The Female Foot: Hormones, Collagen & Why Your Feet Change Over Time | #20

In this powerful solo episode, Dr. Emily Splichal dives into a topic rarely discussed — yet deeply felt by millions of women: how female hormones shape foot health across every stage of life.

From the menstrual cycle to pregnancy and menopause, hormonal shifts profoundly influence collagen, ligament integrity, bone density, circulation, and nerve health — all of which directly impact how your feet look, feel, and function. If you've ever wondered why your feet changed during pregnancy, why arches collapse later in life, or why foot pain seems to "suddenly appear," this episode delivers the science — and the solutions.

Dr. Emily breaks down estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin through a functional lens and explains how women can proactively protect their foundation with strength, sensory input, recovery, and smart support. This is an empowering roadmap for staying grounded, strong, and mobile through every hormonal transition.

Key Takeaways

• How estrogen loss impacts collagen, ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves, and fat pads in the feet
• Why women can lose up to 2% of collagen per year during menopause — and what that means for foot integrity
• How pregnancy hormones like relaxin alter foot structure, gait, and arch stability
• Why injury risk changes throughout the menstrual cycle — and how to train smarter
• The connection between menopause, stress fractures, and delayed healing
• Practical tools to protect circulation, nerve health, and foot strength at every life stage