PCOS Archives - Dr Shawn

30/Oct/2023

Hormones play a crucial role in the overall function of the body and can impact everything from mood and energy levels to sex drive and weight management. In men, testosterone levels tend to decline with age, while women experience fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle and menopause. It’s important for both men and women to have their hormone levels checked before the age of 50, and here’s why.

Detect and Prevent Hormone Imbalances

Hormone imbalances can occur at any age, but they are more likely to occur as people enter their 40s and 50s. By having hormone levels checked regularly, potential imbalances can be detected early on and appropriate interventions can be taken, such as hormone replacement therapy or lifestyle changes. Hormone imbalances can cause a range of health issues, including weight gain, infertility, low libido, fatigue, and more. One common hormonal imbalance is estrogen dominance, which can be treated effectively without pharmaceutical intervention.

For more on hormone balance click HERE

Encourage Preventive Care

Having hormone levels checked before the age of 50 can encourage individuals to prioritize preventive care. This means that they can work closely with healthcare providers to establish a wellness plan that includes everything from regular screenings and check-ups to diet and exercise. By prioritizing preventive care, people can ensure their body’s hormone levels are balanced, promoting overall health and well-being.

Address Age-Related Symptoms

As people approach their 50s, they may experience age-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, or erectile dysfunction. In some cases, these symptoms may be related to hormone imbalances, and so it’s important to have hormone levels checked regularly. If hormone imbalances are identified, treatment can be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life.

Improve Bone Density

In women, estrogen levels decline during menopause, which can lead to a decrease in bone density and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Men also experience a decline in bone density as they age due to lower testosterone levels. By having hormone levels checked regularly, individuals can become aware of decreased bone density early on, and can take steps to prevent bone loss and reduce their risk of osteoporosis, such as getting regular exercise, consuming calcium and vitamin D, and taking hormone replacement therapy if needed.

Promote Emotional Well-Being

Hormone imbalances can impact not only physical health but emotional health as well. In women, fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. Low testosterone levels in men can cause depression or irritability. Having hormone levels checked regularly can help to identify potential hormone imbalances that may be contributing to emotional concerns. Appropriate treatment can then be prescribed to help improve emotional well-being.

Conclusion

Having hormone levels checked before the age of 50 is an important component of overall health and wellness for both men and women. It can help to detect and prevent hormone imbalances, encourage preventive care, address age-related symptoms, improve bone density, and promote emotional well-being. By prioritizing regular hormone level checks, individuals can better address potential health issues and work toward a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Interested in having your hormones checked? Give as a call or book a consultation HERE

drshawn

19/Aug/2022

Are you feeling tired, moody, and bloated? You might be experiencing the symptoms of hormone imbalance. This is a common problem for women, especially mothers. But don’t worry, there are natural treatments that can help restore your hormones to balance. In this blog post, we will discuss what hormone imbalance is, its symptoms, and how to treat it naturally. Keep reading to learn more!

Estrogen Dominance

Estrogen dominance is a condition that can occur when there is an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. When estrogen levels are too high relative to progesterone levels, it can lead to a number of symptoms, including mood swings, bloating, fatigue, and irregular menstruation.

Estrogen dominance can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, diet, and certain medications. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we can help to properly diagnose and treat the condition. Estrogen dominance is a common hormonal imbalance that affects many women, but with proper treatment, it can be effectively managed.

BHRT

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a treatment for estrogen dominance that involves using hormones that are identical to the ones produced by the body. This type of therapy can be used to treat a variety of symptoms associated with estrogen dominance, such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and weight gain. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can also help to protect against osteoporosis and heart disease.

While traditional hormone replacement therapy uses synthetic hormones that are not identical to those produced by the body, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones that are exact replicas of the ones naturally produced by the body. This makes bioidentical hormone replacement therapy a more natural and effective treatment for estrogen dominance.

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. The four main features of PCOS are insulin resistance, high levels of testosterone, low levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and high levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). Insulin resistance is the most common cause of PCOS, and it occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin effectively. This leads to higher than normal levels of Insulin in the body. High Insulin levels increase testosterone production, which can interfere with the development of follicles on the ovaries. As a result, ovulation may be irregular or may not occur at all.

FSH is responsible for stimulating the growth of follicles on the ovaries, and LH is responsible for triggering ovulation. When FSH and LH are out of balance, it can lead to PCOS.

Cortisol is a stress hormone that can also contribute to PCOS. It does this by increasing Insulin Levels and affecting how the body uses glucose. As a result, women with PCOS often have higher than normal levels of Cortisol in their bodies.

PCOS can cause a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, irregular menstruation, fertility problems, low sex drive, and mood swings. PCOS can also cause acne and excess hair growth. While there is no cure for PCOS, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms.

PCOS is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A woman’s risk of developing PCOS increases if she has a family history of the condition. PCOS is also more common in women who are overweight or obese. If you think you may have PCOS, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Diet and exercise are two of the most important factors in managing PCOS. Both help to regulate hormone levels and improve insulin sensitivity. One of the best ways to get started is to eat a nutritious diet and to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

Additionally, supplements like l-carnitine, inositol, and vitamin D can be helpful in managing PCOS symptoms. L-carnitine helps to boost energy levels and improve fertility, while inositol helps to regulate hormones and reduce inflammation.

Vitamin D is essential for fertility and has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity. All of these nutrients are available in food sources or supplements. By making dietary and lifestyle changes, you can help to manage your PCOS symptoms naturally.

Chronic Stress

Estrogen, testosterone, and other hormones play a vital role in the human body. They are involved in regulating mood, energy levels, metabolism, and sexual function. However, these hormones can be easily disrupted by stress.

When the body is under stress, it releases a hormone called cortisol. cortisol helps the body to deal with short-term stressors by increasing heart rate and blood pressure. However, if cortisol levels remain high for long periods of time, it can interfere with the production of other hormones, including estrogen and testosterone. This can lead to a number of problems, such as fatigue, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating.

Additionally, stress can also disrupt the delicate balance of progesterone and estrogen, which can lead to irregular periods and hot flashes in women. Therefore, it is important to manage stress in order to maintain hormone balance.

Diet, exercise, meditation, sleep and adaptogens are all effective ways to manage stress naturally. Diet can help by reducing inflammation and providing the nutrients needed for the body to function optimally. Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects, and also helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Meditation helps to focus and calm the mind, and research has shown that it can be as effective as medication for treating anxiety and depression. Sleep is essential for rest and recovery, and 7-8 hours per night is recommended for most adults.

Adaptogens are a unique class of herbs that help the body to adapt to stressors by modulating the stress response. When used regularly, they can help to prevent burnout and promote resilience. Managing stress naturally requires a holistic approach, but incorporating these simple strategies into your daily routine can make a big impact.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve talked about, it might be time to see a naturopathic doctor. NDs are experts in hormonal balance and have many natural and effective treatments at their disposal. Don’t suffer in silence – book a consultation today and start feeling like yourself again.

drshawn

26/Jul/2022

What is PCOS?

Finding an effective treatment for Polycycstic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is important to me for two distinct reasons. 5-10% of woman are impacted by PCOS in their lifetime making PCOS a common and treatable condition in my Naturopathic practice. The second reason is that it is a condition that my wife has struggled with for many years therefore making it a syndrome that hits close to home.

PCOS is a bit of a misnomer as it is a continuum of symptoms and doesn’t necessarily have to include ovarian cysts. It is however characterized by several common objective findings including irregular periods, infertility, shifts in hormone balance (DHEA, Testosterone, LH, FSH), hirsutism (hair growth on the lip, chin and abdomen), Hair loss (Male pattern head hair loss), acne (typically on the lower jaw), high levels of insulin due to insulin resistance, and unexplained weight gain (especially around the abdomen).

Although we still do not know all the mechanisms involved as to why some women develop PCOS, there does seem to be a genetic component. Environmental toxins such as BPA seem to play a role, and gastrointestinal dysbiosis (unfriendly bacteria in the gut) plays a role as well.

Conventional Treatment for PCOS

Some of the more common conventional treatments of PCOS include birth control pill (to regulate irregular periods and hormone levels), metformin (a insulin sensitizing drug that helps to control blood sugar levels commonly used in diabetes), and spironolactone (a diuretic that also has the ability to block a type of testosterone formation called DHT). While these treatments can be helpful in the short-term they do not always address the root cause of PCOS and therefore ultimately fail in the long term. Some of these causes include hormone disrupters in the environment and diet, and gastrointestinal dysbiosis (leading to the production of inflammatory compounds that compromise insulin function).

Holistic Treatment for PCOS

Luckily there are relatively easy and low cost solutions to many of the fundamental causes of PCOS. As a Naturopathic Doctor I have the privilege and ability to take a detailed medical history. Doing so can point me in the direction(s) as to where these foundational imbalances are occurring. For instance if the patient has a history of gastrointestinal concerns, (constipation, diarrhea, gastritis, colitis) that informs me to focus investigation on the gastrointestinal tract. If a patients main concern is infertility and irregular periods I will shift focus into hormone balance. It may also be the case that a patient has several concern at the same time, which is not uncommon in PCOS. Once I know where to focus we can run specialized tests such as comprehensive stool analysis, female hormone panels, nutrient level panels, food sensitivity testing and environmental toxins. This aids in narrowing down where to implement the bulk of the treatment protocol. There are some general recommendations that are sure to aid all women with PCOS such as exercise, reduced carbohydrate diets and lowering exposure to petrochemicals. However, the medical history and specialized testing can be a guide for more specific recommendations.

Functional Testing for PCOS

A nutrients panel test can help determine if there are specific nutritional deficiencies such as low levels of vitamin D, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, which tend to be common in PCOS. A female hormone panel can determine if there are specific imbalances with sex hormones. These imbalances can potentially be corrected with dietary recommendations, bio-identical hormone replacement, and nutraceutical supplements. Evidence of dysbiosis in gut from a stool analysis can be reversed with dietary recommendations that promote colonization of helpful butyrate producing bacteria. Nutraceuticals containing antibiotic herbs can preferentially kill harmful bacteria while protecting good bacteria. Probiotic supplements containing specific strains of bacteria and prebiotic fibre can be very effective. Food sensitivity testing can help confirm if there are specific foods in the diet that are activating an immune response, causing further inflammation in the gut. Environmental toxin analysis would shed light on high levels of exposure to particular toxins, most of which are known hormone disruptors. Even the simple testing of insulin levels and blood sugar can lead to recommendations for easily accessible compounds like inositol, L-carnitine and chromium which can effectively increase insulin sensitivity.

Conclusions

The take home message is that PCOS is an extremely common and often disruptive condition for a significant amount of women worldwide. The conventional treatment of PCOS often does not provide long term solutions and can have significant side effects. Simple and inexpensive solutions through dietary, supplement and lifestyle recommendations can address the root causes of PCOS and bring about significant symptom relief with long-term sustainability. I therefore encourage anyone suffering from PCOS who hasn’t found an effective solution to contact a local Naturopathic Doctor or Functional Medicine Doctor for an assessment. If you would like to contact me, you can do so through the appointment page by clicking the link in the menu bar. The sooner you start to address the root causes the easier and quicker long lasting symptom relief can be achieved. That being said, implementation of a functional medicine approach to PCOS will undoubtably be helpful at any stage and at any age.

Checking Hormone Levels Before 50: Why It’s Important For Both Men and Women