Triggers That Can Impact Female Hormone Levels

The latest science reveals female hormone activity is impacted by a number of processes, molecules and systems. As well as thyroid hormones, insulin, androgens (e.g. testosterone) and cortisol which all have the capacity to positively or negatively influence female reproductive health, there are a number of other factors that can have an impact on female hormone levels. These include:

• Inflammation: causes an increase in local tissue oestrogen production (meaning oestrogen produced in places other than in the ovaries), elevates androgens, increases insulin levels and causes decreased progesterone levels.
• Toxins e.g. endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): increase the oestrogenic load on the body, and are linked to fluctuating female hormone levels including abnormal puberty, irregular cycles, reduced fertility, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, fibroids and early menopause.
• Mast cells: part of the immune system, these cells can be triggered by EDCs and oestrogen, releasing a flood of inflammatory cells and histamine in the pelvic cavity. Whilst traditionally associated with allergies, mast cells are a primary contributor to the marked inflammation and pain seen with endometriosis and adenomyosis.
• Gut dysbiosis: an imbalance of the normal, healthy microbial life residing within the gastrointestinal tract can reduce the efficiency of oestrogen detoxification and elimination, increasing the overall oestrogenic load. Dysbiosis has been linked with PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids. We now know that a healthy microbiome is also required to detoxify EDCs from the body.
• Brain changes: an increase in inflammation within the brain (caused by ongoing stress for example) alongside a reduction in neuroplasticity (the ability of brain structures to adapt well) is now known to play a role in PMS mood-based symptoms such as anxiety, irritability and depression.

Read our previous blog about Navigating your Hormonal Network. The web that creates hormonal imbalance is multi-layered, complex and highly individualised to each woman. The team at Perpetual Wellbeing specialises in investigating and identifying all the possible contributing factors which may be leading to female hormonal imbalance. Our specialised knowledge allows us to craft a personalised treatment plan that will address not only your symptoms, but begin to tackle the underlying causes of them.

Make an appointment to see one of our practitioners and organise female hormone testing to help you navigate through your hormonal network.