Hormone decline doesn't happen overnight. Shifts in your hormone balance can start occurring as early as the 30s – yes, it’s not just a 50+ phenomenon! But to get the right treatment you need to work with Drs that individualise doses. That means testing your hormones, giving you just what you need and tweaking the dose as things change.
All too often, the conventional lens approaches the problem as: "you're either in menopause or you're not." Typically hormone tests aren't done and if you're in menopause you might get some standard HRT (bioidential or synthetic) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs - not hormones).
Here at London Bioidentical hormones we recognise that oestrogen and progesterone play a vital role in thousands of biological functions and its essential to support these hormones with only bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are identical to the ones your body produces naturally, which means your body knows how to use and metabolise them, and they offer benefits that synthetic hormone-like drugs don't.
We test hormones, we individualise our treatment plans and we change are prescriptions as your needs change. That means we make a difference to the people who have been told they just have to put up with it. For example progesterone deficiency for women in their 40’s is the most common hormone imbalance yet its ignored by the conventional lens.
BHRT can help relieve many symptoms associated with hormone deficiencies such as fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, memory problems, and sleeping difficulties. And because BHRT balances hormones throughout your entire body, it can also help improve overall health and well-being.
BHRT might just be your BFF during the transition into perimenopause and menopause – it's been proven to do more than just alleviate symptoms.
BHRT also reduces the risk of life-altering conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline that are in part due to low hormone levels.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
If you're struggling with hormone-related issues like weight gain, mood swings, and low energy levels, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be worth considering. Here are three reasons why:
If you're dealing with any of the above issues, book a discovery call with us here.
It can be incredibly discouraging when you try to alleviate symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and andropause by making lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, exercising more or eating healthier… but the symptoms just won’t go away.
In this case, it may be helpful to consider BHRT, which involves boosting insufficient hormone levels back to optimal levels.
Bioidentical hormones are identical to the ones your body produces naturally, which means your body knows how to use and metabolise them, and they offer benefits to your mental and emotional health that synthetic hormone-like drugs simply don't.
We test hormones, we individualise our treatment plans and we change are prescriptions as your needs change. That means we make a difference to the people who have been told they just have to put up with it. For example progesterone deficiency for women in their 40’s is the most common hormone imbalance yet it's ignored by the conventional lens.
Hormone balance is important for both men and women as we age. Studies show that BHRT can reduce the risk of certain long-term issues like osteoporosis, heart disease, and cognitive decline that are brought on in part by hormonal deficiencies.
To properly identify if you indeed have a hormone imbalance, it’s key to find a practitioner who understands how to test hormones, has experience with BHRT, and can make all the difference in creating an effective treatment plan.
It is important to find a practitioner that offers support beyond just the treatment of hormone imbalances:
This includes looking at how lifestyle choices such as diet, stress, and environmental toxins can contribute to overall health and hormone levels.
Whether your goal is to improve how you feel or how you look, lifestyle modifications can have a huge impact on how your body looks and functions. With the right guidance from a committed practitioner, small changes can lead to a marked improvement in how you experience hormone imbalances.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
As women approach perimenopause and menopause, their hormone levels can change dramatically, leading to a wide range of symptoms, from hot flashes and night sweats to mood swings and weight gain.
These changes are a natural part of the ageing process, but they can be disruptive and even painful.
All too often, the conventional lens approaches the problem as: "you're either in menopause or you're not." Typically hormone tests aren't done and if you're in menopause you might get some HRT (often synthetic hormone-like drugs) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs - not hormones).
Here at London Bioidentical Hormones we test hormones, we prescribe individualised doses of bioidentical hormones and we tweak things as your needs change. That means we get results for people who have been told they have to just put up with it.
One of the most important hormones to test during menopause is oestrogen. Women will typically experience an oestrogen decline or oestrogen dominance, in which oestrogen levels become too high compared to other hormones.
When oestrogen levels are out of balance, women may experience unexpected mood swings, weight gain, painful periods, and other changes in sleep and sexual drive.
The fluctuations in oestrogen can be incredibly disruptive, so it is key to monitor these levels as you enter perimenopause, which could be as early as your late 30s or early 40s. Testing oestrogen levels can help women understand their symptoms and determine how to manage them more effectively.
Progesterone levels are essential to maintain, and are one of the most common hormonal imbalances along with hypothyroidism.
Low levels of this hormone not only affect weight but have also been associated with insomnia, moodiness, anxiety, and depression. Low progesterone can also lead to headaches, dry skin, and hair loss.
Testing progesterone levels is crucial to identifying if a woman is at risk of any of these issues during perimenopause and beyond. Addressing any low progesterone levels early on can help reduce a woman’s overall menopausal symptoms and may lower your risk for certain cancers.
Most women don't realise that they have testosterone, as this hormone is typically only associated with men. However, maintaining healthy testosterone levels is just as important for women as it is for men.
Testosterone levels are an important hormone to be tested in menopausal women as it helps to maintain muscle mass and bone density. Low testosterone can cause bat wings or underarm fat to appear, low sex drive, as well as depression.
It is always best to have a blood test conducted by your doctor to determine if your testosterone levels are at optimal levels, especially if you experience any of the previously listed symptoms. Taking the simple step of having a blood test conducted can guarantee that you have healthy testosterone levels during this sometimes tumultuous stage of life.
Hypothyroidism is also one of the most common hormone imbalances women can experience due to many causes.
Often women may have their thyroid tested by their PCP only to be told “everything is fine” when their TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone is in range. Unfortunately, most doctors do not have the expertise in hormone testing to know that several thyroid hormones need to be tested to provide a clear picture of thyroid health.
Many women are struggling with hypothyroidism and may not know it, but they do notice that their perimenopausal symptoms worsen, like weight gain, painful periods, mood swings, and hair loss.
Hormone experts who may suspect hypothyroidism will test for a wide range of other thyroid hormones like free T3, free T4, reverse T3, as well as thyroid peroxidase (TPO) levels.
Hormone testing is an essential component of diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances. Hormone experts may use various types of hormone testing to determine a patient's hormonal status, including blood testing, saliva testing, and urine testing.
The type of testing used will depend on the specific needs of the patient and their symptoms. For example, blood testing is often the preferred method for measuring thyroid hormones and sex hormones such as oestrogen and testosterone.
Saliva testing may be used to measure cortisol, a stress hormone, and to evaluate the diurnal rhythm of hormone secretion.
Urine testing may be used to assess hormone metabolites and to evaluate the body's ability to process hormones.
By using various types of hormone testing, hormone experts can obtain a comprehensive picture of a patient's hormonal status and develop a personalised treatment plan to optimise their health and well-being.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
One of the key benefits of bioidentical hormones is that they are structurally identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. This means that they have the same beneficial actions and effects as the hormones we make or should be making, and our body knows how to metabolise them.
In contrast, non-bioidentical or synthetic hormone-like drugs may be more likely to cause adverse side effects and may be less effective in treating certain symptoms. That’s because they are not identical in structure to our own hormones.
For example, studies have shown that synthetic 'hormones' in many conventional HRT formulations increase the risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and blood clots. Download our free ebook from the resources section to learn more.
Another benefit of bioidentical hormones is that they can be customised to meet the specific needs of each individual patient. This means that healthcare providers can work with patients to create a personalised prescription that targets their specific symptoms and concerns.
For example all too often perimenopausal women are treated the same as menopausal women. However, what a woman needs in perimenopause changes as time goes on, and is different from what she needs in menopause! By testing and treating with individualised hormone therapy tailored to exactly what she needs, optimal results are achieved.
Our hormone testing involves comprehensive testing of an individual's hormone levels, which may include testing for hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and thyroid hormones. In the conventional system women may not be offered any hormone testing at all. By evaluating an individual's hormone levels, a healthcare provider can identify imbalances and create a personalised treatment plan that addresses the specific needs of the patient.
That’s why is important to work with a healthcare provider that understands the benefits of bioidentical hormones and how to prescribe them.
Many other factors can contribute to hormone imbalances such as nutrition, gut, sleep, stress detoxification, mindset and nervous system regulation. That's why we advise that all new patients take a deep dive by doing our three month mastery programme to look at all of these areas and really optimise their health.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, it is important to understand the difference between non-bioidentical hormones and bioidentical hormones as well as their potential risks and benefits.
First, non-bioidentical hormones are not identical to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. These hormones may be derived from animal sources, such as pregnant horse urine, or just formulations that are foreign to the human body. Non-bioidentical hormones are just not the same as the hormones we make. The term 'HRT' encompasses many non-bioidentical hormone-like drugs and a few bioidentical hormones. All contraceptives are non-bioidentical hormone-like drugs.
Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, are derived from natural sources and are identical to the hormones naturally produced by the body. This means our body recognises them and uses them just as if we had made them ourselves.
There is a significant difference between non-bioidentical hormones and bioidentical hormones, specifically in regard to effectiveness and side effects.
Studies have shown that non-bioidentical hormones may increase the risk of certain health conditions, including breast cancer, heart disease, and blood clots and trigger side effects such as mood issues, weight gain, headaches, and loss of sex drive.
In contrast, numerous studies indicate that bioidentical hormones may be more efficacious for symptom relief with a higher safety profile.
Bioidentical hormones may also be less likely to cause adverse side effects, such as headaches, weight gain, and mood swings.
The other key part is whether your practitioner tests your hormones and individualises the doses.
All too often, the conventional lens approaches the problem as: "you're either in menopause or you're not." Typically hormone tests aren't done and if you're in menopause you might get some standard HRT (bioidential or synthetic) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs - not hormones). This won't help if (for example) you have low progesterone in your 40s - which requires an individualised approach.
Hormone decline doesn't happen overnight. Shifts in your hormone balance can start occurring as early as the 30s – yes, it’s not just a 50+ phenomenon! But to get the right treatment you need to work with Drs that individualise doses. That means testing your hormones, giving you just what you need and tweaking the dose as things change.
All too often, the conventional lens approaches the problem as: "you're either in menopause or you're not." Typically hormone tests aren't done and if you're in menopause you might get some standard HRT (bioidentical or synthetic) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs - not hormones).
We test hormones, we individualise our treatment plans and we change are prescriptions as your needs change. That means we make a difference to the people who have been told they just have to put up with it or who have put on weight and had other side effects with standardised doses.
Choosing A BHRT Provider
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
If you're feeling out of sorts, constantly feeling tyred and seemingly gaining weight for no reason or maybe you are just feeling generally burned out, it may not be your run-of-the-mill stress.
It could be due to hormone imbalances that should be addressed to protect your health! Here are some common signs and symptoms to look out for.
If you're exhausted all the time, even after a full night's sleep, it could be a sign that something is out of balance in your hormonal balance. People often just logic that “I have a lot on my mind” or “it’s just stress” that causes sleep issues – but both assumptions can keep them from getting to the bottom of the issue.
While stress can offset hormone balance and sleep, it’s more important to understand which hormones are out of balance, so you can rebalance them appropriately, and finally get some good quality shut-eye.
High levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), low progesterone, oestrogen dominance (too much oestrogen) and low testosterone, or even low melatonin production (the sleep hormone) can all be culprits for restless nights.
Whatever is causing your sleep issues, don't worry – a trained hormone expert can test all your hormones to discover why you might be struggling.
Have you noticed you’re turning into Oscar the Grouch for no reason? It could be more than just mood swings that seem to come out of nowhere. Unchecked oestrogen dominance for women and low progesterone, low testosterone for men, perimenopause, and menopause can all be underlying causes of your sudden changes in mood.
Aside from the physical signs and symptoms, hormone imbalances can have a dramatic impact on your emotions and mental state as well as an impact on insulin resistance.
So next time you find your mood shifting quickly, don't just brush it off as random bouts of emotion - it could be the body's way of telling you something is off with your hormone levels!
Maybe your libido has been MIA (Missing in Action) lately, and you can't figure out why. You love your partner and you are starting to get concerned that your low libido will compromise your relationship. It may not be your fault!
As it turns out, there are many hormone imbalances that can cause you to say “not tonight, honey! Low oestrogen, which women typically experience during menopause, can impact your desire for sex and worse… can make sex painful.
Low progesterone can decrease arousal, which can happen in perimenopause and menopause, as it keeps your oestrogen levels in check – allowing oestrogen to rise too high.
Additionally, low progesterone can leave you feeling listless, depressed with bouts of anxiety, and not great for “getting into the mood”!
For men, high cortisol (the stress hormone) and obviously low testosterone can zap their sex drive. Many men also suffer from prediabetes causing blood sugar spikes and crashes leaving them feeling exhausted as well.
You could be eating a low-carb diet and hitting the gym like a maniac, but if your hormones are out of whack, all that effort may be in vain.
Low or high levels of oestrogen, low progesterone, low testosterone, and insulin resistance can cancel out your focused attempts to lose weight.
While you may be able to lose 3 to 4 pounds by being super strict, it typically comes back the following week when you start to eat a little more.
But don’t beat yourself up, you might just need a little help rebalancing hormones! After all, you can’t out-exercise a hormone imbalance, you need the helping hand of a hormone expert!
If you have irregular periods, showing up too soon or your periods suddenly stopped – you could have imbalances in oestrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone levels.
Having a regular period without horrible PMS, cramping or anxiety is a sign of hormone balance and a healthy body.
There are many medical causes of missed or irregular periods and one of the most common culprits is hormone imbalances, especially low oestrogen, and high testosterone levels.
Mind-numbing period cramps, headaches before your cycle, tender breasts (ouch!) and heavy flows can all be signs that you make too much oestrogen and you don’t have enough progesterone on board.
You could also be experiencing insulin resistance in addition to hormonal imbalances like in the case of PCOS. It is especially common to experience these issues around perimenopause or menopause when women’s hormones start to shift more drastically.
But don't let that cause even more stress: know that there may be underlying medical reasons why your period has gone AWOL and reach out to a hormone expert or functional medicine practitioner who has a high level of expertise in hormones and can help sort things out for you.
Is there more hair in your brush than on your head? If you're worried that your luxurious locks are thinning or falling out, it could be a sign of hypothyroidism.
While your TSH levels may be in the “normal” range according to your doctor, other thyroid hormones like free T3 and free T4 may be low. Additionally, you may be struggling with the autoimmune condition Hashimoto’s that impacts thyroid health – in turn impacting your energy, weight, metabolism, and cognition.
Alternatively, it could be evidence of oestrogen dominance or low levels of progesterone. All of these imbalances gone unchecked can increase your risk of feeling plain awful and contribute to many chronic illnesses that show up later in life.
It’s time to recognise these common signs and symptoms of hormone imbalances. Achieving hormonal balance is key when it comes to optimal health and wellness, but you don’t have to go it alone. If you feel like this might be something that is going on for you, don’t hesitate to seek help from an experienced hormone expert specialising in advanced hormone testing. Don’t wait for your health to suffer, be proactive and take charge of your well-being today!
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
The thyroid is a vital gland that plays a critical role in regulating various metabolic processes in the body. However, thyroid imbalances are incredibly common, and many women struggle to get diagnosed and treated appropriately.
In this blog post, we'll explore the different types of thyroid hormones and imbalances, why it's difficult to get diagnosed, and how to get the appropriate treatment.
We'll discuss the impact of autoimmune diseases, environmental factors, and stress on thyroid health, and provide tips for finding a hormone expert who specialises in thyroid disorders.
If you suspect you have a thyroid imbalance, keep reading to learn more about this crucial gland and how to get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It plays a critical role in regulating the body's metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and energy levels.
The thyroid gland produces two primary hormones: T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine).
T4 is the inactive form of thyroid hormone, while T3 is the active form. When the body needs thyroid hormones, T4 is converted into T3 in various organs such as the liver, kidney, and muscle tissue.
In addition to T4 and T3, there are other thyroid hormones, including free T4, free T3 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Each of these hormones plays a critical role in regulating the body's metabolic processes.
There are two types of thyroid imbalances: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones. This leads to a slow metabolism, fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and depression.
Hyperthyroidism (which is less common) occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This leads to a fast metabolism, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, nervousness, and irritability. Both types of thyroid imbalances are serious and require appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Despite the prevalence of thyroid imbalances, getting diagnosed can be challenging. The symptoms of thyroid imbalances can be subtle and nonspecific, and many healthcare providers overlook them.
Additionally, many healthcare providers rely solely on TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels to diagnose thyroid imbalances. TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones.
When TSH levels are high, it usually indicates hypothyroidism, and when they are low, it usually indicates hyperthyroidism. However, TSH levels alone do not provide a complete picture of thyroid function. It's important to evaluate other thyroid hormones, including free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies, to get a comprehensive assessment of thyroid function.
Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis are the leading cause of thyroid imbalances. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. Environmental factors such as exposure to toxins, chemicals, and radiation can also impact thyroid function and yet these are typically not looked at in the conventional paradigm.
If you suspect you have a thyroid imbalance, it's crucial to get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. We understand the complexity of thyroid hormone testing and we take a bioidentical hormone and functional medicine approach to treatment, which gets patients optimal results.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call here to find out more.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
Do you find yourself feeling more fatigued than usual? Not motivated to hit the gym and having trouble getting out of bed in the morning?
You might be experiencing low testosterone levels. Low testosterone, for both men and women, can cause a myriad of issues – from hair loss, fatigue, erectile dysfunction and decreased sex drive, to increased belly fat and even bat wings for women.
If you're experiencing any (or all) of these symptoms, find out what could be causing it and how to take action.
If you've been noticing some changes with your gut recently, like seeing an increase in beer belly and love handles – even though you may not be drinking extra beers – low testosterone levels could be the cause.
Low testosterone can actually reduce the body's response to insulin and glucose, which can cause you to store more fat.
Low T also means you don’t build muscle as easily during workouts while accumulating more fat.
You love your partner and don’t want a low sex drive wrecking the hot connection you used to have. What’s worse, you’re not feeling as good about your body and feeling a little ashamed, causing your self-confidence to fizzle too. You feel old before your time and you know something is off. So the first step is to find out what can impair testosterone production and what you can do about it:
People underestimate the impact of high levels of chronic stress and poor sleep on their health, especially their hormones. Because when cortisol levels are high, testosterone levels decrease, leading to symptoms such as low libido, decreased muscle mass, and fatigue.
While we can’t avoid stress altogether, the truth is, that most men don’t effectively manage their stress – they make it worse.
Most people cope by drinking alcohol, stress eating, eating a high-carb, inflammatory diet and overexposure to electronics – which may make them feel better in the moment, but can all wreck testosterone by trashing their sleep, stressing their adrenals and crippling insulin. That’s why simple lifestyle shifts can help reclaim that kickass libido.
Does it feel like nothing excites you anymore? Have you noticed you have a general sense of feeling “bummed out” and you can’t figure out why?
Have you also noticed that you aren’t as mentally sharp as you used to be and have started to drop the ball on important stuff at work and with family?
Don't fret, you aren’t losing your mind, it could be low testosterone impacting your mood as well as your cognitive function!
While many lifestyle factors – including diet, sleep, exposure to toxins and EMFs, and gut dysbiosis – all can inhibit brain function, research suggests that poor memory, low moods, and other signs of cognitive decline can also be related to low testosterone.
Don't become discouraged, instead reboot your brain by taking care of your hormone balance and health.
“Women have testosterone?” you may be asking yourself. It’s true… and when it’s out of whack, you may even see the results on your body!
For example, if you've been noticing your arm muscles losing tone and starting to resemble “bat wings” – it could be a sign of low T. You may also notice that your legs have more cellulite than you know what to do with, caused by low testosterone as well as oestrogen imbalances.
Typically, women in menopause can struggle with low testosterone, as their ovaries are producing less hormones. Often women who are close to menopause or in perimenopause aren't getting the desired toning from their weekly workouts and just feel exhausted after they workout.
And yet, working out harder only makes them feel more tired and discouraged.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
Are you close to menopause feeling like your greatest years are behind you? It doesn't have to be that way.
Whether you are in your late 40’s or mid 50’s, you are most likely dealing with the menopause madness that could be making you flabby, fatigued and forgetful… even though you try your best to be sharp and fit!
Let’s be honest, most women struggle with menopause – they just don’t talk about it! 70-80% of all women in the United Kingdom experience some form of menopause-related devastation, whether it's hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, night sweats, weight gain, brain fog or mood swings.
While most healthcare providers will tell you that these symptoms are "normal" and simply part of ageing, that doesn't make them any less frustrating or something we just have to live with… as was pointed out in a recent New York Times article on “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause”.
So what can we do to reclaim our sanity during this time?
Let's start by understanding what symptoms hormonal shifts can cause and then what we can do about this time of hormonal upheaval.
Do you feel crazy angry and anxious some days?
Do you just wish you could get one good night’s sleep without waking up 3-4 times, waking up in a pool of sweat with your heart pounding?
Do you find yourself crying easily at movies or commercials, and then 10 minutes later snapping at a family member or coworker?
You're not alone! During menopause and even the years leading up to menopause, oestrogen levels can drop significantly.
While many of us don’t make the connection, low oestrogen can also impact our brains and have a negative impact on cognitive health.
Studies have shown oestrogen deprivation impairs memory and the under-estimation of oestrogen doesn't only affect our brain – reports suggest it's linked with dementia.
For example, as this 2020 study shows, women who took oestrogen as hormone replacement for menopause symptoms during and five years before menopause had better cognitive performance.
Another annoying effect of menopause is weight gain, as oestrogen is key for metabolism. Yet there are plenty of ways for you to tackle the added pounds and your changing metabolism.
For one, low oestrogen can also impact your insulin, making it hard for you to handle high-carb foods that everyone loves. While menopausal women do need some carbohydrates to keep stress hormones like cortisol in check, eating the right kind and amount matters.
Eating high-octane carbs like bowls of cereal, pizza, and pasta can trash your blood sugar and put on the pounds. So rework your plate to prioritise protein (try to eat a gram of protein per kg of your body weight), then plenty of veggies and smaller amounts of high-quality carbs (such as ½ sweet potato or ½ cup quinoa).
Additionally, consider bioidentical oestrogen and herbal supplements to help with more effortless weight loss and to smooth out symptoms like brain fog and stress, which often occur during this transition and may lead to over-eating.
Neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and GABA can also help balance your hormones and reduce cravings without any extra calories. So hang in there… fighting weight gain during menopause doesn't have to be mysterious or hard!
Menopause brain fog is an all too common symptom that can be a real pain in the…brain!
To prevent menopause brain fog from becoming a major issue, consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) along with certain herbal supplements as additional options. These treatments help balance oestrogen levels and ensure that you stay sharp under pressure – no more forgetting what you were just about to say!
Importantly, most hormone experts say not to wait until you are already in menopause – instead, run appropriate hormone tests earlier in the perimenopausal or menopausal transition, because the sooner you address low oestrogen levels, the better for your brain.
Going through menopause can sometimes feel like your worst enemy – the hot flashes, lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, forgetfulness and dreaded weight gain.
But that's not all… you have to deal with brain fog and a low tolerance for stress too!
There is a reason for this and it has to do with the “switch” that takes place between your ovaries and adrenals. So when your eggs stop producing oestrogen, your adrenal glands take over making a hormone that can be converted into oestradiol.
At the same time your adrenals are responsible for releasing stress hormones and if they are stressed because of your lifestyle, hot flashes and many other symptoms like exhaustion can ensue. So it’s crucial to maintain good adrenal health when you approach menopause and during menopause.
If you're based in the UK, book a free discovery call to find out more here.
If you're not based in the UK, you can't work with our BHRT Drs but you can still work with our functional medicine nutritionist and coach: please call the clinic on +44203 303 0237 to find out more.
London Bioidentical Hormones is a Virtual Practice in the United Kingdom and serves patients throughout the United Kingdom.
