How to Optimize Your Hormones: PMS to Fertility

Do you suffer from PMS symptoms, fatigue, or persistent weight gain? Chances are your hormones are to blame. Hormones are important chemical messengers, secreted into the bloodstream by glands of the endocrine system, such as the ovaries, thyroid, pancreas, and adrenals.

Our growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, blood sugar balance, reproduction, and mood are regulated by our hormones. Hormones are always working to support a balanced and healthy life.

Hormonal changes can affect everyone. For women, the most evident changes occur in their 40s and 50s, however more women are noticing hormonal imbalances earlier on. Why? Unhealthy diets and lifestyles, along with increased exposure to environmental toxins are a few reasons why we are facing the health impact of disrupted hormones.

Hormone imbalance can lead to fatigue, belly fat, loss of muscle mass, difficulty losing weight, low libido, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), acne, foggy thinking, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, cravings, hair loss, and infertility. When we practice ways to keep our hormones balanced, we can move towards improving our health and quality of life. Here are some key steps you can take to start optimizing your hormones today!

Overcome Estrogen Dominance

In women, excess estrogen in relation to progesterone can lead to mood swings, hair loss, low libido, slow metabolism, infertility, and is related to conditions such as PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid dysfunction. [1] We can overcome estrogen dominance by removing our use of everyday products that contain endocrine disruptors, as well as support the liver which is involved in the metabolism of estrogens into safe forms, so they can be properly excreted from the body. [2]

Consider the following:

• Drink a cup of warm water with lemon in the morning, plus enjoy spices and foods, such as turmeric, beets, garlic, and dandelion to nourish the liver.
• Choose organic fruits and vegetables (look up the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen list!), consume more plant-based proteins, and select organic, pasture-raised or 100% grass-fed animal products when possible to reduce consumption of pesticides.
• Look for supplements that provide ingredients that improve estrogen metabolism, such as indole-3-carbinol.
• Reduce the use of plastic products. [3,4]