hormone harmony: bringing balance to women's hormones
TRANSCRIPT
Hormones are chemical
messengers that control
most major bodily
functions from hunger,
stress, mood and emotions,
to reproduction.
Hormone balance is
a complex web
A small selection of hormones involved in female reproduction
Some hormones
contribute more to our
sense of wellbeing and
balance
CORTISOL
Our primary stress hormone
Produced in our adrenal
glands
CORTISOL
Main Actions of Cortisol
Regulates the changes that occur
in the body in response to stress
• Blood sugar levels
• Energy metabolism
• Immune function
• Blood pressure
• Central nervous system action
Cortisol Excess
Cortisol Deficiency
High blood pressureHigh blood sugar and diabetesWater retentionDifficulty losing weightDecreased sex driveDigestive problemsAnxietyDifficulty sleeping
Deceased ability to copeChronic fatigueMuscle weaknessDecreased sex driveLow blood sugarSalt/sugar cravingsLightheadednessDepression
THYROID
Thyroid hormones
include
TSH, T3 and T4
THYROID
MAIN ACTIONS
Thyroid hormones
control our
metabolism – the
way our body
uses energy
THYROID
MAIN ACTIONS
Energy
Breathing
Heart rate
Body weight
Muscle strength
Body temperature
Cholesterol levels
Menstrual cycles
HYPOTHYROID HYPERTHYROID
Fatigue
Insomnia
Difficulty concentrating
Depression
Dry skin, dry hair
Cold body temperature
Frequent, heavy periods
Joint and muscle pain
Anxiety
Irritability
Nervousness
Sweating
Hand trembling
Hair loss
Missed or light menstrual
periods
ESTROGEN
The primary
female hormone
Produced by ovaries,
adrenal glands and
fat cells
ESTROGEN
Three main forms of estrogen:
Estrone
Estradiol
Estriol
ESTRONE ESTRADIOL ESTRIOL
Potent estrogen
Strong
association with
breast cancer
Produced by fat
cells even after
menopause
Strongest and
most abundant
estrogen
Builds bone
density
Association with
breast cancer if
elevated
Most commonly
prescribed
estrogen
Weakest estrogen
Protective against
breast cancer
Produced mainly
by the placenta
during pregnancy
Supports vaginal
health
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ESTROGEN
MAIN ACTIONS of Estrogen
Breast developmentEndometrial development
Female reproductionLibido
Body fat distributionVaginal health and lubrication
Bone formation Skin and blood vessel health
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascular health
ESTROGEN
Breast developmentEndometrial development
Female reproductionLibido
Body fat distributionVaginal health and lubrication
Bone formation Skin and blood vessel health
Cholesterol balanceCardiovascular health
ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY
A state of imbalancebetween estrogen and
progesterone
Typically associated with MENOPAUSE
ESTROGEN ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Heart palpitations
Insomnia
Low libido
Thinning hair
Decreased skin tone
Urinary incontinence
Foggy thinking
Yeast infections
Dry skin
Brittle bones
Depression and anxiety
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE
A state of imbalance between estrogen and progesterone
May reflect high estrogen or low progesterone
ESTROGEN DOMINANCE
Breast tendernessFibrocystic (lumpy) breastsFatigueIrritabilityBloating Sugar cravingsHeavy or irregular periodsSpotting between periodsSignificant PMSHair loss on the scalpHeadachesWeight gain
PROGESTERONE
The female hormone
BALANCER
Produced by the ovaries
and adrenal glands
PROGESTERONE
MAIN ACTIONSRegulates menstrual cycles
Sustains pregnancy
Precursor for many other hormones
Promotes energy production
Burns fat
Builds bone
Anti-anxiety
Balances effects of estrogen
PROGESTERONE
Progesterone deficiency
is the number one
hormone imbalance in
women aged 30-50
Progesterone DeficiencyAnxiety
Bloating
Menstrual cramps
Bleeding between
periods
Low libido
Difficulty achieving
orgasm
Fatigue
Endometriosis
Heavy, frequent, or
irregular periods
Hair loss
Hot flashes
Inflammation and pain
Insomnia
Mood swings
Urinary incontinence
PCOS
Weight gain
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Progesterone ExcessAcne
Breast swelling
Depression
Difficulty losing weight
Daytime sleepiness
Facial hair
Fatigue
Sugar cravings
Nausea
Nipple tenderness
Yeast infections
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TESTOSTERON
EProduced in the ovaries and
adrenal glands
Continues to be produced after
menopause
TESTOSTERON
EMAIN ACTIONS
Libido
Enhances mood
Improves memory
Strength and muscle mass
Decreases body fat
Protects against heart disease
Prevents osteoporosis
TESTOSTERON
ELOW TESTOSTERONE HIGH TESTOSTERONE
Hot flashes, night sweats
Arthritis/ painful joints
Depression and anxiety
High cholesterol
Low energy
Loss of muscle mass
Low libido
Memory loss
Thinning skin
Dry hair and skin
Weight gain
Vaginal dryness
Weight gain (muffin top)
Acne, oily skin
Depression and anxiety
Difficulty falling asleep
Excessive energy
Hair growth on chip/ upper lip
Male pattern hair loss
Salt and sugar cravings
PCOS
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
LEPTIN: appetite-suppressing, satiety hormone
GHRELIN: hunger hormone, produced by the
stomach
INSULIN: blood sugar stabilizing hormone, gets sugar
into cells where it is needed
GROWTH HORMONE: tissue repair, muscle growth,
bone density. Highest production before 25 years
DHEA: most abundant hormone in the body.
Precursor for other hormones
CONDITIONS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE
Arise from a low
production of
progesterone,
erratic estrogen
levels, and
lifestyle
Acne
PCOS
Endometriosis
Weight gain
Irregular periods
Menstrual
cramps
PMS
Reproductive
peak. Issues of
hormone
imbalance are
still common.
Acne
PCOS
Endometriosis
Weight gain
Irregular periods
PMS
Hypothyroid
Hair growth/loss
Stress
Lower
progesterone
levels, higher
stress,
increased
xenoestrogen
exposures.
Childbearing
leads to
significant
fluctuations in
hormone levels
PCOS
Worsening PMS
Infertility
Hypothyroid
Endometriosis
Fibroids
Heavy periods
Painful periods
Weight gain
Most significant
age for hormone
imbalances.
All female
hormone
imbalances are
at their highest
incidence in this
age group.
Acne
Infertility
PMS
PCOS
Fibroids
Endometriosis
Weight gain
Hair loss
Facial hair
Hypothyroid
Perimenopause
Menopausal
transition leads
to fluctuating
progesterone
levels, declining
testosterone
and estrogen
levels.
Average age of
menopause: 52
Average years
of symptoms: 7
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Weight gain
Depression
Insomnia
Vaginal dryness
Low libido
Hypothyroid
Continual,
gradual hormonal
decline
Hormone
balance can
contribute to risk
factors for aging
and mortality
HORMONE TESTING
BALANCE is
more important
than individual
hormone levels
TIMING matters.
Time of day &
time of month both
influence laboratory
hormone values
SAMPLE
type
matters.
HORMONE TESTINGBlood (Serum)
Best for thyroid hormones, FSH, LH,
insulin, glucose, hCG, prolactin, vitamin D
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Does not accurately measure free
hormone levels
HORMONE TESTINGSaliva
Best for steroid hormones – estrogen,
testosterone, DHEA, DHT, cortisol,
progesterone
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Does not measure metabolites
Less established reference ranges
HORMONE TESTINGUrine
Best for hormone and metabolite testing.
Provides information on detoxification and
metabolism of hormones.
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24 hour urine does not show
circadian changes in levels
ACHIEVING
HORMONE
HARMONY
Eat a plant based diet
Get
enough
protein
Achieve a
healthy body
composition
Regular
exercise: cardio, strength
and flexibility
Limit
exposures to
endocrine
disrupting
chemicals
(EDCs)
GET
TESTED
Saw Palmetto
Decreases testosterone
Decreases DHT
Decreases estrogen
May lower prolactin levels
Main indications:
PCOS
Female hair loss
Hirsutism
Black Cohosh
Acts as a selective estrogen
receptor modulator (SERM)
Does not impact FSH or LH
Main indications:
Perimenopause
Menopause
Chaste Berry
Decreases prolactin
Normalizes progesterone
Selective estrogen receptor
binding (ER-beta)
Main indications:
Painful, irregular periods
PMS/ PMDD
Infertility
Low libido
Perimenopause
Licorice
Enhances cortisol
Phytoestrogen
Reduces prolactin
Main indications:
Stress
Fatigue
Immune support
Menopausal hot flashes
Ashwaganda
Balances thyroid hormones
Enhances cortisol
Main indications:
Stress
Fatigue
Anxiety and depression
Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
BIOIDENTICA
L
HORMONE
THERAPY
BHRTThe use of bioidentical
hormones, synthesized from
plants, to restore balance to the
body and manage symptoms of
hormone imbalance
BHRT“Synthetic hormones are not
necessarily made, sold, and
prescribed because they work better
than natural hormones, but because
natural hormones can’t be
patented.”
~ Dr. John Lee & Virginia Hopkins
Bioidentical vs Synthetic
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Medoxyprogesterone Acetate (synthetic progestin)
BHRTWomen’s Health Initiative
Hormone replacement therapy of synthetic
estrogen and progestin resulted in:
o Increased risk of heart attacko Increased risk of strokeo Increased risk of blood clots o Increased risk of breast cancer
BHRTFrench Study
No increase in breast cancer risk with
bioidentical estradiol and progesterone
BHRTE3N Study
Topical use of bioidentical estrogen and oral
bioidentical progesterone does not increase
clotting and risk of stroke
BHRTHormone replacement
therapy is not for
everyone
1. Use hormones only if you
need them
2. Use bioidentical hormones
and not synthetic
3. Use hormones only in doses
that create hormone balance
Conditions that Benefit from BHRT
PCOS
ENDOMETRIOSISInfertility
Premenstrual
SyndromeBreast tenderness
PerimenopauseAmenorrhea
Irregular
periods
Hot flashes
WEIGHT
GAIN
Anxiety
Recurrent
miscarriage
Hormonal
Acne
HAIR
LOS
S
Fatigue
Menstrual spotting
INSOMNIA
Dysmenorrh
ea
MENOPAUSE
Questions?
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