The Facts About Female Hormones

We discuss the effects hormones have on women.

Topics in this article include:

What factors lead to a hormonal imbalance, how stress affects your hormone balance, how to test if you have an hormonal imbalance, what natural treatments are available

Plus you get the scoop on estrogen, progesterone, and much more.


Because this is a big article about Female Hormones, we have included a table of contents below.
There are also jump links at the end of each section of the post that will bring you back up to the top.


Table of Content:

  1. What are hormones?
  2. Focusing on female hormones
  3. Key life stages for women
  4. The effects of fluctuating hormones
  5. Oestrogen as the dominant hormone
  6. What leads to a hormone imbalance
  7. How stress affects hormone balance
  8. Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance
  9. What is functional medicine?
  10. What are Functional tests?
  11. What are the best tests?
  12. Treating hormone imbalance
  13. Self-help management plan
  14. Free Hormone Health Consultation

 

Understanding your Hormones

Hormones Every Woman Needs To Understand 

(Enquire about a 360° health consultation today!)

You inhabit an amazing body that performs a myriad of functions every second of the day.

This incredible feat is controlled by your brain and co-ordinated by your hormones.

Millions of women are affected by hormonal changes throughout their lives but have little idea about how or why.

Hormonal imbalances can lead to:

  • Fatigue & exhaustion
  • Weight gain
  • Increased stress
  • Mood swings/irritability
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor memory
  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Lck of libido
  • Depression/anxiety

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What are hormones and how do they work?

What are the hormones and what is their function?

Hormones are essentially chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands in the body that are designed to adjust metabolic functions in cells.

They do this by regulating the production of a specific protein or by activating enzymes.

There are two basic types of hormones, steroid and peptide.

They travel to their target organs in the bloodstream and work in complicated harmony to maintain balance at all times.

Steroid hormones are fat-soluble compounds that can easily pass through cell membranes.

Some of these include:

  • Oestrogen
  • Cholesterol
  • Testosterone
  • Progesterone
  • Cortisol
  • DHEA
  • Aldosterone

Peptide hormones are water-soluble compounds that are able to dissolve in the blood in order to be transported around the body.

Some of these include:

  1. Thyroid releasing hormone
  2. Vasopressin
  3. Growth hormone
  4. Prolactin
  5. Corticotrophin
  6. Insulin
  7. glucagon

Hormones are secreted by the endocrine system which is largely controlled by the pituitary gland – in the brain – under the direction of the hypothalamus.

Hormone balance (Homeostasis) is maintained by a key regulatory mechanism called ‘negative feedback’ which either opposes the release of certain hormones or causes hormones to act antagonistically by opposing each other’s actions.

For example, if blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high the brain sends a signal to release insulin which lowers blood glucose.

If blood glucose levels drop too low the brain triggers the release of glucagon which raises blood sugar.

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Listen to Dr Josh Axe discussing the top foods that can naturally balance your hormones [3.57min]

Hormones co-ordinate many diverse areas including:

  • metabolism
  • heart rate
  • sleep
  • sexual development
  • libido
  • energy
  • digestion
  • stress
  • mood
  • growth
  • muscle mass
  • appetite
  • skin
  • immunity
  • bone strength

When the correct balance of hormones is maintained, most daily challenges are met and the body thrives.

But if levels are too high or low it can lead to health problems such as thyroid disease, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, infertility, fibroids, depression and acne.

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Focus On Female Hormones

Optimal hormonal health is vital to overall wellbeing

Respect-and-understand-my-hormones

Female hormones exist primarily to promote growth and reproduction and have a significant effect on a woman’s development throughout her life.

The two main female hormones, oestrogen and progesterone are produced predominantly in the ovaries but also in the adrenal glands which sit just above the kidneys.

* It should be noted that progesterone is also produced by men and children and is not exclusive to women.

At puberty oestrogen is responsible for the development and maturation of the uterus, fallopian tubes, breasts and vagina.

It also plays a key role in the growth spurt and deposition of fat around the buttocks, hips and thighs.

There are at least six different oestrogens, however only three are synthesised in significant amounts:

 

Beta-estradiol, Estrone & Estriol.

Progesterone is involved in regulating the menstrual cycle and is vital for supporting a healthy pregnancy.

It is also particularly important for balancing and controlling oestrogen performance, opposing some of the powerful effects of excess oestrogen.

For instance oestrogen triggers release of the stress hormone cortisol while progesterone counters it.

Oestrogen stimulates cell growth, while progesterone ensures growth is maintained at healthy levels.

Low progesterone levels lead to uncontrolled oestrogen which results in hormonal imbalances.

Low levels of progesterone may affect:

  • Sleep
  • Skin health
  • Response to stress
  • Blood sugar balance
  • Bone strength

Women also produce a little testosterone (normally considered a male hormone) from their ovaries, which helps to promote muscle mass and bone growth.

These levels naturally decline post menopause.

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Key Life Stages for Women

Understanding the Life Stages of Women to Enhance Hormone Health

Key Life Stages for Women

Puberty:

During this stage the ovaries are stimulated by luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) which are secreted by the pituitary gland under the influence of the hypothalamus.

These hormones bring about the physical changes associated with puberty.

Menstruation usually occurs around the time that a woman’s growth spurt slows down.

The whole process takes around 4 years.

 

Pregnancy:

This is a time when a woman’s hormones change dramatically:

  • HCG (Human chorionic gonadotrophin) stimulates the ovaries to produce increased levels of oestrogen and progesterone vital for sustaining a pregnancy.
  • Oestrogen and progesterone increase the circulation of blood to the womb and breasts, and cause the lining of the womb to thicken as well as relax the muscles of the womb to accommodate a growing baby.
  • Prolactin are later involved in womb contractions during labour as well as stimulation and production of breast milk.

 

Menopause:

The lead up to the menopause (the peri-menopause) starts around the age of 40 and ends on average at age 52.

Whilst there are considerable hormonal changes that occur during puberty and the childbearing years – the menopause and post menopause seem to be the most problematic.

This life stage can be extremely challenging for some women.

  • Ovarian function diminishes from 3-5 years prior to a woman’s last period
  • Menstruation can be quite erratic with shorter or longer cycles
  • Periods can change and become heavier or lighter
  • Oestrogen production declines so much that eventually the womb lining fails to thicken and periods stop.

Oestrogen plays a vital role in protecting the heart, bones, bladder and vagina as well as maintaining the breasts.

Lack of oestrogen and progesterone during the menopause can create hormonal imbalances which have significant consequences for health with an increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease and can also result in a range of distressing symptoms.

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The effects of fluctuating hormones

High Oestrogen levels Low Oestrogen levels
Loss of libido Stress
Migraines Headaches
Hot flushes Osteoporosis
Weight gain Menstrual irregularities
Heavy bleeding Low libido
Breast swelling Low Progesterone levels
Water retention/bloating Osteoporosis
Low energy Menstrual irregularities
Mood swings, Anxiety, Tension Infertility
Fatigue PMS symptoms
Low blood sugar Thyroid imbalance
Insomnia Joint pain

The ratio between oestrogen and progesterone is critical for the maintenance of homeostasis.

Often the effects of high oestrogen are due to a combination of mildly high oestrogen levels together with a mild progesterone deficiency.

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Oestrogen Dominance

What happens when oestrogen becomes the dominant hormone?

happens when oestrogen becomes the dominant hormone

An increase in the ratio of oestrogen to progesterone can lead to:

  • Poor liver function – this may lead to a reduction in oestrogen detoxification, which may be a factor in PMS and fibrocystic breast disease
  • Reduced serotonin and endorphin levels. These are termed the ‘happy hormones’ and are affected by changes in the oestrogen progesterone ratio. Stress and excessive exercise can also lower endorphin levels.
  • Increased Aldosterone secretion – High levels of oestrogen increase the secretion of this hormone. Elevated levels of Aldosterone have been found in women with PMS symptoms prior to the start of menstruation.
  • Increased Prolactin secretion – individuals with low thyroid function have been found to have elevated prolactin. Oestrogen raises prolactin levels.

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Causes of hormonal imbalance

Factors that can lead to a hormonal imbalance

Hormone function can be disrupted if too much of a hormone is produced or too little.

This may be due to a number of factors including:

Malnutrition

Undereating, a poor diet, insufficient calories and nutrients, reliance on stimulants and junk food can lead to a nutrient deficiency which will ultimately affect hormone production.

For example, Studies have found that B6 supplementation has positive effects on some PMS symptoms.

It is likely that B6 helps to balance oestrogen and progesterone levels mid-cycle.

B6 is also a co-factor in the synthesis of serotonin.

Being underweight with insufficient fat reduces cholesterol which is needed to produce sex and stress hormones.

During the menopause, oestrogen is produced in the abdominal fat cells as ovarian function diminishes.

Poor liver function

Oestrogen has to be metabolised by the liver and excreted in bile.

If the liver is not functioning efficiently oestrogen levels in the blood may remain relatively high.

Overloading the liver with alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and chemicals in food may lead to poor liver function.

Certain Foods

Too much sugar, alcohol, chocolate, fried foods, trans fats and refined carbohydrates can affect liver function which could contribute to higher oestrogen levels.

Constipation

Before used oestrogen can be eliminated via the stool it has to be modified by intestinal bacteria and bound to fibre.

This bulks out the stool and encourages normal bowel movements.

Good levels of healthy gut bacteria and plenty of dietary fibre are essential for this process otherwise the used oestrogen may be recirculated.

Chemicals in food

Certain chemicals such as pesticide residues found in non-organic dairy and meat products can mimic oestrogens in the body.

Oestrogens are also included in cattle feed to fatten them up.

Environmental factors and xenoestrogens

There are many petrochemical products that affect the balance of hormones in the body. These include:

Alkylphenol ethoxylates in detergents and emulsifiers; nonylphenol ethoxylates used as spermicides and plasticisers; bisphenols used in certain industrial and chemical processes and dental fillings, the birth control pill and HRT

Genetics

There may be a family history of early menopause or low thyroid function.

 

Here is a short video (4:48) by Dr. Eric Berg DC explaining the important principles of hormonal imbalance:

 

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Ways stress affects female hormones

How stress affects the female hormone balance

stress affects female hormone balance

Adrenal Stress

Prolonged stress may be a key factor in hormone imbalances.

Stress affects blood sugar balance which disrupts the function of the adrenal glands.

In the long term, constantly fluctuating blood sugar levels may result in insulin resistance leading to high levels of insulin circulating in the blood. High circulating insulin:

  • Affects the production of oestrogen and progesterone
  • Increases testosterone levels – high levels can lead to polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Increases levels of Luteinising hormone (LH) which affects ovulation. Infrequent ovulation keeps oestrogen levels high compared to progesterone.
  • Affects adrenal function which will impact on the production of female sex hormones exacerbating any existing imbalances.
  • Affects the production of thyroid hormones.  The stress hormone cortisol suppresses the production of thyroxine, which slows the metabolism leading to a range of symptoms including weight gain and low energy.
  • Depletes the body of vital nutrients including vitamin C, magnesium and the B vitamins. A deficiency in these affects immune function and energy production and produces symptoms such as anxiety irritability and insomnia.
  • Overloads the liver which is essential for the breakdown of all hormones.
  • Slows down digestion function which can result in constipation and poor elimination of used hormones.

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Balance Your Hormones

Balance your hormones balance your life

Time-To-Balance-Your-Hormones

 

Common symptoms of a hormonal imbalance

 

Being aware of the tell-tale signs is the first step towards managing symptoms and regaining balance.

Some of the typical symptoms experienced by women include:

  1. Fatigue
  2. Loss of libido
  3. Stress & anxiety
  4. Memory loss
  5. PMS
  6. insomnia
  7. Brain Fog
  8. Night sweats
  9. Mood swings & depression
  10. Weight gain
  11. Joint aches
  12. Hot flushes

Many of these symptoms can be easily addressed through dietary and lifestyle changes.

But first you need to identify whether or not you have a hormonal imbalance or whether you might have nutrient deficiencies.

This can be achieved by carrying out functional medicine tests through stool, breath, blood, and saliva or urine analysis as part of a comprehensive detailed consultation in order to gain a clear and accurate picture of your current health status.

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What is Functional Medicine?

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE is the future of conventional medicine–available now.

Functional medicine recognises that chronic disease is almost always the result of a prolonged period of declining function in one or several of the body’s systems.

It is a dynamic approach to assessing treating and preventing complex chronic disease by addressing the whole person and not just an isolated set of symptoms.

What Is Functional Medicine

Functional medicine takes a personalised approach to healthcare which recognises the uniqueness of each individual:

  • their genetic history
  • environment
  • diet
  • economic status
  • and lifestyle

All the things that have influenced the development and progression of their particular health condition.

The difference between conventional laboratory tests and functional medicine testing

Your GP can offer you standard blood tests in relation to specific symptoms you are experiencing that may point to conditions such as peri-menopause or low thyroid function.

These tests are looking for an already established disease process.

The tests carried out will assess whether or not your hormones are within a certain range and your GP will only take action if they are out of the normal range.

The tests aim to identify markers that point to disease rather than evaluating how the physiology of the body is functioning that may be contributing to health issues.

Conventional testing does not take into account the many individual factors that lead to disease.

The intimate relationship between hormone function and nutrition is particularly important in relation to the adrenal, thyroid and reproductive glands.

This connection together with stress and lifestyle are not necessarily taken into consideration with standard biochemical testing and therefore it may not give an accurate guide to hormonal balance when making a diagnosis.

The goal of functional medicine testing is to prevent disease before it happens, by assessing patterns of imbalance that will lead to chronic disease if preventative measures are not taken.

The aim is not only to determine the disease a patient may be suffering from but also to understand the underlying causes and physiological dysfunctions that underpin each individual’s specific symptoms.

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What types of functional tests are there?

There are several functional medicine tests available that can give an overview of all the systems in the body.

Some of these are specifically able to help you understand your hormone balance. Most commonly a test will involve a breath, blood, saliva or urine sample.

Some of these can be carried out at home but others may require a visit to a laboratory to provide samples.

Tests available to evaluate different hormones include: 

Adrenal Stress Hormone Profiles

The adrenal hormones influence metabolism, thyroid function, anti-inflammatory response and resilience or resistance to stress. Unfortunately, adrenal fatigue is a very common condition in today’s society.

Adrenal stress tests can give accurate indications of your body’s stress function by measuring vital stress hormones such as free cortisol, glucocorticoids, creatinine and DHEA.

The test may involve the use of saliva samples and urine samples.

Adrenal stress tests serve as a critical tool for uncovering biochemical imbalances underlying anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, obesity, headaches, salt cravings, brain fog, sleep irregularities, abnormal blood sugar levels, and a host of other clinical conditions that may affect day to day life.

Thyroid Hormone Profiles

Thyroid abnormalities have become increasingly common worldwide. Normal thyroid function is essential as it affects virtually every metabolic process in the body.

Any imbalance in this important organ can result in a broad spectrum of chronic conditions and has a significant effect on mood, weight, energy levels, bowel movements, brain function and libido.

Typically a comprehensive blood test panel measures levels of TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3 and antibody levels commonly found with Hashimoto’s disease (the most common cause of low thyroid function). Overall the test helps to pinpoint any weakness in the thyroid pathway

Sex Hormone Profiles

Sex hormone levels may be altered in many common conditions, such as the menopause, pms, dry skin, menstrual abnormalities, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, depression, insomnia, infertility, low libido, vaginal dryness, hot flushes and fatigue.

Female hormone levels can be tested via:

Saliva, urine, blood spot and full blood sample.

If, any imbalances are found following assessment, nutritional and lifestyle intervention can frequently balance these hormones out over the following months.

There are many other more specialised functional tests available, some of which are offered at Amchara as a core part of our treatment regimes.

With the support of your naturopathic practitioner one or some of these might be suggested:

  • Gluten Sensitivity test
  • Fatty acid profile
  • Insulin sensitivity
  • DUTCH hormone profile (including adrenal cortisol profile)
  • Food Intolerance test

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Best tests for assessing female hormones

Blood Serum Test | Salvia Test | Urine Test | Dried Urine Test

Blood Serum

Female-Hormone-Testing-Blood-Serum

Serum testing is the preferred method in the medical profession and is ideal for testing peptide hormones such as FSH, LH, prolactin, fasting insulin, and thyroid hormones, including reverse T3, as well as thyroid antibodies.

However, for female sex hormones, it may be less effective.

For most sex hormones there is no distinction between bound and ‘free’ hormones in serum.

Free means that the hormone is not bound to binding proteins in the blood, which allows for an approximation of how much hormone is available to enter the tissues.

Without this distinction, there may be misleading results where hormone levels appear to be normal due to an abundance of the bound hormone.

However, if the ‘free’ hormone level is low an individual may be symptomatic and not functioning well despite normal total hormone levels.

A further limitation to serum hormone testing is that it only gives a snapshot in time.

Hormones are secreted in a pulsatile manner throughout the day and night, so it is difficult to determine whether the results from the serum represent a peak, a drop or something in between.

As well as this serum hormone testing does not commonly allow for the measurement of oestrogen, androgen and adrenal metabolites which can provide a wealth of information for understanding an individual’s condition and the potential to fine-tune treatment options.

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Saliva Test 

Female-Hormone-Testing-Saliva-Test

Saliva is a ‘real time’ fluid that reflects an individual’s health status at the moment of collection.

It has the advantage of being non-invasive as well as allowing for multiple sample collections over a period of a day or month, which can help elucidate abnormal hormonal patterns.

Salivary hormone measurement is the most accurate way of evaluating the balance of oestrogens, progesterone, and testosterone, particularly in women still menstruating.

It can also be used to evaluate cortisol secretion patterns by taking multiple samples over the course of a day and evening.

Additionally, salivary testing measures the ‘free’ or bioavailable hormone levels.

The multipoint versatility and measurement of ‘free’ hormone makes saliva a better measure than blood serum for evaluating un-supplemented hormone status.

Saliva measurements are greatly affected by the use of exogenous hormones,

Because of this, patients are asked to discontinue the use of hormones between 12 to 36 hours prior to collection.

Whilst saliva can be used to evaluate estradiol, estrone and estriol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol, steroid hormone metabolites are not measured in saliva, limiting its utility in assessing metabolism of hormones.

Saliva collection, like blood, is a single-point collection.

Although cortisol can be collected multiple times, sex hormones are measured from a single morning collection.

As is the case with serum tests, one specific collection point does not account for individual variation and may only identify a peak or a valley in hormonal secretion.

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Urine Test 

Female-Hormone-Testing-Urine-Test

A 24-hour urine collection is the preferred method for testing hormones that are secreted at night and during deep sleep, such as growth hormone and melatonin, and is the most economical and reliable way to evaluate steroid hormone metabolites.

Twenty-four hour urine collection provides a more comprehensive hormonal picture.

It accounts for the full day and night of hormonal secretion and covers a much broader range of hormones including pro-hormones and hormone metabolites.

Hormone metabolites are the by-products or end products of hormone metabolism.

Evaluating these metabolites is most important when evaluating the adequacy and safety of exogenous oestrogen supplementation and in assessing adrenal function.

24 hour urine collection eliminates the possibility of falsely elevated or depressed levels that may be obtained from a single point collection and are excellent for evaluating the function and health of the adrenal glands.

There are some disadvantages to urine tests particularly for those with kidney disease who do not excrete urine or metabolic products normally making this type of test unsuitable.

The elderly often find urine collection difficult so urine testing may not be an accurate method.

 

Dried Urine Test 

Dried urine is a relatively new and innovative form of testing hormones and offers several benefits over serum, saliva and conventional urine tests.

Although saliva tests allow for multiple samples therefore capturing the fluctuations of hormones throughout the day, the collection method can be time consuming and tedious.

Similarly whilst conventional urine tests have an advantage over blood or saliva because they can measure both parent hormones and metabolites, the collection method can be quite messy and inconvenient.

The advantage of a dry urine test is its ability to capture all of the above information in one simple test.

The dried urine test is carried out four times in one day by urinating on filter papers that are then left to dry.

Those test strips are then utilised to give a complete hormone panel including metabolites which cannot be measured in saliva or blood.

 

Please note:

Serum, Saliva, and Urine testing can present important insights into an individual’s hormonal status.

Each has its own strengths and limitations, which may necessitate a combination of testing methodologies on occasion.

(Enquire about a 360° health consultation today!)

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Treating Hormone Imbalance

Restoring hormonal balance is a whole-body concept which involves changes to diet, lifestyle and environment.

This is a big commitment because eating the right foods and living well should be long term goals that will help you live the rest of your life feeling the best you can.

However be realistic – make gradual changes and don’t beat yourself up if you occasionally fall off the wagon!

Remember, patience is a virtue change takes time and won’t necessarily happen overnight.

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Your self-help management plan:

The Balance Plan: Five Steps to Optimize Your Hormonal Health 

1-Eat a well-balanced diet

Eat-A-Balanced-Diet-For-Hormone-Balance

Many common medical conditions respond very well to diet therapy.

This is because a healthy balanced diet supplies an abundance of nutrients that are needed to address the underlying cause of an illness rather than simply cover up the symptoms.

What you eat can directly affect your hormone balance so you need to choose foods that nourish your body, helping your hormones to function normally.

Enjoy a Mediterranean type diet which includes:

  • Good quality lean protein such as chicken, fish, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
  • Plenty of healthy fats found in oily fish, olives, coconuts, avocados, nuts, and seeds.
  • At least 3 portions of organic fruit and 5-7 vegetables daily. Organic food is grown in soil that is not mineral deficient so is more nutritious.
  • Plenty of fibre – found in vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Fibre helps to carry used hormones out of the body and prevents them from re-circulating and causing excesses.
  • Lots of fluid – 2 to 3 glasses of water daily, topped up with herbal teas or diluted fruit juice. Keep caffeinated drinks such as coffee to a minimum of 1 or 2 a day if you can tolerate it.
  • Avoid foods that may trigger symptoms such as sugar, salty and highly processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, unhealthy fats such as butter, cheese, cream and full-fat yogurt. *Alcohol and caffeine are stimulants that trigger the release of adrenalin which raises blood sugar.
  • An abundance of plant foods that are high in phytoestrogens, such as linseeds, nuts, apples, fennel, celery, alfalfa, and parsley.

Phytoestrogens are compounds that gently mimic natural oestrogen and can bind to oestrogen receptors.

This has the advantage of either blocking the uptake of oestrogen if the body has too much or raising levels of oestrogen where there is too little, helping to balance hormone levels.

 

2-Supplement where necessary

You may need additional therapeutic herbs and nutrients that can target your symptoms, such as Black Cohosh which has been shown to help reduce hot flushes.

Supplement where necessary

Agnus Castus which helps to normalise irregular periods. Iodine, selenium and tyrosine are known to support thyroid function and probiotics play a role in the metabolism of substances that affect hormone balance.

Herbs like Rhodiola and Ashwaganda can be useful for reducing stress and anxiety whilst St John’s Wort and the nutrient 5HTP help to raise mood.

*Always take advice from a qualified naturopath, herbalist or nutritional therapist.

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3-Balance blood sugar

Constantly fluctuating blood sugar levels play havoc with your hormones.

For-female-hormone-health-balance-your-blood-sugar

To avoid this it is important to make sure that the foods you eat are broken down slowly to release the sugars needed for energy gradually throughout the day.

Making sure you eat protein or healthy fats at each meal helps to delay the emptying of the stomach and slows down the digestion of carbohydrates into simple sugars which raise blood glucose rapidly.

The hormone insulin is needed to chase glucose into the cells but if you eat too many sugary foods too often, over time the cells may become de-sensitised to insulin which can result in the condition type 2 Diabetes.

 

4-Exercise

Moving more and sitting less helps to improve circulation, detoxification and nutrient delivery for hormones.

Exercise-for-Hormonal-Imbalance

Exercise has also been shown to improve thyroid function, strengthen bones, reduce stress and raise mood.

Find an exercise plan that suits you and leaves you energised rather than exhausted.

Choose activities that you look forward to. Walking is the easiest option and free, but you could just put some music on and dance around the room.

Try to move for at least 30 minutes a day and if you have a sedentary job, set an alarm to remind you to get up and walk around every hour.

 

5-Improve your environment

Improve-your-environment-visit-a-amchara-retreat

Minimise your exposure to chemicals and toxins.

Choose natural products free from pesticides, artificial scents and additives and avoid plastic, mercury fillings and aluminium products.

Place plants around your home and spend more time around nature – trees give out more energizing oxygen.

Some plants are known to extract substances from the air such as chemical cleaning fumes, perfumes, chemicals from printers and cigarette smoke.

Treat yourself to some Spider plants, English Ivy or Aloe Vera.

6-De-Stress, Detox & Sleep Manage your stress levels firstly by avoiding situations which you know are stressful.

Then use techniques that are known to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and create a relaxed feeling of wellbeing such as yoga, peaceful calming music, deep breathing exercises and meditation.

Get at least 8 hours sleep by ensuring you sleep in a dark room, switch off gadgets, avoid late night caffeine drinks, take a hot bath with Epsom salts, ban TV from the bedroom and avoid reading too.

Following the healthy diet and lifestyle tips above will allow your body to function more efficiently and give your liver the nutrients it needs to detoxify effectively.

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Related Topics:

  1. Female Hormones
  2. Balance your Hormones
  3. Hormone Essentials
  4. About Female Hormones
  5. Guide for Happy Hormones

Hormone Related Stories: 

Article References