Are we at the mercy of our hormones? Women’s health needs change throughout different life stages, from menstruation, through our reproductive years, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and the menopause. These changes are largely driven by our female sex hormones, such as oestrogen and progesterone. Sex hormone regulation is the cornerstone of our physiology, behaviour, and ability to reproduce and thrive. When our hormones are too high, too low, or fluctuating excessively, it can cause problems with periods or fertility, but it also affects our general health, for example causing low energy and mood, or poor heart or bone health.
Hormonal Challenges
Maintenance of natural hormone balance has never been more difficult due to the modern environment. Our hormonal system is challenged by the onslaught of chemicals from the environment that disrupt its balance, especially xenoestrogens (chemicals that mimic oestrogen) from plastics, non-organic foods, or mainstream skincare products. On top of this stress, eating too much sugar or carbohydrate-rich foods, and drinking alcohol can create a hormonal havoc. So, how can we support our healthy hormones for optimum fertility, a balanced menstrual cycle, and general health? How can vitamins, plant extracts and other nutrients in supplements help?
Establishing Balance
Hormone regulation is a complex process and has its own natural rhythm. Firstly, we need to be adequately nourished, with sufficient intake of good quality carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Different nutrients, such as vitamins B5 and B6 are needed for hormone balance and regulation. Once these hormones have been used, we need to safely eliminate from the body to avoid accumulation which can contribute to hormonal symptoms, inflammation, and free radical damage. This is managed by a complex detoxification system, and specifically sulphation, glucuronidation, and methylation processes, which require different nutrients, including N-acetyl cysteine, methylfolate and B12, as well as antioxidants such as those found in green tea or vitamins C & E. Certain plant extracts like sage or red clover can also help to regulate hormonal balance, including after the menopause.
Female Health Solutions
We might have issues at one or many of these levels that are contributing to hormone imbalance. It’s really all a case of supporting our body in the best way possible. So, we’ve created a range of different supplements, and identified some key lifestyle tips, to support all these areas and help you optimise your hormone balance.
