Where Are You in the Grand Scheme of Hormone Balance?
One of the principles that I have come to understand, after years of studying and appreciating women health and hormones is that there is a continuous arc of hormone balance that can be mastered by each of us.
20’s - early 30’s
Usual Course
Age Range - 20’s - early 30’s
Lifecycle - Regular periods
Hormone Level Shifts - All hormones at optimum levels
Medical Conditions - Usually none, prime time for pregnancy
Common Symptoms - All systems “go”! High libido, high energy, optimum weight and body fat distribution
How to Get Started Now - Probably fine, just maintain a healthy lifestyle
Unusual
Age Range - 20’s - early 30’s
Lifecycle - Regular periods
Hormone Level Shifts - Painful periods, anovulatory cycles, excessive stress, and use of birth control can cause women to feel “out of sorts”
Medical Conditions - Women in these years who are overweight or started their periods early can be estrogen dominant
Common Symptoms - Low energy, PMS, poor sleep, migraines, belly fat, infertility, weight gain, and fibrocystic breasts
How to Get Started Now - Get started with bioidentical progesterone crème (ProHelp). Also suggested: Adrenal boost • Vitamin D • Evening Primrose Oil • and Vitex for hormone support
Mid-30’s through early-40’s
Age Range - Mid-30’s through early-40’s. Things can begin to “go south”. Nip it in the bud!
Lifecycle – Pre-menopause phase: irregular cycles OR regular cycles… sometimes both
Hormone Level Shifts - Shifts in estrogen/progesterone levels, such as high estrogen, low progesterone, high cortisol (stress hormones)
Medical Conditions - Estrogen dominance & adrenal imbalance are likely.
Common Symptoms - Worsened PMS, abdominal weight gain, decreased libido, foggy thinking, fatigue, mood swings, depression, headaches, bloating, and fibrocystic breasts.
How to Get Started Now - Get started with bioidentical progesterone crème (ProHelp).
Also suggested: Vitamin D • Adrenal Support • MACA for low libido • Vitex for hormone support
Mid to late 40’s
Age Range - Mid to late - 40’s
Lifecycle - Peri-menopause phase: Irregular periods and anovulatory periods (no ovulation so no progesterone is made)
Hormone Level Shifts - Low progesterone, erratic estrogen levels, low DHEA
Medical Conditions - Estrogen dominance and Adrenal imbalance are likely
Common Symptoms - Same as in pre-menopause, with more weight gain in the waist/greater difficulty losing weight, irregular bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, memory lapses, anxiety, irritability, risk for osteoporosis
How to Get Started Now - Use bioidentical progesterone crème (ProHelp).
Also suggested: DHEA • Adrenal Support • L-Tyrosine for thyroid support • Phosphatidyl Serine for memory • Melatonin for sleep
If symptoms persist, may require phytoestrogen supplementation or a vaginal moisture cream or suppository
Late 40’s-early 50’s
Age Range - Late 40’s-early 50’s
Lifecycle – Menopause, (no periods for 12 months or more)
Hormone Level Shifts - Low progesterone, low estrogen, low DHEA, and possible low testosterone
Medical Conditions - Deficient in all sex hormones, but because body is still producing 40-60% estrogen, still estrogen dominant
Common Symptoms - Same as in Pre-Menopause, with more weight gain in the waist/greater difficulty losing weight, irregular bleeding, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, memory lapses, anxiety, irritability, risk for osteoporosis
How to Get Started Now - Use bioidentical progesterone crème (Menopause Moisture Crème).If symptoms persist, bioidentical supplementation of estrogen may also be suggested.
Also suggested: Adrenal Support • DHEA • Vitamin D • Estriol if needed for vaginal dryness • Phosphatidyl Serine for memory • and Melatonin for sleep
Mid 50’s and beyond (even into your 90’s!
Age Range - Mid 50’s and beyond (even into your 90’s!)
Lifecycle - Post-menopause, (no periods for 12 months or more)
Hormone Level Shifts - No progesterone, Low estrogen (some still produced by adrenal glands and fat cells) Low testosterone and DHEA, but ovaries possibly still producing some
Medical Conditions - Estrogen dominant, in the absence of progesterone production. Adrenal imbalance
Common Symptoms - All of the above, plus increased risk of breast and uterine cancers, and fibroids, osteoporosis
How to Get Started Now - Use bioidentical progesterone crème (Menopause Moisture Crème) If symptoms persist, bioidentical supplementation of estrogen may also be suggested.
Also suggested: Adrenal Support • DHEA to raise T levels • Vaginal Dryness Cream • Vitamin D • Bone Support • Phosphatidyl Serine for memory • Melatonin for sleep
Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy puts you into instant menopause. If you still have your ovaries, they will begin to fail within 2-5 years after your surgery. So, see 40s – early 50s despite your age.
For vaginal dryness information, e-mail me at bhoffman@bhngroup.com.
I care about you and your health!
Whatever stage you are in, you can feel young and vibrant. I promise!
Love, Barbara