October is Menopause Awareness Month.

I wish to provide some tips for a variety hormone problems.

There are many posts this month with valuable Menopause help and advice for the ever growing number of women who are  faced with these hormone problems daily. There are many other hormone problems that women also face and the help and tips here will help women to navigate their way through the many hormone problems they face in addition to Menopause. I have chosen to write about 5 common hormone problems.

  • Premenstrual Syndrome
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
  • Endometriosis
  • Fibroids
  • Menopause

With any hormone problems the key is to get your hormones back into balance. Read on to the end for my tips on how to achieve this.

Premenstrual Syndrome Hormone Problems

  • Occurs after days 12 -14 in cycle
  • Caused by increased oestrogen or lack of progesterone
  • Liver and Gut help maintain oestrogen balance
  • Excess progesterone can also be a factor due to falling levels of oestrogen in run up to a period which can be linked to depression.

Symptoms

  • Bloating / Water retention
  • Weight gain
  • Breast tenderness
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Change in bowel habits
  • Increased appetite
  • Sugar cravings
  • Physical tiredness
  • Irritable
  • Tension
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Insomnia and more …

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Hormone Problems

Hormone imbalances elevate the levels of testosterone which can result in facial acne, excess body hair and baldness.

If there is a family history of type 2 diabetes PCOS is more likely to be passed on.

There is also a link between early male baldness in the woman’s family and females with PCOS.

Low carbohydrate diet can also help, avoiding refined carbohydrates, grains and sugary foods.

 Symptoms

  • Infrequent periods
  • Excess Hair growth – lip, arms, legs, line from navel on abdomen
  • Acne
  • Miscarriage
  • Obesity
  • Can be hereditary
  • Weight loss can often help normalise fertility.

Endometriosis Hormone Problems

Cells like the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body, often on the ovary, inside the pelvis, in the fallopian tubes or on the outside of the womb.  Can also occur on the bladder, intestines, vagina and rectum and other areas.

Main cause is excess oestrogen production and retrograde menstruation.

Daughters and sisters of women with endometriosis have a higher risk of developing this condition.

Environmental factors chemicals mimic the effects of oestrogen e.g. Non organic meats, pesticides, chemicals, plastic containers etc.

Avoid Gluten, Dairy, red meat and unfermented soy.

 Symptoms

  • Often no symptoms
  • Pelvic pain before and during periods
  • General chronic pelvic pain throughout the month.
  • Lower back pain
  • Disrupted periods
  • Painful sex
  • Digestive/bowel problems during menstruation
  • Painful urination during menstruation
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Low blood sugars

 Fibroids Hormone Problems

Benign tumours that originate from the smooth muscle cells of the uterus.  Caused by hormonal imbalances.

Often occur in women:

  • Whose menstrual cycle began at 10 years or younger.
  • Who took the contraceptive pill in early teens (13-16 years)
  • Who use HRT
  • Have a history of pelvic infections
  • Have high BP
  • Who are overweight
  • Who have a high intake of animal meats, saturated fats or alcohol
  • A family history of women suffering with Fibroids

Symptoms

  • Often initially no symptoms
  • Change in menstrual cycle
  • Abnormal bleeding from vagina between periods
  • Heavy/painful periods
  • Abdominal discomfort – due to constipation
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Pain when going to the toilet especially when opening bowels.
  • Disturbances in urinary habits
  • Pain during sex
  • Back ache
  • Fertility issues
  • Complications during pregnancy
  • Premature labour

 Menopause Hormone Problems

A very natural wind down process, which can happen slowly over many years or can be very sudden, depending on the body’s bio- chemistry.

Between the age of 45 to 55 women’s stores of eggs become depleted and their bodies become less receptive to the various sex hormones.

Balancing stress in the lead up and during this age help to minimise the symptoms.

 Main symptoms

  • Irregular periods
  • Varying amounts of menstrual bleeds
  • Depression
  • Sleep problems
  • Poor concentration
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Hot flushes
  • Reduced libido

 What can help to Rebalance Hormone Problems?

  • Healthy diet
  • Exercise
  • Keeping the whole body in balance
  • Nutritional Support
  • Reducing Stress / Managing Stress
  • Water
  • Body Ballancer/ Lymphatic Massage

HEALTHY DIET 

Low Carbohydrate Diet

  • Avoiding white starchy foods only eating complex carbohydrates e.g. brown rice and porridge.
  • Green Vegetables e.g. Cabbage, Sprouts, Cauliflower, Spring Greens, Broccoli, Celery, Parsley, Chamomile, Peppermint.
  • Fresh Fruit -keep to a minimum of 2 portions a day.
  • Flaxseeds
  • Hummus

Regular Intake of Protein to balance blood sugars

  • Skinless, boneless chicken
  • Turkey
  • Oily Fish
  • Organic Eggs
  • Natural yoghurt
  • Raw nuts and seeds
  • Quinoa
  • Beans and Lentils
  • Goats Cheese or Cottage Cheese

Good Fats

  • Oily Fish
  • Avocado
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Coconut oil and yoghurt

Key diet Recommendations:

  • Avoid Caffeine
  • Reduce Alcohol
  • Avoid processed or sugary foods
  • 3/5 veg, 1/5 starch, 1/5 lean protein on plate
  • 2 portions of oily fish per week
  • Eat nuts, seeds, nut butters and avocado

EXERCISE 

Movement is key to get circulation working and to get toxins moving out of the body. Take the stairs not the lift, brisk walking as well as exercise which brings you joy.

KEEPING THE BODY IN BALANCE 

There are many organs and systems in the body which can contribute to hormone imbalances as well are the reproductive organs. Keeping them all balanced is key to avoiding hormonal problems.

Digestive system

Liver

Adrenals

Thyroid

Kidneys

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS 

There are many types of supplements to help and it is always important to check with a health professional before taking any of them. If you are on medication it is important to check with a Pharmacist that the supplements can be taken alongside your medication.

As our hormones are constantly changing you would not need the same supplement all of the time and it will depend on your symptoms which supplements are needed. I test supplements on clients using muscles testing to remove any guesswork.

STRESS AND WATER 

  • Balancing and manage stress is essential, EFT Tapping and Bach Flower Remedies can help.
  • Water- dehydration will cause problems with every function of the body ensure 2 litres per day are consumed.

BODY BALLANCER MASSAGE – LYMPHATIC MASSAGE

There is evidence to show that a well balanced lymphatic system can help reduce  menopause symptoms. Lymphatic massage helps to significantly improve the lymphatic system.   A 2017 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science reported the effects of lymphatic drainage on women experiencing typical menopausal symptoms including water retention, mood swings, insomnia and fatigue found that after just a single lymphatic massage the stress-related hormones cortisol and DHEA were significantly reduced with positive mental and physical effects being reported with comments from participants being “I feel better” and “my legs feel lighter.

Lymphatic massage administered both manually, or via a Body Ballancer® has a number of benefits including a reduction in swelling and puffiness caused by water retention, improved body shape, aids weight management and a reduction in the appearance of cellulite and improved skin tone.  It is also known to improve digestion, resulting in feeling less bloated and aids better sleep.  What’s more, the gentle rhythmic action of a Body Ballancer® lymphatic drainage massage will also helps eliminate waste products – free radicals, which have been implicated in premature aging.

Other benefits include improved immune function, gut health and blood circulation, all of which are known to adversely impact the aging process.

I hope you find this information useful and if you want help with supplements or managing your stress with EFT Tapping or Bach Flower Remedies or to book a Body Ballancer session, please get in touch.

www.karensinfinitehealth.co.uk email:karen@karensinfinitehealth.co.uk