {3:00}
  • How to keep moving forward and sharing your message on social media, even after receiving a great deal of backlash {11:03}
  • The importance of being an active participant in your healthcare {13:36}
  • Nicole’s personal experience with using hormonal birth control + her reaction to learning about the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle {14:45}
  • What Nicole was questioned about during her recent interview with the Washington Post + what was actually published {19:21}
  • The continued push for censorship of certain content on social media + why this isn’t influencing Nicole and the way she shares content on her SM platforms {23:19}
  • The controversy surrounding the usage of tools like cycle syncing for ‘natural’ family planning & pregnancy prevention vs. hormonal contraception {30:15}
  • Questionable guidelines stating that IUDs (like the Mirena) don’t actually need to be removed/changed out every 5 years {34:57}
  • Nicole’s reaction and feelings to being lumped in as a ‘right wing commentator’ in the March 2024 Washington Post article {36:08}

**Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is NOT meant to be taken as individual or medical advice. Please seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

At Fueled & Free Nutrition, we believe you deserve real answers about your health—not just band-aid solutions.
Whether you’re struggling with gut issues, perimenopause or menopause symptoms, low energy, or hormonal imbalances, we’re here to help you rebuild your resilience and feel like yourself again. Let’s uncover what’s really going on so you can finally move forward with confidence and ease.

Hey, I'm Margaret

I'm a Certified Holistic Nutritionist + Holistic Health Coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutritionist and owner of an integrative virtual wellness clinic that has helped hundreds of women on their journey to optimal health.

I know from my own personal health journey that it's possible to reclaim my body after years of struggling. I was confused and overwhelmed, dismissed by health providers who didn't take the time to understand the "why" behind my symptoms. Then I discovered Functional Nutrition and worked through the process of unraveling the root causes behind my struggles, everything changed.

Now I'm here to help you do the same!

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