My problems with hormone health were the catalyst that led me to study nutrition. This is why I talk about it often on Instagram, in my newsletter, and here on the blog.
With this guide, I offer you a more detailed exploration of maintaining hormonal health, understanding fluctuations, and managing common hormone-related issues for women. Delve into insights about the menstrual cycle, (peri)menopause, and the intricacies of female hormone health to stay informed and empowered. Whether you’re navigating hormonal problems, seeking to improve fertility, or aiming to manage menopausal symptoms, this guide can be your stepping stone.
Personal struggles with hormone health ignited my journey into the study of nutrition.
Hormones serve as vital messengers in the body, originating from glands and travelling to receptors on various organs. Their communication instructs cells on actions that impact essential bodily functions. Hormonal health is centred around the efficient transmission of these messages, which govern eating habits, sleep patterns, weight fluctuations, and energy levels! Moreover, hormones play a key role in influencing emotions, contributing to feelings of calmness, anxiety, happiness, or depression.
In the context of Ayurveda, menstrual cycles are cyclic and influenced by different doshas, while Western science highlights the cyclical fluctuations of hormones like estrogens and progesterone, which can heighten stress responses, leading to feelings of sadness and anxiety. Identifying signs of estrogen dominance is critical in addressing hormonal imbalances.
The impact of hormones on the body, health, and overall happiness cannot be overstated. Many of us are familiar with the discomfort caused by hormonal imbalances. Understanding the experience of hormonal imbalance can be likened to imagining women’s hormones as a beautifully orchestrated dance, typically flowing smoothly but occasionally falling out of sync, causing disruptions and discomfort.
Optimizing hormonal health and addressing imbalances is crucial for overall well-being. By recognizing the significance of hormonal communication within the body, individuals can take proactive steps to nurture and restore balance for a healthier, happier life.
Find Out if You Have Hormonal Imbalance
If you are experiencing any of the following, you may have a hormonal imbalance:
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Agitation, PMS, migraines
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Heavy, painful periods
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Tender breasts
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Have you experienced a miscarriage or trouble getting pregnant
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Sugar cravings
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Increased belly fat
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Burnout, loss of stamina, and fatigue
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Feeling overwhelmed, where everything is harder than it used to be
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Trouble losing weight – your metabolism feels slower than it used to
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Sensitive to the cold? (Always wearing layers.)
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Thinning hair, including the outer eyebrows
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Difficulty concentrating or poor memory
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Feeling tired, but hard to fall asleep and stay asleep
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Waking up with night sweats
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Depression, perhaps with anxiety or lethargy
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Diminished libido or difficulty reaching orgasm
Each “yes” response is a potential sign of hormonal disturbance. Fortunately, there are various solutions available. Lifestyle adjustments, herbs, nutrients, and acupuncture can bring about substantial improvements in your hormonal health.
Understanding Hormones for Optimal Health
When it comes to hormonal health, it is important to clarify which hormones play key roles in the body. Here’s a breakdown of some crucial hormones and their functions:
Estrogen: Known as the feminizing hormone, it is primarily secreted by the ovaries, and sometimes by the adrenals post-menopause. Imbalances in estrogen levels can lead to discomfort and diseases such as estrogen dominance or estrogen deficiency.
Progesterone: Secreted mostly after ovulation, progesterone is vital for embryo implantation and helps in balancing estrogen levels. It also has soothing and sedating effects.
Testosterone: This hormone is critical for both men and women and is responsible for maintaining well-being, muscle mass, and libido. It is secreted by the testes in men and by the ovaries/adrenals in women.
Thyroxine: Secreted by the thyroid gland, it plays a crucial role in controlling calorie burning. Thyroid issues can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, depression, and unexplained weight changes.
Cortisol: Secreted by the adrenal glands, cortisol plays a role in stress response. Excessive secretion during stress can lead to fatigue, and prolonged stress can result in adrenal fatigue.
Dhea: This hormone is produced by the adrenals and helps balance cortisol levels. It also converts to testosterone if levels are low.
Insulin: Secreted by the pancreas, insulin regulates sugar metabolism. Chronic sugar intake can lead to insulin resistance and fat storage.
Oxytocin: Known as the bonding hormone, it is secreted during bonding activities.
When it comes to maintaining optimal hormonal health, lifestyle choices play a significant role. Adopting a hormone-healthy diet with anti-inflammatory foods with lots of fibre, reducing sugar intake, minimizing caffeine and alcohol, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in aerobic exercise can positively impact hormonal health.
Additionally, various herbs and nutrients such as flaxseed, maca, soy, Chinese herbal tonics, black cohosh, red clover, estriol drops, chaste berry (vitex), natural progesterone cream, DIM, liver detox formulas, and thyroid support have been found to effectively balance hormones. I know you have seen me often on Instagram brag about flaxseeds! Maca and ashwagandha helped me enormously when I suffered from symptoms of estrogen-deficiency period.
If you want to learn more about hormonal imbalances, and symptoms such as belly fat, brain fog, bloating, or mood swings, get a wellness package! This can give you comprehensive guidance support. Achieving balanced hormones is essential for overall health and well-being.
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Editor’s note: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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