It all started with animal studies that found that animals on low calories obviously lost weight, but also live up to 50% longer. The recent discovery is that the reason why is that this way of eating, far too extreme for us mortals, switches on ‘skinny’ genes and switches off genes that makes us age faster.  Animal studies have found that animals on low calories obviously lost weight, but also live up to 50% longer. The recent discovery is that the reason why is that this way of eating  switches on ‘skinny’ genes and switches off genes that makes us age faster.

Well OK, but how do you do that healthily? It is all down to your insulin levels apparently as the more you make the faster you age and the more weight you put on, especially around the middle.  Insulin is released whenever your blood sugar level goes high – the consequence of eating sugar or refined carbohydrates. A lot of dairy products also raises a type of insulin called insulin-like growth factr (IGF-1). Meat does too to a lesser extent.

How does it work?

Patrick Holford has always been at the forefront of  nutritional research and certainly has been investigating ‘ideal’ diets for many years. In his new book he outlines how, by combining elements of alternate-day fasting with a low-GL (glycemic-load) diet, you can lose fat fast, without going hungry or compromising your health. For those new to the low-GL diet, it is a way to keep your blood sugar even and avoid the peaks in blood sugar levels that tell the body to store fat.

Weight is a major concern for many women, and at menopause it can become a real issue as we know that extra pounds can carry extra health risks for hormonal balance and conditions such as diabetes. Burn Fat Fast contains simple, easy-to-follow guidelines on how the diet works. It also offers an outline of what to eat and what to avoid during both phases of the diet, and how to fit the diet into your lifestyle. The latest research shows that specific types of exercise switch on fat burning, so the plan also includes a short, effective fat-burning exercise routine, developed by former Gladiator Kate Staples.

It looks like by combining two effective diets Patrick Holford has devised the perfect diet for keeping your insulin level low and optimising your weight but without pain and hunger. A lifelong diet is the only one that makes sense, and that means it has to be something that is manageable and pleasurable. The pay off  is to look  younger, feel healthier and minimise your vulnerability to diseases like cancer and heart disease then it is worth a serious look.

The diet is based on eating low GL foods and a simplified, and easier, version of the new 2 day fast that has been in the media so much. He has altered it so that you have a lower food intake 3 days a week, but not as low as every other day. Low GL foods are foods that release their sugar content slowly, such as oat flakes as opposed to cornflakes, or berries as opposed to bananas, or wholegrain soda bread as compared to white bread.  There are other simple ways to keep your insulin level down – always eating protein with carbs (eg nuts with fruit); a squeeze of lemon juice or some vinegar, perhaps in salad dressing, with your meal.

Then there’s exercise, which to be honest I am never keen on, but the suggested routine is only  8 minutes routine you do every other day to accelerate fatburning. As that includes walking, dancing, swimming and cycling – plus running up and down stairs – which is something most of us can do every day –  so it is manageable, and no expensive equipment needed either.

Patrick Holford clearly believes there is no better way to get slim, strong and healthy without hunger and has hundreds of happy customers who have lost the equivalent of 1 stone a month, and many a lot more longer-term,  on his new diet.  He is also running seminars to help you get to grips with this whole new way of eating  and you will find information on the book, a video interview with him, and tour dates here http://www.patrickholford.com/burn-fat-fast

These simple tips can keep your hormones happy and balanced, just keep the list handy!

1.     Eat every 2-3 hours to keep your blood-sugar levels constant

2.     Eat a balance of good carbs, proteins and fats at every meal:

*Good carbs include vegetables, fruits,  whole-grains and legumes

*Great proteins include shelled hemp seeds and  brown rice protein

*Fabulous fats include avocados, cold-pressed oils and coconut butter

3. Include happy hormone superfoods at every meal such as  bee pollen and maca

4. Drink lots of spring water and coconut water to stay hydrated

5.     Create a “PMS Survival kit” which includes yummy healthy treats that you carry around with you

6. Use natural progesterone cream to ease your PMS

7. Take time out to relax and enjoy lots of me-time

8. Write down what you eat every day in a beautiful journal

9. Eat raw chocolate instead of unhealthy processed chocolate when you have PMS cravings

10. Track your monthly cycle so that you can start to see patterns in your symptoms

Charlie Lagoa is passionate about helping women who suffer from PMS look and feel fabulous every day of the month. She writes a newsletter with weekly tips for *happy hormones*. To find out more and to subscribe to her newsletter, visit www.CharlieLagoa.co.uk” and you can also download a  free colour poster of her tips that you can download and put on your fridge.

The latest study in Sweden from Uppsala University claims that women taking HRT after the menopause stay stronger and have significantly improved muscle function. Interestingly it seems that cells were arranged differently in muscle fibres in post-menopausal women taking HRT compared with those who did not and yes that is something to explore. However, this was study o 12 women, of whom only 6 were actually on HRT, so statistically this is tiny.

What to think about

With an estimated one million women in the UK being prescribed HRT in their 50s the general reason is to replace oestrogen and  help with symptoms such as hot flushes and mood changes. It is also claimed to slow bone loss and increase bone density, and reverse declining levels of skin collagen, which is responsible for the stretch in skin and muscle.

This latest addition to the HRT benefits means that because HRT reduces the drop in muscle mass and strength in post-menopausal women it will improve the ability to jump higher and walk faster than those not taking drugs.  Well yes, but is that really something that can’t be gained in other ways from regular exercise an practices such as yoga and tai chi?

Researchers observed six pairs of post-menopausal identical twins – of whom only one of each pair was receiving HRT.

My main problem with this is the very tiny sample they are basing it on, and whether the benefit outweighs what are genuine health risks associated with HRT. Many women are happy on HRT, but it is their doctors who are taking them off it because they are very aware of those risks, so is the ability to jump higher really worthwhile in the context of the issues with heart disease and cancer?

The very original research on HRT was based on a tiny sample and it has been on womens bodies over the years since that have shown the drawbacks and potential hazards.  It is in the nature of researchers to want to research but I can’t help feeling that turning their attention to bioidentical hormones would be a better use of their time and resources.   Thousands and thousands of women worldwide successfully use bioidentical hormones to hep with symptoms from PMS to post menopause and in this case there is definitely strength in numbers.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/04/17/hrt-or-bioidentical-hormones-heres-why/

http://jeffreydach.com/2011/08/29/falsehoods-about-bioidentical-hormones-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/01/26/progesterone-and-protection-from-menopausal-heart-problems/

While classic baldness has always been associated with men, what has become increasingly more common today is the “female pattern” hair loss.  Women rarely lose hair to the extreme that men do, however, many experience a significant reduction in the diameter of the hair shaft leading to an overall hair thinning.  This pattern most often develops around the onset of menopause.  Before menopause 13% of women experience hair thinning compared to 37% that experience this after menopause.

The Three Critical Sex Hormones:

Women have a critical balance of 3 major sex hormones: progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone (androgens).  When women stop ovulating at the onset of menopause, there are fluxuations of the various hormones.  For many women this process can become extreme.  Research has shown that lifestyle plays a significant role in the regulation of these hormones and the effects of middle-age hormonal fluctuations.

The major hormone involved in hair loss is called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is the result of testosterone being in contact with the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which is found in the skin and scalp.  When DHT is present it interacts with the hair follicles cell membrane receptor and disrupts the process of hair growth.  This process is called androgen alopecia and is caused by excessive androgenic hormones coupled with high levels of oxidative stress.

Excess Sebum and Thinning Hair:

Several researchers have reported a correlation between excessive sebum in the scalp and hair loss.  Excessive sebum often accompanying thinning hair is attributed to systemic inflammatory conditions in the body and an enlargement of the sebaceous gland. The researchers believed excessive inflammation into the sebum causes a high level of 5-alpha reductase which clogs pores and further increases inflammatory processes.

Several factors are critical for reducing inflammatory conditions in the hair follicle.  The first step is to inhibit the excessive androgenic hormone formation.   Saw Palmetto is a very effective anti-androgen that blocks the cell membranes from absorbing high levels of DHT.   This helps balance hormones in the body.  Other DHT inhibiting nutrients include green tea extract and systemic enzymes.

The second step is to enhance intracellular anti-oxidant stores with glutathione boosting sources.  Boosting glutathione within the cell protects the scalp and follicle mitochondria from oxidative stress.   Low glutathione increases a molecule called Protein Kinase C which accelerates the loss of hair follicles.   Major anti-oxidant sources that boost glutathione include N-Acetyle Cysteine, Inositol, Lutein, Quercetin, Resveratrol, Grape Seed Extract, and Zeaxanthin.

Cytokines serve as molecular messengers that regulate different inflammatory processes.   One particular pro-inflammatory cytokine is TNF-a.  When TNF-a is over-secreted in the sebaceous gland and hair follicles it causes rapid inflammation and hair loss.  Low vitamin-D and improper Omega 6:3 ratios within the cell can lead to increased TNF-a and elevated inflammatory pathways.  Certain nutrients act specifically on the TNF-a pathway including Curcumin, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Stinging Nettle Extract, Green Tea Extract, Fish Oil, Borage Oil/Evening Primrose Oil, and systemic enzymes.

Immediate Action Steps:

What you can do first is to address the  factors that influence hair loss such as inadequate nutriton, sudden weight loss through crash dieting or illness, and stress which plays a major role in affecting all areas of our body, including our hair.

A good diet for healthy hair is anti-oxidant rich and with plenty of protein, iron and Vitamin D — which is thought to be important for hair growth –  plus a good anti-oxidant supplement. Anti-inflammatory based herbs such as turmeric, ginger, and dandelion will help too and oddly enough so will regular exercise .

Why Hormone Balance Matters:

You can’t change the fact that you may be entering perimenopause, or have PCOS, but you can ensure you get your hormone balance right and that your progesterone and oestrogen levels are in the right ratio to redress the problem.  Hair renewal is a slow process: the average scalp has 100,000 hairs. Each follicle produces a single hair that grows at a rate of 1.25 cm (half an inch) per month. After growing for two to six years, the hair rests before falling out. It is soon replaced with a new hair, and the cycle begins again. At any given time, 90% of the hair is growing, and the remainder is resting, and women have reported that supplementing with bioidentical natural progesterone has improved hair quality so it is thicker and glossier.

What can happen is that when  progesterone levels fall as a result of lack of ovulation the body responds by increasing its production of the adrenal cortical steroid, androstenedione, an alternative precursor for the production of other adrenal cortical hormones. Androstenedione conveys some androgenic (male-like_ properties – in this case male pattern hair loss.  When progesterone levels are raised by supplementation the androstenedione level will gradual fall, and normal hair growth will eventually resume.   Since hair growth is slow, it may take 4-6 months for the effects to become apparent.

Hair loss in women can be triggered by about 30 different medical conditions, as well as several lifestyle factors and as a starting point, hair loss experts recommend testing for thyroid problems and hormone imbalance. A little known side effect of hormonal contraception is the potential for hair loss. The hormones that suppress ovulation can cause the hair to thin in some women, particularly those with a family history of hair loss. Sometimes hair loss begins when you stop taking the pill. Other drugs linked to hair loss include blood thinners and medicines that treat high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and depression.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/12/12/reversing-female-hair-loss/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/08/20/help-for-menopausal-hair-loss/

Dr. David Jockers is a chiropractor, exercise physiologist and natural health specialist. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition and exercise, and structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com

Women can experience early-onset menopause as much as 2.3 years earlier

than those with lower exposures to phthalates.

Why should you be worried?

They are so common in so many products that it is unlikely you have not used something that contains them. Phthalates are used as softeners for cosmetics, shampoo, shower gels, plastic and vinyl. The problem for women is that the compounds in these man-made substances can mimic oestrogen. This means they send mixed signals to the endocrine system. If you are unfortunate enough to have a high exposure to them it seems there may be linked to:

• more severe hot flashes
• irritability
• insomnia
• earlier menopause

7 steps you can take to reduce risk

Taking steps first to reduce all forms of oestrogen and avoiding oestrogen dominance symptoms will minimise the impact of phthalates on your hormones. Plus, there are some simple things you can do right now:

1. Always check ingredients before you buy. Look for the these abbreviations on the label: DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate), DEP (diethyl phthalate), DMP (dimethyl phthalate).
2. Go for fragrance-free where possible as ‘fragrance’ often indicates a collection of compounds including phthalates.
3. Herbal remedies are a traditional way to help hormone balance . The most frequently used are black cohosh, passionflower, red clover and chasteberry (Agnus Castus) can help decrease your chances that phthalates and other endocrine disruptors will worsen your hormonal symptoms. Women do vary in their response to herbal remeies so you may have to experient to find the best combination.
4. Bioidentical natural progesterone is essential to control the effects of excess oestrogen as women lose the natural protection of progesterone at menopause. Oestrogen dominance can occur at any age, but is more common as women approach menopause.
5. Limit exposure to chemicals in food by going for organic food wherever possible. Always wash all fruit and vegetables with a specific washing agent available from health stores.
6. Vitamins should be  coming from our daily diet, but we rarely have sufficient to protect us from xenoestrogens (environmental oestrogens). They also help with our body’s hormone production and cell regeneration, and are essential to help us detox , particularly the antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene.
7. It is a daily task for your body to filter out and eliminate toxic waste and adding in extras for it to cope with, such as phthalates, makes that task harder. Support your body by ensuring you get enough sleep, regular exercise and plenty of water and that will optimize your capacity to detox.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/03/15/what-is-oestrogen-dominance/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/10/06/the-dangers-of-bspa-for-women/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/05/15/cancers-fertility-thyroid-problems-linked-to-household-chemicals/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/02/18/banned-chemicals-that-affect-your-unborn-child-and-your-hormone-balance/

Phytoestrogens – friend or foe?

Oestrogen-like plant compounds are often called phytoestrogens (phyto=plant). At first glance, given the health problems associated with oestrogen dominance, one might think that eating foods rich in phytoestrogens might be bad news. If anything, however, the reverse seems to be true if taken in small quantities.

Caution:  not for pregnant women or those suffering from endometriosis.

Good sources of phytoestrogens include:small amounts of soya, tofu, chickpeas, rye bread, beansprouts, lentils nuts and seeds, green tea, green vegetables, cabbage and peas plus a good variety of fruits and vegetables.

Phytonutrient herbal remedies

Many herbal remedies are now available as supplements on the basis of their beneficial effects on balancing hormones. These include:

Agnus castus. The plant (also known as chasteberry) has a long history as a herb for women’s problems. Traditionally used to relieve premenstrual and menopausal problems. It has an action on the pituitary gland mimicking the action of the corpus luteum which produces progesterone. By stimulating the release of LH (luteinising hormone) and inhibiting the release of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), progesterone levels would tend to be increased in relation to oestrogen.

Its therapeutic powers were also proven in a series of double-blind gtrials, attributed to its indirect effects on decreasing oestrogn levels and prolactin. Raised prolactin is known to lower oestrogen levels. In most trials 4mg a day of a standardised extract (containing 6% agnusides – one of the active ingredients) was used.

Black cohosh, dong quai and wild yam. These all have progesterone favourable effects on the body. Yams are especially rich in diosgenin, from which progesterone can be made in the laboratory.  We cannot however turn these phytonutrients into progesterone itself, so while these plants may help to balance the hormones, they do not replace the need for progesterone in a person who is progesterone deficient.  Fennel also has a progesterone-favourable effect on hormone balance.

The most promising of the herbs used to treat the symptoms of menopause is black cohosh, which can help to reduce hot flushes, sweating, insomnia and anxiety. Three douible blind trials have been published. One showed no effect, the other was beneficial and the third showed reduced sweating but no reduction in the number of hot flushes.  It also helps relieve depression by raising serotonin levels. Even so, I’d recommend that you take black cohosh three months on, one month off. Take 50mp twice a day.

Caution: avoid black cohosh if you are taking liver-toxic drugs or have a damaged liver or if you suffer from endometriosis or polycystic ovaries unless otherwise advised by your nutritional therapist.

Dong quai may thin the blood and is therefore contraindicated if on warfarin.

The other ‘hot’ herb for flushes is dong quai, and in one placebo-controlled study, 55 post-menopausal women who were given dong quai and chamomile instead of HRT had an 80 percent reduction in hot flushes. These results became apparent after 1 month. An earlier study didn’t find this effect however. If you want to try it I recommend 600mg a day for relief from hot flushes.

DIM. Broccoli is especially rich in diindolylmethane (DIM), which assists the healthy metabolism of oestrogen, mopping up excess oestrogens and helping to metabolise it into a form that has little activity. It also helps DNA repair and this is associated with lower risk for certain cancers and positive effects on a wide variety of  hormonal health problems. All the cruciferous vegetables – including kale, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts – are good sources and help to protect against oestrogen dominance. Also available as a supplement I recommend 100-3–mg a day for anyone with suspected oestrogen dominance.

Ginseng and liquorice. Considered to contain quite powerful adaptogens – substances that help restore hormonal balance; for example liquorice appears to potentiate oestrogen when levels are too low and inhibit it when levels are too high. Both liquorice and ginseng influence adrenal hormones, responsible for stress. Ginseng is a classic herbal remedy for increasing ability to deal with stress. Both have widespread uses for a number of hormone-related conditions probably because adrenal hormones and sex hormones are very closely related, with the adrenal glands producing small amounts of sex hormones.

St John’s Wort. A herb renowned for its antidepressant effects, has been demonstrated to relieve other menopausal symptoms, including headaches, palpitations, lack of concentration and decreased libido. The combination of black cohosh and St John’s Wort (300mg a day) can be particularly effective for women who are experiencing menopause-related depression, irritability and fatigue.

Caution: no known serious adverse effects but be advised it is best to consult your doctor if you are on an antidepressant.

Summary:

The inclusion of the correct phytonutrient foods and herbs may help your b ody to adapt, thus restoring and maintaining its hormonal balance. Many supplements that are designed to support female health contain combinations of these herbs and are likely to be beneficial; however, I advise that if you are considering taking large amounts of the herbs individually you do so under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner.

This is extracted with permission from Patrick Holford’s book ‘Balance Your Hormones’ which is obtained from his website, together with information on his work, at www.patrickholford.com

Further information:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2013/04/05/adaptogens-and-their-effect-on-hormones/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2013/02/01/don’t-underestimate-the-effect-of-stress-on-your-hormonal-symptoms/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/09/29/7-natural-ways-of-coping-with-anxiety-and-panic-attacks/

The role of hormones in bone development

Throughout our lives, unseen by us, our bones are being constantly broken down as they become old and built up with replacement new bone. To do this we need both our sex hormones to have strong healthy bones at any age. Oestrogen slows bone breakdown and retains old bone and progesterone helps speeds the build up of bone and can improve your bone density long-term.

It seems that oestrogen continues to provide us with protection from breaking a bone as we switch production in menopause to that extra layer of fat on our stomach and hips. New research reported in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology from Sydney’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research, has found women with an extra layer of fat are less likely to break bones than those with perfectly toned tums – a very good reason to give up those killing abs crunches.

This is based on more than 1,000 men and women aged 50-plus whose health was followed for an average of five years. In that time only 19 of the men and 107 of the women broke a bone which led researchers to conclude that if you take into account the amount of abdominal fat each person has then there is a  link between big bellies and breaks in the women. However, it seems not to offer the same help to men, so no excuse for the beer belly and their findings only apply to women who are overweight, not obese.

From the study, the 25 per cent of women with fattest middles were 40 per cent less likely to have broken a bone than those with the flattest midriffs. This led the researchers to conclude that the benefit to the women could be due to the extra force placed on bones strengthening them and the valuable padding the extra fat provides if you do have a fall.

How to have healthy bones at menopause

It seems that worldwide the rate of bone breakage has gone down as obesity levels have risen, but putting on weight is simply not the answer to protect your bones. That ‘extra force’ from the additional weight is not as  healthy as undertaking regular weight bearing exercise and that ‘valuable padding’ on the stomach carries real health risks.

Excess stomach fat is associated with higher risks for diabetes and cancer, so it is more important to ensure a healthy weight that is evenly distributed and to ensure good hormone balance.

The role of progesterone in bone building is often overlooked as women are given only oestrogen and synthetic progestogens at menopause. Unless oestrogen is regulated by progesterone there is the danger of oestrogen dominance symptoms and with no balancing progesterone the oestrogen simply retains the old bone for longer, but it is also getting weaker. The protection from oestrogen in HRT only lasts as long as the HRT is taken .

Women at risk through family history or health factors such as long term dieting, anorexia, early menopause may also want to look at supplementing with bioidentical natural progesterone to not only protect their bones but also to offer additional support for other menopausal health risks.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/03/15/what-is-osteoporosis/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/10/20/don’t-ignore-the-4-main-myths-about-osteoporosis/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/01/16/what-your-doctor-may-not-tell-you-about-osteoporosis-and-bioidentical-natural-progesterone/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/11/23/how-much-progesterone-do-i-need-for-osteoporosis/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/10/08/losing-weight-after-menopause/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/11/01/menopause-rearranges-womens-fat/

Strangely it is around 40 when some women see signs of perimenopause that actually may be PMS once again responding to your changing hormones.  The signs may an increased heavy menstrual bleeding, greater irritability, headaches and often food cravings as well.  Sadly it seems that if you are suffering it can be a sign that your actual menopause may be difficult too.

Why the change?

This is certainly a distressing and painful condition and related to hormone imbalance because once a women reaches 35 her hormonal pattern starts to shift and hormones can plunge and rise dramatically, with all the accompanying symptoms. This can go on throughout menopause and during this time, the ratio of progesterone to oestrogen is usually very much lower than when you were younger and this can result in severe PMS symptoms.

However casual you may have been about nutrition and diet when you were in your twenties, these deficiencies really begin to hit home once you reach 40.  Having significantly inadequate levels of calcium, magnesium and B vitamins long-term can make symptoms like poor sleep, irritability, fatigue, muscle cramps, achiness, and food cravings even worse.

Key PMS symptoms and solutions after 35

Hormone balance is key at this age as it around now that the hormonal rollercoaster gets into gear so check for any signs of oestrogen dominance and low progesterone levels.  These are the symptoms you want to look out for: W

1. If you are becoming much more anxious and irritable then that can mean low progesterone.This is the hormone that keeps ou calm and helps lift our mood so you stay more cetnred and less pulled by each annoying incident, or person!

You can naturally boost your progesterone levels by supplementing with bioidentical natural progesterone and there are also herbs like black cohosh, lemon balm and maca that boost progesterone-like effects in your body to support  you.

2. Food cravings are also likely to increase, particularly for sugar and chocolate – two staple food groups for hormonally challenged women.  Try to keep your  blood sugar levels stable by including some form of protein at every meal and snack, and limiting sugar. It is no substitute, but sometimes chocolate cravings are connected to magnesium deficiency. Ward them off with a good multivitamin that has magnesium plus snack on almonds and pumpkin seeds as they are naturally high in magnesium.

3. Bloating and stomach cramps are classic PMS symptoms and again relate to  having low levels of progesterone to oestrogen. Regular, gentle exercise is the answer and the herbs  can cause increased cramping, among other things. Exercise and some herbs can help so try burdock and chasteberry and fennel, peppermint, and ginger all help with digestive upset and nausea.

4. PMS symptoms naturally lower your libido, who feels sexy when bloated and in pain? However progesterone is associated with increased sex drive in women so that could be another bonus for ensuring you have good levels throughout the month.

5   There can also be an emotional component to PMS so dealign with that alongside good hormonal and nutritional support could be the last key to finally overcoming your symptoms.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/03/15/what-is-oestrogen-dominance/

Dr Tony Coope has written a series of articles on PMS of which this is the first

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/06/22/premenstrual-syndrome-pms/

Endometriosis is sadly not uncommon and is generally agreed to be stimulated by oestrogen dominance which can cause both irregular cycles and retention of old blood.  Endometriosis occurs where the endometrium, tissue from the lining of the uterus, forms and grows in places outside the uterus. These growths may lead to pain and infertility.

Normally, the endometrium within the uterus thickens each  month to prepare for a possible pregnancy and when this doesn’t occur, the extra lining breaks down and is shed during menstruation.  However, with endometriosis, the endometrial tissue that is outside the uterus also thickens, breaks down, and bleeds, except it can’t be expelled vaginally like normal endometrial tissue. Instead, it builds up over time and forms patches, scar tissue, cysts, and adhesions.

Usually, these endometrial growths form in the pelvic region, including on or near the ovaries, but they can also appear less commonly near the rectum, vagina, fallopian tubes, or even in the urinary or gastrointestinal tracts.

Although some women experience no symptoms and discover the endometriosis only after an infertility evaluation, others experience painful periods and painful sexual intercourse.

How endometriosis may affect fertility:

Between 30 to 50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility although of course not every woman with endometriosis will have trouble conceiving. There are several ways a woman’s fertility can be impacted by endometriosis and these are some of them:

• Endometrial growths, scar tissue, adhesions, or cysts that are around the ovaries may prevent an egg from entering the fallopian tubes.

• Endometrial tissue, if in the ovary, may actually prevent ovulation from occurring.

• Endometriosis may form inside the fallopian tubes, blocking passage inside the tubes and preventing the egg and sperm from meeting.

Endometriosis can make sexual intercourse painful and this pain may be more acute around the time of ovulation. Not having sex at that time would certainly reduce your ability to get pregnant.

How Is Endometriosis Treated?

Treatment of endometriosis will depend on the severity of the disease, if you’re experiencing pain, your age, and on whether you want to get pregnant. Some treatments for endometriosis would lead to decreased fertility, which would not be an option if you’re trying to conceive.

The conventional medical treatment may include laparascopic surgery to remove endometrial growths, scar tissue, and adhesions caused by the endometriosis. Although not a cure, as the endometriosis may return later, it can temporarily increase fertility for up to 9 months after surgery.

Ohter options women are offered can be IVF treatment, Intra uterine devices such as the Coil, fertility drugs, painkillers and surgery which can include hysterectomy.

What Can You Do?

Because endometriosis does have a strong inflammatory component, and is strongly influenced by oestrogen, simply rebalancing with bioidentical natural progesterone can be sufficient to bring the condition under control as it deals with both these conditions.

Many women with endometriosis have found relief by using bioidentical natural progesterone, and if these are also combined with changes in dietary habits then this can help relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and addressing the oestrogen dominance that underlies it.

An anti-inflammatory diet includes a wide variety of fresh food, fruit and vegetables and looks to reduce consumption of dairy, processed and fast foods. To reduce oestrogen exposure eat organic hormone-free meat, limit alcohiol and eat an abundance of fruits and vegetables. The suggested dietary intake for women is 1500-2000 calories a day with 40 to 50 percent from carbohydrates, 30 percent from fat, and 20 to 30 percent from protein.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/03/15/what-is-oestrogen-dominance/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2010/11/21/identifying-the-causes-of-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/03/26/the-key-role-of-progesterone-in-fertility-conception-and-maintaining-a-pregnancy/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/12/21/giving-fertility-a-helping-hand/

Sources:

The news of this additional risk was published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute in March 2013 and came as a result of information from the  Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) in the USA.  They found that in a randomized trial, estrogen plus progestin was associated with an increase in both breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Women At Risk

However this was a different result from previous studies, so researchers at  Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute looked at postmenopausal women with no prior hysterectomy, who had negative mammograms within two years and who were either users or non-users of estrogen and progestin combined therapy.

The results were clear:  breast cancer incidence was higher in estrogen plus progestin users (combined HRT) than in nonusers.This also led the study authors to conclude that the higher breast cancer incidence of those using estrogen plus progestin may lead to increased breast cancer mortality and not just increased risk.

The National Cancer Institute, wrote that questions remain about whether the data analyzed from the WHI observational study resolves the differences in tumor prognosis and tumor characteristics when compared to the WHI randomized trial. They write that, “In general, tumors in estrogen plus progestin users in the WHI Observational Study were not significantly different from those in non-hormone users with regard to number of positive lymph nodes or tumor size, but were more likely to be well differentiated and positive for hormone receptors, findings which are similar to other observational studies.” This, however, did not translate into a survival benefit. They recommend further analyses in this and other datasets of currency and duration of hormone use in relationship to tumor development to fully resolve the issue of tumor characteristics associated with estrogen plus progestin therapy.

Decreasing the Risk

There are so many  health risks associated with HRT, and also so many women find the side effects unmanageable, it is not surprising that so many abandon HRT within a year of starting it. Bioidentical HRT is available where natural progesterone and oestrogens are combined and knowing that progesterone (not the synthetic progestins) are actually protective of breast cancer and heart disease that  it would seem to make sense that women are offered that option.

Further reading:

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/04/17/hrt-or-bioidentical-hormones-heres-why/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2011/05/18/natural-progesterone-as-a-preventive-for-breast-cancer-by-dr-david-zava/

http://www.bio-hormone-health.com/2012/01/26/progesterone-and-protection-from-menopausal-heart-problems/