Hormones are chemical substances produced in the body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells or organs and exert considerable influence over a woman’s body and systems. In their book, Dr. John Lee’s Hormone Balance made Simple, John R. Lee and Virginia Hopkins describe the health problems caused by hormones and how a woman can be helped if she has a hormonal imbalance.
What Hormones are Found in Women
There are three main hormones that exert influence over a woman’s body. They are produced mainly by the ovaries and in smaller measure by the adrenal glands:
- Estrogen is the womanly hormone that is responsible for feminine characteristics such as breasts, hips, menstruation, soft skin and a high-pitched voice.
- Progesterone is used by the female body to regulate its menstrual cycle. It is essential for conception to take place successfully and a pregnancy to be maintained. Most of the hormones in a woman’s body are made from progesterone.
- Testosterone is a male hormone that is found in women in small amounts. Its function is to help build bone and increase sex drive.
Problems Caused by an Imbalance of Hormones
An excess or deficiency in estrogen and progesterone can lead to a variety of problems. Typical symptoms to look out for include the following:
- Estrogen deficiency can cause vaginal dryness, bladder infections, hot flashes, night sweats and memory problems.
- Excess estrogen can cause bloating and weight gain, breast tenderness, heavy bleeding, migraines, insomnia and weepiness.
- Progesterone deficiency can cause PMS, insomnia, fertility problems and early miscarriage, anxiety, painful breasts and weight gain.
When a woman reaches her forties or fifties, she may suffer from estrogen dominance. This is caused by not having enough progesterone to balance the effects of estrogen. This can cause a combination of the above symptoms.
Treatment of Hormonal Problems in Women
Hormone levels can be measured through a blood or saliva test and if an imbalance is detected, it can be treated in a number of ways:
- Estrogen can be administered in pill form or as a cream, gel or patch. Some doctors recommend patches and cream over pills as there appears to be a greater risk of heart disease when pills are used. Creams should be applied where the skin is thin such as on the palms, inner arms and back of the knees. Vaginal gels can counteract dryness
- Progesterone is available in several forms including oral, vaginal, rectal, nasal and injectable. John R. Lee and Virginia Hopkins state that twice daily application of a cream, gel or oil is the most effective form to use. Like estrogen cream, it is best absorbed where the skin is thinnest such as on the face, neck, breasts, inner arms, palms and soles of the feet
- Low testosterone levels are not common but can be treated. It comes in the form of cream, sublingual drops, tablets and patches
Hormonal problems in women are common. Finding the correct balance of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone will alleviate the unpleasant symptoms and bring relief. There are several methods of administering treatment but creams and gels are recommended as being the most effective.
Reference:
Lee, John R. and Virginia Hopkins, Dr John Lee’s Hormone Balance made Simple, Warner Books, 2006.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
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