Balancing Hormones

Let's Talk About Hormones

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and to a lesser degree by body fat and it can refer to estrone, estradiol, and estriol. All three work together to regulate the menstrual cycle and they directly affect growth and development.

Progesterone is produced in the ovaries during menstruation, the placenta during pregnancy and the adrenal glands. The main role of progesterone is to prepare the uterus for a pregnancy but it has many other effects on the body.

Testosterone is usually referred to as the male hormone but it is actually produced in the ovaries and adrenals in women and plays a very important role in bone strength, muscle mass, and supporting a healthy libido!

Cortisol is not technically a reproductive hormone, however elevated cortisol levels cause the body to change the rate of production of the reproductive hormones and directly impacts our ability to maintain balance.

Pregenolone Steal

Do you see how every single hormone that has the word estro in it is produced by this series of chemical cascade? Notice how each one starts with cholesterol. Good cholesterol is very important for our bodies! It is the main ingredient that starts the cascade. If we aren’t getting enough healthy fats and healthy omega 3’s in our diet, we will not be able to produce the hormones correctly and regulate them correctly! The other building block here is pregenolone! When we take in cholesterol, it is then converted into pregenolone, progesterone, and DHEA.

Now do you see one reason why women are so estrogen dominant? Look at what is happening on the progesterone side of things. When we are stressed, our body steals the progesterone to make more Cortisol. So when we are in a stressed mode, our progesterone is being all used up. And a lot of us are in the stressed mode a LOT. Stress is one of the biggest contributors to hormonal imbalance and struggles. Combine that with Xenoestrogens which we will talk about in a bit and you're in for a hot hormonal mess!

Stress is a term commonly used to describe the response to the demands encountered on a daily basis throughout one’s lifetime, and it is related to both positive experiences and negative experiences. Stressors are agents that produce stress. Stressors may be physical, emotional, environmental, or theoretical and all may equally affect the body’s stress response. The stress response, also known as the “fight or flight” response, comprises the physiological changes that occur with any encounter of stress or perceived stress to the individual.

I have to give credit to my amazing friend Laura Gates for researching this and sharing it with me! This blew my mind when I saw it for the first time!

Unbalanced Hormones Symptom Checker

What Natural Estrogen Does

Natural Estrogen is made in our bodies and it has a variety of jobs:

helps to retain calcium in bones
regulates the balance of high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream
helps maintain skin elasticity
dilates blood vessels
boosts the function of neurotransmitters in the brain (which affects sleep, mood, memory, libido, and attention span).
also stimulates the growth of tissue in females during puberty (breast and reproductive organ development), and maintains their function.

The three NATURAL types of Estrogen that our bodies make and use are:
1. Estradiol: Most common and strongest natural type, varies throughout cycle

2. Estriol: Made by placenta, tested in pregnancy. Anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory in nature

3. Estrone: Made in adrenals and stored in fat, prominent type after menopause

4. Xenoestrogens: Artificial, estrogen-mimicking chemicals. STRONGEST Estrogens!

Xenoestrogens have a much stronger effect, and also an altered effect on the tissues that they act on. They also tend to take up the receptor sites that are meant for our natural Estrogens. For this reason, we want to stay AWAY from them as much as possible.

Xenoestrogens (Fake Estrogen!)

Xenoestrogens are man-made chemicals that mimic estrogen in your body, and can potentially wreak havoc on your hormonal balance and processes.

Recent research indicates that synthetic xenoestrogens are affecting the world we live in,

from male fish unable to reproduce (or even being turned into female fish), to parabens linked to breast cancer in women and testicular cancer in men ages 15-40. Many hormone disrupting chemicals, like bisphenol A (BPA), also disturb your thyroid's normal function, which can in turn affect multiple body systems.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals may cause endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, ovarian cysts, migraines, infertility, breast cancer, reduced androgens, gynecomastia (enlarged males breasts) and behavioral changes. The effects of synthetic xenoestrogens have been noted worldwide, and are present in wildlife, as well as in humans.

Where are they found? All around us. Manufacturers use these chemicals to prolong shelf life of personal care products. They use them as cheap fragrance components. They use them to make products that make our skin soft to the touch and make us smell like perfume. They use them as flame retardants. Synthetic birth control is also considered a Synthetic Xenoestrogen, since it is a chemically made substance that interferes with our body’s natural hormonal processes and cycles. The long term effects of these chemicals can be severely detrimental.

There are countless studies on the effects of Xenoestrogens. Many researchers consider Synthetic Xenoestrogens and Estrogen dominance as the main cause for the early onset puberty rates we see in America today. At the turn of the twentieth century, the average age for an American girl to get her period was 16 to 17.

Today, that number has plummeted to less than 12, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The percentage of girls age 8 and under who have started to undergo puberty has tripled in the past 30 years from 5% to 15%.

Like natural hormones, Synthetic Xenoestrogens can travel through the bloodstream, contact a cell, enter it, and bind to a receptor site, even though they are different in shape, structure, and effect. It’s as if they ‘trick’ the receptor into letting them in. Once bound, Synthetic Xenoestrogens can cause a variety of outcomes.

They can 1. Produce a ‘normal’, yet usually more pronounced, hormone response (think Estrogen dominance)

2. Cause an abnormal hormonal response (think Cancer or other state of disarray) or

3. Block the receptor and prevent the natural hormone from binding (thus having an anti-estrogenic and antagonistic effect). This prevents the natural hormone from performing its important duty in the body.

Phytoestrogens & How They Help

Phytoestrogens are estrogenic compounds found in plant material and our oils.

These compounds do act on our hormonal systems, and fit our hormonal receptor sites much like our naturally circulating estrogens, but do they have the same effect as Xenoestrogens? And do they have a tendency to create an estrogen dominant state?

You will find contradictory information on this in the research and in online publications and articles. Because so many positive effects have been found in the case of exposure to high quality, non-GMO sourced estrogenic plant material, I believe we should assume that natural phytoestrogens serve as a balancing factor for hormones, rather than an unbalancing effect.

So, how do phytoestrogens aid in balancing hormones in the world we live in? It appears that phytoestrogens exert a weaker estrogenic effect on cells than our naturally circulating estrogens, or especially weaker than environmental xenoestrogens. And in certain cases, they have even been shown to exhibit both estrogenic AND anti-estrogenic effects on hormonal receptor sites, resulting in a balancing state. Plants are amazing!

Varying substances can bind to the same receptor site and elicit differing effects, depending on the exact molecular fit. Phytoestrogens exert an anti-estrogenic effect before menopause by competitive inhibition of hormone receptor sites. If the receptor sites are occupied with the less estrogenic phytoestrogens, then there are less sites available for the more potent circulating estrogens, or xenoestrogens.

I believe strongly that God made plants as medicine for our bodies (as scripture states), and as such, they will serve to balance rather than destruct.

Phytoestrogens (natural, from plants, including many essential oils) can help by adding gentle, natural estrogens to your system, which compete with the stronger, unbalancing Xenoestrogens we are exposed to in our environment every day. This has an overall result of your body having balanced estrogen and progesterone, and your hormones working as they were intended to work.

Check out this very well written and researched article on this topic, including references to clinical studies at the end of the article!

Are You Estrogen Dominant?

Estrogen dominance is a condition where a woman may have deficient, normal or excessive estrogen levels, but has little or no progesterone to balance its effects in the body. The RATIO of Estrogen to Progesterone is just as important as the actual levels. Even a woman with low estrogen levels can have estrogen dominance symptoms if she doesn't have enough progesterone. Many hormonal tests do not take this into consideration, so always be sure to ask your doctor for your hormone ratios as well as your levels.

Estrogen is a much stronger hormone than progesterone, and progesterone can therefore easily be overshadowed in our bodies if not balanced correctly. A healthy ratio of estrogen to progesterone is anywhere from 1:100 to 1:500!

While estrogen is very necessary for many functions in a woman’s body, it needs to be balanced with progesterone and other hormones, or body balance is thrown off completely because of our constant exposure to Xenoestrogens in our environment.

Western women are at a very high risk of developing estrogen dominance. The effects of this imbalance are usually felt starting around age 30-35, so well before menopause. Just a few of the many symptoms of Estrogen dominance are listed here. Many women experience chronic health issues and have no idea that they are caused by Estrogen dominance.

Symptoms: Decreased sex drive, bloating, mood swings, headaches, weight gain, breast swelling or cystic breasts, hair loss, cold hands and feet (thyroid function is affected), sluggish metabolism, irregular, heavy, or painful periods, brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, anxiety, and severe PMS.

Other disorders linked to estrogen dominance: allergies, autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, uterine cancer, infertility, ovarian cysts, and increased blood clotting, and general acceleration of the aging process.

Combating Estrogen Dominance

The most important action is to rid your body and environment of toxic Xenoestrogens found in traditional food, cosmetics, and hygiene products. Xenoestrogens multiply the effects of estrogen, and they can also alter the body’s response to estrogen.

From candles to perfumes, room sprays to wax burners, cleaners, shampoos, and lotions, fragrance is the thing most people consider most when buying a product. This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means. Almost every single home and body care product on the store shelves contains fragrance, parfum, or natural fragrance.

So what is fragrance? Fragrance is an ingredient that can contain up to 300 individual ingredients under that one ingredient label. Fragrances used to be created from actual plants, flowers, and trees...but today, it is created in chemical manufacturing plants from a large variety of chemicals which are mixed together to create particular smells.

So what are these chemicals? There are thousands and thousands of chemicals in use today including chemicals that are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and developmentally toxic. These are the kinds of chemicals being hidden in the ingredient “fragrance”., "natural fragrance", or "parfum". In order for the fragrance to last a long time, the manufacturers have to attach the fragrance (it may even be essential oils) to a fragrance binder that is a fixative to hold that fragrance to the clothing or even your skin. And the fragrance binder is the xenoestrogen.

I don’t think there is one product containing the ingredient “fragrance” that does not contain endocrine disruptors or carcinogens. Plus, hardly any studies have been done on the chemical reactions of all of these chemicals in the body! I mean, if you have 300 different chemicals just in one ingredient, wouldn’t it be good to know that they aren’t reacting together making an even more deadly concoction like formaldehyde?

Since the labeling laws of America do not require companies to disclose the individual ingredients of the ingredient “fragrance”, there is no way for the FDA to actually monitor the ingredients of any product containing it! (The FDA actually doesn’t even monitor the ingredients on home or body care products that are known from reading the label unless enough people actually report having adverse reactions to a product.)

This is a loophole known as a “trademark secret”...therefore no company will ever disclose the ingredients to their scents...even if you really need to know because you are deathly allergic to a scent! They simply won’t tell you and they aren’t required by law to tell you either.

So guess what? When individuals have sent in products to be dissected by a lab...the lab has reported that even chemicals that are considered banned in the US are still in the products being sold to us! Yep! It’s terrible! And of course, since the companies aren’t required to disclose them to anyone under the trademark secret, the FDA can’t monitor them to even know that these banned chemicals are still in use.

Natural Progesterone supplementation can be an amazing therapy for this imbalance. It can be taken orally, sublingually (under tongue) or as a topical application. Saliva tests are generally indicated for establishing a baseline hormone number and ratio. Once that is determined, a healthy, therapeutic dose can be established. Natural progesterone is very safe to use, and has no real contraindications if taken in normally prescribed amounts. Most women over the age of 30 in developed countries could benefit from Natural Progesterone supplementation.

Bio-Identical Natural Progesterone

A safe, effective and inexpensive treatment to restore progesterone to a healthy level is to use NATURAL progesterone therapy. Natural progesterone safely raises the level of progesterone in your body, while bringing estrogen into greater balance with it. Most studies show that topically applied (or sublingually, under the tongue) works more effectively than oral supplements.

A Mayo Clinic study that examined the effectiveness of bio-identical natural progesterone therapy found that it brought about a

30% reduction in sleep problems

50% reduction in anxiety

60% reduction in depression

25% reduction in menstrual bleeding

40% reduction in cognitive difficulties

30% improvement in sexual function

And guess what? Young Living has an AMAZING natural progesterone serum, that is enhanced with amazing essential oils, and is so gentle that it does not have to be cycled with your cycle. You can use it EVERY day, and avoid that crazy alter-ego woman who might come out during a certain time of the month. It’s also perfectly safe and beneficial for menopausal women to use!

Progessence Plus is formulated specifically for women, and is designed to promote well-being and feelings for relaxation, harmony, and balance. It features some of our most-loved essential oils, including Frankincense, Bergamot, and Peppermint to nourish and moisturize the skin and create a natural, pleasant aroma. But the best part (in our opinion!) is that this 100 percent plant-based serum features naturally derived progesterone from wild yams!

Progessence Plus contains USP-grade, super-micronized progesterone from wild yam blended with essential oils and vitamin E to help women find balance the way nature intended. The unique formulation maximizes the effects of this natural progesterone by utilizing an innovative delivery system that allows enhanced absorption through the skin. Wild yams are said to help normalize blood sugar levels, combat weight gain and hair loss, and help reduce the occurrence of hormonal headaches. Progessence Plus also helps promote restfulness and sleep.

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All About Progesterone

Progesterone belongs to a group of steroid hormones. It is mainly secreted by the corpus luteum in the ovary during the second half of the menstrual cycle. It plays important roles in the menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. It prepares the uterus for the embryo to successfully attach to the uterine wall, and to maintain a successful pregnancy.

During pregnancy, progesterone plays an important role in the development of the fetus, stimulates the growth of maternal breast tissue, prevents lactation, and strengthens the pelvic wall muscles in preparation for labor. The level of progesterone in the body steadily rises throughout pregnancy until labor occurs and the baby is born.

What else does progesterone do? New functions are being discovered every year.

+ Progesterone stimulates bone osteoblasts, which make and replace bone tissue.

By decreasing thyroid binding globulin, progesterone increases the activity of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone increases metabolism, and aids in healthy fat metabolization and balance.

+ Normal progesterone levels are important for a normal body composition, and can help with weight management.

+ Progesterone stimulates normal sex drive because it can be converted to testosterone when needed, which is involved in male and female sex drive.

+ Progesterone controls water retention by blocking aldosterone, causing normal fluid loss and decreased swelling.

+ Progesterone decreases uterine muscle contractions which cause menstrual cramps by promoting uterine muscle relaxation.

+ In the brain, progesterone binds GABA receptors. These receptors decrease anxiety, insomnia and depression. Anti-depressants and barbiturates bind these same receptors.

+ Progesterone is a natural antidepressant and prevents anxiety. It also plays a role in healthy sleep cycles.

+ Boosts energy by stimulating the thyroid and heating up metabolism. This is why your body temperature goes up half a degree when you start the progesterone surge after ovulation. It also stabilizes communication between the hypothalamus and adrenal glands and can help relieve adrenal fatigue.

+ Nourishes hair and clears skin because it reduces male hormones (androgens) by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. The result is faster-growing hair, less skin oil (sebum), and fewer skin break-outs.

+ Lightens periods by counteracting (balancing) estrogen’s stimulating effect on the uterine lining.

+ Prevents autoimmune disease because it modulates immune function, reduces inflammation, and up-regulates detoxification enzymes.

+ Protects against cancer by counteracting (balancing) estrogen’s stimulating effect on breast and uterine tissue. It may even have a future role as treatment for breast cancer.

Oils for Hormonal Balancing

As we previously discussed, phytoestrogens can be very helpful in maintaining the natural balance of estrogen to progesterone in our bodies. Phytoestrogens are bio-chemically identical to the estrogens our body produces, and therefore fit the receptor sites in our bodies perfectly! They also help in preventing the effects of chemical, destructive Xeno-estrogens in our environment! Aren’t plants amazing?!

Many essential oils are considered phytoestrogens and are an amazing support to our endocrine systems! Some of our favorites:

SclarEssence Vitality contains a balanced blend of essential oils that support hormone balance. Including four therapeutic-grade essential oils, SclarEssence combines the powerful properties of Clary Sage, Peppermint, Sage, and Fennel. All these oils are known phytoestrogens, which, as previously described, support healthy hormone balance.

EndoFlex Vitality can help you keep up with your overall wellness and day-to-day schedule. Young Living’s EndoFlex Vitality essential oil uses a base of sesame seed oil and adds our proprietary blend of essential oils for wellness support.

Nutmeg Vitality Along with flavoring your favorite recipes, nutmeg oil has many health benefits, including promoting a healthy hormone balance, cognitive function support, immune support, and powerful antioxidants. Nutmeg is a great support for the adrenal glands.

Lady Sclareol is an oil blend created especially for women to enhance the feminine nature and provide a relaxing experience when diffused. Many of the oils in Lady Sclareol are known phytoestrogens.

Clary Sage has an herbaceous aroma that is believed to create a calm and relaxing environment. Clary is a known phytoestrogen with adaptogenic properties which means if your estrogen levels are too high, it will bring them down and if they are too low, it will raise them.

Ylang Ylang’s benefits include its nourishing properties, as well as its rich, romantic scent, which is why you might find this oil in high-end hair care products and spa treatments. Add it to a steamy bath, creamy moisturizer, or nourishing homemade hair mask for an easy at-home spa day. Ylang Ylang is also a known phytoestrogen.

Dragon Time is a proprietary blend of Fennel, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Lavender, Blue Yarrow, and Jasmine essential oils (all known phytoestrogens). Its sweet, herbaceous aroma can help promote feelings of stability and calm during cycles of moodiness (especially during PMS). Diffuse, inhale directly, or apply Dragon Time topically to experience its steadying aromatic properties.

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Hormones & Emotions

50 Different neuromediators have been identified in the brain that control behaviors and emotions. The brain is the place where multiple chemical reactions occur that change our emotions, behavior, and even the way we think. Hormones play a key role in these reactions. A few examples are:

Acetylcholine increases your ability to learn and memorize. Dopamine helps you develop your projects, make decisions, explore novelty and coordinate your movements. In addition, it stimulates the desire and the sensation of pleasure. Noradrenaline supports you in long-term projects. Decreased norepinephrine level frequently has a depressive state. Serotonin allows for control of frustration and limits aggression.

Adrenaline gives the body extra energy in critical or urgent situations. A lesser known fact is that adrenaline is responsible for the states we go through when we love.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone released under stress, to provide energy. Cortisol also helps make us feel ‘safe’ and can cause us to not want to get out of our comfort zone.

Dopamine is the "happiness" hormone. When it is synthesized in larger amounts, we tend to be positive. Dopamine is involved in the control of emotions, movement, and feelings of pleasure.

Melatonin regulates sleep cycles. An inadequate amount of melatonin generates apathy, ailment, and depression. Getting enough natural sunlight helps to regulate and activate melatonin.

Serotonin has an important role in regulating mood. A low level of serotonin is linked to anger and inclination towards violence. People who are considered ‘leaders’ have a higher concentration of Serotonin.

Oxytocin acts as a neurotransmitter, playing an important role in social interactions, reproduction, in the formation of the mother-child relationship and stimulation of lactation, in the development of empathy and generosity, but also in balancing the inter-human relationships. Oxytocin also stimulates the feeling of trust and is often the antidote to feelings of anxiety or depression.

Plant hormones also have the ability to influence human moods and emotions.

As a result, they can be used for many things: libido enhancers, sexual enhancers, to reduce menopausal symptoms, and to relieve memory problems and fatigue, to name a few.

Isn’t it wonderful that we have pure, high quality plant oils to take advantage of this phenomenon?

Many essential oils are considered phytoestrogens and are an amazing support to our endocrine systems! Some of our favorites:

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