As a lot of women know, hormones tend to change after pregnancy. Symptoms can include anxiety/depression, fatigue, abnormal menstrual cycles, change in weight, and loss of libido – just to name a few. Sometimes these changes can even inhibit a woman’s ability to get pregnant in the future (think two or three pregnancies down the road).
Typically, women concerned about these symptoms are given only general answers by their providers – anything from “you’re a worn out mother” to “you are probably a little depressed” to “you’re just getting older” (I would hate to be in the room for that one!).
I’ll be the first to say that those statements are absolutely correct – but, they do NOT explain why you feel the way you do.
Most women I see KNOW there is something “not right” inside. They are in tune with their bodies and understand when things are not like they once were.
This is where I encourage them to “go with your instincts,” as there are underlying causes to all hormone changes. Here are the top two that I observe:
1). Overuse of Stress Hormone
Cortisol is your primary “stress hormone.” It’s needed to help with energy production and immunity, and it is your natural anti-inflammatory (think Cortisone or Prednisone, pharmaceutically). With the increased physical, biochemical, and mental demands that take place in a woman’s life (relationships, obligations, career, children, husband), the stress hormone cortisol loses its ability to react normally. It’s “worn out” (you may have heard of adrenal fatigue).
All of your cortisol comes from progesterone. So as this demand for cortisol increases over time, it leeches away at your ever-important progesterone, and hormone imbalances occur. (Pregnancy is one these top “stressors.”)
2). Blood Sugar Imbalance
I talk about this all the time, and I’m sure it gets old. But balancing blood sugar is probably one of the most important factors to anyone’s health – ESPECIALLY to balancing hormones. Blood sugar fluctuations are a common occurrence as life gets more hectic and demanding. This leaves you grabbing whatever food is lying around, heading to a drive-through, or skipping a meal altogether. Over time, these blood sugar swings create major stress on cortisol and lead to things like estrogen dominance and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Then… see #1… the cycle continues.
I’ve put together a free eBook outlining some of the hormonal challenges women face and how I encourage them to reverse their symptoms.
Go to www.livewellhormones.net to learn more.
Meet Guest Blogger Dr. Zachary Watkins
Dr. Zachary Watkins is a 2006 graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University where he completed his five-year doctorate degree. He is board certified as an internist through American Board of Chiropractic Internists (ABCI), is a board-eligible clinical nutritionist (DACBN) and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist practitioner (CNS).
Along with his board certification and eligibility, he has finished studies in Functional Medicine from Southern California University of Health Sciences and The Institute for Functional Medicine and is DAN! (Defeat Autism Now!) certified.
Dr. Watkins’ goal is to help women understand how they can optimize their health with regards to the four most common conditions that are seen in his office: intestinal problems, hormone imbalances, fatigue, and fertility. It is his hope to see his patients understand true, optimal health and that the sole responsibility of being well for many years lies upon themselves along with the aided effort and recommendations of a nutritionally-oriented physician.
Connect with Dr. Watkins on the web at www.drzacwatkins.com and www.healthyfertilityandbaby.com.
