A Functional Guide to Hormones: Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton on Navigating Hormonal Health Through Every Stage of Womanhood
EPISODE #104 — AUG 7, 2026
Hormones influence so much more than your menstrual cycle or fertility. They affect your energy, mood, metabolism, sleep, brain health, and so much more. Yet many women don't start thinking about their hormones until they're trying to get pregnant or beginning perimenopause. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, Naturopathic Doctor and Chief Medical Officer at Precision Analytical (creators of the DUTCH Test), to talk about what your hormones might be trying to tell you throughout every stage of womanhood. We cover everything from menstrual cycles to fertility, postpartum, and perimenopause, along with some of the biggest misconceptions around hormone balance, functional hormone testing, and how to become a better advocate for your health.
You can find Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton on Instagram @dr.jaclynsmeaton, listen to the DUTCH podcast on Apple & Spotify, and learn more about the DUTCH Test here.
Resources:
• Get functional lab testing →
In this episode:
01:05 – Introducing Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton, Naturopathic Doctor & CMO at Precision Analytical (creators of the DUTCH Test)
03:59 – Dr. Jaclyn’s background story and path to the medical field
05:34 – Why birth control is so commonly prescribed
09:58 – How to advocate for yourself in the medical system
11:02 – What functional medicine does best
12:37 – How healthy female hormones actually function
16:36 – Why "balancing your hormones" isn't as simple as it sounds
18:53 – Why hormone health matters even if you never plan to conceive
23:42 – Common hormonal patterns behind fertility challenges
25:24 – Tools to track ovulation
30:08 – How functional testing differs from conventional testing
37:20 – Androgens are often overlooked
40:36 – Hormones during postpartum and when to investigate symptoms
48:58 – What happens hormonally during perimenopause
52:50 – Rapid-fire hormone myths, habits, and practical tips
I’m so grateful to have you here, friend. If you love the show, be sure to follow and leave me a review. New episodes drop every Friday!
