Women’s Health: Taking the Natural Route towards Hormonal Balance.
In 2023, the Global Contraceptive Methods have reached 50% for Women worldwide! That is half of the population of women between ages 15- 49 who rely on hormonal pharmaceutical drugs to prevent pregnancy as well as reduce symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual syndrome, as well as other Hormonal Imbalances such as Endometriosis.
Let’s Change how we look at Women’s Health
Though these contraceptives are excellent in preventing unwanted pregnancies, the synthetic hormones that are given in these drugs impact women's hormonal health down to the root of their glandular and endocrine systems severely after long-term periods of use.
The side effects of taking this synthetic combination of hormones (estrogen and progestin), in amounts higher than the body's natural levels, prevent the pituitary hormones that stimulate ovulation and fertilization of the egg from being released and thus prevent pregnancy.
However, healthy ovulation maintains a woman's natural internal health, beauty, and youth.
The known side effects of contraceptives are weight gain, emotional swings, circulatory and vascular symptoms, blood clots, gastrointestinal upsets, and liver problems. It has also been shown that contraceptives create certain nutrient deficiencies and excesses.
B Vitamins, particularly B6, are essential for Dream Recall and healthy hormonal balance. Folate is also needed in higher amounts when birth control is taken. Copper levels typically rise, and thus, Zinc falls. Zinc is essential in maintaining a strong immune and nervous system. Vitamins C, E, and K are also needed in higher amounts.
If deciding to use these contraceptive methods as tools for diluting symptoms of hormonal imbalances, it might be worthwhile to consider natural methods that would focus first on why these imbalances have occurred in the body in the first place.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), which occurs around the menstrual cycle, is likely due to the increased demands, stresses, and careers, as well as changes in nutrition, that take women away from their natural cycle and their connection to the garden home and nature.
However, before we start pushing women back to the 50s ages and being stay-at-home moms (which is not my desire)💥, it is possible to be an independent woman functioning in today's society without moving to the jungle while still connected to the moon cycles and nature rhythms.
She can indeed have a healthy menstrual cycle without bloating, breast swelling and tenderness, fatigue, headaches, emotional irritability, depression, back pain and pelvic pain that result from water retention and emotional tension during PMS, PCOS and other hormonal imbalances.
Low progesterone levels caused by environmental or genetic factors, as well as familial conditioning, seem to be the main factor in these hormonal imbalances, which results in young women running to the pharmacy and grabbing the synthetic hormonal pill.
As a holistic nutritionist who knows about herbal and natural medicine, I believe it is possible to respond well to natural progesterone taken topically from just after ovulation to the usual time of menstruation. Given that it is done in the short term and under the supervision of a nutritionist, doctor, or naturopath, this wakes the natural receptors in the body that release progesterone during the second half of a woman's cycle.
Several minerals, such as magnesium, can help with pelvic pain, and B6, which has a diuretic effect, helps clear water from the kidneys.
Other factors to note that contribute to PMS, PCOS and Endometriosis symptoms are food stressors, irritants, and stimulants, such as refined foods, caffeine, alcohol and chemicals.
A diet that is high in nutrients and wholesome and includes lots of whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and plant-based foods such as legumes, nuts, and seeds will improve symptoms of hormonal imbalance.
Botanical Medicines such as Vitex or Chasteberry, which I have successfully used on myself and recommended to my clients, have been traditionally used to treat hormone imbalances in women. They act on the pituitary gland by increasing progesterone production by increasing luteinizing hormone, which makes estrogen less available. This herb is helpful for fibroids and premenstrual syndrome and may also positively affect endometriosis reduction.
Before experimenting with these Vitamin/ Mineral and Herbal supplements, please consult a Holistic Nutritionist or a Naturopath who understands how to deliver these protocols effectively.
Do you need an update on your Nutrition and Lifestyle Habits? Book a nutrition consultation with me today to discuss your health concerns, needs, and goals!
Moving as the Crown Chakra Opens to Nature’s Source is a Sacral Chakra feeling.
Connecting to a Spirit in all living things, knowing that Nature binds us to a higher source that resonates with our divinity, is a sacred feeling that builds trust, faith, and hope in the higher order of our existence.
When we Open our Crown Chakra and allow the light source of energy found in Nature to move us without resistance or restriction if connected to our hearts, our intentions are raw, and our movements become pure and untainted.
We then become part of a greater symphony, moving with the tides, the natural winds, listening and taming, grounding by the stillness of the trees, and connecting to a personal power of passion that can only be ignited by the Divine will that exists in all things.
To Numb, that natural creative source the feminine energy provides with medications and synthetic hormonal drugs only adds to the greater terror that we are not yet free; we are still a threat to the dark power of control that wishes us to stay quiet, unseen, closed and limited.
Let us Soar, Heal, and Move with Nature, not against it.
