Hopeful Hints

Hair loss in women is treatable but only what gets tested gets treated. And most women are tested for almost nothing. In this series finale, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C covers the complete picture: the lab workup that should accompany a hair loss evaluation, why 'in range' is not the same as 'optimal,' every treatment option available for female hair loss, and how the most advanced personalized t...

There are more than a dozen documented, treatable root causes of hair loss in women. Most women are evaluated for one or two of them and sent home with a biotin supplement. In this episode, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C maps every single root cause of female hair loss in plain clinical language so that women and hairdressers understand not just what is causing hair loss, but why. Mechanism, not jus...

If your hair is falling out and you have been told your labs are normal, this episode is for you. Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C opens the 'Why Is My Hair Falling Out?' series with the conversation that rarely happens in a doctor's office: why hair loss in women is one of the most dismissed symptoms in medicine, and why the person most likely to notice it first is your hairdresser. Women's hair loss...

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions affecting women today. It doesn't show up on standard tests, it mimics anxiety, and it's dismissed constantly. But it's real, it's systemic, and it's treatable. In this episode, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-c breaks down the four types of POTS, the diagnostic tools practitioners actually use, its connection...

If you've been feeling scattered, forgetful, emotionally raw, and completely unlike yourself and you're in your 40s or 50s, this episode will change how you understand what's happening in your brain. Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C explores the science behind the estrogen-dopamine connection and explains why perimenopause doesn't cause ADHD, but frequently unmasks it in women who spent decades buildi...

If you suffer from pelvic pain that no one can figure out and nothing has worked this episode might be the one that changes everything. Today's guest is Dr. Brooke Spencer is a board-certified interventional radiologist, Fellowship of the Society of Interventional Radiology honoree, and the Medical Director and CEO of Minimally Invasive Procedure Specialists (MIPS) in Denver, Colorado. With over 7...

If you've been on antibiotics two, three, four times in the last year for recurrent UTIs and no one has ever asked about your hormone levels, this episode is the conversation you've been waiting for. Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C breaks down why recurrent UTIs are often a hormone problem, not a hygiene problem, and what the FDA's February 2026 removal of the black box warning from vaginal hormones...

If you’ve been told your pain is “normal” or your labs look fine  but you know something is wrong, this episode is for you. Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C breaks down the truth about endometriosis, why it takes 9–11 years to diagnose, and how it impacts your hormones, gut, brain, and fertility. This is not just a period problem, it’s a full-body condition that is often missed, dismissed, and misunde...

Have you been told your anxiety or depression is "all in your head" or strictly a psychiatric issue? You are not alone and you might have been misdiagnosed. In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding DNP, FNP-C reveals the hidden connection between your mental health and your hormones. We’re breaking down the 6 specific hormonal imbalances that silently mimic anxiety and depression, includ...

If you’re eating less, working out more, and the scale still won’t budge, this episode is for you. Weight gain after 30 isn’t about willpower or “calories in, calories out.” It’s about hormones. In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C breaks down why traditional weight loss advice fails women in their 30s and 40s. She explains how estrogen decline, progesterone imbalance, in...

Your doctor says your labs are normal. But your body is telling a very different story. In this powerful episode, Dr. Tara Harding DNP, FNP-C exposes the hidden gap between “normal” lab ranges and optimal health and why thousands of women are left suffering despite being told nothing is wrong. If you are experiencing fatigue, anxiety, brain fog, weight gain, hair loss, sleep disruption, PMS, infer...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Shylah Schauer NP, my gut health provider, for an honest conversation about gut health and why it plays such a critical role in women’s health. We share parts of my current gut health journey and break down how gut dysfunction can impact endometriosis, infertility, hormone balance, inflammation, and overall well-being. Gut health is often overlooked in women who...

Parasites are more common than you think. On this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C is joined by gut health specialist and Simply You Wellness Clinic provider Cara Jahner, aka the “Parasite Queen,” to unpack the truth. From where parasites come from to why they’re often missed in conventional care, they break down symptoms, testing challenges, and when a parasite cleanse may a...

In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding, DNP, FNP-C sits down with Cara Jahner, FNP-C and functional medicine provider at Simply You Wellness, to break down the real truth about hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. They discuss the symptoms most women overlook, the labs you actually need, why so many cases are missed, and how thyroid dysfunction ties into so many overlooked symptoms you may...

Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or experiencing heart palpitations but being told it’s “just anxiety”? In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding uncovers the hidden link between POTS and women’s hormones. Learn how fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol can worsen symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, dizziness and discover practical steps to help your body find balance again. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Have you ever been told your labs look “normal,” yet you’re still exhausted, dizzy, freezing, or even losing hair? In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara Harding uncovers why iron deficiency is one of the most overlooked health concerns for women and why it goes far beyond just checking hemoglobin. In this episode, you will learn: Why standard lab work often misses iron deficiency The role of...

Are your symptoms being brushed off as “normal”? In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara breaks down the common symptoms of PCOS, endometriosis, and hormone imbalance so you can finally get clarity on what your body is telling you. What you’ll learn: The most common (and overlooked) symptoms of PCOS & Endometriosis Why so many women go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed Which tests and next steps can...

Perimenopause can feel confusing and overwhelming, but understanding what’s happening inside your body can make all the difference. In this episode, Dr. Tara shares the most important things every woman should know about Perimenopause and how to take back control of your health. You’ll learn: How a gradual drop in progesterone sparks common symptoms Ways to naturally support your progesterone The...

You’re eating clean, working out, and doing “all the right things” yet you still feel exhausted, anxious, moody, bloated, or stuck at the same weight. Sound familiar? In this episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara breaks down the sneaky signs of hormone imbalance that are often dismissed, why they happen, and practical steps you can take to start feeling like you again. From progesterone and estrogen...

Tired of being told “everything is normal” when deep down, something feels off? In this week’s episode of Hopeful Hints, Dr. Tara talks about the Top 5 lab tests every woman should advocate for, even when doctors say you’re fine. These tests go beyond the basics and dig into the most overlooked pieces of your health puzzle: Thyroid panel – not just TSH, but Free T3, Free T4, and antibodies. Sex ho...

In this episode, Dr. Tara Harding sits down with Dr. Liz Jones to talk about a rarely discussed part of men’s health — The Pelvic Floor. They break down how it impacts strength, sexual function, and everyday comfort. They also touch on how pelvic tightness or nerve issues can lead to pain or sexual dysfunction and why mental health matters just as much. It’s a real, honest conversation encouraging...

In this empowering episode, Dr. Tara Harding guides you through what to expect during menopause and how to thrive—not just survive—this transition. Menopause isn’t a decline, it’s a transition into wisdom, power, and clarity. In this episode, we bust myths about menopause, explain what’s happening in your body, and explore treatment options from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy based on the la...

Your body may be whispering long before it screams. In this episode, Dr. Tara walk through subtle signs of infertility that often get overlooked — like short luteal phases, fatigue, acne, painful sex, and more. Learn what they could mean and what labs to ask for before it's too late. Let Dr. Tara help you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   ⁠⁠LEARN⁠⁠ for FREE from Dr. Tara ⁠⁠JOIN⁠⁠ Dr. Tara on TikTok Come say hi over on ⁠⁠T...

PMDD is not just “bad PMS” — it’s a debilitating, hormone-triggered mood disorder that affects millions of women and is often misdiagnosed or dismissed. In this episode, we break down what PMDD really is, how it shows up, how to track it, and treatment options that actually help. Dr. Tara Harding shares what PMDD really is, how to track it, and the treatment options that can change lives. Let Dr....

Have you been told everything is "normal" but you're still not pregnant? You're not alone! This episode breaks down why unexplained infertility is often a lazy diagnosis, and what underlying issues may actually be going undiagnosed, like endometriosis, thyroid dysfunction, or sperm quality. In this episode, Dr. Tara Harding explains why “unexplained infertility” is often a missed diagnosis and wha...