Throughout our twenties, thirties and forties we expect our menstrual cycles to run smoothly and regularly, but, in reality, hiccups frequently occur.
Hormone balance is a fragile affair and anything that upsets or confuses the hypothalamus has a knock-on effect. Like throwing a pebble into a still pond, it sends ripples through the body.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Women – Disruptive Influences
Stress – This can overwhelm the hypothalamus which in turn sends mixed messages to the pituitary. A sudden shock can be responsible for a missed period. Similarly long-term pressure can disrupt the cycle and make periods unpredictable.
Dieting – The body interprets severe calorie restriction as starvation and rapid weight loss may result in a temporary shut-down of ovulation and menstruation which means hormone levels will plummet.
Lack of nutrients – A number of vitamins and minerals are involved in making hormones. The adrenal glands, for example, require vitamin C and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) to produce adrenaline. Both oestrogen and progesterone are made from cholesterol in steps involving enzymes dependent on certain vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin B6 and magnesium.
Over exercising – Female athletes undergoing intensive training often have irregular periods. Building up muscle and reducing fatty tissue to a minimum may be perceived by the body in the same way as dieting. Even if cycles are regular, ovulation may be skipped and progesterone levels will fall.
Illness – Hormone balance is often disrupted when the immune system is fighting off a viral or bacterial infection. A traumatic injury may also throw the cycles out of sync.
Pollutants – A number of man-made chemicals, known as xeno-oestrogens, have oestrogenic properties and seem capable of disrupting hormone balance. They appear to interfere with systems that regulate production of hormones, including oestrogen. Sources include organo-chlorine pesticides, fungicides, plastics, household cleaners and petrochemical derivatives such as mineral oil (present in many Moisturizers and cosmetic preparations).
Circadian chaos – Anything that upsets the internal body clock, such as jet-lag and working night-shifts, tends to disrupt menstrual cycles. Air hostesses frequently skip periods as a result of crossing several time zones on long-haul flights. It can take two weeks for the body to re-establish normal rhythms after a single trans-Atlantic journey.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in Women – Out of Balance
Period problems are a tell-tale sign of hormone imbalance. If your periods are irregular, heavy and painful, or if you usually feel anxious and uncomfortable during the days leading up to a period, your hormones may well be out of kilter. This sets the scene for skin problems.
Pre-menstrual crisis – Many women (around 70 per cent) experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms prior to a period. Typical pre-menstrual symptoms include feeling irritable, depressed and insecure as well as cravings for sweets, tender breasts and headaches. At the same time skin acts out of character. The sebaceous glands can go into overdrive, making pores appear larger and making conditions perfect for spots to form. Skin is inclined to be more sensitive and reactive at this time. Fluid retention makes the skin on hips and thighs spongy, and cellulite more obvious. The problems seem to be due to oestrogen levels remaining unusually high while progesterone falls.
Heavy and painful periods – These seem to be rooted in hormonal upsets and may indicate a problem with the thyroid gland. Excessive loss of blood can drain color from the skin and leave it looking pale and lifeless. It is important to eat plenty of blood-building foods rich in iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 to ensure the skin receives enough oxygen and nutrients.
Irregular or skipped periods – These are usually caused by sudden shock or excessive long-term stress, rapid weight loss or over exercising (unless pregnancy is a possibility). When periods are erratic the hormones are invariably out of sync. Skin behaves unpredictably at these times making it difficult to know whether to classify it as oily, combination or even dry as it may fluctuate. While restoring a sense of balance, it is important to be flexible and go with your skin’s needs.
