Like most people, you understand a few basics about hormones. You know that men have testosterone, women have estrogen and progesterone, and that’s all that matters, right? But did you know that men also have “female” hormones, and women have testosterone, too? In fact, there are over 50 hormones in the human body. Here is what you need to know about how naturopathic medicine for hormones keeps bodies balanced and healthy.
Nature’s Messengers: The Role of Hormones
Hormones are chemical messengers responsible for communicating your body’s needs and status to the brain and organs. Your body’s hormonal needs change throughout your life, depending on your age and your body’s needs. Pregnancy, puberty, and menopause are examples of this.
It’s easy to disrupt the endocrine system and tricky to restore it to optimal health. Because hormones are responsible for growth, reproductive health, metabolism, mood, and many other body functions, it’s easy to see how vital your hormone levels are to your overall health and well-being.
Naturopathic medicine for hormones restores, maintains, and balances the endocrine system in natural, non-invasive ways.
Here are eight essential hormones and the roles they play in your health.
1. Estrogen
While this is a “female” hormone, men have estrogen, too. For males and females, estrogen plays a role in sex drive, weight control, cardiovascular health, and bone strength. For women, this vital hormone promotes reproductive health by stimulating the ovaries, promoting vaginal lubrication, and enhancing the mucous membrane of the uterine wall.
2. Progesterone
Progesterone levels affect the menstrual cycle. Low levels of progesterone cause irregular and heavy periods, pregnancy complications, and fertility issues. Too much progesterone may also increase your risk of breast cancer.
3. Testosterone
Testosterone, considered the “male” hormone, also affects women’s health. Testosterone produces a healthy libido and regulates weight, muscle strength, red blood cells, and bone mass for both men and women. However, high testosterone levels in females contribute to weight gain, body and facial hair, irregular periods, and fertility issues.
4. Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones serve several functions, one of which is regulating your metabolism. Imbalances of thyroid hormones create severe medical conditions such as Hashimoto’s and cause weight gain and decreased energy levels.
5. Cortisol
Considered the stress hormone, cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in times of stress. Normal cortisol levels play an active role in regulating blood pressure and metabolism. High levels of cortisol, however, cause anxiety, high blood pressure, autoimmune flare-ups, and sleep disruption.
6. Adrenaline
Like cortisol, the stress hormone adrenaline enables the “fight or flight” response. Under normal circumstances, adrenaline allows us to make quick decisions in times of stress or danger. However, high adrenaline levels cause the same reactions as elevated cortisol levels, including high blood pressure, irritability, anxiety, and a rapid heartbeat.
7. Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
HGH plays a significant role in childhood development, but it’s equally essential throughout adulthood. For adults, HGH imbalances lead to fatigue, anxiety, increased body fat, bone weakness, and less stamina. This is why HGH is essential in naturopathic medicine for hormone tests.
8. Insulin
Insulin has many jobs in the body, but its primary function is to convert sugar into energy and regulate blood glucose levels. Imbalances in insulin production lead to diseases such as diabetes, which affects over 30 million people throughout the United States.
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances?
Your body is a network of interrelated systems. Imbalances in one system affect the entire network. This concept is important because while a healthy body relies on healthy hormone production, a healthy hormone production relies on a healthy body.
Stress and Your Hormones
While a bit of stress is healthy, your body can’t maintain its balance when constantly stressed. Consistently high stress results in the overproduction of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. When this happens, symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, headaches, and irritability start mild and worsen over time. Without intervention, such as stress management, these conditions cause cardiovascular harm and lead to depression, anxiety, and adrenal imbalances.
Environmental Toxins and Hormones
Environmental toxins have a direct impact on hormone production. From affecting the hormonal glands to disrupting the delivery of messages and harming cells, environmental toxins interfere with your body’s hormonal balance.
Medical Conditions and Hormones
Some disease processes, such as cancers, PCOS, thyroid disease, diabetes, and others directly impact hormone development and delivery. Other contributing factors may include pregnancy and age.
Lifestyle and Hormones
Your gut secretes 20 unique hormones and directly or indirectly regulates nearly every hormone in your body. Foods with a high sugar content add stress to your adrenal glands and increase inflammation in the gut. Other contributing factors to hormonal imbalances include lifestyle choices such as smoking, poor sleep habits, and caffeine or alcohol consumption.
Prescription Medications and Hormones
Some prescription medications for anxiety, blood pressure, heart problems, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, seizures, and GI disorders disrupt the body’s hormonal balance. Some over-the-counter medications commonly taken for pain, heartburn, and allergies also affect hormones.
How Can Naturopathic Medicine for Hormones Help Restore Balance?
Using naturopathic medicine for hormones allows a holistic, whole-body approach to restoring balance. Comprehensive lab tests are performed, followed by any combination of dietary and lifestyle modifications, herbal and other natural supplements, and, if necessary, hormone therapy.
If mood swings, acne, weight fluctuations, fatigue, brain fog, and stress disrupt your life, it’s time to look at your hormones and ensure they are balanced and doing their job! Dr. Jenna Blasi, ND., specializes in women’s health, treating hormonal imbalances naturally and effectively. A balanced, energized, healthier new you begins with booking your discovery call today.
