Perimenopause and menopause are very natural states and seasons in a woman’s life. As women enter perimenopause, hormone production declines significantly in the ovaries, and the adrenal glands need to pitch in and make up the difference. Our bodies are designed to handle this decline in hormone production by calling in the adrenals as a backup to help us maintain our quality of life.   

Hormone imbalances and insufficiencies are now more common than ever. Hormones are our body’s communication system, chemical messengers that deliver information to our cells, turning on and off processes to regulate or control many of our bodily functions. Too much or too little of one hormone will impact all of the others over time. These imbalances can impact our sleep, mood, weight, hair, skin, nails, energy level, sex life, brain function, and even our happiness.  

Most women in their 40s and 50s are confused about having estrogen dominance because their estrogen levels are dropping. Even women with low estrogen can have estrogen dominance if their progesterone is low.  

SOLUTIONS FOR ESTROGEN DOMINANCE  

• Support our gut and liver 

• Avoid “fake” estrogens found in our environment that contribute to inflammation and weight gain such as plastic water bottles, straws, store receipts, chemicals in cleaning supplies, cosmetics, conventionally raised animal products, soy, dryer sheets, pesticides and tap water.  

• Supplement with calcium-D-gluconate, DIM, vitamin B and adequate protein to help with estrogen metabolism and removal. Adding fermented foods and probiotics can help as well.  

SOLUTIONS FOR TOO LITTLE ESTROGEN  

• Support the adrenal glands by reducing stress and adding an adrenal supplement 

• Add more dietary fat 

• Add Maca to your smoothies or green drinks. It’s a powerful herb that can stimulate the body to produce more estrogen if levels are low.  

Progesterone is a peaceful hormone and keeps us sane, calm for sleeping, and in control. The early symptoms of low progesterone include irregular periods, irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances and brain fog.  

SOLUTIONS FOR LOW PROGESTERONE  

• Reduce stress 

• Consider adrenal support as adrenal health and progesterone go hand in hand.  

• Using a liposomal GABA supplement can ease anxiety.  

• Supplement with black cohosh and vitex, green tea extract, DIM and calcium D-gluconate for three months. If help is still needed, consider a bio-identical progesterone cream.  

TESTOSTERONE  

Here are six of the more common symptoms of low testosterone in women:  

• Fatigue  

• Weight gain and difficulty in losing weight  

• Decreased interest in sex  

• Mood swings, depression and anxiety  

• Hair loss  

• Low bone density  

SOLUTIONS FOR LOW TESTOSTERONE: 

• Intermittent fasting 

• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training 

• Eat healthy fats 

• Liver detox: Our liver is so crucial to testosterone levels.  

When hormones are in balance, it is like a beautiful symphony with all of its various instruments playing their part and coming together melodiously in tune. While bioidentical hormones are made in a lab, they have the exact chemical and molecular structure as the hormones your body produces naturally. Our body can’t distinguish between naturally occurring hormones and the bioidentical ones we introduce. 

Abbe Lang is a certified health and wellness coach and homeopath, located at 701 Rte. 73 N., in Marlton. For more information or to make an appointment, call 856-452-3434 or visit AbbeLang.com.