Menopause- Part 2, Fluctuating Hormones

This is the second post in this four-part Menopause series of blogs I am sharing. If you haven’t watched or read part one go back and do so now HERE. Part one explains the emotional/social aspects of this life stage and sets the framework for what’s to come. Fasten your seat-belt as I explore menopausal symptoms and the causes with you today.

Here is a list of the most common menopausal concerns:

Night sweats, hot flashes, fatigue, weight gain, digestive trouble, headaches, forgetfulness, irritability, depression, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, joint aches, hair loss, Vaginal health: dryness, infections, burning. (If you haven’t seen my blog post on menopause and sexual function I encourage you to check that out HERE)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time for a tune-up.

Menopause is a normal part of life, and is not meant to be a difficult process. Women in many countries and cultures do not experience any menopausal symptoms. Up until a few generations ago women in this country didn’t experience anything close to what we are experiencing now.

Yes, hormone levels are dropping. They have always dropped at this life-stage, so what? And no, you’re not just getting older.

What’s Happening? Why are women suffering in menopause more today than ever before?

The first thing you should know is that women are complicated. Women’s health is not linear or black and white. It’s rare to find a magic bullet that addresses the concerns of most women today. Many things contribute to the whole picture. This is why conventional medicine falls short most of the time with chronic issues related to women’s health. They don’t allot the time, or the energy to piece it all together.

Hormones that decline in this life-stage are mainly estrogen, progesterone, DHEA, and testosterone. In many ways hormones are protective to the body. I think of them like a big couch cushion or a safety net.

Cycling levels of hormones protect your system from wear and tear, oxidation, and the effects of stress.

Is there a place for hormone replacement?

Yes, for bio-identical hormones. Synthetic hormones are drugs; they have negative side effects and should not be used.

It seems logical that menopausal women should replace the declining hormonal levels in order to “correct” the imbalance. All the blame has been placed on declining hormone levels. And yes, in many instances women will feel better more quickly if hormone levels are restored. This is because of deep depletion. Hormone replacement therapy should be used temporarily as a tool. Mother nature did not intend for you to be on hormones for life. The goal should be to restore health by addressing toxicity and deficiencies. The length of time varies for each woman.

When hormones fluctuate, and decline you lose your safety net and it can set off a chain of events…

• The effects of stress become more apparent. Physically, mentally, emotionally.The long-term repeat exposure to stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) causes premature aging and body-burnout of essential hormones, neurotransmitters, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that would otherwise allow a natural symptom free progression into menopause. This is why adrenal support and proper supplements are critical in this life-stage
• The body can no longer compensate for longstanding vitamin, and mineral deficiencies from decades of poor diet. This contributes to organ malfunction and lowered immunity.
• Life-time accumulation of toxins and pathogens reach critical mass around the fourth to fifth decade of life. The most commonly affected organs are the liver, thyroid, adrenal glands, neurological and digestive systems.

Suddenly we enter a perfect storm of menopausal symptoms.

To Re-Cap… The physical symptoms that most women experience in menopause are the result of deep body depletion from stress, poor nutrition AND diminished organ function from pathogens and toxins which set up the dis-ease framework.

Here’s what you can do starting today:

**Nourish your body with fresh, whole healing foods. Fresh Food provides antioxidants and other nutrients that help fortify vital organs and reduce hot flashes. They also quench inflammation and help keep reproductive hormones balanced.

Each year you eat about 1,000 meals. If you are 45 that’s 45,000 meals. How many of those meals were nutrient dense? How many were a bagel? Every meal counts. There is no time to waste.

Foods and herbs to focus on are those that boost immune function and support the reproductive system specifically are: wild blueberries, avocados, asparagus, apples, spinach, deep purple colored fruits and vegetables, cucumbers, nettle leaf, elderberry, and sage.

However, all fruits, vegetables, herbs, will help your body to detoxify and are beneficial.

**Find an alternative practitioner to partner with to address the true underlying causes of your symptoms and improve quality of life.

**As I mentioned in Menopause- part 1 this is an incredibly exciting time of life. So many women are re-inventing themselves during this life stage. It’s amazing and exciting and the world needs you and what you have to share. By spending time now to work on your health You can free yourself from health challenges and ensure good health for a long time to come.

In the next sessions, I will talk about the top vanity concerns and deeper health issues that can show up during the menopausal years.

Like I always say you become who you hand around so let’s hang out some more and we will change medicine one person at a time.

Feel like sharing? Leave a comment below.

With Love,

-Dr. Purcell

(This blog is originally from my Facebook Live Video, you can watch this video HERE)

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