Hormone Balancing for Women Dr. Melanie MacIver, ND
Topics About hormones Benefits of balanced hormones Causes of hormone imbalance Bio-identical hormones Lifestyle and nutrition tips for balance Hormone health quiz Q and A
About Hormones Chemical messengers in the blood responsible for metabolism, energy, reproduction, growth, mood, hunger, immunity and more Intricate web of communication between every hormones and the nervous system, and all actions of the body Production begins to decrease in middle age and continues in a linear fashion until old age
Benefits of Balanced Hormones
Balanced Hormones Wake up feeling rested Energy all day Clear skin and full hair Ideal weight Healthy sex drive Regular cycles for women Good cognitive function Balanced cholesterol Good immune system and healing capacity
Signs of Hormone Imbalance Inflammation Sleep disturbances Allergies Water retention Infertility Hair loss Miscarriages Irregular menses Abdominal fat Anxiety Depression High cholesterol Osteoporosis Low sex drive Hot flashes PMS Blood sugar issues Concentration difficulties
Causes of Hormone Imbalance
How Did My Hormones Become Imbalanced? Imbalance is on the rise The hormonal (endocrine) system is especially sensitive to the problems of today s lifestyle Toxic environment High stress lifestyle
Toxic Environment Dead and chemical foods hard to process Numerous additives, preservatives, colourings, and flavourings in food Heavy metals from environment block hormone making enzymes Estrogen mimicking plastics and pesticides bind strongly to estrogen receptors
High Stress Lifestyle Stress is necessary to push us to perform. The problem is when stress is too high, prolonged or accumulates The stress hormone cortisol has significant effects on other hormone systems When excess cortisol is produced less female hormones are made (especially after menopause), less thyroid converted and more food is stored as fat
Menopause and Stress Adrenal gland makes cortisol and estrogen after menopause Excess stress= excess cortisol produced so not enough estrogen Body steals progesterone precursor to make cortisol, so not enough progesterone DHEA production inverse to cortisol, so not enough DHEA
More Causes of Imbalance Artificial lighting Lack of mineral cofactors from food Less restorative sleep/ shift work Medications including hormones, prednisone, long term antibiotic use Lack of exercise
Bio-identical Hormones
Bio-identical Hormones Synthesized hormones identical to those our body produces Another tool in the naturopathic tool belt Help many women reduce hormonal symptoms Work nicely with herbal medicine Thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, cortisol and testosterone can be prescribed Customized for each individual patient Important to receive comprehensive testing and risk assessment before beginning
Hormone Balancing Tips
Lifestyle and Nutrition Tips Sleep Support circadian rhythm and follow a routine Liver and digestive support Stress reduction Exercise
Good Sleep is Healing Good sleep necessary to heal and detox Sleep until 9 am if possible (cortisol) Sleepy herbs and calming amino acids if Sleepy herbs and calming amino acids if necessary
Support Circadian Rhythm Adrenals especially involved, and cortisol/ melatonin hormones Go outside in the daytime Sleep in a totally dark room Support melatonin production and consider a supplement if shift work history Follow a regular routine for meals and sleep
Liver and Digestive Support Take herbs to support your liver (milk thistle, rosemary, schizandra) Eat freshly ground flax seeds 5 x week Eat organic dairy and meat Include enough good fats, protein, and mineral cofactors in diet, or supplement Consider a probiotic Cleanse it out!
Stress Management Reduce if possible! Nervous system tonic or Reba emotional homeopathics Exercise, yoga, meditation Eat breakfast
Are Your Hormones Balanced? Hormone questionnaire 24 hr urine test Blood work or saliva testing
Our Hormone Balancing Programs Unique integrated one year programs ND partnered with MD Regular and Unlimited visits programs Includes initial assessment, 24 hr urine hormone test, any indicated conventional blood testing, test results follow up, and four additional follow ups that year
Hormone Health Quiz
Progesterone Deficiency PMS Painful and/or lumpy breasts Insomnia Early miscarriage Unexplained weight gain Cyclical headaches Anxiety Infertility Water retention
Estrogen Deficiency Vaginal dryness Night sweats Painful intercourse Memory problems Bladder infections Lethargic depression Hot flashes
Excess Estrogen Puffiness and bloating Abnormal pap smear Rapid weight gain Breast tenderness Mood swings Heavy bleeding Anxious depression Migraine headaches Insomnia Foggy thinking Red flush on face Gallbladder problems Weepines
Excess Androgens Acne Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Excessive hair on the face and arms Hypoglycemia and/or unstable blood sugar Thinning hair on the head Infertility Ovarian cysts Mid-cycle pain
Cortisol Deficiency Debilitating fatigue Unstable blood sugar Foggy thinking Low blood pressure Thin and/or dry skin Intolerance to exercise Brown spots on face Frequent infections
Questions? www.kineticpatterns.ca