Author: Maria Alfano
Your whole life you could count on your body reacting a certain way but now after 50 things are different – it’s not you, it’s your hormone health. You look in the mirror and you don’t recognize the person looking back at you. Who is this stranger? Where did that youthful, energetic, and beautiful person disappear to?
So many people think it’s aging, but there is more to it. Your hormones have a lot to do with how you feel and how you look. The good news is you can do something about it.
Ladies, let’s get real for a minute. You know what is happening to your body once you get close to 50. Menopause is no secret. It may not have been the topic of discussion at the dinner table when you were growing up, but you knew that one day, your turn would come. If you’re like most women, you couldn’t wait for the day for that darn menstrual cycle and all its symptoms to just STOP!
Well, that time has arrived and now you’re faced with some new challenges that perhaps were not on your radar when you were wishing for the monthly cramps to go away. Little did you know that there would be other issues to deal with.
It’s Not You – It’s Your Hormone Health After 50 – KNow The Warning Signs
Of course, you are aware that your hormones would be changing and that’s why your cycle ended. And, of course, you were aware that your hormones’ imbalance may give you more pause than having a period. Now you want to do something about it.
This post will discuss the 5 most prevalent hormone imbalances and their effects on the female body, help you understand the symptoms, and give you some natural alternatives to somewhat get your hormonal balance back.
Causes of the 5 Hormone Health Imbalances
Most Commonly Known Female Hormones
Estrogen – every woman knows that estrogen decreases with menopause. But, did you know that those mood swings you are suddenly experiencing and your partner is quick to call you out for are a direct result of the decreased production of estrogen? Lower estrogen is also a contributor to female hair loss, excess weight gain, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular issues. Not to mention, you could be experiencing a lower sex drive. In some cases, sex can be painful.
Progesterone – is the hormone that regulates the monthly flow. Naturally, if you’re wishing for the flow to dry up, you are happy for the progesterone to stop. Progesterone along with her friend estrogen works to keep your moods in check and limits hair loss. The good news is both of these side effects can be easily taken care of. Check out the ways to balance your hormones below.
Male Hormone?
Testosterone – is better known as the male hormone, but women produce this hormone too…not at the same level as men do, but we do use it and need it. Testosterone helps with the production of estrogen and it helps with your sex drive. This hormone is at its peak in your late 30s and early 40s. As production drops, on come the changes associated with menopause as mentioned above. As well, low testosterone in women results in reduced muscle mass. One less commonly known fact is the lack of or limited production of testosterone also leads to reduced sexual satisfaction in women.
Other Hormones
Cortisol – is better known as the sleep hormone. Have you noticed your sleep pattern change? I find that I get really tired around 7 pm and by the time I go to bed, I have the most restless sleep ever. Are you waking up in the middle of the night? Do you find yourself getting up earlier and earlier as the months go by? Because your cortisol levels are out of whack so is your sleep. And, because your sleep is abnormal so is your irritability and thus you have increased stress. What few people know is that cortisol also helps with metabolism regulation and inflammation. The lower your levels of cortisol, the more inflammation in your body and the slower your body is to metabolize the food eaten. This is another one of the contributors to the excess pounds after menopause.
Insulin – most folks think of insulin as something prescribed by a doctor for diabetics. The truth is your body produces insulin to help regulate the glucose in your blood. Insulin resistance means you are at a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease, breast cancer. The reduced estrogen and progesterone levels cause your cells to react differently to insulin. The results can be devastating – extremely high or low blood sugars. Both are dangerous and both need to be treated asap.
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance
These are the most common effects produced by your hormone health imbalances. Please be sure to contact your primary caregiver if you experience any of these as they could also be a sign of other underlying issues. The effects of hormone imbalances are not always easy to spot. While blood tests are the most widely used and provide the best results, your doctor may request a saliva test or a urinalysis just to be 100% sure.
- Hormone belly refers to the extra pounds gained around the midsection. If you experience sudden weight gain or loss these too are symptoms to be aware of.
- The hunchback of Notre Dame is not the only one who amassed a large lump of fat between his shoulders. If you start to see a hump growing between your shoulders, take this seriously and do not delay seeing your doctor. This is a sure sign of hormone health issues.
- Fatigue is often attributed to a long hard day at work. Whether you work in the home or out, work is strenuous but it is not the only thing causing your tiredness. The rapidly changing hormones may be the culprit.
- Muscle weakness and stiff joints are often caused by the lack of estrogen and progesterone being produced in your body after 50. The sore knees don’t always mean knee replacement surgery. Sometimes it’s a simple tweak of the hormones to make those achy joints feel good.
- Your heart rate could change in the blink of an eye multiple times per day. This too is a result of the hormone function or lack thereof. I find my heart rate goes bananas when I crawl into bed at night, It spikes up so quickly through the simple act of lying down. It takes me a few minutes to calm it before I can actually drift into lalaland.
How The Brain Is Responsible For Hormone Imbalances
The human brain has two areas at its base called the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Both these areas within the brain help to regulate hormones. Any trauma to these parts of the brain may lead to issues with your hormone health and be a cause for your hormonal imbalances.
How To FIx the Imbalance
Yes, there are all kinds of medications and HRT drugs that you can take to rebalance your hormones. But, if you’re anything like me, I prefer to exhaust all other options first before resorting to conventional medicine. Please do not take this as medical advice. You should always be referring to your health practitioner for what is best for you. Having said that, these are some of the ways you can change your results with some hormone-balancing foods.
Natural Remedies
Eggs are an excellent source of protein. Eating eggs is very helpful in the production of insulin. If you are finding your blood sugar levels are out of control, add some eggs to stabilize those levels.
Protein is a filling food. By eating enough protein you will stop the hunger pains and eat less. Protein will help reduce the hormone belly and help you control your weight.
Healthy fats like coconut oil, avocado, ghee, or olives help satiate you. The fuller you are, the less likely you are to reach for that slice of cake or cookie. Healthy fats help you regulate your insulin and help you stave off those unwanted pounds.
Green tea is high in ECGC which helps with insulin resistance. In turn, when insulin is balanced, you are less likely to become a diabetic or to gain extra weight.
Fatty fish contain Omega-3 which helps with the breast tissue. Healthy breasts mean a lessened chance of breast cancer.
What Not To Eat
Sugars and carbs are not only addictive and yes, they taste amazing but your body struggles to digest these foods. The more you consume, the more the body stores them as fat because your liver cannot metabolize them. Too much sugar and too many carbs lead to insulin resistance and weight gain.
Too much food, in general, is not good for you as is not eating enough food. Your gut is the home of all good and bad things. If your gut is not functioning as it should, you are exposing yourself to many health issues along with an imbalanced hormonal system.
Other things
Regular exercise to keep your muscles strong and your joints moving well. It doesn’t have to be strenuous physical activity. Go for a walk around the block, swim a couple of lengths of the pool, or play with the grandkids. All these are great forms of exercise.
Manage stress because you are already losing your progesterone levels. High amounts of stress will deplete the hormone at a much faster pace.
Better sleep may be elusive after age 50. There are some things you can do to help that. You can try lavender pillows or pillow spray. essential oils like those from Saje in a diffuser on your nightstand are great ways to help you fall and stay asleep.
In Summary
Your hormone health is the baseline for many of your underlying health concerns. Take good care of your hormones and you will start to see improvements in all areas of your physical wellbeing. The good news is most of the issues arising from hormonal imbalance can be reversed when caught on time without the use of medications. As always, consult your doctor before making health decisions. Sometimes a simple blood test is all you need to get you back on the right track with your hormone health.
We would love to hear from you. Have any of these tips helped with putting your hormones back into balance? What else have you done that we have not mentioned?