Are you feeling cranky, snapping at people more often than usual, then feeling terrible about it afterwards?
Have you also noticed a shift in your cravings, making it impossible to bypass that chocolate bar or cake you see at your local coffee shop?
Don’t beat yourself up about it, it could be your hormones – specifically oestrogen dominance.
Oestrogen dominance is a hormonal imbalance that can occur during perimenopause (as early as your 30s) and menopause, when progesterone levels drop faster than oestrogen levels… causing annoying symptoms like mood swings, sweet cravings, and hot flashes, as well as sudden weight gain.
While it's not fun to deal with these symptoms, early detection is critical so you can properly resolve those hormonal imbalances. Read on to learn more about oestrogen dominance so it doesn’t get the better of you!
Ladies, oestrogen dominance is real and we can thank perimenopause and menopause for that! While dealing with hormones can be rough at times, we do have some control!
The first thing to understand is that this oestrogen-minded hormonal imbalance can leave you feeling anything but your usually charming self.
You might feel like your mood has been hijacked, along with a heavy dose of PMS, headaches, bloating, and that annoying breast tenderness that can last for days or even a week.
On top of being a puffy crank-monster, you can’t control your hunger and sweet cravings have skyrocketed.
So how does it happen?
There are two forms of oestrogen dominance – frank oestrogen dominance which is caused when your body makes too much oestrogen and relative oestrogen dominance when you have too much oestrogen relative to progesterone.
How do we end up with one of these forms? There are many reasons you may have an overload of oestrogen, this can include poor oestrogen detox pathways (genetics such as the COMT gene) and inability to release it each month, excess body fat that creates more oestrogen, exposure to hormone-mimicking chemicals in your environment like xenoestrogens (found in beauty products, plastics and more), gut health issues, autoimmune conditions, high levels of cortisol and stress, low progesterone, adrenal issues, and even poor sleep.
While this list sounds daunting, there is plenty you can do to tweak your lifestyle to make it more “oestrogen balance friendly” if you suspect you have oestrogen dominance.
Oestrogen dominance can be a cruel mistress, giving us mood swings, sweet cravings and much more. But there is a silver lining – you’re not helpless! There are some simple things to help alleviate symptoms of oestrogen imbalance and take the pressure off!
If you suspect you are suffering from oestrogen dominance (or any hormonal imbalance), the first step is to get tested by a hormone expert since many hormone imbalances can present similar symptoms.
While some of the lifestyle recommendations for oestrogen dominance work for women in their 30’s (who are not yet in perimenopause), they may not work for all women – especially those dealing with an undiagnosed autoimmune condition or approaching menopause.
If sweet cravings, mood swings, perimenopause or menopause symptoms have become too much and are disrupting your life, the best course of action is to talk to a hormone expert – otherwise known as a BHRT expert or functional medicine doctor. Unfortunately, when women approach their PCP or even their OBGYN about their hormones… they usually get the “runaround”.
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.
Conventional medical training does not pay much attention to hormone imbalances. Often the paradigm can be: '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 (often synthetic hormone-like drugs) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs).For men andropause frequently gets forgotten about altogether!
But the reality is that hormones start to decline and get out of balance years before menopause and the solution isn't binary. It requires testing hormones, treating with individualised doses of bioidentical hormones and tweaking doses as your needs change. It also requires looking at other factors such as nutrition, gut issues, stress, poor detoxification, nervous system dysregulation and genetics.
Functional medicine doctors and BHRT experts look at dysfunctions and imbalances even before they prevent as disease, which means that they look at hormones and how they work in the body. They use a variety of lab testing to identify hormonal imbalances and design personalised treatment plans to restore balance and often do multiple rounds of testing to understand your unique hormone challenges.
And because they treat the whole person – not just symptoms – they can help you prevent future hormone problems from occurring.
So if you’re dealing with hormone issues like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings or hot flashes, it’s worth seeing a functional medicine doctor who can get to the root of the problem and help you feel like yourself again.
If hormone imbalances have you feeling less than your best, it might be time to consider working with a practitioner trained in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
Unlike conventional doctors, bioidentical hormone experts use advanced hormone testing through blood or urine tests and utilise personalised treatments including supplements and individualised bioidentical hormones to restore you back to balance and optimal health.
The results you receive from hormone testing can then be used to pinpoint dietary and lifestyle changes along with treatments that will help rebalance your hormones.
A trained practitioner will give you guidance on how lifestyle habits impact your hormones and also provide (if necessary) hormone replacement which will remedy hormonal deficiencies.
Contrary to popular belief, HRT isn't just a one-size-fits-all proposition and prescribing just the hormones you need in just the doses you need gets optimal results.
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.
Do you suffer from gut-wrenching cramps and PMS? Headaches before your period and wicked sweets cravings? Do you dread your cycle because of the tender breasts and sleepless nights?
It could be oestrogen dominance! But what is it exactly? And why does it matter?
Oestrogen dominance is a condition in which there's too much oestrogen in the body relative to progesterone. This can happen in your 20’s, during perimenopause, and before and during menopause.
Too much oestrogen can lead to some serious symptoms and even health risks so it's important to understand what causes oestrogen dominance and how to avoid it. Here's everything you need to know about oestrogen dominance.
Oestrogen dominance occurs when oestrogen levels are out of balance, leaving estrogen floating around like a teenage rebel with too much time on their hands.
Women experience oestrogen dominance in two ways: frank or relative oestrogen dominance – frank means you produce too much oestrogen and levels are simply too high, while relative oestrogen dominance occurs when progesterone levels are low compared to oestrogen.
Oestrogen dominance is frequently triggered during perimenopause and menopause when your hormones shift, but can also be triggered by certain external sources – including xenoestrogens found in some food, plastics and beauty products.
Although oestrogen is essential for bodily functions like regulating metabolism and maintaining healthy bones and skin, it can cause havoc if levels are too high in the case of dominance and too low during menopause.
Research suggests that unchecked oestrogen dominance could increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers so you should get tested to better understand your risk profile.
While perimenopause and menopause are the most common reasons for oestrogen dominance, there are several other factors that can contribute to this condition:
It's important to note that each person's experience with oestrogen dominance may be unique, and several factors may contribute to this condition. If you're experiencing symptoms of oestrogen dominance, it's important to speak with a healthcare provider who can help diagnose and treat the problem.
There are many natural remedies to help women tackle this common issue.
Some of the best go-to remedies are high-fibre foods like berries and broccoli, flax, magnesium, B-complex vitamins, probiotics, and chaste berries.
While these might not work for everyone all the time, research shows that natural solutions can make a real difference in reducing symptoms related to oestrogen dominance and decreasing risks associated with conditions such as breast cancer and other oestrogen-positive cancers. So grab your broccoli and brush up on high-fibre superfoods – you’re just a few steps away from detoxing oestrogen more efficiently.
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've been feeling fatigue and low energy levels, it could be because your hormones are out of balance.
Oestrogen, progesterone, insulin, testosterone and thyroid hormones all play a role in keeping us going – so when one (or more) of them is “off”, we can end up feeling tired and run down.
But don't worry, there are ways to get your hormones back on track so you can feel like yourself again… keep reading to learn more.
Have you ever been so exhausted, like all you wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep for eternity and yet – even when you go to bed early you can’t get restful sleep?
That lack of sleep might be taking a toll on your hormones, but imbalanced hormones can also be causing poor sleep.
It might seem that once your hormones are imbalanced, there’s no turning back… but that’s not true! Here are ways hormone disrupt your sleep and what to consider
Low oestrogen levels (typically in menopausal women) typically cause insomnia, because oestrogen helps move magnesium into tissues, which is crucial for catalysing the synthesis of important sleep neurotransmitters, including melatonin.
Low progesterone impacts women with severe PMS who may also be in perimenopause and menopause. Think of progesterone as your “chillax” hormone and when it’s low, it brings on the crankiness and sleep issues! It helps sleep for many reasons – impacting our respiration but also makes a metabolite (or by-product) called allopregnanolone which interacts with GABA (a receptor in the brain). GABA is a calming neurotransmitter.
High cortisol from too much stress – and stimulants like coffee, toxins and diet ramp up cortisol. When this hormone is too high, it can offset the sleep hormone melatonin. This can impact your circadian rhythm causing plenty of sleep disturbances and afternoon energy crashes.
Insulin resistance (your hormone insulin doesn’t respond well and blood sugar levels increase) can be increased by too little sleep as well as diet. The more insensitive your insulin is, the worse you’ll sleep as well! People with insulin resistance can have blood sugar crashes while they sleep, causing them to wake several times a night and even experience night sweats.
Have you been feeling more exhausted than usual lately? It could be time to check if your thyroid hormones are out of balance.
An imbalance in thyroid hormone levels – low thyroid function, also known as hypothyroidism, can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, anxiety, and a weakened immune system.
There are many reasons for impaired thyroid function, from nutrient deficiency to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the autoimmune condition responsible for 1 out of 3 hypothyroidism cases.
So why not take control of your health and see a thyroid expert who can evaluate your thyroid hormones with a complete thyroid panel and put you back on the path to feeling like yourself again?
If you're low on energy, low on mojo, and always tired no matter how much sleep you get - it could be due to low testosterone! Low T can cause all sorts of symptoms such as fatigue, a low libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), feeling uninterested in life, sleep disturbances, and even "bat wings" (annoying fat accumulation in the underarm area), especially for women who often experience low-T near or during menopause.
If you are already experiencing insulin resistance, it could mean low testosterone too as that impacts the body’s testosterone production. So don't accept fatigue – have a chat with a hormone specialist about comprehensive testing and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
Whether it's lack of sleep, imbalanced hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), insulin resistance, an imbalance in thyroid hormone levels, or low testosterone levels – there IS a solution.
Don't be a slave to fatigue; while there are lifestyle changes that can help, if you want to solve your energy issues more quickly, it’s smart to call a hormone expert!
Hormone experts who are often BHRT experts and functional medicine doctors are trained to understand the delicate balance of your hormones and recognise the symptoms. They can help you pinpoint which lifestyle changes, dietary tweaks, supplementation or therapy if necessary is right for you based on your testing.
So summon up enough energy to break away from fatigue and live life to its fullest!
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.
Did you know that low progesterone in our 40s is one of the commonest hormone imbalances?
Having small mood shifts right before your period is normal, but being on an emotional rollercoaster all the time is not.
In fact, persistent mood swings and anxiety could be a sign of hormone imbalance, specifically low progesterone.
You can feel amazing when your hormones are in balance but hormones can quickly become your frenemy when they are out of whack!
Many women don’t always realise their hormone imbalances are to blame and they certainly don't realise that its fixable. They attribute it to too much stress, too many family obligations, or just feeling burned out all the time.
They just can’t figure out why they seem to have the “super-sized unhappy meal” from feeling regularly anxious and depressed, on edge and angry, weepy then foggy, all while they are trying their best to take care of their family and maintain their careers.
For the millions of women who suffer from hormonal imbalances, life can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster ride of mood swings and unpredictable emotions.
Among the most common hormone disorders is low progesterone. This just isn't talked about in conventional medicine, which focuses on disease rather than the dysfunctions and imbalances that can precede it.
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 (usually synthetic hormone-like drugs) and if you're not you might get offered a contraceptive (which are always synthetic hormone-like drugs).
Here at London Bioidentical Hormones we test hormones, we individualise doses of bioidentical hormones and we tweak things as your needs change. That means we can address imbalances like low progesterone in your 40s. We make a difference to the people who have been told they just have to put up with it.
Progesterone, when imbalanced, can have a far-reaching ripple effect throughout our bodies. It affects both the physical and emotional aspects of our health, from our digestion, aiding in cognition, working as a sedative for sleep, and protecting the nervous system – all functions which directly impact our mood.
People often underestimate the impact of hormones on their mental state, yet an imbalance in progesterone or other hormones can cause emotions to swing like a pendulum – from extreme highs to lows and back again in a never-ending cycle. That’s why looking at the connection between hormone balance and overall well-being is essential for lasting mental health.
Low progesterone isn't just a hollow warning – in addition to provoking symptoms like mood swings and irritability, low progesterone has also been linked to depression, insomnia, and even weight gain.
So if your health suddenly feels out of balance, don't rush out looking for the next trendy supplement; start by making sure your hormones are at an optimal level. Your mood will thank you!
When it comes to managing low progesterone levels and their emotional impact, taking control of your lifestyle is key - but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone!
Learning from a trained hormone expert who understands how all the aspects of your lifestyle can boost or deplete progesterone can make all the difference. Understanding how shifting your food choices to a hormone-friendly diet, limiting environmental toxins found in foods, lawn care and makeup and how to upgrade your sleep, stress management and mindfulness can all shift your hormone balance and your overall emotional well-being.
Taking care of our emotional well-being isn't just good for the heart – it's good for hormone balance too!
First, examine ways that you can boost calm, and structure and create emotional resilience. Sit down and make a list of all your current emotional stressors and ways you can resolve them or lighten the load.
That might require setting stronger boundaries, not over-committing yourself, learning how to say “No” to certain family members, steering clear or limiting interaction with toxic or negative people and not overindulging in unhealthy practises like body shaming, too much social media, and junk foods.
Once you have your list, you may be tempted to try implementing it all at once, but that can be stressful! Instead, each week, choose one emotional stressor to tackle at a time and test it out throughout the week. Taking 5 minutes in the morning to journal about your experiences can remind you to set those boundaries before you make a decision on autopilot.
While some symptoms may be improved with mindset and lifestyle adjustments, you may find that it’s not enough to support your progesterone levels naturally.
If you are already eating healthy, working out, setting those healthy boundaries and yet still feeling emotionally “off kilter”, it’s time to call an expert who can do the right testing to see exactly whether your hormones are imbalanced and at suboptimal levels.
They can recommend further treatments such as medical-grade supplementation further diet changes or even the appropriate bioidentical hormone replacement therapy BHRT. Getting the right treatment can break the vicious circle and get you spiralling upwards.
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.
Getting a good night's sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. Beyond practising good sleep hygiene and properly winding down your day, our hormones play a significant role in regulating our sleep patterns – and imbalances in these hormones can negatively impact our sleep quality.
Progesterone, cortisol, insulin, and melatonin are all hormones that are essential for a restful night's sleep – so here’s how imbalances in each of these can affect sleep:
Progesterone is a hormone that helps us to relax and fall asleep. Low levels of progesterone can cause difficulty falling and staying asleep, as well as night sweats and hot flashes.
Cortisol is a hormone that regulates our stress response, and high levels of cortisol can interfere with our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can cause insomnia and fragmented sleep.
Insulin is a hormone that regulates our blood sugar levels. Low levels of insulin can cause blood sugar to drop during the night, which can trigger the release of cortisol and adrenaline, leading to disrupted sleep.
Melatonin is a hormone that is essential for regulating our sleep-wake cycle. Low levels of melatonin can cause difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, and can also lead to daytime fatigue and drowsiness.
Fortunately, there are natural ways to rebalance our hormones and improve our sleep quality:
These are all aspects we cover as part of our functional wellness approach to balanced hormones so you can look and feel your absolute best!
In some cases, natural methods may not be enough to rebalance our hormone levels and improve our sleep quality. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a possible alternative that can help optimise hormone levels and thus improve sleep quality.
BHRT involves the use of hormones that are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced by the human body. By using customised hormone prescriptions, BHRT can address individual hormone imbalances and improve sleep quality.
Keeping our hormones balanced is essential for a restful night's sleep. By focusing on natural methods such as exercise, diet, stress reduction, and a consistent bedtime routine, we can rebalance our hormones and improve our sleep quality. BHRT may be the key to get you sleeping again, which then allows your body the chance to recover.
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.
"Let food be thy medicine" is an ancient saying that modern science had recently proven. But when it comes to health and immunity in particular, not all foods can heal - in fact some can harm!
However a number of foods, from various plant families, have been found to benefit the immune system due to special healing compounds they contain.
One group of plants with flowers that are shaped in a "cross" configuration, called cruciferous, contain potent healing sulphur-based compounds. Vegetables in this family include broccoli, kale, collards, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, watercress, and horseradish. The sulphur compounds that give these veggies their characteristic scent and sharp flavour have been found to increase the body's ability to detoxify and help your body produce glutathione, one of the best detoxifying compounds. While our body's are naturally built to detoxify, our environment has become more toxic than ever, meaning that most people are carrying more toxins than their body can handle.
The second group of plants that can boost immune function are adaptogens. While these are less well known compared to cruciferous, they contain a wide range of special immune-modulating compounds that can help the body recover from stress, lower inflammation, and boost cell repair. Every culture has their go-to adaptogens which are considered "super healers" from their indigenous or ancient medicine systems. The list of adaptogens is long, but the most widely known ones are turmeric, ginseng, ginger, and reishi mushroom while lessen known ones like rhodiola, ashwagandha, schishandra berry, and moringa. Each adaptogen has its unique healing properties and are traditionally used for different conditions or imbalances.
The third group of foods that can boost the immune system to prevent disease and enhance health is known as antioxidant-rich plants. The normal wear and tear on our bodies every day as a result of stress, the environment, unhealthy foods we eat, smoking cigarettes, and so on, is called oxidative stress. It is thought to be a major cause of ageing in the body.
Other healing plants to consider are those that are high in antioxidants that don't fall into the cruciferous or adaptogenic family. This includes nutrient-dense plants, also termed as "superfoods", that contain antioxidants in the pigment of their leaves and skins-- hence the advice to "eat the rainbow". All berries, pomegranate, spinach, red bell pepper, sweet potato, winter squashes, red lettuce, and olives contain these naturally protective antioxidants. These foods are also high in vitamins and minerals as well.
Antioxidants combat oxidative stress, decreasing the wear and tear on the body and reducing the effects of ageing. Some antioxidants are so powerful, they have even been associated with cancer prevention.
Eating more anti-inflammatory foods while cutting back on inflammatory ones, and adding delicious antioxidants to your diet, is the best way to boost your immune system, reduce the effects of ageing, and prevent disease.
1. Cruciferous Vegetables
2. Adaptogens
3. Olive Oil
4. Berries
5. Walnuts and other tree nuts
6. Red, Orange, and Yellow Peppers
7. Ginger
8. Turmeric
9. Green Leafy Vegetables Such As Spinach
10. Berries Such As Blueberries
1. Sugar
2. Salt
3. Standard Cooking Oils
4. Trans fats
5. Red Meat
6. Processed Meats/cold Cuts
7. Refined Carbohydrates
8. Artificial Sweeteners and Flavourings, such as aspartame and saccharin; Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
9. Alcohol
10. Conventional Dairy Products
1. Small red beans
2. Blueberries, wild
3. Red kidney beans
4. Pinto beans
5. Blueberries, cultivated
6. Cranberries
7. Artichokes
8. Blackberries
9. Raisins
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.
