Women's Health

Women’s Health is a broad category encompassing conditions that affect the female reproduction and endocrine systems. Areas of concern include: Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Endometriosis, Premenstrual Syndrome, Dysmenorrhea, Fibrocystic Breast Changes, Perimenopause, Menopause, Osteoporosis, Breast Cancer and Breast Cancer Prevention. It is fairly rare to find a woman who does not have any of these conditions. These conditions are often related to an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone known as estrogen dominance. Also, there are chemicals in the environment that can mimic the effect of estrogen, namely plastics. Plastic’s chemical structure is so similar to estrogen that it can stimulate the estrogen receptors in our bodies. In particular, we are exposed to phthalate simply by breathing air in which plastic has been burned or melted. The consumption of food or drink heated in plastic containers also is a source of exposure as is drinking water from thin plastic water bottles. Non-organic beef and poultry may also contain estrogenic components. These estrogenic material are poorly metabolized in the iver and bowels. Over time, these materials accumulate in various tissues predisposing a woman to the development of conditions related to estrogen dominance. Keep in mind that estrogen dominance is a relative term. Although we can have too much estrogen in our bodies due to environmental influences, it can also appear if there is a deficiency in its balancing hormone, progesterone.

Environmental stressors affect the entire body. In the case of estrogen dominance, environmental stressors further complicate the reproductive and postreproductive states. Estrogen’s balancing hormone, progesterone, has several functions including production of stress hormones, estrogen and testosterone. The rapid breakdown of progesterone results in a relative progesterone deficiency which can lead to PMS, dysmenorrhea (pain with menses), worsening uterine fibroids, ovarian and breast cysts, irregular periods and a more difficult menopause due to the relative dominance of estrogen’s effects. Even in low estrogen states such as menopause, if progesterone is not sufficient to balance what estrogen is present, then the woman will continue to have symptoms.

Healthy adaptation to stress is important. Like the liver, the adrenal glands (stress glands) are involved in estrogen metabolism. Humans produce three different estrogens: Estrone, Estradiol and Estriol. Estrone is found in small quantities but is the most potent of the three estrogens; estradiol is the most abundant; and estriol is the weakest. Most women have a dominance of estrone due to our body’s incapacity to metabolize it to safer estrogenic by-products through the liver and adrenal glands. Estrone has also been implicated as a risk factor for Breast Cancer. To protect and improve a woman’s health, there are many things that can be done.

  ·   Avoid plastic as much as possible.
  ·   Use glass or ceramic bowls for food and hot liquid storage.
  ·   If using a plastic water bottle, use bottles with the number 7 on the bottom.
  ·   Never heat anything in plastic; use a ceramic bowl with a glass or plate covering.
  ·   Optimize liver function to properly metabolize and eliminate excess estrogens from the body.
  ·   Reduce stress to minimize consumption of progesterone and to aid in metabolizing estrogen.
  ·   Eat foods that naturally help the body promote safer estrogens:
Cruciferous vegetables: bok choy, cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, rutabaga, mustard greens, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, turnip, kale, Chinese cabbage, collards
Iodine containing foods (if not hyperthyoid): kombu, arame, kelp, dulce, haddock, cod, shrimp, halibut, herring, sardines

In 2002 and 2004 the Women’s Health Initiative sponsored by the NIH clearly documented the potential risks associated with synthetic hormone replacement therapy. More recently the contraceptive patch, which adds hormones to the body, has been implicated in a number of deaths secondary to thromboemboli. For decades synthetic hormone replacement therapy was provided to women without appropriate laboratory or diagnostic studies. At Restorative Health we obtain a detailed medical history and symptom survey as well as appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies prior to prescribing any form of hormonal therapy. Furthermore, we do not use synthetic hormone replacement but rather bioequivalent (nearly identical) natural hormone replacement therapy.

The doctors at Restorative Health take women’s health care seriously and we welcome the opportunity to assist you in finding a safe and optimal treatment for your particular concern.


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