August is a month for celebrating Women. The theme for 2024 is “WE for Gender Equality, Inclusive and Resilient Society,” reminds us of the immense contributions of women in our society and the importance of their equal representation in various fields.
Our topic for this month is the Female endocrine system and the challenges associated with hormonal imbalances. We will provide natural health tips to assist with your endocrine health.
What is the Female Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is a network of glands in your body that make the hormones that help cells talk to each other. They’re responsible for almost every cell, organ, and function in your body.
If your endocrine system isn’t healthy, you might have problems developing during puberty, getting pregnant, or managing stress. You also might gain weight easily, have weak bones, or lack energy because too much sugar stays in your blood instead of moving into your cells where it’s needed for energy.
The female endocrine system, made up of all the body’s different hormones, regulates all biological processes in the body from conception through adulthood and into old age, including the development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and function of the reproductive system, as well as the metabolism and blood sugar.
The Endocrine Glands & Female Hormones
Endocrine glands release hormones into your bloodstream. Your endocrine glands influence reproduction, metabolism, growth and many other functions.
The Hypothalamus & pituitary gland
The hypothalamus is an area of your brain that links your brain to your hormonal system.
The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of your brain) by a stalk.
Some of the hormones released by your hypothalamus help control your pituitary gland, also known as the “master gland”.
The pituitary gland in turn controls many of the other endocrine glands, including your –
- thyroid gland
- adrenal glands
- ovaries
What hormones does my hypothalamus make?
Hormones made in the hypothalamus include –
- growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
- thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH)
- corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)
- gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
- oxytocin
- vasopressin (also called anti-diuretic hormone)
- dopamine
- somatostatin
What hormones does my pituitary gland make?
Your pituitary gland makes –
- growth hormone (GH)
- thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
- adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
- follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- luteinising hormone (LH)
- prolactin
What is hormonal imbalance?
A hormonal imbalance happens when you have too much or too little of one or more hormones. It’s a broad term that can represent many different hormone-related conditions.
Hormones are powerful signals. For many hormones, having even slightly too much or too little of them can cause major changes to your body and lead to certain conditions that require treatment.
Some hormonal imbalances can be temporary while others are chronic (long-term). In addition, some hormonal imbalances require treatment so you can stay physically healthy, while others may not impact your health but can negatively affect your quality of life.
What Conditions are caused by hormonal imbalances?
Irregular Menstruation
Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle. Because of this, an imbalance in any one or several of those hormones can cause irregular periods.
Specific hormone-related conditions that cause irregular periods include polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and amenorrhea.
Inferility
Hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of infertility in people assigned female at birth.
Hormone-related conditions such as PCOS and anovulation can cause infertility.
Thyroid
The two main types of thyroid disease are –
- hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels)
- hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels).
Each condition has multiple possible causes.Thyroid disease requires treatment.
Hormonal adult acne
Several hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle.
Hormonal acne (adult acne) develops when hormonal changes increase the amount of oil your skin produces.
This is especially common during pregnancy, menopause and for people who are taking testosterone therapy.
Diabetes
In the United States, the most common endocrine (hormone-related) condition is diabetes. In diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t make any or enough of the hormone insulin or your body doesn’t use it properly.
There are several different kinds of diabetes. The most common are Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Diabetes requires treatment.
Obesity
Many hormones can affect how your body signals that you need food and how your body uses energy, so an imbalance of certain hormones can result in weight gain in the form of fat storage.
For example, excess cortisol (a hormone) and low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can contribute to obesity.
What causes hormonal imbalances?
Throughout your life — and even throughout the day — your hormone levels naturally rise and fall. Certain periods of life cause more dramatic changes and fluctuations in hormones, including –
- Puberty.
- Pregnancy.
- Menopause.
However, there are several other reasons why your hormone levels may be irregular at unexpected times. Some of the most common causes of fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels include –
- Stress.
- Certain medications.
- Steroid use.
These hormonal imbalances are more likely to be temporary or fixable with a change in medication or properly managing stress.
Chronic hormone-related conditions
Chronic hormone-related conditions can have several different possible causes. In general, the main conditions or situations that cause medically significant hormone imbalances include –
- Tumours, adenomas or other growths.
- Damage or injury to an endocrine gland.
- Autoimmune conditions.
Sex hormone imbalance symptoms
Females can have imbalances of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which the ovaries produce. They can also have excess testosterone and androgens.
An imbalance in sex hormones can cause the following symptoms in females –
- Acne on your face, chest and/or upper back.
- Hair loss.
- Heavy periods.
- Hirsutism (excess body hair).
- Hot flashes.
- Infertility.
- Irregular periods.
- Loss of interest in sex.
- Vaginal atrophy.
- Vaginal dryness.
Common Reproductive Health concerns For Women
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a problem affecting a woman’s uterus—the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
Endometriosis occurs when the kind of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows somewhere else. It can grow on the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the bowels, or on the bladder. Rarely, it grows in other parts of the body.
This “misplaced” tissue can cause pain, infertility, and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back, or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all. For these women, the first sign they have endometriosis may be that they have trouble getting pregnant.
Uterine Fibroids
Uterine fibroids are the most common noncancerous tumours in women of reproductive age. Fibroids are made of muscle cells and other tissues that grow in and around the wall of the uterus, or womb. The cause of fibroids is unknown. Risk factors include being African American or being overweight. The symptoms of fibroids include –
- Heavy or painful periods or bleeding between periods.
- Feeling “full” in the lower abdomen.
- Urinating often.
- Pain during sex.
- Lower back pain.
- Infertility.
- Multiple miscarriages.
Some women will have no symptoms
Gynaecologic Cancers
Gynaecologic cancer is any cancer that starts in a woman’s reproductive organs. Gynaecologic cancers begin in different places within a woman’s pelvis, the area below the stomach and between the hip bones.
- Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
- Ovarian cancer begins in the ovaries, which are located on each side of the uterus.
- Uterine cancer begins in the uterus, the pear-shaped organ in a woman’s pelvis where the baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
- Vaginal cancer begins in the vagina, which is the hollow, tube-like channel between the bottom of the uterus and the outside of the body.
- Vulvar cancer begins in the vulva, the outer part of the female genital organs.
HIV
HIV is the human immunodeficiency virus. HIV affects specific cells of the immune system (called CD4 cells). Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infection anymore.
HIV in Women
Women who are infected with HIV typically get it by having sex with a man who is infected or by sharing needles with an infected person.
While HIV affects all races and ethnicities in the United States and U.S. territories, some groups are disproportionately affected compared to their population size. Black/African American people and Hispanic/Latino people are particularly affected by HIV. Racism, HIV stigma, homophobia, poverty, and barriers to health care continue to drive these disparities.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder condition resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder or surrounding pelvic region. People with IC usually have inflamed or irritated bladder walls. This can cause scarring and stiffening of the bladder.
IC can affect anyone; however, it is more common in women than men. People could have some or none of the following symptoms –
- Abdominal or pelvic mild discomfort.
- Frequent urination.
- A feeling of urgency to urinate.
- Feeling of abdominal or pelvic pressure.
- Tenderness.
- Intense pain in the bladder or pelvic region.
- Severe lower abdominal pain that intensifies as the urinary bladder fills or empties.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome happens when a woman’s ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. One result is that cysts (fluid-filled sacs) develop on the ovaries. Women who are obese are more likely to have PCOS. Women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.
Symptoms may include –
- Infertility.
- Pelvic pain.
- Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes.
- Baldness or thinning hair.
- Acne, oily skin, or dandruff.
- Patches of thickened dark brown or black skin.
Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs)
STIs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections that you can get from having sex with someone who has the infection. The causes of STIs are bacteria, parasites, and viruses. There are more than 20 types of STIs.
Most STIs affect both men and women, but in many cases the health problems they cause can be more severe for women. If a pregnant woman has an STI, it can cause serious health problems for the baby.
If you have an STI caused by bacteria or parasites, it can be treated with antibiotics or other medicines. If you have an STI caused by a virus, there is no cure, but antiviral medication can help control symptoms. Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces but does not eliminate the risk of catching or spreading STIs.
Sexual & Intimate Partner Violence
Sexual violence (SV) is a significant problem in the United States and South Africa. SV refers to sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. Learn more about sexual violence risk and protective factors. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans. The term intimate partner violence describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.
Female Hormone Imbalance Health Tips
Our natural health tips to assist with Female endocrine health include –
- Best foods
- Key Supplements
- Essential oils
- Natural Herbs
Key Supplements/Essential oils & Natural herbs
Key Supplements
- Ashwaganda
- Rhodiola
- Vitamin D3
- Magnesium
- Maca
Essential oils
- Clary Sage
- Ylang ylang
- Geranium
- Myrtle
- Bergamot
Natural Herbs
- Black Coash
- Dong Quai
- Fenugreek
- Dandelion
- Wild yam
Things to Avoid
Biohacks to optimise endocrine health
Empowerment and self-care in female health
Many health conditions that involve hormonal imbalances, such as diabetes and thyroid disease, require medical treatment.
Many nutritional supplements in stores claim to treat different hormonal imbalances,
It’s important to always talk to your healthcare provider like Balanced Healing first about taking supplements.
Aside from medical treatment, your provider may recommend certain lifestyle changes to help manage a hormonal imbalance, such as managing your stress levels and getting routine exercise.
Prioritise your endocrine health. so that we can foster an understanding and support women in a healthier, happier world.
Remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
References
Website – https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/endocrine-glands-and-their-hormones
Website – https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/women-health/common-concerns.html
Website – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22673-hormonal-imbalance