Balance Your Hormones. Many cases of chronic acne in adult women are linked to imbalances in the reproductive hormonal system. If you’re a woman over the age of seventeen and you have chronic acne, then there’s a high chance that you have may some form of a hormonal imbalance. However, hormonal imbalances rarely just happen on their own. If a woman has a hormonal imbalance that is causing her acne, it is my job to work out WHY that hormonal imbalance happening in the first place. Often it’s one of the following: Going on or coming off synthetic birth control (including the BCP, IUD, implant, nuvaring). Adrenal fatigue. Hypo or hyperthryoidism. Heavy metal toxicity. Sugar/carbohydrate sensitivity, or insulin resistance. History of eating disorder. A vegan diet without correct supplementation. And to some extent PCOS and endometriosis, but these conditions are often cause by something else. It is important to find that underling reasoning for the hormonal imbalance in order to correct it at the root level. What hormonal imbalances cause acne? There is a misconception that all adult hormonal acne is caused by high androgens. While this is one possibility, it’s not always the case. Hormonal acne is often more complicated that a simple deficiency or dominance in a single hormone. And we have multiple hormones under each “umbrella” or group. For instance, we don’t just have one type of estrogen, we have three major types, a fourth type that occurs during pregnancy and a bunch of others that posses estrogenic activity (in fact that are around 4. We also have a bunch of different hormones under the umbrella of “androgens”. The right adrenal gland is pyramidal. The Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research is the only centre in the world that focuses on ovulation and the causes for and health consequences of. Before anything else, can I just say that this is THE most informative article I’ve found so far in regards to balancing your hormones! I love, love, love that. Learn about the original theory of "estrogen dominance", how this term can be misleading, symptoms that may be present and what you can do.So as you can see, it’s not quite as black and white as you first may think. Getting a urine or saliva hormone test done one way to check in with what exactly hormones are out of balance, but a hormone test is not always accessible or affordable, or even accurate. The problem with hormone testing is that as women, we have several hormones that shift and change a lot over the course of a month. So if we are to test our hormones on just one day in that month, it is not a completely accurate snapshot. Our hormones may be all perfectly balancing on that one particular day, but a complete mess two days later. I appreciate hormone testing in my work, but I always consider the inaccuracies in it. The absolute best hormone testing is done every few days over the course of one month. In cases where I have a client has not had any hormone testing done, this is absolutely okay. After working with so many women I now have a good idea as to what the signs and signals are for each hormonal imbalances. Estrogen dominance. Have you heard of this? Our thyroid and sex hormones play a synchronized dance with one another and it’s no surprise that when one is off, it. So know that it is okay to book in a consultation without getting testing done. In a nutshell, working with adult acne in women is best approached at these levels: Create a good balance of good estrogens to progesterone (PG/E2) so there is neither estrogen dominance or estrogen deficiency. Raise low progesterone to healthy levels if needed. Lower androgens if one or more types are too high. Bring cortisol levels into a healthy balance and manage stressors. Heal and manage the root cause of the hormone imbalance. What role do Androgens play in all of this? One of the keys to curing acne is to return our skin to producing normal amounts of sebum in the sebaceous glands. Sebum is actually really good – it’s our skin’s natural protective barrier, and if your skin is too dry then sebum keeps it hydrated. But too much sebum can mean that it gets stuck in the pores and creates a breeding ground for acne bacteria to get stuck in there too, which is one of the ways a pimple is formed. Androgens increase the size and activity of the sebaceous glands. So if your level of androgens is too high then it’s likely that you’re producing too much sebum. Interestingly our levels of healthy estrogens does the opposite – they reduce the size and activity of our sebaceous glands (that means nice tight pores and no congestion!!). As you can see, healthy hormones mean a perfect natural balance in our pore size and sebum production, which results in no acne and skin that is not too oily or dry. Androgen Sensitivity. Some women that have healthy levels of androgens may still experience androgenic related acne due to androgen sensitivity. Basically this means that their sebaceous glands are sensitive to normal androgen levels and they are therefore still likely to get acne. So please keep this in mind if you do decided to get hormone testing done! How to Treat Elevated Androgens or Androgen Sensitivity. The remedy to treat elevated androgens or androgen sensitivity is to 1) detox out bad estrogens, and 2) stick to a low sugar and low carbohydrate diet (make sure to read the Eat Well section of this guide to get an understanding of the relationship between androgens, insulin and acne). I have also written a 6 week anti- androgen detox guide which is the most effective way to reduce raised levels of androgens. You can get a copy of the guide by clicking here. There are also some supplements that you can take. The best are Zinc, Omega- 3, Chromium Picolinate, Vitamin D, Ceylon Cinnamon, B- Complex and Tian Gui capsule (a mix of eleven Chinese Herbs). We can also help to control our sebum production externally with the use of hemp seed or jojoba oils (refer to Don’t Clog Your Pores) and internally by making sure that our liver is functioning well. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)Women with PCOS typically have high testosterone and low progesterone, which is a direct cause of chronic acne. PCOS also often goes hand in hand (although not always) with insulin resistance. Please note that you do not necessarily have insulin resistance if you have PCOS, and not everyone with PCOS is overweight. You do not need a diagnosis for PCOS unless you want to know or if you’re trying to conceive and are having difficulty. I’d suggest instead to get a hormone test to see if you’re high in testosterone and low in progesterone and just do the treatment for those hormones. If you do in fact have PCOS then you’ll be treating it anyway just by working with balancing those two hormonal levels. To learn more about PCOS and acne, read this article – Do You Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) & Acne? Insulin & The Link To Acne. Insulin is a hormone secreted from the pancreas that facilities the transportation of blood sugar (glucose) to the cells of the body to use as fuel. When we eat foods that cause a blood sugar spike (such as sugars or refined carbohydrates), blood glucose rises sharply causing a big release of insulin. After its peak, our blood sugar then drops to too low, causing insulin- like growth factor (IGF- 1) to be released to counteract hypoglycemia. When this IGF- 1 is released, it raises our levels of androgens and causes excess- androgen symptoms, such as acne. So as you can see, even though there is not so much of a direct relationship with the consumption of sugars and fast burning foods to acne, there is a chain reaction that can happen that easily leads to chronic acne. Working with insulin & sugar spiking. To prevent sugar spiking stick to a lower sugar (low GI) and low simple carbohydrate diet. You can read more about this in the Eat Well section of this site. You’ll notice that sections of this site cross over a lot. This is because we’re working with the body holistically and honour that working with one area affects all others. Also make sure that you’re getting regular exercise and reducing your stress levels (see Stress Less). Supplements to take for normalising blood sugar. Of course it’s best to control insulin and blood sugar with diet and exercise, however there are some supplements you can take to help. The best supplements are Chromium, Magnesium, Alpha- Lipoic Acid, and Coenqyum Q- 1. Ceylon Cinnamon and nopal cactus is also a great blood sugar balancer, so consider drinking a cinnamon tea after each meal or taking a nopal cactus superfood powder. Read more about using ceylon cinnamon here – How To Use Cinnamon To Heal Your Acne. Premenstrual Acne. If you’re experiencing acne just before bleeding (typically after day 1. If your acne at this time typically comes with a range of other pre- menstrual symptoms, then this is likely the case for you. There are a few different treatments for low progesterone dependant on symptoms. Some can be too stimulating for the body and cause worsening acne so it is important to use the right one for you. The basic progesterone deficiency treatment options include: Dong Quai. Vitex Agnus- Castus (also called Chasteberry or Chaste Tree)Vitamin C (at a minimum of 7. Natural Bio- identical Progesterone Cream. A combination of zinc, magnesium and Vitamin B6. However, I cannot stress how important it is to work out why your progesterone was low in the first place and to heal it from that level. A note on Vitex Agnus- Castus: Vitex is a powerfully stimulating supplement that is usually the preferred treatment for irregular cycles or PMS in Europe. It is often highly successful at correcting acne (in combination with other supplements) in premenopausal women. However, not all vitex supplements are equal! One of the most effect brands that I personally recommend and trust is Fertility. Blend For Women. An alternative for New Zealand and Australians is Premular, or agnolyt in Europe. Vitex is best taken in the morning, with a break over the days that you are bleeding (which usually means a break of about five days each month). Within the first month or two of use of Vitex, acne and PMS may worsen – and while this doesn’t happen to all women it is a normal reaction if it does. At the end of the second month, or second cycle, you should be noticing the positive effects. If you have taken vitex for a full two and a half months and have only experienced worsening acne and worsening PMS, then this herb is not for you. However, please note that this is the minority! Many women are afraid of taking this wonderful herb because of bad review on the net. Menopause Symptoms and Common Sense Solutions. There are many theories today about how menopause should be treated, including questioning if it should be . In this article we will. Hot Flashes. Hot flashes, or a hot flushing sensation, is the most telltale sign of. Often a 7. 0 degree room will feel. Even when the world around you seems quite cool, you. Then, in the next moment, you may be shivering and regretting. Hot flashes affect women in different ways. One woman reported that she was so. Her body heat kept him very. For some women hot flushing may include the sensation of skin. For others, this symptom can be quite. Flushing can last anywhere from. Hot flashes are due to motor instability. The most common theory is. Although the pituitary hormones we spoke about. FSH and LH, are still produced at regular intervals, the. Poor diet and stress are closely linked to. It has also been postulated that the unnatural estrogenic. We will examine this problem more. Dr. John Lee. It is averaged that 6. Some women experience them. Only a small percentage of women have hot flashes. This symptom, like other menopausal. They are also usually more severe in women that do not sweat. Both progesterone and estrogen can temper hot flashes, although. We will discuss the pros and. HRT in subsequent chapters. Estrogen and progesterone both. Although the principle cause of hot flashes is vasomotor instability. If aware of the conditions under which you are most likely to. In many women, alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, or spicy foods. For others, it is external stress, or strenuous. Warm weather exacerbates flushing for most women, or walking. Often, however, a hot flash comes out. If hot flashes are too frequent or severe, you. Although doctors are quick to prescribe HRT for hot flashes, there are. Vitamin E, at high doses, (8. Too much is. very estrogenic and may cause some of the same problems as unopposed. It is not recommended for those who have asthma. It should not be taken with. Chickweed, elder flower, violet, and mint have also been used with. Licorice root can act to balance hormone levels, but should be. Some women report that moderate exercise. Eat plenty of rice and soy products: tofu, miso, tempeh, soyflour. This. diet is linked to reduced incidence of hot flashes among Japanese. Recently, it was discovered that an ingredient in rice bran. The. drug clonidine is also prescribed, especially in cases where women are. HRT. However, there are numerous safe herbal and. Be sure and check out what progesterone cremes. They work remarkable well for most women. The first controlled study using herbs to control hot flashes only. Columbia- Presbyterian Medical Center in. NY. In the future, we will know a lot more about how these useful herbs. The fact that they have been used. Eastern countries, such as China and Japan for. Sleep Disturbances and Night Sweats. For many women, hot flashes occur during the day; for others, they come. These are called night sweats. She may feel the need. This can have repercussions in terms of. The problem of night sweats is certainly a factor in causing sleep. But, even if it is not a symptom, lack. Numerous studies indicate that hormone levels do affect. The enormous interest in melatonin the past few years certainly. Clinical studies have shown that melatonin is an. In particular, people taking steroid drugs, or those who. The. body produces its own melatonin, and adding too much can occupy the. So. before you jump on the melatonin bandwagon for menopausal. Women often. find that less, not more, is better. One naturapathic doctor advised a. If I take melatonin for. I halve or quarter the tablets and they work. The natural production of melatonin also seems to require. Bioflavonoids, Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) PABA and Vitamin E all. John's wort are all relaxing herbs. Passion flower, which elevates serotonin levels, is. Serotonin is a mood elevating. Tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, increases with. Sage reduces excessive sweating, probably because it contains plant. Soy products are especially good. Blood levels of. phytoestrogens are 1. Japanese women than in Western. Paradoxical as it may seem for menopausal women, a hot bath taken just. Calcium, taken. at night, is also good for sleep problems; tryptophan levels increase. Vitamin B6 is an. Finally. there are numerous relaxation techniques, many available on tape, such. Body Shape. Ageism and sexism is the double- edged sword that confronts women who. We. have been conditioned to believe that, as we age, men become more. In one study, where nearly as. All of us women will develop a new body image as we enter menopause and. I, for one, think it. My philosophy is that if a man so desperately wants the kind. The fact of the matter is, most women don't . In addition, about 5. Unexplained weight gain may be a function of. But normally, some weight gain and. Repeatedly, one. hears stories in menopause groups about women who try to take off those. To undergo extreme. Frequent or drastic. In the famous Framingham study it was discovered that those. Too much weight gain is almost always a sign of . If a diet is. very high in fat, or estrogen levels are too dominant, the breast. Modern research indicates that fat and estrogen are synergistic. Estrogen is stored in fatty. It could be that all. HRT. Susan Weed, in her Menopausal Years: The Wise Woman Way encourages an. Thin women have more hot flashes and often a more difficult. Give yourself permission to take up more space, she. We will discuss more about testosterone. Although a positive attitude about adding fat is vital to a woman's. Too much fat increases our risk of both cancer and heart. And fat calories in food are generally stored instead of being. So worry less about the potatoes. Vaginal Discomfort. Many women perceive the term . However, thinning and drying of the. If a woman. is not sexually active, there may be no vaginal . As Germaine Greer has noted. Despite all the evidence to show that celibates are. For some sexually active women. Therefore, intercourse, or insertion of. This pain with penetration is called . Generally, an estrogen creme is helpful to restore the. However, using cremes, like. This is why doctors most frequently will advise Premarin or. HRT; but, as we will see, this has its dangers. If a woman opts for estrogen creme, it should be used very sparingly. In the. Masters and Johnson study done in the 1. Most women experience as much or more pleasure in sex if. If vaginal atrophy. If a woman chooses not to use any kind of HRT for her. Some women find that. Vitamin E capsule into the vagina is helpful. Any kind. of petroleum jelly should be avoided; it is not healthy for the vaginal. Some women use vaginal suppositories such as Lubrin Inserts or. Replens. Replens is a lubricant that, unlike most others available at the. H. This is the effect that estrogen. In a study conducted by Dr. While both improved vaginal. Replens lowered vaginal p. H and actually increased. If pain is too severe, an anesthetic jelly, called. Lidocaine is available but should be used sparingly. It needs to be. applied at least 1/2 hour before intercourse, then removed so it does. A natural estrogen/progesterone suppository made by Bezinecken can be. Ostederm, another. Much information about natural hormones can be. Women's International Pharmacy.(1- 8. Progesterone creme is often remarkably effective when applied vaginally. Bladder Problems. Frequent urination is often a troublesome symptom during menopause. One. woman I knew reported that she was horrified to discover a bloody bowl. She discovered it was a urinary tract infection (UTI) and was. The condition preceding severe uninary tract infections, called. If caught before it becomes too serious. The first sign that you may. The next symptom is painful urination. Try and re- establish a balanced urine p. H by drinking a lot of cranberry juice, preferably unsweetened. Take Uva Ursi several times a day. You can get it at a herb store, and make a tea or infusion out of it. Eat a lot of vitamin C. It is one of the most beneficial things you. Powdered form is best, one quarter. Take echinacea extract every 2- 3 hours. Take a hot bath with a cup of vinegar to restore acid balance. There are also numerous precautionary measures that should be taken to prevent cystitis from developing: 1. Avoid spreading feces to the bladder when toileting by always wiping from front to back. Squeeze out any excess urine you can after you think you are done urinating. Go to the bathroom immediately after sexual intercourse, even if you feel you don't need to. Eat yogurt frequently. Do not wear tampons if you are still peri- menopausal. Do not use commercial soaps directly on the vulva. Do not use a diaphragm. Do not wear tight clothing and synthetic underwear. Avoid commercial douches. This may sound like a lot of . Antibiotics rarely help, especially in. If cystitis is caused by vaginal and urethral. I found cystitis and UTIs to be so debilitating that I could not. Because I did not want. HRT I searched for something that would provide a. But I really was desperate enough to try almost. Fortunately, after much research, I discovered the natural form of. Women's International. Pharmacy. Used vaginally, it cured the problem almost immediately, and. I attend to the other precautionary. Estroil is explained in more detail in Chapter. Studies in Europe have. Another closely related problem that may occur during menopause is. Loss of urine may also. One way to avoid the diminishment of. Kegel exercises, used both for. The first exercise consists in contracting the pubococcygeal muscle. Be sure the stomach muscles do not simultaneously contract. Hold. the contraction for 5- 1. Focus on both contracting and. The second exercise is to do 1. These exercise are best performed lying. Another important clue in preventing. Selenium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C help lubricate. Herbal supplements include flax seed oil. Skin Changes. This section will deal with the drying and wrinkling of the skin. Some women believe that estrogen is a magic elixir for making the skin.
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