Befriend your hormones, improve your life Audrey Sourroubille Arnold Health & Wellness Coach @ Lotus Power Health www.lotuspowerhealth.com Disclaimer: The information in this report is based upon the opinions of Audrey Sourroubille Arnold and is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, or intended as medical advice. Audrey encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. Page 1
Table of contents THE FIVE HORMONAL IMBALANCES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT 2 1. SEX HORMONES: ESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE, ANDROGENS 3 *LOW ESTROGEN 3 *HIGH ESTROGEN 3 *LOW PROGESTERONE 4 *HIGH ANDROGENS 4 2. STRESS HORMONE: CORTISOL 4 *HIGH / LOW CORTISOL 4 WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR DURING YOUR PERIOD? 5 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET YOUR HORMONES BACK ON TRACK? 5 *LOW ESTROGEN 5 *HIGH ESTROGEN 6 *LOW PROGESTERONE 6 *HIGH ANDROGENS 6 *HIGH / LOW CORTISOL 6 ABOUT ME 7 The five hormonal imbalances you should know about The female body is a mystery to most including women! With cycles and phases, hot flashes and periods, it is no wonder people get a little confused when discussing the who, what, when, where and why of the female body. The proper interactions between hormones are vitally important for the general health of women, and for their fertility in particular. Many factors can interfere with and impede these interactions, but you can also influence them for the better. If your hormones are not in balance, you will not feel at your best. Review the list of symptoms below to see which hormonal imbalance corresponds to you, or get your hormones levels tested, then read the results to see how you can get your hormones back on track. Page 2
1. Sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, androgens Women s dominant sex hormones serve to lubricate, nourish and build our bodies. While there are many different sex hormones in the body, the most important ones are estrogen & progesterone. Estrogen regulates menstruation, builds the uterine lining to prepare for pregnancy, and keeps women lubricated, from joints to vagina. Progesterone counterbalances estrogen by helping regulate uterine lining, emotions and sleep. Androgens are male hormones present in the blood. Ovarian overproduction of androgens is a condition in which the female ovaries make too much testosterone. Hormonal imbalance can occur with any of these hormones, and symptoms are as indicated below. *Low estrogen Irregular periods, Vaginal dryness, Painful intercourse, Hot flashes and night sweets, Bladder infections, Dry skin, Lethargy and depression, and Signs of premature aging, such as memory problems. *High Estrogen Puffiness and bloating, Water retention, Rapid weight gain, Breast tenderness, Heavy bleeding, Mood swings (causing anxiety, depression, and weepiness), Sleep problems, Migraine, A flushed face, Reduced libido, Foggy thinking, and High levels of copper in the bloodstream. In the long term, women with too much estrogen may develop conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids associated with the stimulatory effects of estrogen gall bladder problems, poor blood-sugar control, and an underactive thyroid. Page 3
*Low Progesterone Painful or lumpy breasts, Headaches that are linked to your menstrual cycle, Anxiety and irritability, Sleeping problems, Unexplained weight gain, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), Bleeding between periods, and Reduced libido. *High Androgens Acne, Ovarian cysts which are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, Excess body hair, Instable blood-sugar levels, Thinning hair on the head, Mid-cycle pain, and Erratic menstruation. 2. Stress hormone: cortisol Cortisol is the main stress hormone and regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, and immune function. It is produces in our adrenal glands under most conditions, stressful or not. *High / Low Cortisol Whenever you react to stress, your body responds by producing the adrenal hormone cortisol. This competes for receptor sites with progesterone, making the progesterone less active and leading, after a long period of stress, to estrogen dominance. (Cortisol also increases estrogen production.) Too much stress will also result in the exhaustion of the adrenal glands and a deficiency of cortisol, which causes hormonal imbalance. Excess cortisol symptoms include: Decreased sex drive, Irritability, Sugar cravings, Poor sleep, Night sweats, Increased blood pressure, Increased blood sugar, and Weight gain around the middle. Cortisol deficiency symptoms include: Unstable blood-sugar levels and Debilitating tiredness. Page 4
The tiredness is exacerbated by stress or poor diet and manifests itself in two stages. The symptoms of stage one include allergies, candidiasis, fatigue and insomnia, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), a loss of libido, susceptibility to viral infections, and low blood pressure. The stage two symptoms include alcohol intolerance, chronic fatigue and weak muscles, depression, headaches, and unstable bloodsugar levels. What should you look for during your period? Below is a summary I find really useful when explaining to women coming to my practice if they have a hormonal imbalance. Depending on the consistency of your periods, you can already identify some imbalances. For example:- Brown stains indicate low progesterone levels. Dark red or black clots indicate low progesterone, elevated estrogen, congestion in the uterus. Heavy bleeding indicate elevated estrogen, potential for fibroids or polyps in the uterus. Short length of bleeding (1-2 days long) indicate low estrogen, low progesterone. Very frequent bleeds (twice a month or more) indicate a potential sluggish thyroid. What can you do to get your hormones back on track? *Low Estrogen SOLUTION #1: Eat phyto-estrogens. SOLUTION #2: Take a low-dose of natural estrogen, available from qualified herbalists. SOLUTION #3: Take Paraaminobenzoic acid (PABA). PABA is a component of vitamin B-complex and helps stimulate the pituitary Page 5
gland (which is the gland that produces estrogen). *High Estrogen SOLUTION #1: Follow a low-fat, highfiber, nutrient-rich diet. This diet has been proven to improve hormonal balance, reduce symptoms, and optimize conditions for women wanting to conceive. SOLUTION #2: Add fermented food to your diet. Lactobacillus acidophilus, for example, which is found in some yogurts, encourages estrogen metabolism and its excretion. SOLUTION #3: Eat phyto-estrogens. Phyto-estrogens are known to help slow down the conversion of androgens into estrogen and to prevent excess estrogens from binding to receptor sites. *Low Progesterone SOLUTION #1: Start a progesterone therapy this solution has caused controversy among healthcare professionals. Natural progesterone cream can also be used, but only under supervision. SOLUTION #2: Take vitamins and mineral supplements. The ones that might help include vitamins B6 and E, magnesium. SOLUTION #3: Take herbal remedies. Evening primrose oil and herbs such as Vitex agnus-castus, which you can get from a qualified herbalist, can help to regulate progesterone production. SOLUTION #4: Amend your lifestyle. Useful changes include reducing stress, not exercising excessively, and increasing low body weight. *High Androgens SOLUTION #1: Eat a high-fiber vegetarian diet that is low in saturated fats and high in phytoestrogens. *High / Low Cortisol SOLUTION #1: Reduce your intake of stimulants, such as sugar, tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol. SOLUTION #2: Make sure your diet is as healthy as possible, to avoid stressing your body even more. SOLUTION #3: Use relaxation techniques to reduce stress levels and then keep them under control. Page 6
About me feel and their ideal body-mind image. I help them find what works best for them so that they can improve their lives consistently. Through coaching, I empower these women with the knowledge to take control of their health and their hormones through optimal nutrition, self-care practices and more mindful living. I enable them to reconnect with their feminine power so that their life becomes more enjoyable. For more information on the programs I offer, please check out the coaching services page. http://www.lotuspowerhealth.com/services Otherwise, to decide if health coaching is right for you, you can also contact me by email or through my website to schedule your Free Health Breakthrough Session. My name is Audrey. With Lotus Power Health I offer personalised health coaching programs in hormonal balance & fertility. By working with me, you can expect to discover tools for a lifetime of balance. As a Health & Wellness Coach, I provide my clients with ongoing support and guidance. I help them set achievable goals and make sustainable changes so that they improve their life, health, wellness and happiness. I listen carefully to their concerns and help them choose a path that will bring them closer to their ideal image of themselves. I work with busy women who feel a disconnection between how they currently http://www.lotuspowerhealth.com/contact-us Health coaching sessions can be done in person, via phone or Skype. These sessions can be done in English, French or Italian. Lotus Power Health Zürichstrasse 10 8932 Mettmenstetten Switzerland Website: www.lotuspowerhealth.com Email: info@lotuspowerhealth.com Like LPH on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lotuspowerhealth Page 7