Often I hear, " I have a hormone problem, because I am always worse at certain times of my cycle", or, "my progesterone level or my estrogen or testosterone level is too low, or too high". Well let's back up. If you have a problem-how should we address it? It is not always straight forward. Looking at the cause underneath the problem is the only way to clear a problem-otherwise you are simply covering it up. So for example, if a hormone is low, there is a reason it is low and adding hormones wont really solve the problem, it will only add a layer disguising the problem and perhaps pose suceptability to disease such as cancer-even with the use of bio-identical hormones.

Years ago, I was tracking a couple of patients with low estrogen. We did everything to build it back up thinking that was the problem including months and months of bio-identical estrogen itself. It was't until we switched tracks and stopped the estorgen and focused on the probiotics that that estrogen started to normalize. Why is this? The reason is because just as the gastrointestinal tract is central to the functioning of not only the digestive system, but also the immune, nervous, and yes endocrine (hormonal) systems. One may effect each of these systems via the small intestine. Ingesting hormones whether they are by skin or mouth will only create a pseudo effect and not be proactive in balancing the body's natural functioning, in my opinion. Furthermore, hormones, whether they are synthetic or bio-identical feed overgrowth of organisms and therefore may cause cancer. So it is better to take the approach of enabling the body to enhance its own hormone balance by leading it to do so rather than by giving it those substances full on. 

This was not somthing I understood when I first started practicing and in my early years. But, after I was studying for my Ph.D., my professor would go on and on about this issue and it was difficult for me to understand. But, as I tested those theories, I slowly came to the conclusion that he was correct.And, as I stopped recommending that my patients use hormones, those same people that had been taking them and stopped improved greatly from that point.

The menstrual cycle is complicated with highs and low of estrogen and progesterone and each of these hormones is able to magnify feelings in different ways. But, it is not the normal hormone fluctions that are the problem. It is the body's inability to handle these fluctuations due to its state of inflammation being influenced by these rises and falls. As the inflammation goes down, the body's vulnerability to reacting to those changes diminishes.

I feel that this is a safer approach, and to me, I feel that practicing in an extremely safe manner is the better approach. I have come to a conclusion in my own clincial experience that I would not put any hormones in my own body, and thus unless the circumstances were more extreme-and there are some of those situations even currently, I do not recommend hormones.

Slowly as the body becomes more healthy there should not be any ill effects of the fluctions and there should also be no more drama around the period. No PMS (PMT) or cramps, the blood should look fresh and red and no emotional issues around the cycle. One can be free of all of that. In fact aside from my own take on all of this, Chinese Medicine has a plethora of information on this matter and it is an area where I feel that it shines more brightly than really any other medicine.

In any case, I hope this sheds some light. If I did not mention specifically any particular thing, please let me know. I will discuss the Thyroid, a different aspect of the hormonal system separately.

Dr.M