OK! lets talk hormones!

Day 1 is when your period actually starts (not pre-spotting).

At the end of the period, oestrogen drops which causes a surge of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), which, as the name suggests, stimulates follicles in the ovary. (Timing is always crucial when evaluating hormone tests, testing LH after your period is recommended as this is when it is highest) These follicles also make oestrogen, which then tells the brain to choose the most suitable egg for release. Mid cycle there is a surge of oestrogen which stimulates a surge of LH (luteinising hormone) and the egg is released approximately 18-36 hours later. The remaining tissue is called the corpus luteum which is responsible for producing progestone (and an increase in basal body temperature). Without proper ovulation, there isn’t a healthy level of progestone. (This is where timing comes into play again, testing for progesterone in the luteal phase is recommended, in order to actually see if there is ovulation therefore healthy progesterone levels (if you test in the beginning of your cycle, you will see low levels, which is totally normal).

So what are the roles these hormones play in the body, and what symptoms can occur if there is an excess or deficiency?

Oestrogen: supports bone health, memory, increases serotonin and serotonin receptors, and increases collagen. (think plump healthy skin and less wrinkles ladies)

Low oestrogen is associated with low body weight, excessive training, PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome), low cholesterol (the backbone of hormones) and hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid function) – that’s a whole other post! Symptoms can include low mood (think serotonin), low libido, memory loss, brain fog, hot flushes and night sweats, joint pain and thinning skin/loss of elasticity.

Excess oestrogen can be a result of excess weight, diabetes/blood sugar dysregulation, PCOS (again, which is why it can be so tricky, testosterone can also play a part here), dysbiosis, environmental toxins (hormone disrupting chemicals such as plastics), alcohol and via aromatisation from excess testosterone. Excess oestrogen (or oestrogen dominance over progesterone) can present as PMS, mood swings, heavy bleeding, cramps, fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, ovarian cysts, weight gain, water retention, swollen or tender breasts and also low thyroid function.

Oestrogen needs to be metabolised, which is where we can run into problems. We need healthy and efficient liver detoxification and gut function. Oestrogen metabolites can be either healthy or pushed down more problematic pathways. (again, another post!)

Progesterone, we love progesterone! Progesterone helps with sleep and anxiety via its effect on GABA receptors. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it is essentially “anti-anxiety”. Progesterone also helps to sustain pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage, it supports the development of neurons in the brain, enhances serotonin receptors, reduces spasms in smooth muscle, and actually reduces gall bladder activity (oestrogen dominance is actually associated with an increased risk of gallbladder issues.)

So what decreases progesterone?

Irregular cycles and not ovulating, excessive training, low body weight, extreme stress, hypothyroidism, PCOS, some medications (opioids, NSAIDs and OCP) and miscommunication from the brain via the HPA/HPO axis. This is why brain health, stress (think cortisol and blood sugar dysregulation) can play such a huge part in hormonal health or dysfunction. Take care of your brain and stress response ladies- it comes from the top!

And where does testosterone fit in with the female hormones (because yes we do need a little testosterone!)

Testosterone is actually made in the ovaries (about 25%), the adrenals (about 25%) and in adipose (fat) tissue). Decreased testosterone can occur with age, poor brain communication, zinc deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, low cholesterol (again, the backbone of hormones), decreased blood flow, diabetes and some medications. Did you know that ground flax seed (not the oil) can actually decrease both testosterone and oestrogen due to its role in increasing hormone-binding proteins?

Insulin, PCOS and increased cortisol (stress!) can increase testosterone. One of the major issues with testosterone is its ability to go down a particular pathway (called the 5a-reductase pathway) which converts testosterone to a more potent DHT (dihydrotestosterone). This version is responsible for acne, excessive body hair, male pattern baldness and anger/irritation. The kicker with this one is the role of insulin (think blood glucose dysregulation), stress, and inflammation in driving testosterone down this pathway, and it is a big player in some cases of PCOS.

Ahhh, there is so much to the female hormonal system! We love to blame hormones for the consequences of their imbalances, but we need to always remember to address the cause (the signal is coming from somewhere!) and to understand the importance of stress, inflammation, detoxification, blood sugar regulation and a good ol’ healthy diet and lifestyle when it comes to any condition or symptom. We are complicated creatures! Any questions? Please feel free to hit me up, I love this stuff!