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Everything is normal…..or is it?

Hormonal Havoc

As a nutritionist, this is a statement that many of my clients have heard time and time again. Deep down inside, every single woman understands what’s right and what’s wrong. Unfortunately, many women fail to listen to those signs and signals until it’s too late. Sometimes, you’ve been to see your doctor or your gynaecologist. But everything is normal…… or is it?

Jane’s story 

Jane came to see me in her 40s suffering with fatigue and depression, weight gain and heavy menstrual bleeding. Her doctor had told her that she had fibroids and to keep an eye on them.  Throughout her 20s, she had been working hard in her corporate job with long hours and very little sleep. She had lived the highlife with lots of nights out, drinking alcohol, poor eating habits and very little time for any exercise.  Throughout this period she remembers that her periods were not regular, and she would suffer from severe PMT some months and other months not so noticeable. She was taking the pill as her contraception. In her 30s, she got married and had children. Her pregnancies were difficult ones, with severe nausea and one or two complications but she gave birth to 2 healthy children. She continued to work and take care of the children and family. She felt incredibly stressed and most of the time exhausted. Each visit to her doctor resulted in either sleeping tablets or antidepressants which she was unhappy about taking. Whenever she mentioned her hormones or feeling out of balance, the doctors would say ‘everything is normal.’ Jane is now struggling with severe depression, utter exhaustion, severe, heavy and painful periods and to top it all she has gained pounds in weight. She feels lethargic, sluggish, her digestion is awful – But everything is normal……. for a woman of her age going into menopause!  

Laura’s story 

Laura is 55 years old, has had breast cancer, and a very similar history to Jane. Her story consists of stress, poor diet, PMT, mood swings, a long history of taking the  pill and then HRT to support her menopausal symptoms and finally her diagnosis of breast cancer three years ago made her seek more help and support away from the traditional and orthodox medical route – because everything wasn’t normal. She had always felt that her hormones were out of balance, but once again, she was told many times that everything was normal. Laura has completely changed her life. She had realised that her diet and nutrition needed a complete overhaul. She also recognised that her lifestyle needed a lot of attention and she started to exercise and use meditation and stress management techniques to help her relax. Now, she feels everything is normal. She is in tune with her body and can recognise when it is out of balance. She knows and recognises the signs and symptoms.

Hormonal imbalance  or “Hormone Havoc” can be recognised from a list of signs and symptoms that are well known. But it doesn’t mean that you have to put up with them. Hormonal irregularities need to be addressed. There is no need to suffer from PMT, or irregular periods or heavy menstrual bleeding. There is so much more that can be done to redress the balance of hormones and prevent the onset of more serious female hormonal conditions that may arise later in life.

Many hormonal conditions are related to oestrogen dominance. The body produces oestrogen and progesterone to support the reproductive cycle. These hormones act as chemical messengers in the female body and many things can interfere with the process. Stress, diet and lifestyle are the main areas that can influence the way in which your body processes and produces oestrogen and progesterone.

One of the main organs involved in oestrogen metabolism is the liver. When the liver cannot produce sufficient enzymes it will lead to sub optimal detoxification which in turn can lead to a buildup of oestrogen and harmful oestrogen metabolites. An imbalance of oestrogen tablets can affect your health.

Signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalances:

Heavy, painful and/or irregular periods

Breast tenderness

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Monthly mood swings and irritability
  • Fatigue, exhaustion
  • Insomnia
  • Acne
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Low libido

One of the best ways to establish levels of hormones is carrying out sex hormone testing. Some of the most useful laboratory tests include saliva and blood/urine. These tests can help to establish the balance of female hormones at particular times of the month they can also help to establish the ratio of oestrogen metabolites and the efficiency of the methylation detoxification pathways.

Testing is available through Natural Solutions. When you feel that everything is not normal, then it’s time to get tested. Early identification of hormonal imbalance can help to prevent many health conditions caused by sex hormone imbalances.

Erasmus – ‘Prevention is better than cure’

Andrea Bayles provides consultations and programmes to support and help individuals so that they can restore balance and equilibrium. Consultations can be carried out virtually or in person at my practice based in Henley in Arden, Warwickshire.

Andrea Bayles is trained in nutrition and integrated functional medicine. Her expertise in the field of nutritional therapy and natural health can support a wide variety of chronic health conditions.

If you require further information on our Menopausal Weight Loss Programme, a 12 week programme of Metabolic Balance Health Management to enable you to re-set, re-boot And re-establish Hormonal and Metabolic Balance, please click here.

The initial consultation is around 60 minutes long and follow-up appointments are usually 30 minutes. Please click here to book a consultation.

Treatment packages are available due to the complex nature of many of the conditions supported. To enquire about treatment packages and programs, please click here to schedule a 15 minute (free) appointment.

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