The Hormone Rollercoaster
Women often have ups and downs throughout the month with no clear cause. There is a calculated cycle of hormones every month that doesn’t work according to plan a lot of times. The hormone rollercoaster of the menstrual cycle can be a smooth ride, or for many, a very bumpy one. Signs and symptoms of having a hormonal imbalance can be difficult to identify for the average woman. Some issues that are related to this are abnormal bleeding during menstruation, the absence of menstruation, inability to conceive, ovarian cysts, and many more. Some easily identifiable symptoms that can be caused by hormonal issues are acne, irritability, mood swings, hot flashes, abdominal pain, and loss of libido. All of these conditions and symptoms have something in common: they can all be caused by imbalances in sex hormones.
The Normal Cycle
As most women are aware, there are two predominantly female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones work in harmony throughout a normal cycle. If these fall out of balance, there are a whole laundry list of signs and symptoms that might arise. One of the most common issues that arise are irregular menstrual cycles. The menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days on average with 21-35 days being considered the normal range. Flow begins on the first day of the cycle and lasts between 3 and 5 days.
Throughout every cycle, there is a well-choreographed dance that estrogen and progesterone perform along with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). FSH and LH trigger the production and release of estrogen and progesterone. With 4 different hormones that play into the delicate cycle, I hope it is easy to understand why imbalances are common. Stress is a huge contributor to abnormal cycles and can come physical, chemical, and emotional forms. All stress leads to an increase in the stress hormones, which steal resources used to produce female sex hormones. Other things that can throw off the hormones include a diet low in healthy fats, infections, and exposure to various toxins (including hormones from outside sources).
DIY Health Tips
Of course, I highly recommend thorough evaluation by your OBGYN and functional medicine practitioner, but there are other at-home steps that you can take. Start moving toward better hormonal health by trying some of the following:
- Make sure that you are eating enough calories for your age, height, bodyweight, and activity level. Here is a quick and easy tool to calculate your caloric needs https://www.calculator.net/calorie-calculator.html
- Of those calories, make sure that you are eating a variety of vegetables as well as lots of grass-fed beef, organic meats, cage-free eggs, and grass-fed butter. Also, make sure you choose carbs that are complex, like the ones found in whole grains.
- Eat 3 meals a day without snacking between them. Missing meals or “graising” throughout the day can contribute to irregular blood sugar, which increases stress hormones
- Stay away from seed oils. These lead to bad inflammation, which contributes to the overall stress in your body
- Avoid cosmetics that aren’t organic. Lotions and makeups that you use can contain hormones that the skin easily absorbs
- Get up and exercise, preferably outside!
- Practice healthy sleep habits
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described in this article or any others that you think might be due to a hormone issue, I encourage you to schedule a free consultation here. I’d be happy to discuss any questions you might have!