Category: Hormone health

Perimenopause, defined as the period of up to 10 years before menopause, is defined by hormonal changes that signal the shutting down of ovulation and the end of menstrual periods. One marker used to determine the onset of perimenopause is the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in the blood. Since FSH levels are linked to estrogen production, fluctuating levels of these hormones result in menopausal symptoms such as breast tenderness and hot flashes.

Since perimenopause signals the end of reproductive life, hormones that trigger ovulation and the menstrual cycle undergo great shifts and become unbalanced. Menstrual cycles may become shorter or longer, periods may be heavier or lighter or are skipped altogether, until finally they completely shut down. These hormonal fluctuations cause the familiar symptoms of menopause such as breast tenderness, hot flashes, fatigue and mood swings.

Follicle stimluating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are responsible for the menstrual cycle. In a regular cycle, FSH stimulates the ovaries to release an egg, or oocyte. Once that takes place, LH is released in the second half of the cycle, and if the egg is not fertilized, menstruation occurs on an average 28- to 30-day cycle. In perimenopause, aging ovaries may not respond to normal levels of FSH, so the body produces more in an effort to stimulate ovulation. Testing for high FSH levels is one way to diagnose perimenopause.

The master hormone in the female reproductive system is estrogen. This hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to produce FSH and begin ovulation. Fluctuations in estrogen levels in perimenopause also cause changes in the production of FSH and other hormones in the reproductive cycle and, because these hormones circulate in the bloodstream, affect not only the reproductive system but the body as a whole.

Because changes in estrogen levels and high FSH levels typically occur during perimenopause, a variety of symptoms typical of menopause are associated with the fluctuating levels of these hormones. Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, headaches, irritability, mood swings and decreased libido are among the symptoms associated with high FSH levels, fluctuations in estrogen levels and the overall onset of perimenopause.

Hot flashes cause hotness on your face and upper body accompanied by rapid heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, headache, weakness and nausea. Fruit juices have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms and reduce the frequency of hot flashes. Drinking fruit juice is a natural way to control hot flashes with none of the side effects of hormone replacement therapy. Juice helps lower your body temperature and contains active ingredients that can reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.

Pomegranate Juice

• Pomegranate juice contains antioxidants called flavonoids as well as vitamins A, C and E. A natural form of estrogen, called estrone, is in pomegranate juice and may help replace some of the lost estrogen that causes hot flashes. A diet rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and bioflavonoids has been shown to reduce symptoms. It can also help with fatigue and depression associated with hot flashes.

Beet Juice

• Beet juice is a very powerful vegetable containing vitamins A, B, C, niacin, folic acid and beta carotene which can reduce symptoms. Mixing beet juice with other juices like apple, carrot, tomato, cucumber and celery can make for a drink rich in nutrients and alleviating properties. Most of these other juices also contain vitamins A, B and C. Cucumber juice is low in cholesterol and sodium, apple juice is an excellent source of fiber and carrot juice can aid digestion. This combination vegetable juice can help cleanse and detoxify the body, helping to keep you healthy when you suffer from hot flashes as it is important to keep your strength up. Drink the juice three times a day.

Rhubarb Juice

• Rhubarb juice has been shown to reduce the occurrence of hot flashes so this is a great ingredient to use in juices. Rhubarb also contains vitamins A, C, K and B folate, is rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. For a change, add in some strawberries and sweeten with honey.

Juice Additives

• Rejuv consists of herbs and botanicals that are blended with fruit juices for better absorption to help reduce symtoms. Red clover, which contains genistein and daidzen, is good for reducing the severity and frequency of hot flashes. Sage is traditionally used to help hot flashes. Raspberry leaves help alleviate cramping of the uterus. Pau D’Arco keeps up the immune system. Blue cohosh regulates the menstrual cycle and eases cramps. Tayuya relieves fatigue and depression. Take a drop in the morning for one to two months.

Source

Androgens, the male sex hormones, stimulate or control the development of male characteristics in humans by binding to androgen receptors in the body. Having androgen levels within or slightly above average levels reduces the likelihood of heart attacks, obesity and high blood pressure in men. However, elevated androgen levels have also been linked to reckless and aggressive behavior. For instance, men with elevated testosterone levels, according to a study in the April 1999 "Journal of Behavioral Medicine," were 24 percent more likely to report being injured, 32 percent more likely to drink excessively, 35 percent more likely to contract a sexually transmitted infection and 151 percent more likely to smoke.

Things You’ll Need

• Soy products
• Low-fat, low-protein foods

• Herbs (black cohosh, chasteberry, dong quai, saw palmetto, spearmint)

Step 1

Increase your intake of soy-containing foods, including tofu and soy-based protein powder. Soy has been shown to lower testosterone levels in mice, according to a study done at the University of Turku in 1998. As well, marmosets and humans have shown decreased testosterone levels when eating a soy-based diet.

Step 2

Increase your intake of low-fat foods. Decrease your intake of high-fat foods. When total fat intake decreases, circulating androgen levels decrease.

Step 3

Reduce meat intake. In a 1985 study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" comparing androgen levels in Seventh-Day Adventist vegetarians and omnivores, the vegetarians had substantially lower androgen levels.

Step 4

Increase fiber intake. The study comparing androgen levels in Seventh-Day Adventist vegetarians and omnivores showed that, in both groups, levels of crude fiber and dietary fiber intake were inversely correlated with androgen levels.

Step 5

Increase your intake of herbs that may decrease androgens. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, black cohosh may help decrease testosterone due to its anti-androgenic effects. Chasteberry and saw palmetto have anti-androgenic effects. Spearmint was shown to reduce testosterone levels in the blood, according to a study published in May 2007 in the journal "Phytotherapy Research."

Step 6

Reduce excessive exercise. Androgen levels were shown to increase both in athletes and male medical students following exercise, according to a study published in March 1973 in the "British Medical Journal."

Related Searches

Source

Sweating is a natural way the body regulates its temperature, and it is normal to sweat. However for some people this is a real problem. Excessive sweating, also known as hyperhidrosis, can also be an indication of an underlying illness. Sweating might be more noticeable at night, but some people are troubled by this in the daytime too. The eccrine, or sweat glands, are located all over the skin of the body. They are regulated by the sympathetic nerves, which are controlled by the hypothalmus.

Sometimes, there is no obvious cause of excessive sweating. This is known as idiopathic hyperhidrosis. According to the website MedicineNet, of 2267 patients who visited a doctor’s office, 41 percent reported excessive sweating night sweats, in the previous month. Not all of these people had an underlying medical or hormonal problem. In some cases, people keep the temperature in their bedrooms or bed too warm. It is usually possible to decide if the problem is idiopathic hyperhidrosis by a process of elimination.

Many women report hot flashes, and night sweats associated with menopause. In fact, this can start in the peri-menopausal stage, which may begin several years before menstrual periods stop. Symptoms of hot flushes and night sweats are caused by hormonal changes at this time. There are clear links between hormonal imbalance and sweating. Men who are taking hormonal medication to control prostate cancer also report excessive sweating.

Doctors will check for an underlying infection if a patient complains of excessive sweating. Many bacterial infections can be at the root of this symptom. Commonly, bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, endocarditis or osteomyelitis may cause high temperature and sweating. Some cancers may also be at the root of sweating, particularly night sweats, but there are usually other indications too, such as weight loss.

Some medications have side-effects that include sweating. Antidepressants, including the tricyclics can cause sweating. Other medications which may cause hyperhidrosis include steroids and antipyretic drugs.

Related Searches

Source

Women over 50 years of age normally enter into a developmental period that involves hormonal changes. They may experience perimenopause (the time before their periods end) or enter into an early menopause (at which time their periods cease). Both of these can produce signs of hormonal imbalance, such as missing a period, experiencing hot flashes and night sweats, or having longer and heavier-than-normal periods.

Missed Period (Amenorrhea)

• One sign of a hormone imbalance in older women is the absence of a period. This can occur because female hormones change as a woman ages and begins to reach menopause, according to the University of Alabama Student Health Center. Your doctor may recommend the administration of progesterone for seven to 14 days to address the problem. This process may have to be repeated every one to two months if the problem persists or returns again after an initial correction.

  Missed periods can occur for other reasons as well, and an occasional missed period isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. When it becomes a routine problem each month — and you are over 50, potentially entering menopause — consult your doctor to rule out the possibility of a cyst or tumor on your ovaries or uterus.

Hot Flashes/Night Sweats

• Other signs of hormone imbalances in older women include hot flashes and night sweats, which generally go hand-in-hand. According to Dr. John Lee, petite and small women tend to have this problem more than their larger counterparts. It is due to the deficiency of the estrogen hormone. Doctors can prescribe estrogen to counteract the problems associated with this hormone imbalance, but natural remedies are also available. Natural remedies include refraining from caffeine, alcohol and hot drinks, as well as reducing stress, abstaining from hot or spicy foods and avoiding warm environments.

  Estrogen imbalances in women over 50 can also cause vaginal dryness, memory problems, painful intercourse and bladder infections.

Heavy Bleeding

• Having a heavy period once in a while is not necessarily cause for alarm. Having a heavy period when you normally never do is another matter. Heavy bleeding can be a sign of a hormone imbalance that is caused by excessive estrogen and irregular levels of progesterone, according to “100 Questions and Answers About Menopause,” by Ivy M. Alexander, PhD and Karla A. Knight, RN, MSN.

  Heavy bleeding that persists for extended periods of time because of a hormone imbalance can cause anemia, which can be dangerous if left untreated. If anemia becomes life-threatening, surgery may be needed to correct the problem, according to the Baylor College of Medicine.

Related Searches

Source

Estrogen patches are available for two different purposes. One is prescribed as a method of birth control while the other is a form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In the United States, there is only one brand of birth control patch on the market, but several HRT patches are available. The primary difference between the two types is that HRT patches only deliver estrogen while the birth control patch has both estrogen and progestin.

Ortho Evra

• Ortho Evra looks like a thin beige bandage. However, it delivers 6 mg of norelgestromin and .75 mg of ethinyl estradiol. This is approximately 60 percent more estrogen than a birth control pill, which the manufacturer says increases the risk of side effects such as bleeding between periods, breast tenderness and blood clotting disorders. It is, however, recommended for use by forgetful and busy women. It is placed on the skin and left there for three weeks at a time. After it is taken off, it can be left off for one week and replaced the next week for another three-week interval.

Vivelle Dot

• Vivelle Dot, also known as Estra Derm, is an estrogen patch prescribed for women undergoing menopause. It is applied to the abdomen and may deliver between .0375 and .1 milligram of estradiol or estrogen per day. The patch must be reapplied two times a week and replaces lost estrogen, lessening the symptoms of menopause. Users have reported a decrease in hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Side effects can include abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, change in libido, headaches, nausea and dizziness.

Alora

• Although approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as primarily effective for post-menopausal estrogen replacement therapy, Alora’s labeling shows secondary approval as therapy for pre-menopausal women with insufficient ovaries. Alora offers the same menopausal symptom relief benefits as Vivelle Dot and must also be applied twice a week. The patch delivers between .025 and .1 milligram of estradiol per day. Alora side effects may include abdominal cramps, hair loss, headache, breast pain and irregular vaginal bleeding.

Climara

• Climara is FDA-approved for post-menopausal estrogen replacement therapy and secondary therapy for pre-menopausal women with low amounts of estrogen. Unlike Vivelle Dot and Alora, however, Climara has to be applied only every seven days. Climara delivers at least .025 milligrams of estradiol per day. It also decreases menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness and may be used to prevent osteoporosis. Climara’s side effects are the same as those reported with Vivelle Dot use.

Related Searches

Source

The medical community once considered testosterone to be a male-only hormone needed for reproduction. However, in the 21st century, medical science discovered that women also produce the hormone. In fact, individuals who don’t have enough testosterone in their systems may suffer from hypogonadism, a condition that hinders the physical development process associated with puberty. Testosterone is also key in physical stamina, muscle mass and upper body strength. People with low testosterone and others, such as body builders looking to increase muscle mass, sometimes take testosterone supplements. However, a doctor should monitor the dosage, as an overdose can have negative effects.

A man who has too much of the testosterone steroid in his system can experience acne, breast swelling, rash, blisters and irregular erections. In women the side effects can be abnormal hair growth on face and body, enlarged clitoris, hives and swelling of the ankles. These side effects can come in stages and appear on intimate parts of the body before spreading to more noticeable extremities.

If your body gets too much testosterone, you may become nauseous or experience weakness or numbness of your extremities. Sharp abdominal pain, dizziness, headaches and a shortness of breath are also internal warning signs. Ignoring these symptoms could lead to serious water retention known as edema and even heart failure.

For both men and women, too much testosterone can make you feel depressed, sexually frustrated, violent, anxious, highly irritated and disoriented.

Related Searches

Source

Free testosterone is a term that refers to the amount of testosterone in the bloodstream, usually tested in males with certain medical conditions. According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC), free testosterone only accounts for 1-4 percent of the testosterone in a typical male’s bloodstream.

Testing of free testosterone is often done for a variety of medical reasons, usually (but not always) in men. Examining what free testosterone is, as well as its function and significance, is essential in understanding the role it plays in overall health.

• 
  
  

Identification

• The AACC defines free testosterone as testosterone within the bloodstream that is not bound to any other chemicals. A similar type of testosterone, loosely bound to a chemical called albumin, is often measured in blood tests together with free testosterone to obtain a measurement of bioavailable testosterone, or BAT.

  BAT testosterone accounts for only a small part of total testosterone. Much of the body’s testosterone is bound to other chemicals, such as globulin.

Function

• Free testosterone, says the Testosterone Deficiency Centre, is an integral element in an overall health picture. Typically measured by a blood test, free testosterone levels in the body can be important tools for doctors.

  Free testosterone measurement can give a physician a good general indication as to whether a person’s hormones are functioning normally. The AACC reports that women as well as males sometimes require tests for free testosterone, since small amounts are needed for hormonal balance.

Significance

• Measuring free testosterone, according to the AACC, is actually an indirect way to measure a far more important health indicator–the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) in the bloodstream.

  Knowing how much bioavailable testosterone there is in the bloodstream is a way to tell how much is tied up in SHBG. Low levels of SHBG have been linked to steroid use, hypothyroidism (or reduction in thyroid performance) and obesity. High SHBG levels, on the other hand, may indicate hyperthyroidism, cirrhosis and estrogen use, states the AACC.

Theories/Speculation

• In addition to the ailments listed above, free testosterone is related–although loosely, according to many endocrinologists–to other health issues, especially in males.

  Lack of energy, decreased libido and mood problems have been linked to low free testosterone levels. However, the Testosterone Deficiency Centre states that many endocrinologists declare these to be non-specific symptoms, or symptoms that cannot be directly linked to levels of free testosterone very easily. Still, as men age and their testosterone levels naturally decline, these can indeed be symptoms of low overall testosterone production.

Potential

• If a doctor discovers a health problem due to abnormal testosterone levels, she may prescribe supplemental testosterone to help with the issue. Many older men receive testosterone injections to improve problems with cognition and memory and to increase energy.

  The measurement of free testosterone, while not a perfect system, is still vital for determining overall health when hormone-related problems arise.

Related Searches

Source

Perimenopause is the stage before the onset of menopause. It can last for several years before and can continue from 2-8 years. During this time hormone levels will go up and down causing a variety of symptoms. Decreasing levels of estrogen may cause an increased risk of vaginal infection.

• 
  
  

Blood Circulation

• The decreased levels of estrogen cause the blood vessels in the vaginal area to constrict. This decreases the blood circulation, which will affect the natural lubrication of the vagina. Vaginal dryness leads to itching and burning, which may in turn lead to a vaginal infection.

  Discomfort caused by decreased vaginal lubrication is examined to determine the cause of the pain and itchiness.

Vaginal PH

• The lower levels of estrogen also cause vaginal pH to increase and the walls of the vagina to thin. This destruction of “good” bacteria in the vagina can leave many women prone to infection. The thinning walls between the vaginal canal and urethra can also increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
  Proper pH balance is an important component of keeping the vaginal area and urinary tract free of bacterial infection.

Strep B

• Strep B is a natural part of the vagina and is not a problem unless it grows out of control. During perimenopause the balance of bacteria becomes out of control and antibiotics are needed to treat the condition. Strep B infection is not usually a concern in healthy adults.

  This infection can be dangerous for diabetics and patients with liver disease. Complications of group B strep includes blood infection and urinary tract infection. These complications usually only occur in those with a chronic health problem.

Vaginitis

• Vaginitis occurs in women when estrogen levels become lowered during menopause and perimenopause. It is an inflammation of the vagina which causes a discharge and pain along with vaginal itching.

  Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginitis that is treated with medicated creams or oral medications. Atrophic vaginitis is common during perimenopause and menopause and can be treated with estrogen creams.

Yeast Infection

• Yeast infection is an overgrowth of candida albicans and is common during menopause and perimenopause. Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications. A diagnosis of yeast infection is important in determining the correct treatment. Yeast infection medications are available over the counter today.

Related Searches

Source

Symptoms of too much estrogen, also know as estrogen dominance, cause a wide variety of symptoms that can frequently mimic other conditions. Estrogen dominance can be caused by birth control pills, diet, hormone replacement therapy and obesity.

Symptoms of too much estrogen routinely affect breast tissue. Commonly, breast tenderness and swelling, breast pain, breast cysts and breast density can occur.

Symptoms of too much estrogen include menstrual irregularities. Excessive bleeding and prolonged periods can often result and should be promptly evaluated because this can signal other, more serious conditions.

A common symptom of estrogen dominance is weight gain. Excessive estrogen not only affects appetite, it can cause water retention, which results in bloating, especially in the abdomen, and weight gain.

Other symptoms of too much estrogen can include dysfunction of thyroid gland resulting in sluggishness, fatigue and cold extremities, insomnia, headaches, mood swings, hair thinning and decreased libido.

While symptoms of too much estrogen can be a nuisance, there are effective treatment options. Appropriate diagnosis is important to rule out other causes.

Related Searches

Source