Happy Hormone Series: Reproductive Years

The Reproductive Years

During a woman's reproductive years, cycling hormones like estrogen and progesterone take part in an intricate dance. This interplay helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the body for potential pregnancy. Unfortunately, many factors can disrupt this beautiful rhythm. As a result, women often struggle with PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, and infertility during these years.

Holistic areas I focus on in this group include:

• Optimizing vitamin/mineral levels

• Treating underlying inflammation in the gut (1, 2)

• Balancing blood sugar

• Optimizing detox pathways

• Managing stress

• Removing hormone disruptors from the environment

Gut Health

Addressing inflammation is key- and often stems from the gut. I often recommend my patients do an elimination diet for 30 days. This helps to identify any issues with common food sensitivities like gluten or dairy. Another route is performing a food intolerance test such as Cyrex. I also recommend taking a high-quality probiotic. This can help tune up the gut, decrease inflammation, and improve detoxification. Our gut microbiome plays a big role in how we metabolize and detox everything in our bodies- including our sex hormones.

In this age group, I also recommend:

• A good multivitamin to bridge any nutrient gaps

• Protein with each meal to help balance blood sugars

• Omega-3-rich fish like salmon several times per week

• Stress management

• 7-9 hours of sleep each night

Environmental Toxins

I also encourage women to minimize xenoestrogens in their environment as much as possible. Xenoestrogens are chemicals that mimic estrogen and disrupt the endocrine system. These can lead to unwanted symptoms such as PMS, heavy periods, heavy cramping, fertility issues, and even cancer. (3) These can be found in plastics, cleaning products, hair products, makeup, lotions, deodorants, sunscreen, dryer sheets, perfume, pesticides, and insecticides. (4) Finding safe natural alternatives can drastically reduce your exposure and help normalize estrogen levels in the body.

Editors note* Haskill Creek is proud to offer such safe and natural alternatives. It is part of our vetting process to eliminate products that contain these Xenoestrogens- and any EDC. (Endocrine Disrupting Chemical). Haskill Cares!

Next in our series...

Happy Hormones Series IV: Perimenopause & Menopause
Happy Hormones Series V: Post Menopause