Here we are again, for part 2 of peri-menopause and menopause.

Today we will dive into the HORMONES and how this varies over time, from reproductive age to peri-menopause and menopause.

OESTROGEN INFLUENCE

Oestrogen has the following influence on the body:

• Regulates mood in healthy amounts

• Vasodilatory – dilates blood vessels (primary cause of hormonal migraines when oestrogen surges)

• Gut health – some gut bacteria influence the production of oestrogen in the body

• Liver health – if you are particularly toxic then your body will prioritise toxins over oestrogen clearance

REGULATING OESTROGEN

Oestrogen has a relationship with progesterone and oestrogen dominance can occur when there is a progesterone deficiency. When treating patients with an oestrogen dominance we start by:

• Eliminating endocrine-disrupting toxins from their lives and homes (more info on this to come)

• Enhance detoxification of the liver to regulate the amount of oestrogen circulating

• Support healthy production of progesterone – Nutrients specific to this are B6, zinc, evening primrose and EPA/DHA fish oils if required, adequate cholesterol

• Herbal medicines work beautifully to modulate as necessary

• Reduce stress hormone production

• Reduce gluten or dairy (gluten is pro-inflammatory and causes inflammation of the gut lining which then produces further inflammation in the reproductive areas)

• Check Vitamin D levels as it is imperative in healthy hormone balance

• Reducing animal products for a 1 month period

• Cutting out alcohol, sugar and refined carbohydrates helps to regulate gut flora and the level of toxins being processed by the liver so it can prioritise the metabolism of oestrogen

• Treat any underlying thyroid issues that imbalance the production of oestrogen

• Test iodine levels as iodine has a key role in oestrogen receptorcytes

PROGESTERONE AND ITS ROLE

Progesterone deficiency is a key player in the onset of peri-menopause.

Progesterone influences the thickening of the uterine lining in the second half of the cycle and a deficiency can cause the following symptoms:

• Unsuccessful pregnancy

• Miscarriage

• PMS including rage, depression,

• Irregular periods

• Headaches and migraines

• Anxiety (generalised not always with cycle)

• Brittle nails

• Dry cracked skin

• Weight gain

• Fluid retention

• Decreased sex drive

• Mood swings

• Breast tenderness

• Fibroids

• Also influences gall bladder function

• Issues with sleeping

WHAT INFLUENCES THE FORMATION OF PROGESTERONE?

Progesterone is formed once the body has had good healthy ovulation, so if you aren’t ovulating chances are your progesterone is low.

• Stress influences progesterone in a few ways- B vitamin depletion and being in ‘fight or flight’ mode

• Zinc is a precursor to progesterone and most of our food and soil is completely depleted of zinc

• Our diet is low in omega 6’s – flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil, chia seeds and sardines

• Herbal medicines can also help to stimulate stronger ovulation and then support the production of progesterone to regulate the PMS symptoms

• In severe cases, bio-identical progesterone can be organised through an integrative doctor

• Magnesium as a pre-cursor to all reproductive hormones

• Taurine is also a key player in influencing the production of progesterone

Hormonal migraines – my approach

Oestrogen dominance plays a big role in hormonal migraines, the fluctuation in oestrogen can trigger a migraine.

Too much oestrogen can trigger mast cell activation and excess histamine, which can worsen migraines.

• Progesterone support almost always relieves the severity.

• Magnesium has much evidence-based research to suggest it can prevent migraines and relieve the severity.

• Riboflavin is now being used by educated neurologists for migraines and chronic/persistent headaches – it works by normalising the production of serotonin and improving the function of the MTHFR enzyme which has been linked to migraines.

• Melatonin also has some lovely evidence-based research for migraine prevention, it has an action on excessive oestrogen and also helps with patients who have sleep issues with their cycles.

• Avoiding gluten – has a big impact on my patients with migraines, one study showed that complete cessation of gluten eliminated migraines in 89% of patients.

• Iron deficiency – I have noticed a strong correlation between iron deficiency in patients with migraines and oestrogen dominance, once the iron deficiency is rectified the migraines regulate (PLEASE NOTE: your ferritin levels need to be between 60 – 90 for normal function) doctors often miss this.

Stay tuned for Part 3 where we discuss the brain upgrades and cognitive / memory changes, mood, hot flushes and sleep disturbances.

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