| Many people ask what estrogen dominance is and | | | | creams are also available to run on the arms and |
| if there are natural therapies available to help bring | | | | legs which can help ease perimenopause |
| hormones back into balance. Estrogen dominance | | | | symptoms. |
| is quite common in perimenopause and can start | | | | Another common concern is nutrient deficiencies |
| as early as your late 30s and last for as long as | | | | that are caused by birth control pills. This is |
| ten years. As we age, we ovulate regularly and, | | | | especially important for those women who have |
| following ovulation, progesterone is secreted from | | | | been taking the pill for over seven years. Studies |
| the ovaries so women tend to have more steady | | | | have shown that B vitamins are the most |
| estrogen production from the ovaries during | | | | commonly depleted nutrients with birth control |
| periomenopausal years, which creates an | | | | use, which are crucial to nerve health. Any |
| imbalance of hormones. Typical symptoms of this | | | | women taking any form of birth control should |
| phase include heavier menstrual bleeding, tender | | | | simultaneously take a high-potency B-complex |
| breasts before menstruation, increased irritability, | | | | vitamin. Folic acid is important for nerves and |
| constipation, fatigue, and easy weight gain. Those | | | | brain, and also is necessary for cell repair and |
| women who are younger tend to experience | | | | development. Another commonly depleted |
| testosterone dominance. | | | | nutrient is magnesium, with symptoms including |
| In order to balance hormones you can begin with | | | | muscle cramps, weakness, insomnia, kidney |
| some basics. Supplementing with 500 mg of | | | | stones, bone loss, depression, nervousness, |
| magnesium at bedtime and 250 mg of B6 in the | | | | anxiety, and high blood pressure. Zinc is another |
| morning for 10 days before your period is a good | | | | essential mineral, important for wound healing. |
| start. It is also a good idea to decrease or | | | | For those women who experience asthma, |
| eliminate excess salt and red meat. If you do eat | | | | asthma can be directly related to a hormone |
| red meat, make sure that it is organic and grass | | | | imbalance and natural anti-inflammatories are the |
| fed. For those women in perimenopause who | | | | key to reducing symptoms. However, they will |
| want to bind excess estrogen, you can use two | | | | not provide immediate short-term relief. The best |
| tablespoons of ground flaxseed daily or during the | | | | anti-inflammatory is turmeric. Other deeply |
| first half of your cycle at least. Additionally, black | | | | pigmented foods also contain natural |
| cohosh, red clover, and soy isoflavones can help | | | | anti-inflammatories, such as anthocyanadins and |
| quite a bit. Red clover can increase breast | | | | epicatechins. Be sure to eat foods with natural |
| tenderness and soy may not be ideal if it upsets | | | | anti-inflammatories regularly. Whenever possible, |
| your digestion, so be cautious with them. | | | | you should breathe through your nose, as your |
| If these suggestions are not sufficient for you, | | | | nose hairs are designed to filter and warm the air |
| progesterone can be increased by supplementing | | | | before it reaches your longs. Also, when you feel |
| with the chaste tree berry herb. However, it is | | | | asthmatic try breathing less and more shallowly, |
| important to first consult with a physician for | | | | as it signals your brain to cause oxygen to be |
| timing and doing. Evening primrose oil can also help | | | | more aggressively taken into the blood. Hormone |
| to promote progesterone production. For excess | | | | imbalances cause a great deal of stress, but with |
| testosterone, saw palmetto is very effective as it | | | | the supplementation of the above mentioned |
| promotes testosterone excretion. Progesterone | | | | herbs one can experience relieve over time. |