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www.AbbysHealthFood.com | # 63| Page 3 Keeping Your Balance: Hormones and Women's Health *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Hormones guide women's transitions through all stages of life, which can include puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, perimenopause, and menopause. Sometimes, though, there are bumps along the road and your hormones can become imbalanced, especially before your period or during perimeno- pause. Here's what's happening in your body at those times, and how to fix it, naturally. PMS • Problem: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can cause bloating, sore breasts, fatigue, food cravings, and mood swings in the week before you get your period. Researchers think these symptoms may be caused in part by the fall in estrogen and progesterone that oc- curs after ovulation (day 14) and before menstruation (day 1). The emotional ups and downs you experience may stem from estrogen's ability to increase serotonin, a happy neurotransmitter. Less estrogen, less sero- tonin, lower mood. • Natural Solution: PMS help comes from a sur- prising source: vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and kale contain the hormone-balancing compound indole-3-carbinol (I3C). In the body, IC3 is converted to diindolylmethane (DIM), which supports estrogen metabolism and there- fore helps smooth out your monthly cycle. Menopause • Problem: Menopause marks the one-year point after your last period. During perimenopause — which spans several years before menopause, generally in your late 40s and early 50s — estrogen and proges- terone decline. This steep drop can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, lowered sex drive, poor sleep, and low mood. • Natural Solution: Two of the most frequently recommended herbs for menopause relief are black cohosh and dong quai. Black cohosh is well-studied for reducing hot flashes, night sweats, and other discom- forts, thereby supporting a comfortable transition. Also known as female ginseng, dong quai has traditionally been used to support women's hormone balance for millennia. Adrenal Fatigue: • Problem: Your adrenal glands sit over your kidneys and help your body regulate the release of stress hormones such as cortisol. Hormonal imbalance during perimenopause and menopause can interfere with your adrenal gland function. As a result, you may wake in the middle of the night and be unable to go back to sleep, experience sudden tense moods, and have difficulty dealing with everyday stress. • Natural Solution: Adaptogenic herbs such as rhodiola and eleuthero are recommended for adrenal fatigue. These herbs help the body adapt to stress and regain its homeostatic balance.