Hormone issues can happen to anyone at any point in their lives – hormones don’t mind whether you’re 25 or 55, trying to get pregnant or have gone through menopause. When they become unbalanced, you’re likely to know about it! Many signs can point to imbalanced hormones, from fatigue and brain fog to anxiety and weight gain. But mood swings are probably the most stereotypical hormonal symptom out there.
Many people think ‘hormonal’ is synonymous with moody. We may have a laugh about it and low key blame our snappiness on our upcoming period, but for some women hormonal anxiety, mood swings, overwhelm, sadness and irritability are anything but funny.
Mental health is a serious topic, and one that much of the work at Eve Health is focused on, so they created a guide to help you decipher what the reason behind your mood swings might be and what you can do about it.
If you are…
IRRITABLE AND EMOTIONAL AND HAVE HEAVY PERIODS, POSSIBLY WITH CLOTS.
This could be a sign of an imbalance linked with oestrogen.
Your oestrogen levels may be high leading to the signs associated with oestrogen dominance. When our oestrogen levels creep up (or they are just higher in relation to our progesterone levels) our bodies tell us that something isn’t right by delivering physical sensations such as:
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Heavy periods
- Weight gain
- Cramping
- PMS
These signs could also be a flag of poor oestrogen metabolism. When we are finished using this hormone, our bodies metabolise (process) it through our livers. There are three different pathways your oestrogen can travel down. One is considered friendly and anti-inflammatory. The other two are considered more inflammatory and can lead to the signs listed above.
The good news is that the crazy person you feel like when you’re in this place isn’t really you! Your oestrogen levels are directing the show, and there are things you can do about it.
Some tips to balance your hormones:
- Eat cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage. These are powerful at supporting balanced oestrogen levels.
- Studies show that flaxseeds can support oestrogen levels and metabolism.
- Cut down on the wine! Alcohol puts a strain on the liver, which may be busy trying to process your excess oestrogen safely.
If you are…
FEELING SAD AND ANXIOUS, AND HAVE LIGHT, SHORT PERIODS (MAYBE IRREGULAR).
This may be linked to lower oestrogen levels.
Oestrogen helps to build a nice cushioned lining in the uterus. Lower oestrogen levels may not be building up much of a lining, and therefore might not have much to shed during your period.
Some other signs of low oestrogen are:
- Low sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Moodiness or sadness
- Headaches
Oestrogen is linked to one of our happy neurotransmitters, serotonin. When oestrogen is low it can affect this brain chemical making us feel anxious or down. Again, it’s not you. It’s just your body’s way of telling you that it might need a hand.
In this case, here are some tips to balance your hormones:
- Being phytoestrogenic, flaxseeds are also great in building oestrogen levels up if they are low.
- Maca powder is an adaptogenic herb that can be added to smoothies as a powerful support for oestrogen levels.
- Resistance exercise (e.g. bodyweight or weights) has been shown to support low oestrogen levels. But not HIIT, functional workouts or CrossFit (these types of movement could have the opposite effect).
If you are…
SUPER ANXIOUS OR MOODY, AND HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING; COUPLED WITH BROWN SPOTTING AT THE START/END OF YOUR PERIOD.
You may be dealing with lower progesterone.
Progesterone gets released after you’ve ovulated. This soothing hormone makes us feel nice, chilled and content. But if the amount of progesterone released is insufficient, the opposite can happen and you may feel anxious and as if life is NOT okay. Progesterone, by the way, is the one to watch at menopause.
The brown spotting? This is actually oxidised blood left over from your last cycle.
Other signs of low progesterone can be:
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Acne
- Fertility issues
- Low sex drive
- Sleep issues
Here are some tips to balance the hormones:
- Cut out the high-intensity workouts – we’re talking CrossFit, HIIT, functional fitness, etc. Even if you don’t ‘feel’ stressed, that doesn’t mean your body isn’t under stress from these types of exercise. Progesterone (and ovulation) need a calm, ‘safe’ environment to thrive and high-intensity workouts don’t always provide that.
- Say sayonara to coffee. We know you love it, but your progesterone doesn’t.
- Load up on Vitamin B6 foods. Eggs, turkey or chicken and legumes all contain this great nutrient. So does BePure One.
If none of these quite fit your picture, don’t panic. We’re all unique, and that’s why testing really is the best way to figure out what’s going on inside. You don’t need to put up with mood swings and anxiety. You can take charge of your health and start making choices that will support you in feeling your best.
Eve Health is at the forefront leading the way for New Zealand’s Self Care Revolution. Launched in January 2019, Eve gave rise from a genuine need of women across New Zealand. The Eve™ Hormone Balance Test measures 19 different hormonal markers and their metabolites through analysing a urine sample, collected in the comfort of your home. Eve Health’s mission is simple: we’re putting your health back in your hands!
