+ Birth Control Withdrawal Detox Protocol
While I firmly believe in the philosophy of focusing on what you can add into your diet and lifestyle to help yourself feel better it should be noted eliminating the following can really help offset symptoms and rebalance your hormones.
If possible I recommend trying to avoid
- + Estrogen Mimickers or Xenoestrogens Most commonly found in BPA , household cleaners, contaminated drinking water, medications and soy
- + Alcohol It impairs the livers ability to process estrogen effectively
- + Antibiotics These disrupt your gut flora and can cause estrogen to be recirculated in the body
As well as adding in
- + Cruciferous Vegetables See nutrition section above
- + Your Fave Sweat Method When we sweat we excrete toxins naturally and safely through our skin. Add in exercise or try out an infrared sauna
Look For Rapid Changes In Weight
Since multiple hormones work together to control metabolism, rapid weight gain or weight loss is a typical symptom of hormonal imbalance. Those with hormone imbalances have difficulties losing weight even with diet and exercise. Women often experience unexplained weight gain due to changes in estrogen and progesterone during menopause, or conditions such as PCOS. Spikes in cortisol can also create weight gain.
The Truth About Birth Control Pills And Hormones
About 150 million women all over the world use oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills. Oral contraceptives are most commonly associated with preventing pregnancy, but they are also frequently used to reduce symptoms that may occur with menstruation, such as irregular periods, premenstrual syndrome , premenstrual dysphoric disorder , cramping, pain, heavy flow, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome , fibroids, and more. Many women have misconceptions about how these hormonal contraceptives affect the body and brain and how they influence overall health. Its time to clear up the confusion.
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Pro: You Can Control When You Have A Period
When you are taking hormonal birth control pills like the combination pill, it can actually be very convenient. Usually, there are three weeks of active pills and then one week off of the active pills. You may take sugar pills or no pills at all this fourth week, which is where bleeding occurs like a period.
However, if you decide that you want to go to the lake that weekend, plan an international trip, or a romantic getaway with your partner, you can simply skip your break week and continue taking a new pack of active pills. This essentially allows you to skip your period and leaves you in total control.
Do I Have A Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones can be quite delicate, needing precise amounts to work effectively. Thats why hormonal imbalances are so common. Some factors, including nutritional deficiencies, can cause hormonal levels to fluctuate. Imbalances can show up in many ways and many Americans are unaware of an existing imbalance. Some signs provide a signal that hormones can be out of sync.
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Best Supplements And Vitamins To Balance Hormones
Hormones are chemicals produced by the endocrine system to control major processes in your body from metabolism and reproduction to regulating your ability to cope with stress.
Your hormones are mission critical to your health and well-being. So when you develop a hormonal imbalance meaning that your body is making too much or too little of some hormones or is unable to properly utilize hormones even tiny shifts in hormone levels can lead to big problems.
Commonsymptoms of hormonal imbalances in women include:
- Mood swings and irritability,
- Fatigue and low energy levels,
- Trouble sleeping,
- Dull and dry skin.
What Causes Estrogen Dominance
Typically, Estrogen Dominance is due to a combination of one or more of the following:
-
Chronic stress.
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Environmental toxins known as xenoestrogens.
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Lack of ovulation or low progesterone during luteal phase.
Stress and Estrogen Dominance
Our modern fast-paced society is one of the most impactful, because stress causes our Adrenal Glands to produce a lot of Cortisol to keep us going. When we are under chronic stress it can lead to what is called Adrenal Fatigue. This is when our body uses up our Cortisol and begins to steal sex hormones, especially progesterone, to produce it. This leads to an estrogen dominant state because there isn’t enough progesterone on-board. This is one reason that we see women going through menopause earlier.
How Your Gut & Liver Health Can Cause Estrogen Dominance
Your liver is responsible for metabolizing estrogen and it needs certain co-factors and enzymes to do this effectively. If you have insufficiencies in these liver supports, you may not be able to effectively metabolize Estrogen.
When there is dysbiosis or an imbalance of gut flora (too many bad ones or too few good ones, you can end up with beta-glucaronidase, an enzyme that can lead to higher levels of estrogen in the body.
Xenoestrogens Are All Around Us
Lack of Ovulation or Low Progesterone During Luteal Phase
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Weve Come A Long Way Babyand
Women fought long and hard for access to contraception so that they and we could have more control over our reproductive health. The problem is that the pill, while very liberating in many ways, can also have significant and serious unintended consequences. It creates a very specific set of hormonal imbalances that can have short- and long-run consequences. Pill-imposed hormonal changes also mean it can take some time to restore your own natural hormonal cycles after the pill, or establish a new healthy hormonal equilibrium if yours wasnt in balance in the first place which may be why you first started the pill.
References
Boyoung, Park & Jeongseon Kim. Oral Contraceptive Use, Micronutrient Deficiency, and Obesity among Premenopausal Females in Korea: The Necessity of Dietary Supplements and Food Intake Improvement. PLoS One, June 27, 2016.
Demiroren, K, Dogan Y, Kocamaz H, Ozercan IH, Ilhan S, Ustundag B, Bahcecioglu, IH.
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When To Talk With A Doctor
Some conditions or complications can develop as a result of a hormone imbalance. If youre suddenly losing or gaining weight without trying, have joint pains, severe fatigue, or abdominal pain that doesnt go away, schedule an appointment to talk with your doctor.
You may also want to see a doctor if youre trying to get pregnant and are unable to for some time, or if youre experiencing other reproductive issues.
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Supplements Are Here To Help
A healthy, balanced diet is often enough to manage almost anyones hormones. With todays diets, the right mix of nutrients is hard to come by. Thats why adding a supplement could be vital for hormone production. Supplements to consider include:
- Magnesium helps with testosterone, estrogen, and DHEA production.
- B vitamins are involved with everything including metabolism, mood, and much more.
- Vitamin D3 deficiencies may cause estrogen imbalance.
- Omega-3 fatty acids help produce hormones that cause blood clotting, inflammation, and reproduction.
- Iodine, which helps the thyroid with hormone production.
- Probiotics can also help. Gut health is vital for balanced hormones.
Supplements, in general, can improve hormone production but should be used under the recommendation of a nutritionist or doctor.
Menopause Weight Loss Combo
During perimenopause and menopause, women tend to gain more midsection fat and have a harder time losing weight. This is due to hormonal fluctuations that 1. increase fat deposition around the midsection and 2. slow down metabolism. This double trouble is why your old diet tricks dont work. Until you address underlying hormonal imbalances, extra pounds are going to stay stuck. So thats why weve combined Herbal Equilibrium, for menopause symptom relief and hormonal balance, and M-Boost, our metabolic formula for weight loss, cravings and metabolism support, into an easy to take Menopause Weight Loss Combo. Weight gain in perimenopause and menopause is different and our support gives you the tool to finally shed this stubborn weight.
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Top 10 Best Vitamins And Supplements For Hormonal Imbalance
by Edan MasorFeb 8, 2022
A growing number of women around the world are beginning to notice their bodies are going through drastic changes. The change usually occurs when women transition into menopause, a time when estrogen and progesterone levels begin to decline. If youre noticing any of these symptoms, its possible that your body is experiencing hormonal imbalance. While regular prescription medications can help with these symptoms, what about natural or vitamin supplements? Here are some top vitamins and supplements to take for hormonal imbalances.
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate how the body functions. They control things like metabolism, growth, and reproduction. When you have a hormone imbalance, it can affect your weight, sleep, energy levels, mood, fertility, muscles, and more.
Contents
How To Make Your Own Hormone Balancing Herbal Infusions
A great way to save money and improve the taste of hormone-balancing herbs is to make your own infusions using dried, loose herbs .
To do so, select 1-2 teaspoons of loose herbs per one cup of water.
To infuse, put herbs in a large glass jar and add 1 cup boiling water per 1-2 teaspoons of loose herbs. Let steep overnight, then strain and either re-heat over stovetop or sip chilled . Feel free to add lemon or honey to enhance the flavor.
To make a quick tea, add herbs to a teapot and bring water to a boil. Let steep for 10-15 minutes, then consume.
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Symptoms Of Vaginal Atrophy
While vaginal atrophy is common, only 20 to 25 percent of symptomatic women seek medical attention from their doctor.
In some women, symptoms occur during perimenopause, or the years leading up to menopause. In other women, symptoms may not appear until years later, if ever.
Symptoms can include:
The cause of atrophic vaginitis is a decline in estrogen. Without estrogen, vaginal tissue thins and dries out. It becomes less elastic, more fragile, and more easily injured.
A decline in estrogen can occur at other times besides menopause, including:
- during breastfeeding
- after removal of ovaries
- after chemotherapy for treatment of cancer
- after pelvic radiation therapy for treatment of cancer
- after hormonal therapy for treatment of breast cancer
Regular sexual activity helps keep vaginal tissues healthy. A healthy sex life also benefits the circulatory system and improves heart health.
Best Vitamins And Supplements For Hormonal Imbalance
Vitamins are necessary for your body to function properly, and getting the right balance of vitamins is crucial. Unfortunately, with hectic schedules, eating habits, and environmental factors, many people dont get the right amount of vitamins that they need to maintain good health. The best vitamins for hormonal imbalance include biotin, magnesium, folate, vitamin D, and more.
Here are the 10 best vitamins and supplements for hormonal imbalance:
You likely know by now which foods are highest in omega-3s fatty fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, cod liver oil, walnuts, chia seeds, herring, flax seeds, hemp seeds, anchovies, and egg yolks are some of the best. If you dont eat a wide array of these omega-3 rich foods, take a high-quality fish oil supplement.
It is true that the phrase the best vitamins for hormone balance is redundant, but there are times when certain vitamins serve specific purposes. For example, vitamin B6 is one of the best vitamins for hormone balance, specifically addressing estrogen-related issues such as PMS and PCOS.
Ever wonder why PMS strikes some women harder than others? The answer might be due to deficiencies in the body of certain vitamins, including vitamin B6.
If youve noticed that you have mood swings, irritability, cramps, fatigue, and depression on a monthly basis, it might be due to the vitamin B6 deficiencies in your body.
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Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance
To find out if your birth control pills are contributing to your symptoms, its important to get tested. However, simple standard blood tests will rarely detect this problem. A better option is a 24-hour urine hormone collection, which is the gold standard for looking at all the hormones and their metabolic byproducts. An integrative physician can be helpful in assessing hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, and other issues related to hormonal birth control.
Hormone Imbalance: What Are The Symptoms And Treatments
When youre browsing social media or watching TV, you may have come across ads telling you to ask your doctor to check your hormones as the first step toward diagnosing and relieving a troublesome set of symptoms. Its true that hormone imbalances can be associated with many problems, such as period problems, unwanted hair growth, fertility struggles, weight gain, and even difficulty sleeping. You should absolutely talk to your doctor about these things. But you may be surprised when your doctor tells you that they cant just give you a hormone check.
A hormone check sounds simpleafter all, we check cholesterol to get a handle on our heart health. However, your doctor cant just give you a hormone test because a single test to check all your hormones doesnt exist.
So if there isnt a simple hormone test, how does your doctor discover hormone imbalances? And how can you learn what could be causing your symptoms?
Lets look at problems caused by hormone imbalances and how your doctor could potentially determine which hormones may be responsible for your symptoms.
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Hormonal Imbalance In Women
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced by the endocrine glands in the human body and released into the bloodstream. They manage and regulate many of the bodys processes. These glands are: adrenal, gonad , pineal, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, and pancreatic islets.
The hormones produced by these glands initiate, manage or regulate a wide range of body functions such as:
- body temperature
- reproductive cycles and sexual function
- mood and stress levels
A balanced production of these hormones is vital for overall health. Any imbalance in this can cause short-term or long-term consequences, so its important to be aware of them.
Probiotics For Hormone Balance
Were learning all the time just how important gut health is for overall health, so its no surprise to discover that probiotics are a key ingredient for hormonal balance. As part of supporting a healthy gut microbiome, probiotics help minimize inflammation and optimize metabolism of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone ensuring balance of these key hormones. Probiotics may also play a role in bringing balance to cortisol and insulin.
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Herbal And Alternative Medicine:
I love using herbal formulations with my patients in order to provide safe and effective relief for their symptoms. Herbals are a gentle way to treat for many symptoms such as hot flashes, painful periods, unpredictable periods, hormonal acne, fertility, sleep, and more! Here are some common herbal supplements to balance hormones and combat these unwanted issues
Unfortunately, there are so many wonderful herbal supplements to balance hormones that I cannot possibly mention them all. It is also important to know that there is more to herbs that simply checking what health issues they are indicated for. They also have synergistic properties, which means that some herbs work better together! A naturopathic doctor can come up with a herbal formula that is dosed safely and appropriately for your individualized health history and concerns. There are also pre-made supplements on the market which are formulated for hormone balance. My trustworthy brands in this category include Vitanica and Femenessence.
A womans hormonal health is delicate. Unhealthy eating habits, high stress, and a sedentary lifestyle can all wreak havoc on your hormones. However, even women who eat healthily and get proper exercise can struggle with hormonal issues.
What Is A Hormone Imbalance
Are you irritable, moody, and exhausted all the time, yet have trouble sleeping? Gaining weight despite diet and exercise? You are not alone. Up to 75% of women report suffering from symptoms that could be attributed to a hormone imbalance!
Hormones are important chemical messengers in our bodies such as Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, Cortisol, Thyroid, DHEA, and Vitamin D. They are produced in one type of tissue and then move through the bloodstream to other parts of the body delivering messages for that part of the body to do something specific. When the messages get disrupted, it can have significant downstream implications.
Estrogen dominance is one of the most common hormone imbalance problems for women and that is a big deal because it has literally hundreds of functions in a womans body. It is a common condition that can develop from a variety of causes such as excess body fat, environmental estrogens , poor digestion, chronic stress, and adrenal issues.
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Discover How You Can Get Clear Of Your Acne Schedule A Free 15 Minute Clear Skin Discovery Session
This is all important because research has shown there are androgen receptors in the base of the oil gland and also in the cells that line the pores! If there are high levels of testosterone floating in the body, they are highly capable of binding to these receptors.
To put it simply, when these hormones attach to the oil glands in the skin, they trigger the gland to produce more oil as well as feed the bacteria. Then, an inflamed acne lesion is well on its way to the surface of your skin.
The key takeaway is that by lowering androgen and testosterone levels in the body, the skin will not produce as much acne or not produce ANY at all.
So how does Estrogen play into all this?
Estrogen and testosterone frequently act like a teeter totter. As one goes up the other goes down.
Hormonal acne is an elevated androgen/testosterone and low estrogen issue. It is not an elevated estrogen problem. Therefore, taking herbal supplements that block estrogen, such as DIM, will make your acne worse and increase testosterone causing cystic breakouts. I do not recommend DIM for hormonal acne for these reasons.
So it makes sense that if you lower androgen levels, the skin will not produce as much oiland your acne will improve!
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