The endocrine system touches every part of our body and utilizes hormones as messengers between the organ systems. Hormones are such an integral part of making sure our bodies operate at an optimal level.
The hormones of the body work in a delicate balance.
Like a team, they work together, influencing each other for optimal health. Because one hormone talks to other hormones and many organs, treatment the root cause can help to re-balance multiple health conditions!
Here are some of the functions of the endocrine system:
- Mood: so we can feel happy and satisfied
- Sleep: wake and sleep cycles, feeling well rested or exhausted
- Energy: to endure life stressors and still have enough energy to have fun
- Digestion: feel hungry or full, have adequate bowel movements, blood sugar regulation
- Metabolism: slowing or speeding up to store or use up fat, maintaining healthy cells and detoxing unhealthy cells
- Temperature: feeling hot or cold compared to those around you
- Bone health: building up bone composition and breaking down old bone cells
Common conditions associated with the endocrine system:
- Diabetes and other sugar dysregulation
- Thyroid dysregulation: hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, Hashimoto’s Disease, Grave’s Disease
- Sexual dysfunction: difficulties with becoming or staying aroused, libido
- Adrenal Fatigue: chronic stress, chronic fatigue, inability to summon the energy to tolerate tasks you used to, even if you really enjoy it
- Menstrual irregularities: too long, too short, heavy, absent, infrequent, too frequent, painful
- Fertility: ovulation, sperm health
In today’s society, we are constantly bombarded with hormone disruptors.
Our foods are modified and treated to withstand natural forces and feed large populations. This is great and I’m very passionate about food security. However, some of the modifications introduce xenoestrogens (xeno- = foreign in relation to the body) or pesticides that block normal hormone processes.
We see plastic everywhere and studies are showing “microplastics” in stool samples, proof that we are consuming more plastic than we are aware of.
Hormonal contraceptives inherently fool the body by adding extra hormones and thereby preventing the ability to ovulate or host a pregnancy. But we also value waiting to have a family.
We also value stress or stressful situations. Some people thrive on stress. Others try to avoid it, but how can you? Stress is one of the biggest threats to hormone regulation.
Many patients have asked me if they’ve done something wrong. Guilt is a common emotion associated with hormonal imbalance. I get it, I’ve been there. But let me assure you, it’s not your fault.
Most of my life I have struggled with regulating my menstrual cycle. I’ve tried more contraceptive methods than most in an effort to “fix” my hormones. At times, I also struggled with sleep continuity. I blamed myself, my choices, and I worried about my future endocrine health. Allow me to be proof, should you need it, that the right treatment plan can help re-balance your hormones.