Hormonal Balance for Improved Fertility

We live in a fast-paced world, full of high demand. That demand puts a lot of stress on the body. Life’s demands put our dietary habits low on the priority list.
       What exactly does hormonal balance mean for our fertility health? What do hormones do anyway? Does hormonal balance really matter? Absolutely! If our hormone levels are not balanced, our health will suffer. We cannot live without hormones. Hormones deliver messages. Our cells are genetically programmed to only receive and respond to messages from certain hormones. Each cell in the body contains hormone receptor cites. Once a hormone fits into a cell’s receptor, it gives the cell instructions. This is similar to a key fitting in a lock. Hormones control our bodily processes. Hormones are coordinated by the endocrine system. Without proper endocrine function, our bodies cannot maintain proper hormonal balance.
       

Hormones Important for Reproductive Function

Important Hormones in Women of Childbearing Age: 

Estradiol (E2 estrogen): Estradiol is produced primarily by the follicles and corpus luteum (remnant egg sac) in the ovaries. This estrogen is the most potent and abundant. Estrogen is essential for healthy bone formation, healthy gene expression, maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, and formation of secondary sexual characteristics (pubic hair, breasts, etc). Estradiol is vital for a healthy menstrual cycle.
Progesterone: Progesterone is needed for healthy libido, bone formation and proper blood clotting. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum in the ovaries and by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is one of the main hormones in helping to regulate the menstrual cycle. It works to balance the effects of estrogen. Progesterone also signals the release of insulin, playing a role in a person’s susceptibility for diabetes or insulin resistant PCOS. Adequate levels of progesterone are vital for proper fallopian tube function. Almost all of your other hormones are made from progesterone. Progesterone is vital for conception and maintaining pregnancy. One of the main actions of progesterone is to help support a developing embryo. During pregnancy the placenta produces progesterone to help sustain the developing baby.

Luteinizing Hormone (LH): This hormone is produced in the anterior pituitary gland. LH surge is responsible for triggering ovulation and development of the corpus luteum. LH works synergistically with FSH. It stimulates specific cells to produce testosterone.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): This hormone is also released and synthesized by the anterior pituitary gland. It regulates the body’s development, growth and maturation. It also regulates reproductive processes. FSH works alongside with LH. FSH signals some of the follicles in the ovary to begin maturing in preparation for ovulation.
Cortisol: Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, but it is controlled by the hypothalamus. Its primary function is to increase blood sugar, aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism and suppress the immune system. Cortisol is released in response to stress.
Androgens
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and estrogens. This means that those hormones are made from it. DHEA is necessary for protein building and repair. It is made by the adrenal glands. DHEA levels decline dramatically as we age.
Testosterone: Testosterone in women is in much lower amounts than in men. It helps to support a healthy sex drive and build bones.

Important Hormones in Men

Testosterone: This hormone is produced and secreted primarily by the testicles, but it is also manufactured in lower amounts by the adrenals. Testosterone is vital for the development of the testis, prostate and secondary sexual characteristics in males. For example, it increases muscle mass, bone mass and stimulates body hair growth during puberty. It also plays an important role in libido, sexual arousal, erection and male reproductive function.
Estrogen: Men produce much lower levels of estrogen, but without estrogen, sexual arousal could not happen. Estrogen is responsible for many functions in the health of the body, in both men and women. Without appropriate levels in men, sexual function will be decreased. Too much estrogen may cause erectile dysfunction, low/lack of libido, low sperm count, and lowered production of seminal fluid.
Progesterone: Progesterone in men is produced by the adrenal glands and testes. It has similar actions for regulating certain body systems, just as it does in women, but of course does not have the same reproductive actions for men as it does for women. It helps to balance estrogen levels in men just as it does in women and it also helps to regulate immune system and inflammation response. In fact, progesterone is considered to be an anti-inflammatory agent. Progesterone’s other actions include normalizing blood clotting, vascular tone, and aiding in the regulation of the mineral levels of zinc and copper in the body. In addition, it helps to regulate cellular oxygen levels and the use of fat stores for energy production.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): LH acts upon cells called Leydig cells within the testis, this action is responsible for the production of testosterone and plays a role in the creation of sperm.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): This hormone stimulates primary spermatocytes to divide in the first stage of meiosis, which forms secondary spermatocytes. FSH plays a vital role in signaling spermatogenesis. This is the very beginning of the creation of sperm.

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): DHEA has many of the same actions for the body as it does for women, and is vital in helping men maintain testosterone levels, which is important for sex drive and sustaining an erection.
Cortisol: Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, but it is controlled by the hypothalamus. Its primary function is to increase blood sugar, aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism and suppress the immune system. Cortisol is released in response to stress.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Women

Breast tenderness  PMS  Insomnia  Unexplained weight gain  Headache  Migraine  Anxiety  Depression  Vaginal dryness  Foggy thinking  Lethargy  Hot flashes  Cold hands and feet  Mood swings  Thinning hair  Facial or body hair  Thin or dry skin  Acne  Intolerance to hot or cold  Sluggish metabolism  Fat gain around stomach area

Allergy symptoms; hives, asthma  Decreased sex drive  Irregular periods  PCOS  Infertility  Increased blood clotting  Recurrent miscarriage  Not ovulating  Breast swelling  Water retention  Incontinence  Heart palpitations  Obesity  Bloating  Rapid heartbeat  Poor egg health  Premature Ovarian Failure  Fluid discharge from breasts  Cravings for carbs, sugar, salt later in day  Frequent illness/long recovery time  Caffeine dependence

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance in Men

Rapid weight loss or gain  Irritability  Loss of muscle mass  Enlarged breasts  Loss of libido  Fatigue  Softer erections  Erectile dysfunction

Lowered stamina  Gallbladder problems  Hair loss  Headaches  Puffiness/bloating  Prostate enlargement  Anxiety  Infertility

Lifestyle Choices
People that lead high-stress lives, are sedentary, have sleep disturbance or who choose to regularly consume too much sugar, alcoholic beverages, smoke or take drugs, including many medications, may be causing hormonal imbalance in the body.

Genetics
Scientific researchers are working on the connection to genetic predisposition in regard to hormonal imbalances. They do know that there are genetic links to obesity, diabetes, autoimmune disease and cardiovascular disease just to name a few, which may be caused by hormonal imbalance or cause hormonal imbalances.

Body Fat
Body fat cells, called adipocytes produce and store estrogen. Women who do not have adequate amounts of body fat may have menstrual cycle irregularities, anovulation and infertility problems. Low body fat may cause ovulation to stop.

Natural Therapies for Hormonal Imbalance

• Eat organic foods
• Avoid exposure to pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers
• Use natural feminine care products
• Use organic, natural body care products, including makeup
• Avoid food preservatives and dyes
• Exercise regularly, be sure you are sweating during exercise.

Adaptogen Herbs for Protecting & Nourishing the Endocrine System

Adaptogen is one of the many definitions for the therapeutic action a plant has. Adaptogen herbs are nourishing to the entire endocrine system. Adaptogens increase resistance to mind-body stress and can enhance overall vitality and health. Plants recognized as adaptogens help to normalize the body’s functions even during diseased states, are non-toxic, nutritive, and have been deemed safe for long term use.
The goal in using adaptogens to promote hormonal balance is to support the endocrine system overall, the system in which hormones are made from and communicate with.
Panax Ginseng may support healthy sex drive, erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual performance in men. It is one of the best herbs for strengthening the HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which aids hormonal balance, stress management, and immune system function.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum): Reishi is balancing for the immune system; it not only strengthens the immune system, in can help to down-regulate excessive immune response (common in autoimmune disease) while also enhancing monocyte, macrophage, and T lymphocyte activity. Reishi is also anti-inflammatory and helpful for improving stress response.
Omega 3 : Taking omega-3 fatty acids can help is some many areas such as decreasing menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, and even breast cancer. Research continues at a rapid rate when it comes to omega-3s and their connection to infertility and premature births. In one study there was an increase in fertility rates with supplements of omega-3. Scientists found that omega-3 supplementation reduced clotting in the endometrial cells that line the uterus, and this improved the implantation rates of fertilized eggs. Alternatively, an imbalance of the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio has been connected to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which can contribute to infertility. Research has also shown that if a pregnant woman increases her omega-3 intake, her premature birth risk drops by up to 50 percent. In addition, fetal brain development benefits from omega-3 supplementation, and this continues after the birth. A pregnant woman who adds omega-3s to her diet for her infant’s development and health will also decrease the likelihood of postpartum depression. The benefits just keep getting better.                Ginkgo biloba: Numerous studies show that Ginkgo biloba has estrogenic activity and is a suitable alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Yet, many health experts believe that non-estrogenic herbs are safer because they encourage the body´s own production of hormones and do not have side effects.                                                                                               There are various ways that Ginkgo biloba helps menopausal women.
The first benefit is that Ginkgo reduces the number of damaging particles in the body, boosting blood flow and easing circulatory disorders which are often problematic for menopausal women.
The second benefit of Ginkgo is raising estrogen levels in the body. During menopause estrogen levels decrease and many believe this contributes to a number of menopausal problems, particularly related to memory performance.
Ginkgo biloba also helps women looking for relief from ailments related to menopause such as:
• Osteoporosis
• Tinnitus
• Intermittent claudication
• Poor mood
• Loss of libido
• Sleep disturbances
• Macular degeneration