Hormone Balance

Ever feel like your hormones are out of control? If so, you’re not alone- too many women suffer with horrible PMS, irregular bleeding, heavy bleeding, sore breasts, headaches, bloating, mood swings and weight gain for a few days (or more) each month. Although it may be common, and even the subject of many ill-considered jokes, it is definitely not normal; it is a sign that your hormones are way out of whack. Female hormonal health is dependent on many factors, and hormonal imbalances may be many years in the making. The state of our hormones reflects the long-term effects of diet, lifestyle and environment on our unique genetic individuality and physiology.

Oestrogen is the dominant hormone in the first half of the menstrual cycle and stimulates the ripening of an egg from the ovaries. We actually produce 3 different forms of oestrogen, and they are not all created equal. The stronger oestrogens, E1 & E2, are often elevated in oestrogen-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids and breast cancer. The milder oestrogen (E3) is a more mild & protective form of oestrogen.

Progesterone levels should rise after ovulation. This stimulates the development of healthy endometrial tissue & is important in maintaining a successful pregnancy. We need good levels of progesterone to counter the rising levels of xeno-oestrogens present in our environment.

Hormonal help

• Support the liver: As well as its myriad other roles, the liver regulates hormone balance by getting rid of excess hormones from our body.  When it is sluggish (& it often is!), we often end up with too much oestrogen and the familiar oestrogen-dominant symptoms of moodiness, bloating, emotional volatility, breast tenderness & lumpiness as well as a painful, dark, clotted bleeding. Compounds from broccoli, turmeric & rosemary greatly improve liver function. Herbs such as Bupleurum & St Mary’s Thistle clear excess oestrogen from the body and stimulate the liver’s detoxification functions.

• Hormonal-balancing Herbal medicines: Vitex, Dong Quai, Licorice, Peony and Shatavari are some of the key herbs that promote a regular, healthy menstrual cycle.  For heavy bleeding, herbs such as Cinnamon & Red Sage are very effective. A naturopath will blend these herbs to suit individual conditions.

• Nutritional therapies: The combination of magnesium and Vitamin B6 is brilliant at relieving PMS, and helps reduce bloating & fluid retention. Zinc stimulates a healthy ovulation and Omega 3 oils from fish, pepitas, chia &walnuts reduce inflammation and menstrual pain.

Forty & Fabulous!

40… Strange things start happening to our body when women hit this notorious age (I’ve certainly noticed some)!

Aches emerge that we’ve never noticed before, a few kilos suddenly appear around our middle, our energy is never really great, our skin looks dry and dull, and hormones are all over the place. These are the first whispers from the body that all is not so well. It’s a little confronting, and kind of tempting, to ignore.

However, these whispers do not simply go away; it really is a sign that something needs to change. For many women, their energy is spent in caring for others. Many a woman will carefully prepare nutritious food for her children, whilst existing on a coffee or two and a vegemite sandwich herself.

As we approach menopause, we must learn to take real care of ourselves, otherwise, our body is not going to hold up! The good news is that our body has a most amazing capacity to heal itself, so long as we provide it with the right conditions.

• Clean up your diet: Get rid of the empty foods: refined carbs, starchy foods, sugar and most coffee & alcohol. Load up on clean proteins (eggs, poultry, meats, fish), antioxidant-rich vegetables (green leafies, beetroot, pumpkin, tomatoes) and healthy fats (avocado, egg yolk, coconut oil, chia, walnuts, oily fish, butter)

• Look after your adrenals: The primary function of these glands is to produce hormones involved in the stress response. During menopause, however- when ovarian hormone production decreases- the adrenals take over. Healthy adrenals produce enough oestrogen & progesterone to tide you over, avoiding the dreaded hot flushes, sweats & mood swings. Women who enter menopause with adrenal depletion have a much harder time than those with strong adrenal function. Practice actively de-stressing through things like mindfulness meditation, prayer & yoga. Equally important is getting adequate rest & downtime, and making sure you do the things you love.