You’ve started to notice some changes in your body. You’re feeling more tired than usual, your mood is unpredictable, and the weight seems harder to manage. You might also notice that your menstrual cycle is irregular or that you're experiencing hot flashes. These symptoms can be frustrating, but they may show that your estrogen and progesterone levels are fluctuating.

At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we understand how hormonal changes can impact every aspect of your life. Estrogen and progesterone, two primary female hormones, are crucial to your overall health. In this article, we’ll explore their functions and provide solutions to help restore balance when hormone levels are out of sync, allowing you to regain control of your health.

Menstrual cycles

Estrogen helps regulate the growth of the uterine lining during the first half of your cycle, preparing your body for a potential pregnancy. Progesterone takes over after ovulation to maintain the uterine lining for the implantation of a fertilized egg. Without balance between these two hormones, menstrual irregularities like heavy bleeding, missed periods, or severe PMS can occur. You may also experience mood swings, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping.

Bone health

As you age, particularly during menopause, estrogen levels naturally decline, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis. Without enough estrogen, your bones can become weak and brittle, making fractures and bone loss more likely. Maintaining healthy estrogen levels before, during, and after menopause is vital to protecting your bones. Regular weight-bearing exercises, a calcium-rich diet, and monitoring your hormone levels can safeguard your bone health.

Sleep and mood

Progesterone is often called the “calming hormone” because it has a natural sedative effect. This can help you relax and sleep better, but when progesterone levels drop, especially during menopause or perimenopause, sleep disturbances can become more common. You might struggle with insomnia or find falling asleep harder, leaving you tired and irritable during the day. A lack of progesterone can also lead to anxiety, irritability, and even depression.

Heart health

Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels by raising HDL (good cholesterol) and lowering LDL (bad cholesterol). It also supports proper blood flow by keeping blood vessels flexible and preventing plaque buildup in arteries. As estrogen levels decline with age, the risk of heart disease increases. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor your estrogen levels and take steps to protect your heart, particularly as you approach menopause.

How to restore optimal estrogen and progesterone levels

Optimize your diet and lifestyle

One of the first steps to balancing hormones is ensuring your diet and lifestyle support optimal health. A diet rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and lean proteins can provide the nutrients your body needs to regulate hormone production. Regular exercise, especially strength training, can also support hormone balance by reducing stress and boosting metabolism.

Consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is one of the most effective ways to restore estrogen and progesterone levels, especially if you’re experiencing severe symptoms of hormone imbalance. At Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, we offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which uses hormones identical in structure to those your body naturally produces. BHRT can help relieve symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and bone loss.

Manage stress levels

Stress can significantly impact your hormone levels, particularly progesterone and estrogen. High stress leads to increased cortisol production, suppressing progesterone levels and disrupting your hormone balance. Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help you keep your cortisol levels in check and support hormonal health.

Regularly monitor hormone levels

To maintain optimal hormone balance, it’s important to regularly monitor your hormone levels, especially as you approach menopause. Genesis Lifestyle Medicine can provide comprehensive hormone testing to determine whether your estrogen and progesterone levels are within a healthy range. By regularly checking these levels, you can make informed decisions about the best ways to maintain your health.

Estrogen and progesterone are essential to your well-being. When these hormones are out of balance, they can affect many aspects of your life, including your mood, sleep, and overall energy levels. Schedule a consultation with Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, you can take steps to restore optimal hormone levels through lifestyle changes, stress management, and hormone replacement therapy, helping you feel your best at every stage of life.