Do You Suffer From Fatigue, Weight Gain, Mood Swings, Anxiety and Depression? If So, It Might Be Your Hormones!
January 26, 2011 by admin
Filed under Health Blog, Healthy Lifestyle
One of the areas of health that I specialise in is Naturopathic Endocrinology (hormonal system balance) and I am amazed by the number of men and women that try to function each day with significantly dysfunctional hormonal systems. Often people are suffering from excessive levels of one hormone in conjunction with deficiencies of other hormones – causing their whole physical, mental and emotional health to be affected.
One of the most common hormonal imbalances that I see in women is progesterone deficiency. This hormonal imbalance is extremely widespread and yet, due to the importance of progesterone balance within the body, sub-optimal progesterone levels can cause all sorts of serious health problems. Progesterone balances the effects of oestrogen and affects every cell of our body and therefore can have a huge affect on our whole health!
Progesterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands in women and the testicles and adrenal glands in men and it acts as a precursor for other hormones. This vital hormone restores proper cell oxygen levels, protects against fibrocystic breast disease, endometrial cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer, normalises blood clotting and blood sugar levels, is a natural anti-depressant, normalises zinc and copper levels, facilitates thyroid function, stimulates cells (osteoblasts) for bone building (to help prevent osteoporosis), improves energy, helps in the treatment of endometriosis & Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and is essential for pregnancy and the survival of the foetus.
The following list includes some of the signs and symptoms of progesterone deficiency. If you have a few of these signs, it may be an indication that you are suffering from a progesterone deficiency. If so, testing your hormone levels through saliva analysis would be recommended.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF PROGESTERONE DEFICIENCY
Signs and Symptoms of progesterone deficiency in Women:
PMS
Fatigue
Insomnia
Bloating
Low sex drive
Irregular periods
Possibly heavy periods
Fibrocystic breasts
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Low bone density
Depression; Anxiety
Mood swings
Unbalanced blood sugar levels
Abnormal blood clotting
Headaches associated with the period
Infertility; Early miscarriage
Irritability; Aggression
Endometrial cancer
Breast cancer
Sore or swollen breasts (esp. prior to period)
Weight gain in women, specifically in lower half of body
Swollen hands, feet & general fluid retention
Short luteal phase (sometimes) e.g. period occurs less than 11 days after ovulation
Signs and Symptoms of progesterone deficiency in Men:
Fatigue
Insomnia
Bloating
Low sex drive
Low bone density
Depression; Anxiety
Unbalanced blood sugar levels
Abnormal blood clotting
Aggression; Irritability
Prostate cancer
Oestrogen excess
And other signs and symptoms
Achieving Optimum Progesterone Balance
As you can see, having optimal progesterone levels can be incredibly important for your mental and physical health. Finding out what your progesterone (and other hormone) levels are may be the first step in achieving optimum health and vitality.
As discussed in my book “Are Your Hormones Driving You Mad?” (www.HormoneHelpSite.com ), I use and recommend saliva tests for hormone testing as they have many advantages over blood testing for hormone status. Saliva tests are simple, painless and non-invasive and they indicate the non-protein bound ‘free’ fraction of hormones rather than the bound hormone levels which are measured in blood tests.
If low progesterone levels are identified in your saliva test, specific safe and effective herbal medicine therapies* can be taken to help the body achieve normal hormonal balance. This may have a huge impact on your whole health. Balance your hormones – Change your life!
*’Practitioner-strength’ herbal medicines that can safely and effectively increase your hormone levels can only be prescribed by qualified naturopathic health practitioners. Please consult our clinic for advice on natural medicines for hormonal balance and for hormone saliva testing.
Yours In Great Health,
Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons), MATMS, MNHAA, MHATO
Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Lecturer, Researcher
Earth Medicine TM
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EarthMedicineHealth
Helping you achieve optimal wellness, hormonal balance and disease prevention with personalised, professional naturopathic health care, clinical pathology testing and high-quality herbal medicines and supplements
Sar Rooney is a Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner specialising in Anxiety and Depression |Women’s Health| Hormonal Imbalances | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Genetic Polymorphisms (MTHFR/Pyroluria) | Nutritional Medicine | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention
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Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please note: I am not a medical practitioner.
