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Root Cause of Hormonal Issues
Thanks to Susan Sommers and Oprah, the use of bio-identical hormones to treat menopausal symptoms has become a hot topic.
Conventional treatment of troublesome hot flashes, insomnia, declining libido and bone density loss that many women experience upon entering their Age of Wisdom has been with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).The hormones used are made of synthetically created molecules or are hormones isolated from animal sources, most commonly, pregnant mares. These hormones are supplemented to ease the abrupt hormone with-drawl that occurs in women experiencing symptoms of menopause. Neither are quite identical to the natural hormones that the female body creates.
Our hormones affect our whole body. They affect our metabolism, our mood, our sleep cycles, our appetite, our body shape, our hair growth, our bone strength; in fact, there are very few parts of our bodies not affected by our hormones. Horses have a shorter life span, faster rate of maturation into adulthood, and much larger bodies.
HRT has come under scrutiny in recent years due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and the increased incidence of some hormone related cancers.
Bio-identical hormones on the other hand are also synthetic, but are identical in their structure to human hormones. They can be compounded and dose adjusted according to individual need. Many women report improved symptom relief and quality of life, however, the jury is out in regards to the safety of either of them. While hormone replace has many important benefits, there is growing concern about negative effects.
Menopause is a natural event. What has made it such a challenge for so many North American women? Why must we treat it un-naturally by supplementing hormones at a time when our ovaries are supposed to be slowing their production of estrogen? Our grandmothers hardly complained of having any menopausal symptoms, and woman in developing nations by and large do not have such a negative experience.
The answer is in looking at the body holistically. Our hormone producing tissues do not function by themselves. They function in interaction with each other and with other organs in an intricate system of checks and balances. Menopause symptoms are a sign that the natural order in our bodies is off and needs to be re-balanced. The liver, bowel and intestinal flora, adrenal glands and thyroid glands all impact our estrogen and progesterone balance and how well we weather this life change. The amount of stress a woman has endured affects the health and functioning of these glands. In my experience, woman with terrible menopausal symptoms have an imbalance or sub-optimal functioning of one or more of these aspects. By addressing the root of the problem, including the diet, lifestyle and physiology in each individual woman, it is possible to manage menopausal symptoms safely and naturally.
Please share this article with your family, friends and colleagues.
Best regards,
-Tammy Grime
Bsc. (Hons) ND, Naturopathic Doctor
Thanks to Susan Sommers and Oprah, the use of bio-identical hormones to treat menopausal symptoms has become a hot topic.
Conventional treatment of troublesome hot flashes, insomnia, declining libido and bone density loss that many women experience upon entering their Age of Wisdom has been with the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).The hormones used are made of synthetically created molecules or are hormones isolated from animal sources, most commonly, pregnant mares. These hormones are supplemented to ease the abrupt hormone with-drawl that occurs in women experiencing symptoms of menopause. Neither are quite identical to the natural hormones that the female body creates.
Our hormones affect our whole body. They affect our metabolism, our mood, our sleep cycles, our appetite, our body shape, our hair growth, our bone strength; in fact, there are very few parts of our bodies not affected by our hormones. Horses have a shorter life span, faster rate of maturation into adulthood, and much larger bodies.
HRT has come under scrutiny in recent years due to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and the increased incidence of some hormone related cancers.
Bio-identical hormones on the other hand are also synthetic, but are identical in their structure to human hormones. They can be compounded and dose adjusted according to individual need. Many women report improved symptom relief and quality of life, however, the jury is out in regards to the safety of either of them. While hormone replace has many important benefits, there is growing concern about negative effects.
Menopause is a natural event. What has made it such a challenge for so many North American women? Why must we treat it un-naturally by supplementing hormones at a time when our ovaries are supposed to be slowing their production of estrogen? Our grandmothers hardly complained of having any menopausal symptoms, and woman in developing nations by and large do not have such a negative experience.
The answer is in looking at the body holistically. Our hormone producing tissues do not function by themselves. They function in interaction with each other and with other organs in an intricate system of checks and balances. Menopause symptoms are a sign that the natural order in our bodies is off and needs to be re-balanced. The liver, bowel and intestinal flora, adrenal glands and thyroid glands all impact our estrogen and progesterone balance and how well we weather this life change. The amount of stress a woman has endured affects the health and functioning of these glands. In my experience, woman with terrible menopausal symptoms have an imbalance or sub-optimal functioning of one or more of these aspects. By addressing the root of the problem, including the diet, lifestyle and physiology in each individual woman, it is possible to manage menopausal symptoms safely and naturally.
Please share this article with your family, friends and colleagues.
Best regards,
-Tammy Grime
Bsc. (Hons) ND, Naturopathic Doctor
