al anti-depressant; it restores a normal sleep pattern. It can normalize blood sugar levels and reduces cravings for sweets/carbohydrates. It is also responsible for maintaining a normal menstrual cycle along with estrogen, FSH, and LH.
Some symptoms of Progesterone Insufficiency are: Anxiety, depression, stressed, weight gain (hips, waist, thighs), mood swings, irritability, fibrocystic breasts, irregular periods (spotting), PMS, bloating, candida exacerbations, headaches, sleep disturbances, endometriosis.
Stress plays a huge role in affecting hormone imbalance. Cortisol, norepinepherine and epinepherine are produced by the Adrenal glands. In times of stress, cortisol is released promoting a fight or flight response. If a prolonged period of stress occurs, the adrenals become exhausted and in extreme cases cortisol may not be released. The adrenal glands strongly depend on the functions thyroid, liver, pituitary and reproductive organs.
Androgen Insufficiency (Low Testosterone and DHEA)
Testosterone and DHEA are released from the testes or ovaries and the adrenal glands. Both hormones help to regulate the sexual response, define muscle mass and important in brain function.
Symptoms of low Testosterone or DHEA are: Decreased libido, depression, osteoporosis, BPH, Prostatitis, increased aging, Andropause in men, memory loss, increase in coronary artery disease risk and Myocardial infarction risk.
In some menopausal women, their ovaries over produce testosterone and under produce estrogen and progesterone. Women who have PCOS also have excess androgens which interfere with ovulation and can cause fertility problems.
Some symptoms of Androgen excess are: Acne, hair thinning, increase in hair of the face, chest or below the naval, middle weight gain (spare tire or pear shape figure), and may have male pattern baldness
Thyroid problems are very common in today’s society. The thyroid cannot function by itself; it works in conjunction with other endocrine organs like the adrenals, pituitary, pancreas, liver and reproductive organs. The thyroid is required to work harder if the other organs such as the liver or adrenal glands have been overworked or overstimulated by stress, food allergies, poor diet and lack of sleep. Thyroid function is evaluated by blood levels of serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free T4 or T3 (Thyroid hormones) and thyroid antibodies.
Symptoms of low thyroid function are: Fatigue, constipation, hair thinning, dry skin, weight gain, cold hands and feet, depression, slowed sensory reactions, menstrual irregularities, muscle cramps, puffy face and hands and fertility problems.
Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid: Goiter (swelling of the thyroid), nervousness, palpitations, anxiety, diarrhea, easy fatigability, intolerance to heat, excessive sweating, restlessness, insomnia and weight loss