How To Reduce The Impact of Synthetic Hormones

Symptoms, the Monthly Cycle, and Solutions

Hormones are the body's crucial chemical messengers, regulating various functions and maintaining balance. Even if you’re following a healthy lifestyle—getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and eating a plant-based diet—hormonal imbalances can still disrupt your well-being. Here, we’ll explore the symptoms of hormonal imbalances, review the monthly cycle, identify common disruptors, and discuss strategies to restore balance. Your body is always working to achieve equilibrium; it just needs the right conditions to do so.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

For women, hormonal imbalances can present in several ways. Some signs include:

• Early Menstruation: Historically, menstruation began around ages 16 to 18, but now, many girls start as early as 9. This shift warrants investigation into its causes.

• Heavy or Painful Periods: Extremely heavy or painful periods are not a normal part of menstruation and can indicate hormonal issues.

• Premenstrual Tension: Severe premenstrual symptoms are not typical and can be managed with proper treatment.

• Reproductive Health Issues: Conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), uterine polyps, cervical polyps, and cancers of the breast or uterus can all be related to hormonal imbalances.

• Other Symptoms: Depression, thyroid problems, and heart disease may also be linked to hormonal imbalances.

Understanding these symptoms can help in diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances effectively.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Men

For men, hormonal imbalances may lead to:

• Low Sperm Count: Reduced sperm count can be a sign of hormonal issues
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Approximately 50% of men over 40 in Australia experience ED, often due to hormonal imbalances.
• Prostate Problems: Hormonal imbalances can contribute to issues with the prostate.

Excessive levels of female hormones in men or high male hormones in women can also disrupt hormonal balance.

How Hormones Work and the Monthly Cycle

Hormones are derived from cholesterol, a vital lipid in the body. Cholesterol is converted into pregnenolone, which then produces several important hormones:

Progesterone: From which estrogen, testosterone, and adrenal hormones are synthesized.

The Monthly Cycle: A Hormonal Dance

The menstrual cycle, typically lasting 27 to 28 days, can be compared to a choreographed dance where different hormones take the stage at various times:

1. Day 1 of the Cycle: Menstruation starts with low levels of both estrogen and progesterone.
2. Day 7: Estrogen levels begin to rise, peaking around Day 14.
3. Day 14 to 15: Ovulation occurs, and the corpus luteum forms from the egg's release site. This structure produces progesterone, which is crucial for balancing hormones.

Role of Progesterone

Progesterone, produced by the corpus luteum, has several key functions:

• Uterine Lining Preparation: It helps prepare the uterus for potential implantation.

• Mood Regulation: Progesterone can improve mood and increase sexual desire.

• Facilitating Conception: It alters the cervix’s mucus to aid sperm entry into the uterus.

During this phase, the cervix produces a special lubricant to help sperm navigate into the uterus, making conception more likely.

Restoring Hormonal Balance

To restore hormonal balance, consider the following:

• Nutrition: Maintain a diet rich in essential nutrients.

• Lifestyle: Manage stress, ensure adequate sleep, and engage in regular exercise.

• Medical Advice: Consult a healthcare provider for personalized treatment based on symptoms.

By understanding and addressing hormonal imbalances, you can improve your overall health and well-being. The body is always working towards balance; with the right support, you can help it achieve and maintain that equilibrium.

Understanding Hormonal Changes and Disruptions

During pregnancy, hormone levels undergo significant changes. Progesterone is primarily sourced from the placenta, while estrogen levels rise, especially estriol, which is considered the milder form of estrogen. Estradiol (E1) and estrone (E2) are the more potent estrogens, promoting cell proliferation, while estriol (E3) is less aggressive.

An interesting aspect of sperm is its immune-suppressive property. Upon entering a woman’s body, sperm is recognized as foreign and would typically be targeted by the immune system. However, sperm has evolved to possess immune-suppressive properties once it passes through the prostate gland, allowing it to evade destruction and survive.

The immune system also adapts over time. If a woman is exposed repeatedly to her partner's sperm, her immune system recognizes it as familiar and becomes less aggressive. This adaptability can be problematic with multiple partners or certain practices like anal sex, which can heavily impact immune responses.

If conception does not occur, levels of both progesterone and estrogen drop around day 26 of the menstrual cycle. This decrease leads to reduced blood flow to the uterus, causing the uterine lining to shed and marking the start of a new cycle. However, many women experience irregular cycles, leading to the question: Why?

One significant factor is the introduction of the contraceptive pill in 1957, which became widely popular during the 1960s Sexual Revolution. The pill contains synthetic hormones derived from Mexican wild yam. These hormones mimic natural progesterone and estrogen but are chemically modified. Initially, the pill contained only estrogen, which was later combined with synthetic progesterone to reduce risks, although this synthetic form can inhibit natural progesterone uptake.

By the early 1990s, it was recognized that estrogen is a known carcinogen, leading to increased concern about its role in cancer. Synthetic progesterone, while intended to balance estrogen, often does not effectively counteract estrogen dominance.

Studies highlighted the issue of estrogen dominance, where excess estrogen promotes cell proliferation, leading to conditions such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometriosis. The rise in these conditions correlates with the introduction of the pill. Estrogen dominance can also contribute to breast and uterine cancers.

The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause has also been problematic. Though it alleviates symptoms like hot flashes, it often involves more synthetic hormones, which can increase cancer risks. Some women experience a recurrence of cancer after discontinuing HRT, highlighting the need for safer alternatives.

How To Reduce The Impact of Synthetic Hormones

There are several ways to manage hormone imbalances and reduce the impact of synthetic hormones:

1. Avoid Synthetic Hormones: Discontinue the use of hormonal contraceptives and HRT. Natural methods to manage fertility include tracking ovulation signs such as temperature changes and cervical mucus, and using barrier methods or withdrawal for contraception.

2. Reduce Exposure to Hormone Disruptors: Limit exposure to synthetic hormones in meat products and avoid plastics that contain chemicals like BPA and nonylphenol, which mimic estrogen. Opt for organic foods when possible and use glass or stainless steel for food storage.

3. Support Liver Health: The liver helps eliminate excess estrogen through two pathways. The hydroxy-2 pathway is beneficial, while the hydroxyl-16 pathway can worsen estrogen dominance. Foods like cabbage family vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts), vitamins B6, B9, and B12, and flaxseed promote the hydroxy-2 pathway.

4. Use Natural Progesterone: Natural progesterone creams, such as Anna’s Wild Yam Cream, can help balance hormones by stimulating the body to produce its own progesterone. Apply the cream to different skin areas and use it for at least a year for best results.

5. Consider Yoni Stones: For women experiencing vaginal dryness and discomfort, Yoni Stones made from nephrite jade may help tone and lubricate the vaginal tissues.

Conclusion 

Balancing hormones involves a multifaceted approach that includes eliminating harmful synthetic substances, supporting natural hormone production, and addressing lifestyle factors. By focusing on these areas, women can better manage hormonal health and reduce the risk of associated health issues.