IMAGE The Check-in

Hormone Harmony with Dr Mary Ryan

IMAGE The Check-in

Show Notes

What really happens when our hormones are in (or out of) balance, and how much control do we actually have? In this empowering episode, host Ellie Balfe sits down with renowned Professor and Consultant Endocrinologist, Dr Mary Ryan, to talk about Hormone Harmony: how our hormones influence every part of our health and wellbeing, and how we can learn to work with them, not against them.

Dr Ryan, author of It’s Probably Your Hormones and one of Ireland’s leading voices in women’s health, shares powerful insights on the phases of female hormone health, from puberty to perimenopause and beyond. She explains why so many women today feel exhausted and burnt out, and how prioritising rest is not indulgent but essential for hormonal balance and long-term energy.

Together, Ellie and Dr Ryan explore: • Why hormones are the ultimate influencers and how to keep them in balance • The truth behind buzzwords like adrenal fatigue and oestrogen dominance • How stress and overwork deplete our energy and hormones • Practical ways to advocate for yourself in medical consultations • The connection between female equality, emotional load and physical health • How to view menopause as a powerful, positive transition - our great second act.

It is a conversation about understanding, empowerment and change - in our homes, workplaces and relationships.

Every woman will find something here that resonates.

IMAGE The Check-in is part of the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic and proudly empowered by @boots.ireland and sponsored by @samsungireland @waterstoneclinicireland @irishlifehealth and @its4womenireland

**disclaimer** The IMAGE Check-In Podcast is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be taken as, medical advice. The content shared in each episode is not a substitute for consultation with a qualified medical practitioner. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is given as to the completeness or correctness of the information, and reliance on any information provided in the Podcast is solely at your own risk. Always seek the guidance of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding your own health, medical condition, or treatment options. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from IMAGE The Check-in

Oct 22, 2026

In 1961, Finola Cassidy's mother was prescribed a new "wonder drug" for morning sickness. It contained thalidomide, which caused miscarriages and severe birth defects in babies around the world. Weeks after Finola was born, it was withdrawn worldwide. In Ireland, no public warning was issued and the drug remained on shelves for years. Sixty-five years on, in a moving conversation, Finola talks to Leonie Corcoran about growing up with a disability in 1960s Ireland, the 27 hospital stays of her childhood, the silent burden carried by the mothers who took thalidomide and the lesson in resilience her father gave her. As spokesperson for the Irish Thalidomide Association, she also shares why Ireland's survivors are still waiting for a State apology and what she told a young mother she met by chance on a boat. **This episode includes discussion of miscarriage and baby loss.

Jun 25, 2026

Longevity is much more than a trend - it is about optimising your health at every stage of life.

Jun 18, 2026

In this episode of IMAGE The Check-in, recorded live at the IMAGE Women’s Health Clinic event at The Conrad Hotel, we unpack the ultimate blueprint to female longevity and optimum health. Host Melanie Morris sits down with three of Ireland’s leading health professionals – consultant dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan, preventive cardiologist Dr. Paddy Barrett, and performance coach John Belton—to discuss how lifestyle, medicine, and technology intersect to help you thrive into old age. Key Takeaways: Lifespan vs. Healthspan: The difference between living long and living well.

Jun 11, 2026

In the second half of our deep-dive conversation with medical doctor and neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, we shift our focus inward. Dr Keane returns to show us how to master our mindset by making small, powerful adjustments to our daily routines and internal habits. If you are ready to quieten a loud inner critic, overcome the secret fear of being exposed, and build a morning routine that actually sets you up for a fulfilling day, this is exactly what you need to hear. Key Topics Covered Tackling Anxiety: Practical, science-backed tools to calm your nervous system.

Jun 4, 2026

In the first part of this special two-episode series, we check in with neuroscientist Dr Michael Keane, co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Evolve Neuro.

See all episodes →