Optimum Solutions, LLC

What causes your hormones to go out of Balance?

That is probably one of the most asked questions among women that come to me seeking advice on handling their hormonal issues as they enter the treacherous waters of Peri-Menopause and actual Menopause.

Our body's normally function in a perfect state of "homeostasis" (balance). That is... if you feed and nourish and rest it properly. Sadly... with the industrialization that occurred last century... all of our bodies have become subjected to an unprecedented onslaught of environmental estrogen-like hormones. In less than 100 years, we have managed to turn our diets from whole fruits and veggies to "fast and processed food". 50-70 years ago (and further back), cattle and chickens were raised on grass and natural organic feed and allowed to freely run the ranges and grasslands. In the last few decades we now see heavy commercialization of cattle and poultry, caged, drugged, their feed laced with pesticides and hormones. The latter point (pesticides and hormones in their feed) is obviously ingested by anyone who eats beef and eggs and chickens! It's interesting to note that women who don't live in highly-industrialized countries, whose diets are whole food based and not contaminated by modern processed foods and pesticides, hardly ever have major hormone issues!

So let's take a look at some of the reasons for estrogen coming from environmental sources:

1. Commercially raised cattle and poultry fed with estrogen-like hormones.

2. Commercially grown vegetables that contain pesticide residues whose chemical structure is similar to estrogen.

3. Synthetic estrogens & synthetic progesterones (Progestin, Progesterone Acetate and birth control pills).

4. Exposure to xenoestrogen.  Petrochemical compounds found in general consumer products such as creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, perfume, hairs spray and room deodorizers.  Such compounds often have chemical structure similar to estrogen and act like estrogen.  They are fat soluble and non-biodegradable.

5. Hormone replacement therapy with estrogen alone without progesterone.  This increases the level of estrogen in the body.

6. Over production of estrogen from ovarian cysts or tumors.

7. Stress, causing adrenal gland exhaustion and reduced progesterone output.  Stress is one of the most frequently overlooked causes of estrogen dominance.

8. Obesity.  Fat has an enzyme that converts adrenal steroids to estrogen.  The higher the fat intake, the higher the conversion to estrogen.

9. Liver disease such as cirrhosis that reduces the breakdown of estrogen.

10. Deficiency of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium, both of which is necessary for neutralization of estrogen in the liver.

11. Increased sugar intake leading to a depletion of magnesium.

12. Intake of process and fast foods that are deficient in magnesium.

13. Increase in coffee intake.  Caffeine intake, from all sources, was linked with higher estrogen levels regardless of age, body mass index (BMI), caloric intake, smoking and alcohol and cholesterol intake.  Studies have shown that women who consumed at least 500 milligrams of caffeine daily, the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee, had nearly 70% more estrogen during the early follicular phase than women who consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine daily, or less than one cup of coffee.

Sadly.... Overeating and lack of exercising is the normal operating basis in the United States. We get a most of our calories from fats and end up having a higher incident of menopausal symptoms.  

Too much estrogen, not enough progesterone, lack of DHEA, low cortisol levels, (sometime high cortisol levels), thyroid function down due to lowered adrenal hormones, lack of testosterone, too much testosterone and DHEA due to "metabolic syndrome", etc. Just a wild assortment of different imbalances can occur.

It can seem quite confusing... as there are so many ways that hormones can be imbalanced... too much of one, not enough of another, some just fine. Let's look at a few scenarios:

1. Progesterone deficiency

Symptoms might be PMS, insomnia, early miscarriage, painful or lumpy breast tissue, infertility, anxiety, unexplained weight gain (this is by far the most common hormone imbalance in women). The solution is to go on an estrogen free diet, stop taking the birth control pill and use natural bio-identical progesterone cream and monitor your results.

2. Estrogen deficiency

Symptoms might be night sweats, mood swings, depression, hot flashes, sagging breasts, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis, painful intercourse, memory problems. This is most common in truly menopausal women who are slim and petite. The solution still might be to use progesterone cream is this hormones is a biochemical precursor to estrogen! Also ensuring that the proper diet is followed and nutritional supplementation of proper amounts of magnesium and B6.

3. Excessive estrogen

Symptoms might be bloating, rapid weight gain, heavy bleeding, migraine headaches, foggy thinking, insomnia, red flush on face, breast tenderness. This usually happens when a women has a highly processed diet and/or is taking estrogen supplementation that is not warranted. Solution might be to discontinue estrogen intake.

4. Excessive androgen hormones of DHEA & Testosterone

Symptoms might be acne, polycystic ovaries, excessive hair on face, thinning hair on head, infertility and mid-cycle pain. The solution is to limit excessive sugar and simple carbohydrates (breads, crackers, noodles, desserts, etc.) and grains. Excessive sugar stimulated androgen hormones receptors on the outside of the ovary and block the release of eggs from the follicle. Natural progesterone could be used to maintain hormonal balance.

5. Estrogen dominance

Symptoms might be excessive on this one: acceleration of aging, breast tenderness, depression, fatigue, headaches, foggy thinking, hypoglycemia, osteoporosis, thyroid dysfunction, PMS, water retention, fat gain, fibroids, memory loss, etc. This is (after menopause) the result of low estrogen but even lower progesterone. It has been stated that up to 50% of women overweight and between the ages of 40-50 suffer from estrogen dominance! The solution would be to lower stress, sugar and coffee. Normalize the adrenal gland function with natural progesterone, whole food diet, and correct adrenal supplements.

There are many other combinations of hormone imbalances that can occur... you could have stressed adrenal producing too much cortisol that block progesterone receptors, making them less responsive to progesterone which leads to lowered progesterone. Your adrenals could be making too much Testosterone and DHEA which is caused by insulin resistance and leads to polycystic ovaries.

Finding out exactly what your body is doing is the key to balancing your hormones naturally. We use saliva hormone testing which is the easiest most cost efficient way to gather this info! Give us a call today...

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