Healthy hormonal balance = regular cycle, stable mood, good energy and fertility. Is that true for you? If this is not the norm in your case, come and learn how hormones should ideally function during the menstrual cycle and what causes hormonal imbalance.
If we are interested in hormonal balance, it is necessary to have at least a basic understanding of the main female sex hormones and their role in the menstrual cycle:
- Estrogen – the dominant hormone of the first half of the cycle (follicular phase), promotes the growth of the uterine lining, ovulation, skin hydration and bone strength.
- Progesterone – the main hormone of the second half of the cycle (luteal phase), maintains the uterine lining, stabilizes mood, promotes sleep and protects against estrogen dominance.
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) – promotes the maturation of eggs in the ovaries.
- LH (luteinizing hormone) – triggers ovulation.
- Testosterone – yes, women have it too! Although in much smaller amounts than men... It helps with energy, libido, and muscle strength.
Hormonal imbalance is often the cause of pain during the cycle.
Function of hormones during the menstrual cycle
We can look at the menstrual cycle and the interplay of hormones in even more detail:
At the instigation of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which triggers the process of egg maturation, estrogen begins to prepare the uterine lining – estrogen controls the first part of the cycle . Estrogen production gradually increases and peaks before ovulation, then decreases slightly and is stable until menstruation, when it drops significantly.
At the time of ovulation , the ovaries significantly increase the production of progesterone for a certain period of the cycle, which should be long enough for the fertilized egg to implant. The ovaries are stimulated to produce progesterone by luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. This is why we call this phase of the cycle the luteal phase (corpus luteum phase). Within a few days after ovulation, progesterone production increases significantly above the level of estrogen and remains ready to ensure a possible pregnancy. During the second phase of the cycle, progesterone dominates . Its name is derived from its function of ensuring pregnancy (pro-gestation = for pregnancy). However, it also ensures the vitality of the woman.
If conception does not occur, progesterone levels drop again. The dramatic drop in progesterone causes the body to begin shedding the uterine lining through menstrual bleeding .
Total progesterone levels have a direct impact on how long the luteal phase is and whether a fertilized egg will survive. If pregnancy occurs, the body produces progesterone in very high doses throughout the pregnancy. Large amounts are also needed during labor.
It is also important to note that if a certain level of progesterone is constantly present in the body, it can prevent the body from ovulating, i.e. releasing an egg from the ovary. Some types of hormonal contraception take advantage of this phenomenon.
How does hormonal imbalance manifest itself?
"Hormonal imbalance is a condition where the levels of hormones in the body are not balanced," describes phytotherapist and naturotherapist Gabriela Tuatti . "The issue of sex hormone imbalance does not only concern us women, it also concerns men. In both cases, the number of people with problems that accompany hormonal imbalance is constantly increasing in our civilized part of the world. The hormonal system is very complex, and its balance is crucial for health. Imbalances can occur for a variety of reasons, including stress, poor nutrition, genetic factors, or medical conditions."
One of the main factors that can disrupt hormonal balance is stress. Long-term stress increases cortisol levels, which can affect other hormones. Poor nutrition, lack of sleep – which is characteristic of our hectic Western civilization – along with lack of exercise and inappropriate lifestyle habits can also contribute to hormonal imbalance. Other factors include genetic predispositions, such as hereditary problems with the hormonal system, or medical conditions such as endometriosis or PCOS.
The most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women include:
- heavy bleeding or bleeding outside of your cycle
- pain before and during menstruation
- ovulation pain
- painful intercourse
- discharge or inflammation
- significantly irregular menstruation
- thyroid problems
- decreased libido
- inability to get pregnant
- inability to sustain a pregnancy
- sleep disorders
These are just some of the possible unpleasant manifestations of hormonal imbalance.
Progesterone deficiency and estrogen dominance
Regardless of a woman's estrogen levels, progesterone deficiency is becoming increasingly common in the population. When the deficiency is accompanied by an enormously higher level of estrogen (estradiol), so-called estrogen dominance, endometriosis is often diagnosed.
Estrogen dominance (too much estrogen compared to progesterone) often goes hand in hand with PMS, irregular menstruation, fatigue, and weight gain.
Progesterone deficiency is manifested by insomnia, irritability, infertility, and a short luteal phase (which can be the reason why a woman is unable to get pregnant).
Progesterone deficiency in the population is more widespread than one might think. Progesterone is produced in a woman's body in higher amounts after ovulation. Its purpose is to protect a possible fertilized egg. However, if fertilization does not occur, progesterone decreases again before menstruation. "If you have so little progesterone, the difference between the level of estrogen and progesterone in the period from ovulation to menstruation is so imbalanced that it manifests itself in sensitive breasts, swelling, fatigue or other non-specific pain in the lower abdomen," describes Gabriela Tuatti. The cause, as already mentioned above, is stress, an unbalanced unhealthy diet, the use of hormonal contraception...
How to balance hormones?
Hormonal balance is the result of a complex interplay of various factors – from the functioning of the ovaries and adrenal glands to the state of the intestines, liver and nervous system. Therefore, the path to hormonal harmony requires a comprehensive approach, which includes not only proper nutrition and lifestyle, but also stress management, sufficient sleep and support of the body's natural detoxification processes. In any case, it is important:
- Balanced diet – plenty of healthy fats, protein, fiber.
- Stress reduction – quality sleep, meditation or other harmonizing activity, use of herbs and other natural substances that help the body better adapt to stress and maintain internal balance.
- Liver and intestinal support – proper detoxification helps eliminate excess estrogen.
- Natural movement – with respect for your body and bearing in mind that overly intense exercise can disrupt the cycle.