Hormonal Imbalances
> HORMONAL HEALTH
Hormones communicate with our bodies, sending our cells signals and messages. From the hormones that communicate with our brain when we are hungry to the sex hormones that regulates the menstrual cycle and the sex drive, there are many hormones in the body. All hormones play an important part in our bodies, by establishing important communication pathways and enabling cells to do their jobs.
Often times, certain connections in the pathways break, work too quickly or too slowly resulting in hormonal imbalances. An example of this is Diabetes Mellitus, caused by the body’s inability to recognize the signal sent from the blood sugar-regulating hormone, insulin, which leads to increased levels of sugar in the blood.
- Hormonal Imbalances is a vast umbrella term for many endocrine associated disorders like hypo or hyperthyroidism, diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, female hormone irregularities, male hormone irregularities, adrenal fatigue/burn out and more. Hormones are also implicated in many other disease processes, like issues related to mood changes and menses.
- Female Hormonal Imbalances can have various signs and symptoms. The two major female hormones that are most commonly deficient are progesterone and estrogen. These two hormones not only regulate the menstrual cycle but also play an important role in digestion and mood. The most common imbalances that occur are estrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency.
Estrogen Dominance:
Estrogen dominance can be caused by various issues:
- Too much stress can decrease the molecule that captures estrogen and inactivates it, sex hormone-binding globulin, leaving increased serum estrogen
- Improper sleep and digestive function, causing a decrease in estrogen receptors and increased serum estrogen levels
- Decreased elimination of estrogen by the liver
- Synthetic estrogens from perfume, chemicals, and cosmetics that mimic and act like the natural estrogen our body produces
The most common disorders associated with estrogen dominance are:
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovarian and/or breast cysts
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
The most common signs and symptoms associated with this kind of hormonal imbalance are:
- Blood clots in menstrual flow
- Blood sugar impairment
- Water retention & bloating
- Depression and/or anxiety
- Headaches
Progesterone Deficiency:
Progesterone deficiency can be caused by:
- Chemicals in our environment like phthalates, PCBS and pesticides
- Stress increasing cortisol levels
- Excess refined sugar and carbohydrates causing high insulin levels
The most common signs and symptoms associated with estrogen dominance are:
- Irregular menses cycles
- Uterine fibroids
- Weight gain
- Mood irregularities
- Breast tenderness
How can Naturopath help?
Dr. Swalah, ND is aware of the importance of proper hormonal function and uses additional diagnostic testing to understand what hormones are imbalanced, by how much and what other hormonal pathways are being implicated. By testing, we are removing the guesswork and creating the best treatment protocol. By testing, we are diving deep into understanding what the root cause is and working on it, rather than just alleviating the signs and symptoms.
After Dr. Swalah has thoroughly assessed and investigated the degree of hormonal imbalances and done a full patient assessment. She curates a custom treatment plan of evidence-based natural remedies, with the use of diet, lifestyle, botanical medicine and nutriceuticals to address the issue.