The Oestrogen Connection

Today, I’m talking about hormones.

In 60% of women who live with migraine, changes in hormone levels – particularly fluctuating oestrogen levels - is a major trigger for a migraine attack. If you get a migraine that hits around menstruation, ovulation and menopause, you are likely experiencing menstrual migraines. This can often be due to oestrogen dominance (when oestrogen is too high – or the ratio between oestrogen and progesterone is not quite right).

So, when I see a client exhibiting signs of oestrogen dominance, we look at ways to gently even out excess oestrogen. Here is how we do it:

1. Detoxify the liver (as the liver is involved with removing excess oestrogen from the blood stream)
2. Clean up the diet by removing refined carbs such as sugar, white bread and processed foods, and instead focus on grass-fed organic meets, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
3. Avoid xenoestrogens – these are man-made chemicals found in household chemicals, plastics, cosmetics, shampoo, soaps and lotions - which mimic oestrogen and can cause a fair bit of havoc in disrupting our finely balanced hormonal system.
4. Address the digestive microbiome through diet, probiotics and ensuring health fibre intake.
5. Losing any excess body fat – as fat cells produce oestrogen.
6. Supplementation with certain nutrients and herbal medicines.
7. Reduce stress and anxiety – as stress hormones can impact on oestrogen and progesterone balance.

Rather than use synthetic hormones or chemicals to balance our hormones, in naturopathy we use nutrition, herbal medicine and supplementation to gently support the body to bring hormones back into balance. These treatments are safe, evidence-based and effective.

Our hormone health is incredibly important. You can get started today by starting to swap out any chemical cosmetics for natural products; and look into a paleo or keto-style diet.
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Take care, my migraine warriors.
Josie x