5 Pillars of Functional OBGYN Care: Dr. Christy Evans on Redefining Women’s Vitality

In this episode, Dr. Kate Kresge sits down with Dr. Christy Evans, an OB/GYN at Almond OB/GYN who blends full-scope conventional care with a root-cause, systems-based approach. Dr. Evans shares her path from public accounting to medicine. She explains how Almond assesses vitality through four "outputs" (metabolism, hormones and the menstrual cycle, pelvic and vaginal health, and gut health) and five lifestyle pillars: nutrition, movement, stress, sleep, and social connection. They also dig into postpartum care, PCOS, and what healthcare built for women could look like.

3 Key Takeaways

• The vaginal microbiome is protective. In a study of more than 3,600 women, bacterial vaginosis or an intermediate microbiota was associated with a 1.5- to 2-fold higher risk of chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis. (Brotman 2010) Dr. Evans looks at which healthy strains are missing, not just which pathogens are present. (France 2022)
• Postpartum is a long road. Dr. Evans follows patients for one to two years after birth, checking biomarkers around six to eight weeks when pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia occurred. (ACOG 2018)
• Sleep support doesn't have to start with a pill. Clinical guidelines recommend cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the initial treatment for chronic insomnia in adults, and Dr. Evans refers many PCOS and perimenopausal patients to it. (Qaseem 2016)

Guest: Dr. Christy Evans is an OB/GYN specializing in functional women's health at Almond OB/GYN, where she combines conventional obstetric and gynecologic care with a lifespan approach to vitality. Her work in Nairobi, Kenya, shaped her mission to make holistic women's healthcare more accessible, and she co-founded New Dawn Africa, which supports maternal health in Nairobi.

Clinical FAQ

Which metabolic labs does Dr. Evans check?

A1C, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, a comprehensive lipid panel with ApoB and Lp(a), a full thyroid panel, an iron panel with ferritin, B12, vitamin D, and cycle-timed hormone testing.

How does she approach PCOS?

As a chronic, whole-body condition. A birth control pill can regulate bleeding, but Dr. Evans also addresses metabolic health, gut health, and the five pillars to support long-term health. (Teede 2023)

What does she look for in a prenatal?

Third-party certification, transparent ingredient sourcing, and well-absorbed forms, with attention to choline, folate, iodine, vitamin D, and DHA, which are often underdosed or missing. (Adams 2021) (Adams 2022)

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and podcast overview

01:00 – From accounting to women's health

07:00 – Four outputs of vitality

08:30 – Vaginal microbiome testing and support

15:00 – The gut and women's health

18:00 – Metabolic health indicators and testing

27:00 – What women truly need postpartum

30:00 – Postpartum physiology and recovery

35:00 – PCOS beyond symptom management

39:00 – Social connection and women's health

50:00 – Healthcare built for women

53:00 – Final thoughts and resources

Ready to elevate your practice? This episode is sponsored by Fullscript, a comprehensive care delivery platform designed to support whole-person, integrative healthcare. Fullscript helps clinicians bring supplement dispensing, lab ordering, and patient education into one centralized workflow. For more practitioner education on supplements, nutrition, and evidence-informed clinical care, visit Fullscript Academy at academy.fullscript.com.

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and don’t necessarily reflect those of Fullscript or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice. For your safety, always check with your doctor or healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.