Author Archives: Merril

Are You at the Mercy of Your Menstrual Cycle?

Women's Health No Comments

Are You at the Mercy of Your Menstrual Cycle?

Whether you experience the physical effects of hormone withdrawal prior to your period or the very real and debilitating emotional effects, hormonal imbalances can wreak havoc in your personal and working life.

Recently, there have been calls for women to be granted period leave each month. This has ignited some spirited debate. On the one hand women who experience painful periods and rely on pain killers and anti-inflammatories just to make it through the day, would really appreciate a day off work.

Then there are those who breeze though this monthly event virtually unaffected. And all variations in between.

However, for those women who do experience cramping, heavy bleeding, clotting, headaches/migraines, backaches, leg and pelvic dragging sensations, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, mental fogginess, exhaustion, bloating and all manner of other discomforts….periods can be a dreaded monthly event.

Couple this with increased sensitivity, anger, sadness, irritability and moodiness and you have a recipe for 1-2 weeks of hell each month.

This can take an immense toll on your home and family life and your work.

Is Premenstrual Syndrome PMS or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder PMDD running your life 1-2 weeks every month?

PMS or the more extreme PMDD which causes severe depression along with physical symptoms of PMS are subjects every female over the age of 12 is well acquainted with.

Over the counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can go some way to addressing the physical discomforts but the really troublesome emotional effects often go untreated.

No-one wants to be on an anti-depressant medication for half a month, every month. So what can be done to alleviate these mood swings in a natural and lasting way?

Dietary and lifestyle choices can make a world of difference to the amount of pain and discomfort that women experience. Emotional symptoms can also become far worse when the body is out of balance from a diet that creates nutritional deficiencies.

Simply addressing these nutritional imbalances can do wonders to improve your mood, energy and pain levels.

Likewise, simple lifestyle adjustments can have a profound effect on your overall health and wellbeing all month long.

So if you’re fed up with battling the monthly blues and feeling blah….contact us today to regain your mojo. You’ll be glad you did.

Maybe Your Hormones are to Blame

Women's Health No Comments

Ever feel like you’re going crazy … maybe your hormones are to blame.

Buckle up you’re in for a bumpy ride!

If you’re a female aged in your late thirties to early fifties, you may be experiencing an assortment of emotional, mental and physical changes.

This life stage is know as Perimenopause. It can begin happening 10-15 years before actual Menopause. Hormonal flutuations are a normal part of life and happen month in month out. But when hormone levels become depleted due to stress, imbalances and natural aging, it can have a massive impact on your health and wellbeing.

So what symptoms might you experience during this time?

  • Anxiety
  • Mood Swings
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Brain Fog
  • Crying spells
  • Forgetfulness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Dizziness/Vertigo
  • Lightheadediness
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular periods (longer, shorter, lighter, heavier)
  • Low libido, unexplained infertility, dryness & miscarriage
  • Insomnia/night sweats
  • Hot flushes
  • Itching/skin crawling sensations
  • Allergies
  • Muscle tension and aches
  • Joint Pain
  • Bloating
  • Indigestion
  • Gas
  • Gum problems/breath changes
  • Weak splitting nails
  • Facial hair growth and head hair thinning
  • Weight gain

Throughout this period the ovaries begin to run out of eggs. Suddenly you may experience ‘anovulation’ or a month where no egg is released. When no ovulation takes place no Progesterone is made and the effects can be debilitating, especially if fertility is your prime concern. Progesterone maintains a pregnancy from the moment of conception to Week 16 when the placenta takes over Progesterone production. Therefore, if Progesterone levels are low due to stress or anovulation trying to conceive becomes very difficult. It can also lead to miscarriages.

Progesterone is anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing. It’s calming and helps you to stay a healthy weight with plenty of energy and vitality.

Under stress, the female body will create additional Cortisol (anti-stress hormone) at the expense of Progesterone in an attempt to reduce Adrenalin (fight and flight hormone) and stress levels in general. Whilst this may sound like a great idea, the reality is that Cortisol leads to weight gain around the middle. Extra weight in this region increases your risk of Type II Diabetes and Heart Disease. Add to this increased inflammation and pain and higher Oestrogen levels and you have a recipe for hormonal hell.

When you reach Menopause (12 months without a period) Oestrogen production drops to 40% and is made largely made in the adrenal (stress) glands and the fat on the hips. Progesterone production falls out completely. In the intervening years the body adjusts to lower levels of these hormones but to maintain a good sense of wellbeing a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a nutritious diet and natural therapies can make a world of difference.

Don’t spend another day suffering with hormone imbalance. If you are struggling with any of the symptoms above we at Getting Well Naturally have you covered.