Tips To Balance Your Hormones Naturally During Menopause
When youre going through menopause, learning how to balance hormones naturally can be a great way to help you manage the more uncomfortable side effects of this transition.
Menopause can be a really challenging period in a womans life.
Hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, hair loss, and a decreased sex drive are some of the most well-known symptoms that women, and people with a female reproductive system, may encounter during this critical time.
The physical and emotional changes can sometimes feel like a roller coaster that we cant wait to get out of.
Hormones are chemical messengers that help regulate multiple vital bodily functions. Estrogen, testosterone, insulin, adrenaline, cortisol, and ghrelin are all hormones that affect everything from your reproductive system, sleep , and energy, to hunger levels.
When hormones are out of balance, even the most mundane tasks can feel huge.
You can feel tired, out of sync, low energy, too hungry, or not hungry at all – you get the gist. Most people go after hormone-balancing medication, but not everyone qualifies for them. Thats why finding ways to balance hormones naturally can be really helpful.
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing some of the symptoms of menopause, these useful tips will help you feel better and get back into your personal groove.
Learn how to balance hormones naturally to slay your day and feel like you again.
Best Supplements To Balance Hormones
If you search online for supplements to balance hormones, youll find a lot of big promises.
The truth?
Theres no magical relief, trick, remedy, or hack capable of hormonal imbalance.
But if you want to feel human again without spending tons of money when you are at the store getting supplements, a few surprisingly easy tips and tricks can help make it happen.
This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a commission . I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefited from personally. Thank you for your support!
What Medications Are Used To Treat Postmenopausal Symptoms
Hormone therapy could be an option, although healthcare providers often recommend using it for a short amount of time and in people under the age of 60. There are health risks associated with hormone therapy like blood clots and stroke. Some healthcare providers do not recommend using hormone therapy after menopause has ended or if you have certain medical conditions.
Some medications your healthcare provider may consider helping with postmenopausal symptoms are:
- Antidepressants for mood swings or depression.
- Vaginal creams for pain related to sexual intercourse and vaginal dryness.
- Gabapentin to relieve hot flashes.
Oftentimes your provider will recommend lifestyle changes to help manage your symptoms.
Read Also: Does Blue Cross Cover Testosterone Injections
Hormone Restoration: How Do Hormones Get Restored
Each individual has a unique balance of hormones. During perimenopause and menopause this unique balance can be disrupted. Getting back into balance and feeling more yourself can be a tough task for many.
We encourage you to read through our Symptoms & Solutions section of our website for additional information on achieving better hormone balance, as there are many things you can do on your own, including: life style choices, reducing stress, and eating more nutritiously.
How To Balance Hormones Naturally
1. Swap Carbs for Healthy Fats
Foods that balance hormones include a variety of fat-containing foods that provide short, medium and long-chain fatty acids. Your body needs various types of fats to create hormones, including saturated fat and cholesterol.
Not only are these essential fats fundamental building blocks for hormone production, but they keep inflammation levels low, boost your metabolism and promote weight loss.
Healthy fats have the opposite effect of refined carbohydrates, which lead to inflammation and can mess with the balance of your hormones.
My four favorite sources of anti-inflammatory, healthy fats include:
- coconut oil, avocados, grass-fed butter and wild-caught salmon.
- Coconut oil uses are plentiful for example, coconut oil has natural anti-bacterial and fat-burning effects.
- Avocado benefits include improving heart health, lowering inflammation, controlling your appetite and contributing to your daily intake of fiber and nutrients such as potassium.
- Salmon nutrition is also impressive: its one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to lower inflammation and help with cognitive functions. Omega-3 fatty acids are a large component of brain-cell membranes and are important for cell-to-cell communication in the brain. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids help protect against hippocampal neuronal loss and reduce pro-inflammatory responses.
2. Supplement to Fill Nutritional Voids
3. Address Emotional Imbalances
6. Get More Sleep
Read Also: Zitsticka Skin Discipline Side Effects
What Is The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is in charge of coordinating the relationship between different organs and hormones, which are chemicals that are released into your bloodstream from cells within your endocrine glands.
Hormones are secreted by various glands and organs, including your thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovaries, testicles and pancreas. The entire endocrine system works together to control the level of hormones circulating throughout your body, and if one or more is even slightly imbalanced, it can cause widespread health problems affecting growth, sexual development and function, sleep, metabolism and hunger.
Once your hormones are in circulation, they target specific tissues or cells by binding to receptors that are located inside the cell or on its surface. These hormones work as chemical messengers and play a key role in your bodys daily functions.
The endocrine system is made up of many glands, including the pituitary gland or master gland thats responsible for sending information from your brain to other glands in your body. The pituitary gland also produces many hormones that travel throughout the body and have different important functions.
The pituitary gland is made up of two different tissue types: the anterior pituitary that synthesizes and releases classic hormones, and the posterior pituitary gland that secretes neurohormones that are made in the hypothalamus.
Related: Adult Acne: How to Get Rid of Hormonal Acne Naturally
How Will I Know When I Am Postmenopausal
Women are considered to be postmenopausal when they have not had their period for an entire year. Having your doctor measure your follicle stimulating hormone level is another way to see if you are near menopause. FSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland . Your FSH levels will dramatically rise as your ovaries begin to shut down these levels are easily checked through one blood test. FSH levels can fluctuate during perimenopause, so the only way to know you are definitely postmenopausal is when you have had no period for a year.
Don’t Miss: Nugenix Estro Regulator Side Effects
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.
The Gut Is The Gateway Health
The gut is the gateway to health.
Think about it: Every single cell in a womans body is nourished, fed and supported by what goes into the gut.
In addition, one of the major centers of hormone production occurs in your gut itself. In fact, the gut is now being termed an endocrine organ.
Thus, when we have a weak foundation in our gut , then the rest of our body takes a hit cortisol and hormone levels included.
Since essential nutrients are unable to reach these hormones or other cells that govern our metabolic processes, stress is much more likely.
Even if you do eat healthy, if you have an underlying gut imbalance or you are not supporting the health of your gut and digestion as a whole, then your body is simply not going to absorb and digest the foods you do feed it.
In short: A common reason why women experience all the usual symptoms of menopause goes back to the gut.
Heal the gut, reduce hormone imbalance
So what to do?
To get to the bottom of your own health or gut imbalances, its always advised you consult with a doctor or other healthcare practitioner trained in a functional approach for addressing the roots of these imbalances .
Much of our contemporary medical way of thinking is the replacement model.
This is simply replacing hormones or treating hormone imbalances with hormone replacement drugs and therapies before looking into the reasons why hormones are significantly out of balance in the first place.
Read Also: Does Melatonin Increase Estrogen
What Is The Menopausal Transition
The menopausal transition is the period that links a womans reproductive years and menopause. A woman is said to be in menopause if she has had no menstrual periods for 1 year. Once in menopause, the ovaries essentially stop making hormones and women lose their ability to become pregnant. The average age for menopause is 51 years.
During the menopause transition, women often have changing menstrual cycles, vaginal dryness, hot flashes or flushes , and problems with sleep. Some of these symptoms happen all the time while others come and go. Symptoms can be mild to unbearable and can interfere with daily activities and sleep. Perimenopause is different for each woman but usually lasts about 5 years.
Dangers Of Hormone Imbalance
The most dangerous thing about a hormonal imbalance is not actually the symptom, but what it may represent. Common causes of a hormonal imbalance range from diabetes to thyroid issues, to glandular issues and possible tumors either benign or malignant. If your body is reacting in these ways to changes in your bodys chemicals, it could be sign of a deeper issue, which could be dangerous if left untreated.
Particularly in women, a hormonal imbalance could indicate early onset of menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome, primary ovarian insufficiency and even ovarian cancer, among other conditions. In men, hormone imbalance could indicate any number of conditions, including prostate cancer.
Talk to your doctor about any new or unusual symptoms that are not typical of your personality or body. Many people keep a log to keep track of changes this is helpful when describing to their doctors any concerns or symptoms. Once diagnosed, your doctor will work with you to prescribe medicine, advise life-style changes, conduct additional testing, or refer you to a specialist.
Remember, a hormonal balance can be serious if left untreated, but speaking to your doctor even if youre wrong can only help make the issue better.
Recommended Reading: Does Melatonin Help Tinnitus
What Are The Symptoms Of Postmenopause
Many of the symptoms of postmenopause are similar to the symptoms of menopause, which can include:
- Insomnia.
- Lowered sex drive.
- Vaginal dryness.
In addition to these symptoms, the massive reduction in circulating estrogen experienced in postmenopause causes important changes to the function of many organs and tissues. This puts women in postmenopause at an elevated risk of developing the following conditions:
- Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
- Osteoporosis.
- Increased cholesterol levels.
A Super Mineral Magnesium Helps Your Body:
- Produce energy: It does this by attaching to an important energy molecule called adenosine triphosphate . It is also critical to how well your cells burn energy.
- Build bones, cell membranes and chromosomes
- Convert food into fuel
- Digest and utilize proteins, carbs and fats
- Build RNA and synthesize DNA
- Filter out toxins like mercury, aluminum and lead
- Produce glutathione, the mother of antioxidants
- Taxi ions like calcium and potassium across cell membranes a process pivotal for nerve impulse conduction, muscle contraction and normal heart rhythms. Magnesium is the counter-ion for calcium and potassium in your muscle cells. This is why, if levels drop too low, your nerve signals and muscle contractions may be affected, leading to muscle cramps and heart arrhythmias.
- Keep cell function synchronized with day and night: Recent research has found in human cells, algae, and fungi that levels of magnesium in cells rise and fall in a daily cycle. This helps to keep the individual body clocks in your cells better synchronized to the circadian rhythm of night and day .
Don’t Miss: Blue Cross Blue Shield Trt
What Can I Do To Prevent Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis isnt entirely preventable, but you can take steps to strengthen your bones. Eating foods high in calcium like cheese, yogurt, spinach or fortified cereals can help boost calcium intake. Adding a calcium supplement can also help. Some people also need a vitamin D supplement because it helps their body absorb calcium.
Natural Ways To Balance Your Hormones
Hormones have profound effects on your mental, physical and emotional health.
These chemical messengers play a major role in controlling your appetite, weight and mood, among other things.
Normally, your endocrine glands produce the precise amount of each hormone needed for various processes in your body.
However, hormonal imbalances have become increasingly common with todays fast-paced modern lifestyle. In addition, certain hormones decline with age, and some people experience a more dramatic decrease than others.
Fortunately, a nutritious diet and other healthy lifestyle behaviors may help improve your hormonal health and allow you to feel and perform your best.
This article will show you 12 natural ways to balance your hormones.
You May Like: Does Melatonin Affect Birth Control Nexplanon
Exacerbation Of Mental Health Problems
Estrogen is believed to have a protective effect on the brain. It appears to positively impact brain chemicals , cognition, and the ability to withstand stress. Dropping estrogen levels appear to be associated with an increased risk of psychosis. The age of menopause is associated with a second peak of schizophrenia onset in women. Results of preliminary research suggests selective estrogen receptor modulators may improve cognition and other symptoms in women who have psychiatric disorders. They may even reduce the frequency of manic episodes in women who have bipolar disorder. However, these drugs are not without potential risks. See your doctor if you believe decreasing estrogen levels are contributing to serious mental health symptoms.
What Are The Treatment Options
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most common treatments of low hormone levels.
For people experiencing menopause, premature menopause, or primary ovarian insufficiency as well as after oophorectomy or chemotherapy estrogen therapy can offer some relief. Estrogen therapy alone is recommended for those who have had a hysterectomy. You can take estrogen in different forms, generally estrogen pills and estrogen patches.
Also Check: Breakthrough Bleeding On Bioidentical Hormones
How Can I Balance My Hormones To Lose Weight During Menopause
While were not totally sure if weight gain is directly linked to the hormonal changes that happen during menopause, changes in body shape tend to be.
Trending
Basically, the weight migrates from your hips to your waist.
So, if youre wondering, the answer is yesmenopause belly fat is a thing.
As your ovaries kick up their heels to enjoy their new life of leisure, a variety of hormonal fluctuations take place.
As this study explains, these hormonal fluctuations could be responsible for your change in shape.
What Is A Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands and tissues, forming a part of the endocrine system.
Hormones travel to all of the bodys tissues and organs through the bloodstream. They give messages to these organs, letting them know what function to perform and when to do it.
Hormones help regulate a lot of processes in the body. Hormones manage appetite and metabolism, sleep cycles, heart rate, sexual function, general mood and stress levels, and body temperature. Because they affect so many functions, imbalances in certain hormones can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
A hormonal imbalance occurs when a person has too much or too little of a certain hormone, such as insulin, cortisol, thyroxine, androgens, estrogen, or progesterone. Even slight changes can have a significant effect on your body.
Recommended Reading: Estrace Weight Gain
Hormonal Changes Can Start In Your 40s
While turning 40 definitely does not mean youre old, there are some changes youll start noticing in your body and your mind. One of the most common issues is unexplained weight gain. This usually occurs despite there not being any changes in your eating habits or exercise routines.
Even if the scale doesnt show a higher number, you may notice that your clothes dont fit like they used to. You might start to feel more irritable and notice that youre frequently tired. You may also start to have infrequent or irregular periods.
While, for most women in their 40s, menopause isnt yet a concern, a condition known as perimenopause may occur. These symptoms can start to show up many years before the onset of menopause.
Often, women experience perimenopause symptoms, but dont realize that this is whats causing them.
How Menopause Disturbs Our Hormone Balance
Wondering how hormones send their messages to different parts of the body? Heres a rundown of the process!
The whole process begins when hormone production takes place in your glands. Your hormones travel via your blood to the different cells and organs in your body. When they reach their destination, they knock on your cellsgatekeepers, called receptors, where they will relay their message.
If your receptors feel like your cells need them, they allow entry to dock into your cells, and they will turn on a specific function. This is how your hormones keep the body balanced. But
During menopause, your hormone production changes big time. In the early stages, your ovaries start to falter, but they will still produce normal amounts of estrogen. On the other hand, progesterone production reduces. This causes an imbalance called estrogen dominance where estrogen is higher relative to progesterone. In the later parts of menopause, you experience declining hormone levels, which can make you deficient.
As the receiving end, your receptors will accept whats coming to them. Excessive estrogen in your body will hyperactivate your organs and the lack of progesterone may affect some body functions. Hormone deficiencies on the other hand slow down the majority of your body functions and you may experience symptoms such as:
- Changes in your monthly periods
- Slow digestion
- Sluggish metabolism
You May Like: Estradiol Transdermal Patch Cost