One of the most common causes of infertility and indifferent reproductive health among women is hormonal imbalance, which could be a characteristic of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Dr Parul R. Sheth throws light on the signs and symptoms, and the easy ways to fix it
Being a woman means you endure changes in hormones throughout your lifetime. These chemical substances start acting from early adolescence right up to late menopause. The various glands—adrenal, pancreas, thymus, thyroid, pineal and pituitary—and the hypothalamus in the brain, and the ovaries—all produce hormones. Hormones regulate a number of functions in your body such as menstruation, fertility, menopause, your libido or sex drive, pregnancy and milk production. Any imbalance in the hormone levels can influence your mood, sexual reproduction and changes in metabolism, and can cause dry skin, hair loss, palpitations, acne, increased blood sugar, weight gain, decreased libido and menstrual problems. Your glands and ovaries secrete the main hormones that influence the menstrual cycle and fertility. Amongst the varied hormones, the most important is the fragile balance between oestrogen and progesterone, the two female sex hormones secreted by the ovaries. An imbalance in these hormones can create havoc in your lives. Although they fluctuate naturally throughout your life such as during adolescence, the reproductive years and during pregnancy and menopause, any imbalance can cause health trouble.
Understand your reproductive hormones
Oestrogen
What it does: This sex hormone hastens your metabolism, reduces muscle mass, increases sex drive, helps form secondary sexual characteristics and promotes growth and formation of the womb.
How it affects you: Deficiency of this hormone can cause irregular menstruation, lack of sexual desire, problems in becoming pregnant, mood swings and early menopause.
Progesterone
What it does: This hormone is responsible for preparing the womb for implantation and decreasing the immune response for the womb to accept pregnancy. A decrease in progesterone helps trigger labour and milk production.
How it affects you: Deficiency of this hormone results in heavy, irregular periods and difficulty maintaining a pregnancy. It can cause abortions, weight gain and severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Testosterone
What it does: This is a male sex hormone but is also present in women. It is associated with your sex drive, changes during puberty, acne formation and the completion of the growth cycle.
How it affects you: Its deficiency can cause lack of libido, dry skin, increasing brittle hair and so on.
Prolactin
What it does: The main function of this hormone is to stimulate mammary glands in the breast to trigger lactation or milk secretion. It also helps in the development of the foetus.
How it affects you: Prolactin deficiency causes inadequate lactation, menstrual disorders, hair loss and fatigue.
When hormones go haywire
Several factors can disrupt your hormones; for instance, long-term use of oral contraceptives, exposure to environmental chemicals, plastic residues, cleaning products and even stress.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
You may face premenstrual syndrome during your reproductive years. The symptoms begin a week before your menses. You may experience water retention, bloating, mood swings, headache, food cravings and fatigue. Low levels of progesterone and/or oestrogen hormones, thyroid disease, and poor nutrition are all probable causes of PMS. Doctors treat PMS using symptomatic medications and hormonal oral contraceptives. Lifestyle modifications, exercise, yoga and stress reduction can ease your symptoms.
Perimenopause and menopause
As you age, your ovaries secrete less and less oestrogen and progesterone hormones, your menstrual cycles become irregular and eventually both ovulation and menstruation stop as the production of both hormones declines dramatically and you reach menopause. The problem begins when you are in your late 40s when you enter perimenopause, the time before you enter menopause. Your ovulation slows down sending your hormones on a rollercoaster ride. Your oestrogen levels fluctuate along with less progesterone, thus creating an imbalance giving you mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, memory problems and less libido. The perimenopausal effect can last for a long time until you reach menopause, but you can sail through these hormonal upheavals by making lifestyle modifications. Try dietary changes such as cutting back on salt, sugar and caffeine. Increase your intake of foods like flax seeds, walnuts, eggs and fish containing omega-3 fatty acid. Reduce your intake of carbohydrates like
white bread, pastries, etc. Instead add fruits and vegetables, protein and fibre to your diet. Managing your stress levels and regular exercise can help. In case there is no relief from symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a low-dose birth control pill, which works better than hormone replacement therapy.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
According to a newspaper report of a survey conducted by the Metropolis Laboratory in the city, every fifth woman in the reproductive age in the city could be at a risk of developing PCOS, which is a leading cause of infertility. PCOS signals an imbalance in sex hormones, the cause of which could be genetic. Normally, your ovaries make a little amount of androgens—male sex hormones. In PCOS, they make more of androgens, especially testosterone. And this can cause enlarged ovaries containing multiple cysts or fluid-filled sacs, stop your ovulation and cause fertility problems, acne, hirsutism or excess body and facial hair growth, and increase your risk of diabetes. Other signs include irregular periods, male-pattern baldness and a hoarse voice. PCOS cannot be cured but symptoms can be managed with synthetic hormone supplements or medications, lifestyle modifications, regular exercise and nutritious well-balanced diet. Eat more fibre and avoid refined sugars and other carbohydrate-filled foods.
Eat right to balance your hormones
A balanced diet can help maintain balanced hormones. But there are certain foods that can improve your
hormone levels.
- Zinc helps in production of testosterone. Dark chocolate, peanuts, meats such as beef, lamb, veal, crab and oysters are rich in zinc.
- Lentils, peas, soya beans, etc. are good sources of natural oestrogen.
- Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids such as nuts, whole grains, olive oil and omega-3 rich foods—fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines and trout.
- Include citrus fruits and red grapes, which are filled with flavonoids, which help balance hormones.
- Choose foods rich in calcium such as skimmed dairy products, green leafy vegetables, spinach, kale, methi, broccoli and cabbage.
- Add plenty of fruits, vegetables and wholegrain foods to your diet to get enough fibre content and complex carbohydrates.
- Go organic if you can; organic foods are chemical and pollutant-free.
- Control your caffeine and alcohol intake; these can cause premenstrual hormonal imbalance.
Manage your lifestyle
- Make sure you get your quality night sleep for 7-8 hours.
- Manage stress well using deep breathing, pranayama, yoga, meditation, massage or any other relaxation technique.
- Remain physically active, exercise and include 30 minutes of activity each day. Aerobic exercises release ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain, which can ease your mood swings.
- To prevent acne, add low fat-yoghurt to your diet. Stay away from alcohol or restrict your intake; avoid red meat and oily, greasy and fried foods.
- Avoid high glycaemic foods or sweetened foods and animal fats. Restrict your intake of caffeine—cola and coffee.
Take the right medication
Most commonly, doctors use synthetic hormones oestrogen and progesterone to treat hormonal imbalance. They prescribe birth control pills or a hormonal patch. Antidepressants may help in minimising the signs, especially if you are in the menopausal stage. Try taking calcium and vitamin B-complex supplements.
