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Week 7
Hormone imbalances and what they didn’t teach you
Let’s now explore the different types of hormones, what causes them to be out of
balance, the various symptoms you might experience and how to overcome them.
Hormones – What They Didn’t Teach YOU Notes: Oestrogen (in Australia Estrogen)
Oestrogen is the predominant female hormone in women and plays a small role
in male hormone balance. For women, production increases during our teen years
(puberty) and leads to the physical changes transforming us from a girl to a woman.
Levels fluctuate monthly and over our life cycle.
Excessive Oestrogen is responsible for feelings and physical traits that I refer to as
the ‘Bridget Jones’ syndrome.
It subjects us to craving chocolate, gaining weight, being emotional and teary. If
you’ve ever watched the movie, you will recall Bridget singing crazy songs like “All
by myself.”
Interestingly, our body creates 3 different types of oestrogen during our lifetime.
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Oestrone (E1)
Produced mainly by the ovaries and adrenal glands, it converts to oestradiol very
easily . It is a weaker Oestrogen but during menopause rises and is an active
postmenopausal Oestrogen. Increased in overweight people (fat tissues make
oestrone) and when there are high levels of androstenedione (testosterone).
Oestrogens make us feel clucky, female in balance but out of balance can make us
feel stressed, reactionary and clingy. Not to mention the physical changes (weight,
reproductive cancers, flushes and period alterations).
Oestradiol (E2)
Is the most critical of the estrogens responsible for secondary sexual characteristics
in girls. It promotes tissue growth in breast and endometrial tissue, will increase fat
stores and necessary for the growth of long bones. It assists with memory retention,
protects against heart disease and relieves menopause symptoms.
Oestradiol should be fairly low during the first part of your monthly cycle peaking
up anovulation (often women will experience pimples, headaches, teariness as this
develops), then the egg or corpus luteum causes another rise in its monthly levels.
It is during this time pre-menstrual symptoms are at their worst due to rises in
Oestradiol widening the gap to progesterone.
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Oestriol (E3)
Predominantly produced throughout pregnancy, it isn’t very strong and can be used
as a cream to relieve postmenopausal vaginal shrinking and urinary incontinence.
What I have typically experienced in my clinic is ovulating women (ie women who
have a regular period) are producing too much oestrogen or are not metabolising
Oestriol rapidly enough medically referred to as Oestrogen Dominance (not Bridget
Jones Syndrome, although it explains it well). This condition also affects men.
Low Oestrogen levels are uncommon in fertile women but may occur.
High Oestrogen/Oestrogen dominance
Causes are:
Oral contraceptive pill
Hormone Replacement Therapy
fertility drugs
hormones in meats
herbicides
the liver’s inability to dispose sufficiently
constipation leading to re-absorption
lack of dietary components
pesticide usage
stress
when the body does not metabolize Oestrogen effectively
when Progesterone levels are low in relation to Oestrogen levels (this group includes women who have normal levels of Oestrogen, but low levels of progesterone).
A general practitioner usually recommends a synthetic hormone - either the oral
contraceptive pill, (OCP) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat hormone
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imbalance in an attempt to override the bodies’ natural cycle. This treatment may
relieve symptoms but doesn’t always address the underlying hormone imbalance.
The associated risk is a woman may receive more oestrogen which does not alleviate
but contributed to her problem. Increased oestrogen (in the form of a pill)
administered to a patient with excessive Oestrogen may result in depression, self-
doubt, ballooning weight, infertility and overall ill-health.
Therefore the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) or Hormone Replacement Therapy
(HRT) works only partially as a hormone balancing strategy.
My opinion is whilst an initial relief of some symptoms may ensue, this treatment
rarely leads to sustainable, effective hormone balance.
Upon cessation of the pill, the fundamental problem remains. Natural medicine fills a
gap towards a holistic approach not offered by conventional medicine.
If a women is oestrogen dominant, both hormone replacement (HRT) and the pill
(OCP) may make women feel imbalanced if she is oestrogen dominant.
Consider other alternatives as sometimes a progesterone-based replacement is
better tolerated and more appropriate. Natural medicines have a longer lasting
hormone balance which is the purpose of this Program.
Firstly minimise your exposure and ingestion of unnecessary hormones and assist
your body to detoxify by eliminating pesticides, herbacides, weedacides and
increasing green leafy vegetables.
Oestrogen is metabolised by your liver and then excreted via faeces.
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Challenges with either of these systems will lead to a build up of oestrogen
which is why it is common to see irritable bowel sufferers also enduring oestrogen
imbalances.
Women feel good when their saliva Oestrogen levels match their saliva Progesterone
levels. A balanced ratio is more critical than independent levels of Oestrogen and
Progesterone which I aim to work with you towards achieving.
Video: High estrogen feelings and symptoms.
Your notes here:
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As cited in the video Oestrogen dominance may impact many ways (tick the ones
relevant to you):
Pre menstrual syndrome (PMS)
Endometriosis or Fibroids
Weight gain around the hips and thighs, cellulite
Early miscarriage
Fertility problems
Lumpy, or tender breasts
Anxiety, depression, poor memory
Dry skin or pimples
Headaches and/or migraines
Heavy, irregular periods
Low libido
Poor sleep
Persistent irrational thoughts
The removal of excessive Oestrogen can be achieved through dietary and lifestyle
factors as well as supplements.
To decrease Oestrogen:
Eat organic, fresh foods
Avoid hormones in meat, seek hormone-free meats
Eat Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussell sprouts, cabbage)
Ensure daily bowel movements (exercise, high water intake and substantial green leafy vegetables)
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Maintain a healthy weight
Work towards managing stress levels
Seek a practitioner who recommends suitable supplements.
Other hormone balancing methods include acupuncture and restorative Yoga.
Low Oestrogen
Low Oestrogen levels may result in a dry vagina resulting in painful intercourse. Skin
weakens and tears easily particularly in the peri-anal area, resulting in women
avoiding intercourse (using a lubricant or oestrogen creams to supplement your
hormone balancing).
Oestrogen plays a role in heart protection and maintaining strong bones. This is the
rationale for doctors administering Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on
postmenopausal women. .
There are numerous herbs assist increasing oestrogen levels. Sometimes I will use a
supplement called black cohosh but supporting the adrenal glands with tyrosine,
ginsengs and stress management are effective. Hormone balancing is quite
complex and guidance to manage imbalances is crucial.
Activity: List any symptoms you have had which may be the result of an
Oestrogen imbalance:
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Symptoms
Consider any contributing lifestyle factors ?
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Notes: Progesterone
Progesterone (P4) is a very important hormone for woman because it is the ‘feel
good’ hormone.
During pregnancy progesterone levels rise significantly and as a result initiates
that “glow” during pregnancy. Your skin shines, your energy is high and your
moods are pretty stable and happy.
Low levels of Progesterone has the opposite effect: down moods, reduced energy
levels and no “sparkle”.
Progesterone has many functions in the female body including:
Decreasing cramping in the uterus
Down-regulating oestrogen receptors
Increasing libido
Assisting with healthy tthyroid function and conversion of T3 to T4
Diuretic effects
Reducing cell growth (prevents cancer cells from growing)
Supports enzymes breaks down oestrogen
Assists with egg strength (Sam is this a medical term?) and implantation
Decreases anxiety and stress
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High Progesterone
It is unusual for women to naturally have elevated levels of Progesterone.
It is generally due to progesterone creams or bio-identical hormones or herbal
extracts. Pregnancy creates higher than normal levels of Progesterone and
Oestrogen. Stress can also flip your body to make more progesterone but I rarely find
it on saliva tests. Low progesterone is far more common.
Low Progesterone
Low Progesterone levels are very common amongst “stressed women”. The ratio of
Progesterone versus Oestrogen ultimately determines how balanced we are feeling.
Symptoms of low Progesterone include:
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Problems conceiving and maintaining a pregnancy
Anxiety, depression, self doubt
Poor sleep
Headaches, migraines
Low libido
Dry, lack lustre skin
Lumpy or tender breasts
Irregular or heavy bleeding with periods
Breast and uterine cancer
Shorter cycles (i.e. instead of a 28-32 day cycle, it may be 18-25 days).
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Progesterone levels may increase as a result of participating in this Program, and
ideally encourage you to adhere to these learning principles.
The following suggestions will assist to naturally increase your Progesterone levels :
Stress management / relaxation strategies
Adequate rest and effective time management
A reputable multivitamin
Zinc levels (we will address diet in Week 3)
Avocado
Leafy greens (spinach, kale, broccoli, swiss chard, brussels sprout)
Nuts and seeds
Ensure your Vitamin B-6 intake is adequate (beans, lean red meat, poultry, fish, bananas, tomatoes)
I recommend my clients a herb called Chaste Tree
Activity: List any symptoms you have had which may be the result of an
Progesterone imbalance:
Symptoms
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Consider what you could do to improve this imbalance?
Notes: DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone)
DHEA is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands (in both sexes) and metabolized
in women to become Testosterone or Progesterone. DHEA is renowned as an anti-
aging and fertility hormone.
High DHEA
Elevated DHEA occurs if someone is over stressed, anxious or on a hormone
replacement. Identifying the cause can lead to this condition being resolved.
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I recommend a combination of passiflora, zizyphus, chamomile and relaxation
techniques. Western Societies do not typically manage stress effectively, therefore
in Week 2, I will focus on remedies as it is critical for hormone balancing.
Low DHEA
Stress initially increases DHEA however prolonged stress reduces DHEA levels. The
adrenal glands (which produce DHEA) are similar to any other body function and
becomes .overworked.
When DHEA levels are low, you may experience:
Fatigue
A desire to cat-nap at any time of the day particularly mid to late afternoon
Sleep deprived
To increase DHEA stress level management and more effective time management are
recommended as well as dietary considerations and exercise.
Yoga, meditating, relaxing, drawing, walking, singing are all green light activities
referred to in my Health Queen Traffic Light approach to stress addressed in Week
3 – Releasing the Tension. Every day time should be allocated to do at least one green
light activity.
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Activity: Have you experienced any high or low DHEA symptoms?
Symptoms
Consider what you could do to manage this imbalance?
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Notes: Testosterone
Testosterone impacts women differently to men. This hormone is responsible for:
A healthy libido and high energy levels
Aggression, competitiveness
Strong muscle mass and definition
Hair distribution ( arms, male pattern baldness, whiskers, pubic hair growth)
Low Testosterone
Typically Testosterone levels in women reduces with age.
This is why muscle mass deteriorates with age. Low Testosterone levels are touted
as the cause for women having a low libido during menopause
Symptoms of low Testosterone include:
Low libido
Dry skin and vagina
Low muscle mass and muscle weakness
Low energy levels
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High Testosterone
High levels of Testosterone (TT) in Western women is becoming more common and
responsible for 75% of women infertility .
Recent studies indicates aggression; and competitiveness elevates TT levels in men.
As a result high levels of Testosterone encourages increased aggression and
competitiveness. However research pertaining to females is not as absolute.
Women are stimulated by innate survival mechanisms and therefore produce TT
when threatened.
High Testosterone levels in women causes:
Male pattern hair loss i.e. thinning hair on scalp and pubic regions, more facial hair (in particular the chin and upper lip) and hairy arms, hair on the tops of the feet and toes and around nipples
Acne or pimples on the chin, back or chest areas
More competitive urges, aggression, rage and irritability
Cysts on ovaries, loss of ovulation and possible infertility
Deep voice
Tummy fat
Oily skin and hair
Muscle definition
Video: Why Testosterone is better managed as a stress hormone.
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Other clips:
How you feel with high testosterone.
How you can lower testosterone
Notes
Stress is a normal physiological occurrence. It is the body’s way of alerting organs and
body parts to prepare for a fight (stand up and slay a beast) or flight (run for your
life).
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Exposure to everyday stresses, such as changing lanes in your car, withdrawing
money , or dropping your kids at school, a stress response is activated. The degree
to which you feel stressed in situations is mood dependant and a result of your social
conditioning such as previous experiences, nutritional state, influence of drugs and
alcohol, time pressures, expectations and whether or not you are sleep deprived.
Stress activates the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline and noradrenalin,
w h i c h orchestrate another series of reactions, including a rise in insulin. The
adrenals also secrete the hormone Cortisol and sometimes Testosterone. Next
module I will address stress and the physical and psychological effects.
QUICKER, FASTER, BETTER, MORE, will all stimulate stress.
Allow yourself to go “half-sail” occasionally and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
My business mentor recommends a “celebration box”. This is a self made box
reflecting the things you enjoy. When you celebrate a work, family or life achievement
you pause to celebrate.
Write down things you enjoy (facials, pedicures, bush walking, art classes, buying a
magazine, movies etc) and put them in a box. When you achieve something you then
select a celebration randomly from the box.
This will not only increase your happiness and sense of satisfaction but also
decrease your stress hormones (and your body will be grateful).
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Activity:
List any symptoms you have had which may be the result of a Testosterone
imbalance:
Symptoms
Consider any contributing lifestyle factors
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