Hormone Balancingfor 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

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?

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