Hormones

Perimenopause: 3 less common signs it’s begun

Genetic Testing, Hormones, Perimenopause / /

Perimenopause: a word that often strikes fear into the heart of any woman, especially for those not yet on this journey. I’m sure you are aware of the most common symptoms that you’ve begun this hormonal roller coaster: hot flushes, night sweats and sleep issues are the most common ones we hear about. But did you know there are less obvious symptoms? In hindsight, I know I  started perimenopause at the age of 41. So for me, I’ve been on this road for a few years already.  I’m sharing this information based on my own experience but also what on the research says. Each woman experiences perimenopause differently, but that’s why it’s good to hear about these differences, so that, when it happens to you, you’ll know what to look out for.   Dry skin I’ve always had dry skin, but this took on a whole new meaning. Lathering body cream on daily became necessary. I also started drinking more water to try curb the dry skin. Why do we get dry skin? Estrogen normally helps the skin maintain moisture by stimulating collagen and elastin production (which keep skin plump and firm). As estrogen declines in perimenopause, all of these processes slow down, leaving skin thinner, less elastic, and drier. Fun fact: those with fast COMT tend to experience this even more as their estrogen levels are much lower. Itchy skin With dry skin often comes itchy skin. I have spent years with recurring itch especially on my stomach. No rash, no dermatitis, no eczema. There is nothing there, it’s just itches for days then goes away. Only to return again. Why does the skin itch? Again, it comes down to less estrogen. Estrogen boosts sebum (oil) which keeps the skin plump. With less estrogen, the skin barrier loses moisture, and dries out. Dry skin is more prone to itchiness and irritation. Reduced collagen and elastin make skin thinner and less resilient. Estrogen also has a role in modulating nerve signals. When levels drop, nerves may fire more erratically, causing sensations like itching, crawling, or tingling (sometimes called formication). What helps? Keeping your skin moisturized avoiding hot showers (opt for like warm water or better yet, end your shower with a blast of cold water!). Staying hydrated wearing breathable clothes like cotton and linen. switching to more natural ingredients in your body care products. using a natural bath oil helps a lot to lock moisture in before bed. The itching drove me crazy for years, until it went away completely after introducing chasteberry and wild yam. (or natural progesterone cream)     FB (Fibrocystic Breasts) FB is a painful condition. It is often confused with breast pain associated with PMS symptoms. While this condition is associated with monthly hormonal changes, it differs from the breast pain that often occurs during the luteal phase.  It often causes lumpy tissue in the breasts that can sometimes be filled with fluid called cysts that can get quite large (think golf ball size) that sometimes need drainage by means of a fine needle aspiration. These cysts can last for days or even weeks. I was diagnosed with this in my early twenties and have had to have this done from time to time. Some clinical studies have shown a significant decrease in breast pain and tenderness in women with fibrocystic breast after treatment with chasteberry extracts [source] I can attest to this! When I take chasteberry, I no longer get these painful cysts.   What can help? Chastberry (vitex agnus-castus) Chasteberry is a fruit of a shurb long used in herbal medicine, especially for women’s reproductive and hormonal health.It can be in capsule, tincture or tea form. Chasteberry influences the pituitary gland and helps balance estrogen and progesterone. It can raise progesterone indirectly by supporting luteinizing hormone (LH). By smoothing out hormone swings, it may reduce skin reactivity, dryness, and itch. [source] Interestingly, it is also fantastic for women with PMDD (PMS that is often more severe in women with ADHD) as it influences dopamine activity. [source]. The release of prolactin (a hormone) from the pituitary gland is normally controlled by dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that keeps prolactin levels down. Just before a period (in the late luteal phase), dopamine’s control is a bit weaker, which can cause prolactin levels to rise slightly. Higher prolactin levels have been linked to breast pain and some PMS symptoms. Studies have shown that dopamine agonists like, bromocriptine has been shown to lower prolactin levels and reduce breast pain , as well as FB.   Progesterone support Perimenopause isn’t just about low estrogen — it’s about fluctuating hormones. Sometimes estrogen is high, sometimes low, often in relation to lower progesterone. Adding progesterone (or progesterone-supporting herbs like Vitex) can restore a more stable balance, which may calm symptoms that don’t respond well to estrogen alone.   A word of Caution While I am all for natural products as far as possible, this does not mean that everybody will benefit or react in the same way. The way we each respond to different supplements or substances is tied into our metabolic health, biological health, hormonal health, genetics and much more. I have had clients inform me of their individual response to things like chasteberry and progesterone. Therefore, one should always approach these things with caution and having done your own research. I also suggest that one never stacks supplements or products. It is always better to use one product at a time for a few weeks and to keep a written record of when you start, as well as any symptoms and changes you experience, good or bad. This can help determine if a new reaction (whether good or bad ) correlates to the product. Of course these 3 symptoms or signs can be attributed to many things and needs to taken into context. You can consult your medical practitioner or see an Endocrinologist or gynecologist.   Looking for hormonal support? knowing your hormonal genetics can

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Estrogen Dominance : risk for cancer

detoxification, Genetic Testing, Genetics, Hormones / /

Estrogen dominance affects many women in ways they might not realize. For example, did you know that PMS is a form of estrogen dominance? What is estrogen dominance? How does it happen? How is estrogen metabolized? How does too much estrogen lead to cancer? These are all questions this article will cover.   What is Estrogen Dominance/imbalance? Estrogen is known as the female hormone, although men have it too, just in smaller amounts with higher testosterone. It is is involved in reproduction and daily functioning, affecting mood, cognitive health, our skin, bone health and so much more. Sometimes estrogen becomes imbalanced. We might have too much estrogen compared to progesterone. Estrogen dominance happens when it starts to take the dominant role. Other factors influence this too: our genes our diet, lifestyle and environment our liver function You might not even know you have estrogen dominance, because it is not necessarily about having high levels of estrogen. It could simply be that you don’t have enough counterbalancing hormones like progesterone to mitigate the effect of estrogen in your body.   How Estrogen dominance happens Estrogen needs to be broken down and metabolized by certain enzymes in the liver and the gut before it can be safely excreted naturally. There are three pathways in which this happens. Each pathway determines whether estrogen will be converted into a good or a bad metabolite. The 2-OH is the good pathway, allowing good estrogen metabolites that support  a healthy mood, libido, and reproductive health. This is the pathway we want to encourage our body to use and has the least associated health risks. The 4-OH and 16 OH pathways are considered bad pathways because they produce estrogen metabolites that can cause cancer, low mood, PMS, PMDD and more. We are exposed to synthetic estrogens on a daily basis, called xenoestrogens. These are fake estrogens that mimic real estrogen. Your body does not know how to tell the difference.  These are found in our diet (hormones and antibiotics that animals are given; preservatives and food dyes; pestisides and fungicides on food; caffeine, alchohol) our lifestyle (certain medications, HRT, birth control pills) environment ( plastics, chemicals, pollution, skin and body products, household cleaning products, perfumes, sprays, sunscreen) These xenoestrogens are often stored in fat cells. The more fat you have, the more estrogen you are likely to have. Especially the fat on your midsection and thighs. Fat loves to absorb estrogen and elevated estrogen levels encourage your body to make more fat cells which leads to vicious cycle. When the body can’t metabolize estrogen, it gets stored in fat cells where it can recirculate and cause estrogen dominant symptoms (Such as estrogen related cancers, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts, fibroids, PMS)   Genetic variants involved in Phase 1 and 2 of estrogen metabolism As I mentioned, estrogen is broken down in the liver and the gut by various enzymes. Methylation: COMT and MTHFR COMT stands for catechol-O-methyltransferase. It breaks down certain neurotransmitters and estrogen. When the activity of COMT is slow, it means you are likely to have higher levels of estrogen in your body, which is great if it stays balanced. Estrogen gives you glowing skin, it increases dopamine and thus helps you to feel motivation and pleasure and it acts as natural anti-depressant.  The problem lies in our diet and lifestyle and our exposure to those xenoestrogens. The more you take those in, the more they build up and the slower this enzyme works. The result? Estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance can make you feel irritable, annoyed, aggressive and argumentative and anxious.   MTHFR MTHFR decresed activity has been associated with long duration of estrogen exposure. Someone with this enzyme can end up with two different kinds of estrogen and their metabolites circulating in their bloodstream. This is seen in an increased risk for premenopausal breast cancer. CYP450 enzymes These gene variants are involved in phase 1 liver detoxification that identify and convert fat soluble compounds coming in through our diet, lifestyle and environment into water soluble so that they can be excreted safely. However when there is altered activity in these enzymes, it can lead to the estrogen getting metabolized down a harmful pathway, which can cause health issues. (everything you eat, breath in and put on your body needs to go through this process) Oxidative Stress enzymes This is known as your intermediate phase, Once the enzymes in phase 1 have identified and converted the compounds, they wait to be processed by phase 2 enzymes, but during this waiting period they are potentially harmful and cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress means free radicals are generated . Free radicals are a potentially harmful by product that can damage cells and cause illness and accelerate aging. We need the help of antioxidants from nutrients to neutralize them. GST enzymes These enzymes are involved in phase 2 detoxification where they neutralize the potentially harmful compounds and get them ready for excretion. There are a few different processes that make this happen and one of them is using glutathione which is a powerful antioxidant to neutralize free radicals.   Phase 3: elimination Phase 3 is the last phase that relies on the gallbladder, intestines. Your liver packages waste products into bile, stores them in the gallbladder, and releases them into the intestines upon fat consumption, eventually exiting the body through stool. Waste is also removed by sweat and urine. Your body does not rely on enzymes alone to do this.  It needs the right nutrients coming in through your diet (antioxidants). If you you are exposed to many xenoestrogens through diet, lifestyle and environment, if you have genetic mutations and if you have a poor diet, this will all affect your body’s ability to detox estrogen properly, which means estrogen dominance.   Thrive By Design Membership Thrive by Design helps you learn to support your genes through epigenetics . Your genes are the blueprint, but you are the architect.   Take Action As you can see this is an important

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Slow COMT, Estrogen and ADHD

ADHD, Genetics, Hormones, neurotransmitters / /

(see my post for Fast COMT)   What are catecholamines?   Catecholamines, which include dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, are neurotransmitters made from the amino acid tyrosine. These chemicals are present in the central and peripheral nervous systems and are linked to pain and mood disorders. An imbalance of catecholamines have been found in people with chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and mood disorders like depression and anxiety. The COMT enzyme helps break down catecholamines. When COMT activity is low, it leads to higher dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is crucial for regulating emotions, pain perception, motivation, and behavior. Both COMT and dopamine receptors work together to maintain a balance in dopamine transmission, and an imbalance can lead to increased pain sensitivity and depression.   What is COMT? We all have a COMT gene.  COMT stands for catechol-O-methyltransferase. There are three variants of this gene, simply known as fast, slow or Intermediate. The COMT enzyme encodes the COMT gene which is involved in the breakdown of estrogen, caffeine and various catecholamine’s like dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. COMT is part of an important biological pathway in the body called Methylation and is part of your dopaminerigic pathway. Slow COMT is known as met/met, AA or written as +/+. If you have a slow COMT, this means that the COMT enzyme that encode the COMT gene is slowed in it’s activity to break down estrogen and catecholamines like dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This could mean you can have higher levels of these. This isn’t necessarily a good thing.   What are some symptoms/signs of slow COMT? Here are some common symptoms or signs that you could have a slow COMT variant: You are prone to anxiety and mood disorders You have a good memory You can concentrate and pay attention quite well but get bored You don’t do well with caffeine or other stimulants, they tend to make you feel anxious You get stressed quite easily and have trouble calming down You have OCD tendencies You tend to be a workaholic It takes you a long time to calm down after you are upset You struggle with sleep You are easily irritated or annoyed You tend to react badly to anti-depressants You are energetic and some may describe you as hyperactive You are perhaps an extrovert and like to socialize You have menstrual issues and have experienced fibroids and PMDD   Slow COMT and Estrogen With estrogen, higher levels bring about their own problems such as: *weight gain *unpredictable periods with light or heavy bleeding *irritability *uterine fibroids *certain cancer such as breast, ovarian *anxiety   Slow COMT and ADHD With ADHD and high levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine we start to see things like hyperactivity, impulsivity, mood disorders, inability to calm down or relax, more stress, insomnia and maybe more aggression.   Stimulants and Anti-depressants For people with slow COMT, they don’t react well to stimulants like caffeine and green tea and also do not always tolerate stimulant ADHD meds well or antidepressants. This is because they already have higher baseline levels of certain neurochemicals, and sometimes, this can cause an imbalance between them making a bad situation worse. For those with ADHD and slow COMT, they do not tend to react well with stimulants such as Ritalin, Adderall, and Vyvanse but do better on a non stimulant such as Intuniv.   So what do you do?   Getting support for your slow COMT This is what I do as a nutrigenetic practitioner and nutritional health coach. By getting your DNA tested through me, I help you understand what it is happening and provide you with the education, and recommendations to improve your ADHD, hormones, and cognitive function.   Carrying a slow COMT gene does  not mean it is behaving that way, it depends on how it is being influenced through epigenetics, such as what you are eating, your lifestyle, stress management and so on and these are the things we delve into so that you can improve your health and support it on a genetic level.   Contact me for more information if you recognize yourself in this and want more support.     Thrive By Design Membership Thrive by Design helps you learn to support your genes through epigenetics . Your genes are the blueprint, but you are the architect.

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