Women’s Hormonal Health
By Véronique Bourbeau, certified naturopath and clinical herbalist
Hormones play an essential role in our physical, mental and metabolic health. They regulate most of our body’s vital functions. They control energy expenditure, regulate weight, and distribute fat. They influence the neurotransmitters responsible for our mental well-being, mood, and cognitive abilities. Hormones regulate muscle and bone mass and affect appetite, digestion, and blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Sleep is also affected by hormones, as is reproduction.
What is a hormonal imbalance?
We have over 70 hormones in our bodies. They’re a community of agents that are constantly interacting with one another. Hormones sometimes work in opposition, often work together, and always self-regulate. This means that if your body produces too much or too little of a hormone, and the ratio between your hormones is altered and out of balance, you may experience a range of more or less specific symptoms and issues.
What are the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance?
Because hormones act on all the systems that determine your health, any symptom can have a hormonal cause. Fatigue is the most obvious sign of a hormonal imbalance, but others include fluctuating body weight, insomnia, depression, low libido, constipation, hair loss, acne, sugar cravings, changes in menstrual flow, breast swelling, heart palpitations, and migraines. Some more serious health conditions are directly linked to hormonal imbalances, such as fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Who is most likely to have a hormonal imbalance?
Hormonal imbalances can occur at any stage of life. They can be caused by trauma, pollution and endocrine disruptors (plastics, pesticides, perfumes, and so on) and exacerbated by stress and an unbalanced lifestyle. Age also causes hormones to fluctuate, leading to imbalances. Women’s ovarian production of estrogen and progesterone begins to decline in their mid-30s and continues to decline until the onset of menopause, with estrogen production decreasing by about 35% and progesterone production decreasing by about 70% between the ages of 35 and 50. The speed at which progesterone levels drop predisposes women to an imbalance known as estrogen dominance. More than 90% of women experience this type of imbalance, which causes a wide range of symptoms, from irregular periods and irritability to anxiety, water retention, breast tenderness, loss of motivation, joint pain, headaches, and brain fog. This kind of clinical profile is very common. Fortunately, there are solutions.
How to support hormonal health
You can mitigate the effects of hormonal decline through well-dosed and well-monitored hormone therapy. This solution provides relief for the majority of women experiencing more severe symptoms. If you prefer not to take hormones, you can make lifestyle changes to help relieve most symptoms.
- Eat a balanced and varied diet rich in plants, fibre, protein, and good fats while cutting back on processed foods, carbohydrates, alcohol, and coffee and other stimulants.
- Stay active! Exercise is essential because muscles that are put through regular strength training and cardio sessions will stimulate hormone production, keep your metabolism active, improve your sugar and weight management, support your mental health, and help you stay strong and mobile so you can continue to live independently.
- Avoid chronic stress and get enough sleep. Chronic stress and lack of sleep can wreak havoc on hormonal balance since they increase appetite, contribute to weight gain, perpetuate inflammation and pain, promote depression, disrupt the estrogen/progesterone ratio, and more. To reduce the effects of stress and improve sleep quality, consider calming plants, theanine, GABA, magnesium and melatonin. You may also want to incorporate meditation, yoga and coherent breathing into your routine.
Product suggestions
- Use high-quality cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and household products to limit your exposure to endocrine disruptors, which are known to interfere with and disrupt our hormonal and general well-being.
- Try supplements such as DIM, resveratrol and NAC to reduce estrogen dominance. Seek advice from a qualified professional to help you choose the best options for you.
Product suggestions
Hormones are inextricably linked to our overall health. Although hormonal imbalances are common, you can take steps to bring your hormones back into balance. By taking care of your hormones, you’re investing in your long-term health and well-being.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice or care. The effect of the products presented in this article may vary from person to person. Some products may be contraindicated for you if they interact with any medication you’re taking. If you’re under medical supervision for a health problem, please consult your health professional before including these products in your diet.