| Hi everyone,
The Hormone
Health Connection Newsletter is a newsletter that provides featured articles
on Menopause, PMS, and Natural Progesterone, new product reviews, tips
for reducing the pain and dealing with related anxiety of pms and menopause
symptoms, and information on how to promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
The Hormone Health Connection Newsletter is brought
to you by www.pms-menopause-progesterone.org.
Featured Article
Menopause and Hormone Balance Issues
article syndicated from ZRT Laboratory
In
the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) menstrual cycles that
may once have been like clockwork start to become erratic. Bleeding may
be heavier or lighter than usual—although women are not officially in
menopause until they have had 12 consecutive months without a period.
Erratic cycles are a sign of erratic ovulation leading to highs and
lows in estrogen and progesterone, an effect many women describe as an
emotional roller coaster.
And don’t let anyone tell you it’s all in your head.
When
the ovaries begin to sputter, hormone production sputters and so do
we…forgetfulness and foggy thinking, mental confusion and mood swings
are hallmark symptoms for many women; as are hot flashes and night
sweats, tearfulness, unwanted weight gain, thyroid problems and
declining interest in sex, no matter how much we love our partner. Of
course not all women experience all these symptoms—as individuals we
each have our very own biochemistry—but it is common to experience some
degree of discomfort during the menopausal years. And the degree to
which we experience discomfort is likely to be associated with the
degree to which our hormones are out of balance.
If
you are a woman experiencing menopausal symptoms you will want to test
at least two hormones: Estradiol and Progesterone. If you would like a
more comprehensive picture our five panel test measures: estradiol,
progesterone, testosterone, DHEAs and morning cortisol.
Hot Flash and Night Sweats
Is it hot in here or is it just me?? It’s
a common refrain among the estimated 50 to 75% of women in the U.S. who
experience hot flashes and/or night sweats during menopause. Hot
flashes can be very mild, or bad enough to have you opening
every window in the house, even in the dead of winter. Also known as
“vasomotor flushing,” the hot flash occurs when the blood vessels in
the skin of the head and neck open more widely than usual, allowing
more blood to shift into the area, creating the heat and redness.
Perspiration is also common to the phenomena and in some women the hot
flash takes the form of a night sweat, followed by a chill that has one
groping for the covers kicked to the floor just minutes earlier.
Night
sweats are on a continuum with hot flashes, occurring most often in the
wee hours between 3 to 4 a.m., a common cause of sleep disturbance in
menopausal women, many of whom say they wake drenched in perspiration.
Usually triggered by falling estrogen and rising levels of follicle
stimulating hormone, hot flashes arrive unannounced, and usually at a
most inconvenient time—in the middle of a job interview, in the middle
of an important speech, in the middle of the night. Besides hormonal
changes, anxiety and tension magnify hot flashes and many women find
that hot drinks and wine do the same.
Saliva
testing identifies the degree to which the specific hormones associated
with hot flashes are out-of-whack. Using test results as a guideline,
lifestyle improvement and natural (bioidentical) hormone supplements
can be prescribed as needed to restore balance and cool the hot
flashes. Many women also use phyto (plant) estrogens, such as Dong Quai
and Black Cohosh; optimal nutrition and relaxation exercises for added
relief. In most cases, hot flashes usually go away a year or two after
actual menopause and the cessation of menses.
Fatigue and Stress
Many
people experience high levels of mental and emotional stress on a
regular basis, which puts a significant strain on adrenal function. The
adrenal glands are two triangle-shaped glands that sit over the
kidneys, and are primarily responsible for governing the body’s
adaptations to stress of any kind. When stress becomes excessive or is
not well-managed, the ability of the adrenal glands to do their job
becomes compromised. The adrenals normally secrete cortisol in response
to stress, exercise and excitement, and in reaction to low blood sugar.
The
body normally secretes the highest amount of cortisol in the morning to
get us going, with levels decreasing throughout the day. People with
adrenal imbalance will often have abnormally high or low cortisol
levels throughout the day. If stress remains too high, the adrenals are
forced to overproduce cortisol continuously. After a prolonged period
of time, the adrenals can no longer keep up with demand and total
cortisol output plummets leading to adrenal exhaustion.
The hallmark symptoms of adrenal dysfunction are stress and fatigue that is not alleviated with sleep—that tired all the time
feeling. Other common symptoms include sleep disturbances and/or
insomnia, anxiety, depression, increased susceptibility to infections,
reduced tolerance for stress, craving for sweets, allergies, chemical
sensitivities and a tendency to feel cold.
Saliva
testing charts the extent to which cortisol levels are out of balance
and test results can be used as part of a strategy that looks at the
whole person and his or her lifestyle. It is helpful to work with a
doctor who can design a complete program of hormone balance and then
monitor your progress.
You
can begin to support adrenal function on your own by avoiding
hydrogenated fats, excess caffeine, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and
sugar. Get plenty of quality protein and eat regular meals of high
nutritional value.
The
key to success is to discover and practice stress management in
whatever form works for you personally. Take time out, evaluate the
stressors in your life, and find ways of expressing yourself
creatively. Get enough rest and sleep. And last but not least, keep a
sense of humor!
Low Sex Drive
Estrogen,
progesterone and testosterone are key players in the maintenance of
circulation, nerve transmission and cell division, so an imbalance of
these hormones can easily lead to changes in sexual response. Declining
estrogen levels common to the menopausal years can dampen nerve
impulses during sex, making us less sensitive to vibration and touch.
And since estrogens increase blood flow to sexually sensitive areas,
decreased levels can slow or diminish the arousal response.
Imbalances
of estrogen and testosterone can cause dryness and thinning of vaginal
tissue making intercourse uncomfortable or downright painful—an effect
that does absolutely nothing for libido. Key to a normal sex drive is
the right balance of estrogen to progesterone. An excess blocks thyroid
function which inhibits libido. A balance stabilizes mood and supports
thyroid function which enhances libido. Significantly, progesterone is
also a precursor to estrogen and testosterone so we need it in steady
supply for optimal sexual pleasure.
Testosterone
and DHEA also have a major impact on sex drive. Levels gradually
decline in the years leading to menopause and can drop dramatically
with hysterectomy, chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. If you have a
low libido and have lost interest in sex, saliva testing to measure
levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA-s can
establish probable cause and a rationale for correcting the imbalance.
PMS
PMS differs from all other disorders because the diagnosis does not depend on the type of symptoms you suffer from, but on the time when your
symptoms appear and disappear. Dr. Katharina Dalton of the U.K. a
leading specialist who first used the term “premenstrual syndrome”
defines it as the presence of recurrent symptoms before menstruation with the complete absence of symptoms after menstruation.
Doctors have identified at least 150 symptoms that occur in PMS but
fortunately, because all of us are different, no one has all of them!
Among the most common are bloating, headache, backaches, severe
grouchiness, depression, breast tenderness, loss of libido and fatigue.
Do these symptoms sound familiar? They are also the symptoms of estrogen dominance!
Katharina
Dalton knew this back in the late 50s when she pioneered the use of
natural (bioidentical) progesterone to balance estrogen in PMS
patients, with great success. Over the years she and physicians like
Dr. John Lee in this country have treated thousands of women in this
way. The great majority of patients report remarkable improvement in
their PMS symptoms including the elimination of premenstrual water
retention, cramping, tearfulness and weight gain.
This
has to do with progesterone’s potent balancing effect upon estrogen.
Saliva testing can determine if your PMS is associated with estrogen
dominance. Measure your saliva levels of estradiol and progesterone
during days 19-21 of your cycle. A low progesterone/estradiol ratio on
your test report indicates estrogen dominance and the likelihood of PMS
symptoms.
If
this is the case, it is worthwhile to talk to your doctor about
supplementing with natural progesterone to keep estrogen levels in
check. To learn more read: PMS: The Essential Guide to Treatment Options by Dr. Katharina Dalton and What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PreMenopause, by Dr. John Lee.
All about Natural (Bio-identical) Hormones
Natural
or “bioidentical” hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) ise synthesized
from natural plant substances to be identical in structure and function
to those our bodies produced naturally before menopause. When hormone
production starts to drop below normal levels in the years leading up
to menopause, natural hormones are the best and safest way for women to
supplement. They are available through your doctor by prescription or
tailormade to meet individual (physiological) need by a compounding
pharmacist. Some natural hormones are available over-the-counter but it
is always wise to do research first. Consult Dr. John Lee’s books on
premenopause and menopause for an approved list of creams.
Please note: Progesterone – not “progestin” – is the natural bio-identical form of the hormone as opposed to progestin, the
synthetic version (the “pro” in Prempro). Natural, progesterone is just
like the progesterone your ovaries make and it is available in a
topical form over-the counter and by prescription when compounded with
natural estrogens and other hormones by compounding pharmacists. When
hormone balance is restored and maintained using natural, bioidentical
hormones there are far fewer side effects, symptoms and cancers than
are observed with synthetic HRT. Following natural physiology as
closely as possible makes sense, because in a sense natural hormones
have undergone safety trials as long as humans have walked the earth!
What is Progesterone and Why Do We Need It?
Progesterone
can be thought of as a hormonal balancer, particularly when it comes to
the estrogens. Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus
luteum of the ovary at ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal
glands. It is the precursor, or substance from which most of the other
steroid hormones are derived, including cortisol, androstenedione, the
estrogens and testosterone. Progesterone has a remarkable repertoire of
important jobs from normalizing blood sugar levels and facilitating
thyroid hormone action to regulating menstrual cycles and maintaining a
healthy pregnancy. The survival of the embryo in the womb absolutely
depends on this vital hormone. Progesterone also has natural calming
and diuretic properties and it enhances the positive effects of
estrogen while preventing the problems associated with estrogen
dominance.
Unopposed
estrogen (in the absence of adequate progesterone) can build to unsafe
tissue levels that lead to a strong risk for breast and reproductive
cancers. While estrogen levels drop only 40-60% at menopause
progesterone levels may drop to nearly zero in some women, resulting in
estrogen dominance and the array of symptoms that go with it.
Supplementation of natural, bioidentical progesterone has been shown to
restore hormonal balance, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
Osteoporosis
Saliva
testing can identify specific imbalances in each of the major hormones
that have an impact upon bone health—particularly, testosterone, DHEA,
cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. Bone is a hormonally sensitive
tissue that is affected by age-related decline in production of these
hormones. Many studies show that both men and women as they age begin
to lose bone as the androgens—testosterone and DHEA in particular—start
to fall off. When these hormones are low and cortisol is high, bone
loss increases at an even more rapid pace. We know that too much stress
raises cortisol output, interfering with calcium absorption and
bone-building activity, while at the same time stepping up the activity
of bone destroying cells. We also know that cigarette smoking, alcohol
intake and a lack of physical activity are associated with bone loss.
In
a typical case study from our files a 63 year-old woman who had never
taken hormones since her menopause at age 51 had a bone density scan
which revealed osteoporosis in her hip and spine. Saliva testing
identified an imbalance of androgens as well as low estrogen and
progesterone levels. Supplementing with natural hormones brought
noticeable improvement, but to gain full relief, a program of stress
reduction, optimal nutrition and weight-bearing exercise was introduced.
Thyroid, Weight Gain and Depression
More
than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with thyroid disease, but
interestingly, women are at greatest risk, developing thyroid problems
seven times more often than men. Thyroid hormone regulates
metabolic rate so low levels tend to cause unwanted weight gain,
depression, low energy and cold intolerance. Excess thyroid causes
higher energy levels, a feeling of being too warm all the time and
weight loss. But it’s hypothyroidism, or low thyroid, that is most
common in women during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years; in
fact, some 26% of women in or near menopause are diagnosed with
hypothyroidism.
In his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause,
Dr. John Lee discusses how, as he learned more about the condition of
estrogen dominance, it became apparent that the taking of thyroid
supplements among his women patients was especially common in those
with estrogen dominance. This is because when estrogen is not
counterbalanced with progesterone, the estrogen buildup blocks thyroid
hormone creating a condition of low thyroid. Saliva hormone tests often
reveal that women who are estrogen dominant often have menopausal
symptoms intertwined with low thyroid symptoms. The most common are
weight gain or being unable to lose weight and depression. Cold
intolerance, thinning hair, sleep disturbance, fatigue, mood swings and
low sex drive are also commonly associated with low thyroid. If you are
suffering from these symptoms, estrogen dominance may be a causative
factor that can be identified through saliva testing.
Recommended Products
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A
natural, pharmaceutical grade, progesterone cream designed to promote
the relief of symptoms associated with PMS, peri-menopase, and
menopause. Oasis Serene is the only excipient-free nautral
progesterone on the market. Used for hot flashes, night sweats,
insomina, low libido, vaginal dryness, weight gain, fatigue mind fog,
headaches and moodiness. May help prevent uterine fibroids,
breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts and depression.
750 mg of USP progesterone per ounce.
[ learn more ] |
|
A natural, pharmaceutical grade, progesterone cream designed to promote the relief of severe symptoms
associated with PMS, peri-menopase, and menopause. Oasis Serene is the
only excipient-free nautral progesterone on the market. Used for
hot flashes, night sweats, insomina, low libido, vaginal dryness,
weight gain, fatigue mind fog, headaches and moodiness. May help
prevent uterine fibroids, breast cancer, fibrocystic breasts and
depression.
1500 mg of USP progesterone per ounce.
[ learn more ] |
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The role of
Vitamin E is unique and indispensable. Its structure allows it to
position itself strategically and protect the cell and other membranes.
Some studies have shown that Vitamine E decreases symptoms of
PMS and certain types of breast disease, boosts the immune system,
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growth of cancer cells. Our natural Vitamin E supplies all
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[ learn more ] |
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B-vitamins facilitate and maintain physiologic function by acting as enzyme co-factors. B-vitamins
can help to alleviate stress and balance mood. They also may help to
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This newsletter is brought to you by Oasis Advanced Wellness.
Oasis Advanced Wellness
9842 Pinehurst
Baytown, TX 77521
Visit us online at http://OasisAdvancedWellness.com |
