Friday, 24th November 2023
Photography by: Valeria Andrievskaia
The intricacies of hormonal biochemistry, though fascinating, remain complex and can affect women at any age. There is a significant shift happening regarding this narrative.The prevalence of hormonal imbalance among women is staggering, impacting almost every woman I’ve personally encountered. The need is stronger than ever , for a world where women are empowered with the knowledge to gracefully navigate the diverse transitions in their lives.
This holds great personal significance for me as delving into the intricacies of hormonal functionality has proven to be a formidable journey. It’s now imperative to reshape the narrative paradigm – hormonal imbalances should not be deemed the foundational cause of our health challenges.
The conventional solution, a pill for every ill, has long been the narrative in Western medicine. However, as a woman in her mid-30s, I sense a shift in this conversation, akin to the cracking open of a long-dormant volcano. Global issues such as declining female and male reproductive health, escalating reproductive challenges, and a mental health crisis prompt us to reconsider the profound impact of our environment and lifestyle on hormonal health.
The age of Solution-centric mindsets
Photograph by:Elizabeth Salazar
In a world where absolutes are hard to come by, it’s truly uplifting to witness Western perspectives and medicine embracing the wisdom and knowledge from the East and reviving long-forgotten (or discarded) well-being philosophies. My ultimate aim with this platform is to empower you, the reader, to foster a solutions-centric mindset. Despite the plethora of information out there, it seems that many women are more and more grappling with confusion.Let’s navigate through this together.
Navigating hormone imbalances is a confusing journey with various expressions, but it’s essential to understand that you’re not alone in this struggle. Lets start on the premise that the human body is an incredibly complex and interconnected system where various physiological processes work together to maintain health. The biggest conversations right now surrounding female well-being all question why conventional medicine does not approach hormones like this?
Why is society normalizing PMS, heavy and painful periods, PCOS, and endometriosis? These symptoms are red flags, and it’s time we question why solutions for balancing hormones are often overlooked in favor of accepting these issues as normal. It’s time to listen to our bodies and address the underlying causes, in order to obtain true well-being.
The root imbalances: Causation & Effect
This blog marks a crucial chapter in my self-discovery journey that began at 16 when I was put on the pill for acne, unaware of its long-term implications. Sadly, I learned about these consequences only in my mid-thirties. The cries of confused women searching for advice echo in the platforms where I conduct my research. I know many women feel as let down as I did. Through the Sono Sana platform, I aim to document the information I wish I had known throughout my journey, earlier on as a young woman. It’s also a space to connect with specialists who can share their wisdom, filling the gaps left by the traditional systems that I feel like I have been misguided by. Hormones are finally taking centre stage- AND we are here fro it.
What if the root cause lies in imbalances within our entire system? Contrary to Western medicine’s claim that each system operates independently, true and consistent healing requires recognizing the interconnectedness of our systems. It’s time to shift our focus from continual diagnosis to seeking not just medical, but also holistic solutions.
Personally, I fixated on the belief that my hormones were imbalanced when, in reality, my entire system lacked balance. My lymphatic system was blocked, my nervous system was compromised, and various forms of depression loomed large. Yet, no specialist or doctor ever addressed the underlying struggles that needed attention for harmony to prevail.
What if the answer wasn’t as intricate as we think? In my experimentation during the last few years, I turned my body into a testing ground, applying the wealth of research I’ve gathered. I steered clear of inconclusive blood tests, overly expensive therapies, and overly complex routines. Instead, I opted for setting achievable goals and integrating them slowly into my lifestyle. The key was taking small steps and gradually incorporating more changes over time.
I will go more into detail on each of these in upcoming posts. But I just wanted to share the most crucial points that truly impacted my mind, body and soul.
The most wonderful things about Hormones and healing, is that I have learnt that if we tackle our systems, our bodies have the most incredible way to synchronise the systems. My healing started not with my hormones, but when my gut, liver , mindset and lifestyle changed. This doesn’t take away from the fact that we are all biologically different and our bodies operate differently.
The Core pillars for Hormonal well-being:
- Nervous system – Probably one of the most important systems in our body when it comes to understanding dis-ease. mental and physical well-being are ONE connected system. If you are living in fight or flight and anxiety, unhealed trauma etc… Elevated cortisol can affect the balance of all our hormones.When we are stressed and constantly living in “ fight or flight” mode, your body will put all its resources into making cortisol. No amount of supplements can counteract this.
- Liver health- The livers first task is to convert various toxins and substances into intermediary compounds. A well functioning liver is one of the most 9mportant systems we have. It promotes a balanced gut microbiome by effectyively clearing toxins , reduces inflammation. Your liver plays a significantly vital role in hormonal balance. It processes and metabolises various hormones, including oestrogen and our thyroid hormones. The minute I started detoxing and supporting my liver, my very strong oestrogen dominance subsided. I was able to have more stable moods, regular cycles and my energy levels changed over night.
- Lifestyle- Our daily habits basically dictate the fine equilibrium. Every factor from sleep, nutrition, stress management and physical activity can all affect our hormones. The most important factor that I learnt early on in my journey was understanding how STRESS can lead to elevated cortisol levels. This in return disrupts all other hormones. The second, was the importance of MOVEMENT. A stagnant body will most likely encounter disease and a spectrum of illness.
- Microbiome health– Our gut microbiome has a profound influence on our hormonal health and balance, especially hormonal metabolism and the regulation of absorption of crucial nutrients. An unhealthy gut has significantly more inflammation. The elimination pathways aid in the balance of removing excess hormones and toxins. If we aren’t eliminating, we are experiencing toxic overloads. The Gut is also know as the second brain. It can significantly affect our emotional states, hormone production, immune systems and vitality.
- Low-Tox Living – Toxins and Environmental exposure are finally getting the spot light. We are now starting to understand the impact of PFAs and microplastic on our health and how they are passed onto generations. Endocrine/disrupting chemicals ( EDCs) that are found in certain plastics and pesticides can greatly interfere with our hormonal balance. The most common sources are BPA ( plastic Tupperware and bottles), Phthalates ( makeup, shampoo, consumer goods), dioxins, PCBS etc… Our bodies are made to detox, but that process is very dependent on how you are ultimately assisting those processes or how you are burdening them.
Join me on this journey as I detail steps for each of the aforementioned aspects, sharing the wealth of research and information accumulated through my passion for optimizing well-being. You’ll discover that the measures I adopted to initiate hormone balance did not directly involve traditional hormone-balancing methods. It became MY LIFESTYLE. Like all eco-systems and organisms on earth, we thrive in harmony. This harmony starts from within.
Lets do it together!
With love, Vie xx
Resources
Gut health- https://nutritionpro.net/the-link-between-gut-health-hormones-explained/
Leaders like Aviva Rom MD and Dr. Corina Dunlap
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35628520/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26289438/
***********Disclaimer: The information provided on this blog is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider regarding any medical condition or treatment. The authors of this blog are not responsible for any actions or results based on the information provided. If you have specific health concerns, please consult with your healthcare professional.
