Hormone Harmony Hacks: Natural Solutions For A Balanced Life
Updated: Oct 15
What Are Xenoestrogens? | How to Improve Hormone Harmony | Food Choices | Use Natural Products | Medications | Liver Health | Try Acupuncture
Forget hormone havoc! In this article, we'll dive into achieving hormonal harmony. We'll explore xenoestrogens (environmental nasties!), DIY natural products you can make safely (such your very own alcohol gel sanitiser), discover hormonal imbalance fruits, and explore ways to "hack" your hormones for a happier, healthier you.
Nowadays, products made with toxic chemicals are widespread, and we don’t realise how much they can interfere with our endocrine system, thus often causing hormonal imbalance in women.
I feel the organic approach to food needs to be extended to household and cosmetic products we use on a daily basis.
Learn why environmental hormones could be the cause of your hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, and how to reduce them and achieve hormone harmony.
What Are Xenoestrogens?
Xenoestrogens, these man-made chemicals, are not just imposters of natural oestrogen (our female sex hormone), they are toxic invaders in our bodies. If our liver can't neutralize them, they take refuge in our fat cells, wreaking havoc on our health.
They are particularly harmful to women already suffering from hormonal imbalances such as oestrogen-dominant conditions ( Polycystic ovary syndrome, Endometriosis, Fibroids, besides women presenting PMS symptoms, Breast cancer history and Unexplained Infertility.
Here's a list of the xenoestrogens, the Sneaky Disruptors in Everyday Life:
soft plastic and food packaging
steroids in non-organic products (food, cosmetic, household)
tap water. Many studies have demonstrated the high percentage of residues from steroids, fluoride, different drugs, HRT and contraceptive pills in our tap water as if we are drinking the medications left by others.
What Can We Do To Avoid Xenoestrogens And Improve Hormone Harmony In Women?
Rest assured, if you're ready to take control of your hormonal balance naturally, we've got you covered. Here are some practical tips you can start implementing. Hack your hormones today!
Make Food Choices With Awareness
Drink Filtered water
Use BPA-free or stainless steel rather than plastic bottles
Don't microwave! But if you do, avoid reheating in plastic
Limit food from cans (always lined with BPA)
Ditch the Plastic Wrap! Swap to paper or PVC-free cling wrap to store your food. Regular plastic wrap can leach chemicals that disrupt hormonal balance.
Eat Phytoestrogen-rich foods. Phytoestrogen helps balance the body's oestrogen levels by binding to the same oestrogen receptor sites as xenoestrogens. When a receptor site is already occupied by a phytoestrogen, xenoestrogens can't attach to it. We can find these naturally occurring plant compounds in:
broccoli
carrots
legumes (beans, peas, peanuts)
oranges
soy (tofu, tempeh, miso, soy milk)
Avoid or limit Hormonal imbalance fruits and vegetables. Try to choose Organic products whenever possible, especially when buying fruits and vegetables, listed in the Dirty Dozens. Because they may contribute to hormonal imbalance. These plants have high pesticide exposure, which can be harmful. Pesticides tax the liver, a vital organ for hormone harmony and interfere with testosterone levels.
Here’s the complete Dirty Dozen hormonal imbalance fruits and vegetables ranking last year:
Strawberries
Spinach
Kale, collard, and mustard greens
Grapes
Peaches
Pears
Nectarines
Apples
Bell and hot peppers
Cherries
Blueberries
Green beans
Use only high-quality Organic Hormone Balance Supplements if you need any. There is some concern that some poor-quality supplements may contain xenoestrogens. Here are some tips on how to choose them:
Look for supplements that have been third-party tested for purity and potency.
Choose supplements from reputable brands.
Be wary of supplements that make unrealistic claims.
2. Buy Or Make Your Natural Products
Opt for natural toiletries as the skin highly absorbs chemicals in creams. When choosing medical or lab supplies, relying on trusted providers is essential. BostonMed Supply, a leader in delivering patented products to the medical and laboratory industries, ensures high-quality, affordable supplies that support health and safety standards. With their top-notch customer service, you can ensure your materials are free from harmful chemicals that disrupt hormonal balance.
When buying tampons, teabags, toilet paper, etc., use processed chlorine-free paper products (which are not bleached).
Get 100% Organic Light absorbency tampons. Chemical Tampons contain Dioxin, an organo-chlorine that mimics sex hormones, affecting the endocrine system and contributing to hormonal imbalance in women. Dioxin is easily absorbed by the vagina wall and can accumulate over time and dry out the vagina. The highly absorbing tampons introduce oxygen into the vagina, creating a breeding ground for bacteria to grow. As a result, there is an increase in the chances of getting cystitis or worsening it. Therefore, if you are serious about taking care of your fertility, make sure to avoid these highly toxic tampons!
Avoid deodorants with parabens or aluminium. Different studies are starting to show the involvement of these chemicals with birth defects, breast cancer and diseases such as Dementia and Alzheimer's. Healthy substitutes for these chemicals include grapefruit seed extract, vitamin E and essential oils such as cinnamon, eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree and lemon.
Avoid chemical hair dye, especially during ovulation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. It can disrupt hormonal harmony, enter the bloodstream directly, and may contribute to the development of cancer. Try this DIY hairspray instead.
Avoid chemical insect repellant. You can try natural alternatives such as citronella for mosquitos, basil for insects and flies, cayenne pepper and mint for ants. You can easily make your own with very few ingredients.
Avoid fluoride, which is mostly found in toothpaste and tap water! Fluoride not only worsens Hormonal imbalance conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, but it may also contribute to Down’s Syndrome, Osteoporosis, and Ovarian cancer.
Avoid toilet air fresheners. Diffuse pure Essential Oils instead to freshen and purify the air or watch the video below to make your own. Beyond beautiful scents, essential oils offer a delightful way to create a calming atmosphere at home, similar to Aromatherapy.
Make your alcohol gel sanitiser with only 3 ingredients. To make your DIY alcohol gel sanitiser, you will need the following:
3/4 of a cup of Alcohol (like a cheap bottle of vodka)
1/4 of a cup of Aloe vera gel (you can find it in most health food stores. If the plant is in your garden, strip off the skin and blend the flesh until it becomes a smooth gel.
10-20 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil: This is the best essential oil for disinfectant purposes. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Combine all ingredients and pour the mixture into a sterilised container. In a minute, you will have your very own alcohol gel sanitiser!
3. Learn How Medication Can Disrupt Hormone Harmony In Women
Some medications influence brain chemistry and, therefore, the endocrine system. They affect hormonal balance and the menstrual cycle and may reduce the chances of getting pregnant.
To hack your hormones and achieve hormonal harmony naturally, try to stay away from Steroids and Contraceptive pills:
Steroids
Steroids suppress natural testosterone production. They are usually prescribed for inflammatory diseases (i.e arthritis, asthma inhaler). They can prevent the Pituitary gland (which is the master gland that controls all the hormones in the body) to release hormones such as LH/FSH, therefore, affecting ovulation.
Contraceptive Pill
The Contraceptive Pill suppress natural estrogen and progesterone production, thus it prevents ovulation by altering hormone levels.
In Western society, this remedy can often be offered as a solution to common Menstrual cycle symptoms such as severe teenage acne, painful, heavy or irregular periods, PMS symptoms and when women are diagnosed with hormonal imbalance such as PCOS and Endometriosis.
Not many girls/women are aware that the conveniently short and light bleed caused by the contraceptive Pill is not a real menstrual cycle. It often happens that women take the contraceptive pill for a very prolonged time and when they come off it, the initial menstrual cycle symptoms & problems start over again. Many contraceptive pills work by suppressing ovulation, so the body may need time to re-learn to ovulate and re-gain the correct hormonal balance.
The contraceptive pill may also mask other women's health problems. The contraceptive pill interferes with the natural homeostasis of the body and therefore influence other body’s processes, like digestion, growth, temperature which are all regulated by hormones. Consequently, a woman on the contraceptive pill may experience some changes to other bodily or emotional processes without realising that they may be caused by this drug.
Women may get diagnosed with hormonal imbalance & reproductive conditions such as PCOS only much later in their lives when experiencing problems to conceive. This creates the vicious cycle of addressing menstrual cycle symptoms again (such as irregular & heavy period, difficulty to ovulate) rather than addressing the real problem early with preventative measures and having learnt to listen and tune into their body.
While these medications can be helpful in certain situations, it's important to understand how they might affect your hormone balance. This knowledge can empower you to build a Balanced Women's Health Strategy.
4. Take Care Of Your Liver
The liver acts as a maestro of hormone balance, regulating levels, activation, and even production. When the liver's function is compromised, it can lead to imbalances that can affect fertility.
Conversely, supporting your liver health can be a valuable step towards a successful pregnancy journey.
5. Try Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be a potential ally in hormone harmony. Here's why:
Stimulating the Nervous System: Acupuncture needles activate the nervous system, sending signals to the brain. This stimulation may trigger the release of hormones or influence how the body uses existing hormones.
Modulating the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis: The HPA axis is a complex system that regulates stress hormones like cortisol. Acupuncture may help regulate this axis, promoting a hormonal balance that supports overall well-being.
Acupuncture is often recommended to combat Prenatal and Postnatal Depression. As it seems to influence hormonal fluctuations.
Ready to Hack Your Hormones? You now have a better idea of how to achieve hormone harmony by avoiding environmental hormones & switching to more natural alternatives.