In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is joined by reproductive physiologist Dr. Heidi van den Brink, one of the few scientists in the world studying the ovarian transition from fertility through menopause. Together, they reveal the complex biology often overlooked by textbooks and wellness trends, explaining how the ovaries, uterus, metabolism, nutrition, and gut health interact across every stage of a woman’s life. Dr. van den Brink breaks down groundbreaking research on follicle “waves,” the menopause transition, PCOS, and how undernutrition, obesity, and metabolic health shape reproductive hormones. This conversation cuts through hormone myths to deliver a science-driven understanding of female reproductive health—from puberty to menopause—and how to truly support it across decades.