Women's Wellness

Being a woman isn't easy. Feeling on top of the world on few days, while sobbing or getting irritated on every silly things for the next few days. If you can relate to these situations, possibly it's your hormones that are driving you crazy. From mood swings to physical ailments, hormones play a vital role in determining a woman’s health outcome. While there are numerous hormones under play, the article for today focuses on two most prominent ones. Progesterone and estrogen. In this write-up, we will be learning about their significance in women’s health and how to balance hormones naturally.

Hormones

The human body produces more than 50 different hormones, which function as messengers that lodge on receptors and transmit signals from one part of the body to another. These hormones are secreted by special glands called endocrine glands such as your thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal glands and pituitary glands. These hormones have an essential role in

• Mood regulation
• Metabolism
• Reproduction
• Sleep-wake cycle
• Sexual function
• Growth & development
• Body’s equilibrium

Role of Hormones in Women

A woman’s body undergoes many physiological changes, and hormones play a vital role in the same. Amongst all, there are two major hormones, progesterone and estrogen, that have a major influence in women during menstruation, pregnancy to menopause and more. So let us learn a little bit more about this two hormones before we figure out how do you balance hormones naturally.

What is Estrogen

Estrogen is the primary sex hormone in women that gives her her feminine features from soft skin to eider hips,  breasts development, etc. Primarily produced by the ovaries, estrogen is also secreted by the adrenal glands, fat cells and placenta( during pregnancy). The levels of estrogen first rise during puberty and are active during the reproductive stage, while its levels decrease post menopause. Estrogen comes in 3 different variations, with estradiol(E2)  being the most biologically active form secreted by the ovaries during reproductive years. While estriol(E3) has its major role during pregnancy and estrone(E1) post menopause.

What is Progesterone

Another female hormone that is crucial during reproductive age not only supports menstruation but also has a more vital role during the pregnancy phase. It is primarily made by the corpus luteum gland(temporary organ in ovary) but is also produced by the adrenal gland and placenta. It is this hormone that thickens the uterine lining post conception that helps the egg to grow into an embryo and later into a fetus. The pregnancy phase experiences a surge of this hormone, and its decline starts post menopause. It is also known as a pregnancy hormone as it is this hormone that prevents any preterm labor or miscarriages by suppressing uterine contractions. Progesterone is also responsible for the increase in breast size and the production of breast milk during pregnancy.

Significance of Estrogen and Progesterone

The first 14 days of menstruation, also known as the folicular phase, marks a surge of estrogen increases followed by a dip in the next 14 days, also known as the Luteal phase, where progesterone levels dominate.  Estrogen and progesterone work together to keep your body in balance, helping to regulate your menstrual cycle, support pregnancy, and even assist with lactation. But their impact goes far beyond reproduction. Estrogen is key for keeping your heart, bones, and skin healthy, while progesterone has a calming effect on your brain, helping you relax and sleep better and contributing to your overall well-being. Since the levels of estrogen & progesterone both decrease after menopause, it can have a significant impact on a woman’s overall health, and she may need additional supplementation or hormonal replacement therapy to maintain her health & fitness.

Consequences of Hormonal Imbalance

What happens when these hormones go out of sync or control? Very frequently, we hear the term hormonal imbalance, but what causes it & what kind of impact does it have on a woman’s body? 

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance

While age and different stages of womanhood can bring about hormonal fluctuations, certain aspects of lifestyle 

Unhealthy Diet-  A diet low in essential nutrients or good quality fat can lead to hormonal imbalance, as healthy fats serve as precursors for hormone production. Also, indulging in excess processed and junk foods exposes the body to toxins & leads to weight gain which further contribute to hormonal imbalance.

Stress-  Stress can lead to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which further leads to hormonal imbalances such as estrogen dominance or progesterone suppression. Both can lead to irregular menstruation, mood swings, fatigue,  weight gain, etc.

Endocrine Disruptors (Exposure to toxins)- Certain chemicals in cosmetics, BPA from plastics, and Innsecticides & pesticides can lead to hormonal disturbances by acting as endocrine-disrupting elements.

Overweight/Obesity- Excess fat in the body can lead to estrogen dominance as estrogen is also produced by adipose tissues(fat cells). Moreover, excess fat also leads to increased androgen levels, which disturb the hormonal balance in a woman’s body.

Hormonal Contraceptives- External hormones containing synthetic estrogen and progesterone can disturb the body’s natural hormonal balance if not taken under supervision or in a controlled manner.

Conventional Treatment

Conventional treatment for hormonal imblance in women would include hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptive pills, vaginal estrogen or anti androgen medicines, depending upon the cause.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

One of the most common treatments practised is for estrogen or progesterone deficiency and menopausal symptoms in HRT. These are implemented through various estrogen pills, patches, and gels. Depending upon the cause of hormonal imbalance, individual hormones or a combination of hormones is administered through these medications.

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Another common treatment practised by many doctors to treat irregular menses, PCOD, and Hormonal acne is the prescription of birth control pills. Available in the form of rings, pills, and patches, these also contain an estrogen+ progesterone combination, while some contain only progestrone alone.

Other Medications

Depending on the type of hormonal imbalance, treatment options vary. For instance, PCOS would be treated with Metformin for insulin resistance, while clomiphine is advised in infertility issues, levothyroxine or antithyroid meds for thyroid disorders or antiandogens for

Balancing hormones naturally

Healthy Diet

A diet rich in fiber, protein and healthy fats can go a long way in balancing your hormones naturally. Limiting processed, refined, and other food products that are rich in saturated fats can prevent excess fat build-u,p thereby preventing insulin resistance and obesity, which are some common contributors to hormonal imbalance. Furthermore restricting junk & unhealthy foods can prevent the toxin intake in the form of artificial additives, preservatives and unhealthy fats.

Exercise

Regular exercise helps in reducing stress, thereby regulating the stress hormone cortisol and promotes good sleep by aiding in the production of the sleep hormone melatonin. Exercise also aids in regulating estrogen levels. By burning fats, regular exercise reduces insulin resistance, one of the primary causes of hormonalimbalancese suchas  PCOS in women. 

Stress Management

Cortisol is a known hormone disruptor of estrogen, progesterone and thyroid hormones. Practicing meditation, yoga, and certain breathing exercises can help in alleviating stress and thereby promoting the natural balance of hormones in women.

Herbal Support

Nature has a solution for almost all types of ailments. Certain ayurvedic herbs such as Ashoka, Lodhra, and Nagakeshar serve as nature’s HRT. They are believed to bring about this effect as they contain phytoestrogens that mimic the estrogen found in the human body. By promoting estrogen & estrogen balance, they help with regularizing the menstrual cycle and managing PMS and they also aid in uterine infections by acting as uterine tonics.

Summary

The human body is like a complex machine that runs different processes at one go. There are numerous  chemical messengers which are constantly on their toes to help this machine perform its function smoothly called hormones. Two such hormones are crucial for women’s health: Estrogen & Progesterone.  Disbalance of these hormones can disrupt many bodily functions. The above article sheds light on the significance of these two hormones and  how to cure hormonal imbalance naturally.