Many women have accepted that period cramps, mood swings, low libido, hot flashes etc. is all part of being a woman. It is what our grandmothers, our mothers, daughters and granddaughters all have, are or will go through. But what if these factors of your menstrual cycle did not have to be inevitable?
Hormones are on the other hand not inevitable but a direct link to factors like irregular periods, breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating, brain fog, food cravings or congested skin during the menstrual cycle. They also have an impact on mild and occasional hot flashes, night sweats, low libido or vaginal dryness during menopause. But what exactly are hormones and what role do they play in female health?
We Can’t Outrun Hormones
Every human being is dependent on their hormones. They act as our own private little messengers who relay signals across various parts of our bodies. As for women our hormones are not only sending messages between our uterus and ovaries but also to and from various other important centres like the thyroid, brain, bones, digestive system and more.
Hormones can be divided into 4 communication pathways:
The Ovary-Brain Axis regulates production of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone (yes, women have testosterone too), as well as luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin, responsible for ovulation, menstrual bleeding, lactation and menopause.
The Adrenal-Brain Axis regulates cortisol, adrenaline, and insulin, responsible for the body’s stress response, blood sugar and circadian rhythm (your sleep cycle) and influences the body’s inflammatory response.
The Thyroid-Brain Axis regulates thyroid hormones T3, T4, TSH and others, which impact energy levels, metabolism and cognitive function, and can impact hair, skin and nails. The thyroid also plays a role in menstruation and menopause.
The Gut-Brain Axis regulates gut microbiota and hormones for healthy cognitive function, including dopamine and serotonin. It also houses 70% of the body’s immune system, whose response is triggered or lessened at various times during your menstrual cycle.
The hormonal interactions in the human body don’t work independently of one another. They are intrinsically linked and constantly taking cues from the body’s external and internal environments. If you’re experiencing occasional menstrual or menopausal discomfort, your hormones may benefit from additional support.
QUIZ: ARE YOUR HORMONES ASKING FOR HELP?
Check off each normal symptom you experience below. If you check 4 or more, your hormones might need additional support so you can feel your best:
- Period cramps†
- Breast tenderness†
- PMS†
- Mood swings
- Irregular periods
- Spotting between periods
- Hormone-related skin congestion
- Food cravings
- Bloating or fluid retention†
- Constipation†
- Loose stools†
- Fatigue
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiousness†
- Hot flashes†
- Night sweats†
- Vaginal dryness†
- Low libido
- Weight gain
- Oily skin and hair
- Dry skin, hair and nails
- Brain fog
†Mild and occasional
INTUITIVE NUTRITION FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH
Many women experience hormonal rise and fall during their menstrual cycle , as well as during menopause. Through a new scientific perspective – intuitive nutrition – women can now optimise their hormonal health by focusing on some of the most common and normal effects of the hormonal regularity. First let’s look at the effect of hormones during each phase.
Day 1-7: Menstruation
Day 1 of the menstrual cycle starts the first day of bleeding. A hormone-like substance called prostaglandin triggers the uterus to shed its lining and may contribute to period cramps and loose stools. Estrogen and progesterone are at an all-cycle low on Day 1, and serotonin also drops, which may cause mood swings, food cravings and brain fog. The length of your period may vary; 2-7 days is the normal range, and most women report heaviest bleeding on Day 2.
Day 1-13: Follicular Phase
The first day of bleeding is also the first day of your follicular phase, the beginning of a new reproductive cycle. Estrogen and testosterone slowly increase from their cyclical low to a cycle high over the course of about 2 weeks leading up to ovulation. As bleeding slows and estrogen builds, most women report an improvement in mood, more energy and focus. The experience of mild and occasional mood swings, fatigue or brain fog during the latter part of the follicular phase, could be a sign of the estrogen level being non optimal. Trouble sleeping and occasional anxiety can also indicate something is out of balance.
Day 14-18: Ovulation
It can be difficult to know exactly when ovulation is peaking. One sign is vaginal discharge. During ovulation, cervical mucus becomes slippery and stretchy. It may resemble clear egg whites. And some women may experience mild pain in either their left or right side, depending on which ovary releases an egg in each month. Healthy ovulation is essential for optimal progesterone production later the cycle and can affect the regularity of the menstrual cycles.
Day 14-First Day of Your Next Period: Luteal Phase
The luteal phase varies in length for all women. It is the phase between ovulation and the beginning of the next period, when the uterine lining thickens. As soon as ovulation occurs, estrogen drops dramatically, and the ovaries create progesterone —the dominant hormone during the luteal phase. Here an increase of mild breast tenderness can occur together with mood swings, skin congestion, oilier skin and hair, food cravings, fatigue and occasional constipation or water retention.
Menopause
Menopause is more accurately defined in three stages: perimenopause, menopause and post menopause. Perimenopause can last up to ten years and is when most women experience normal discomforts like hot flashes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, mood swings, a noticeable change in vaginal lubrication, uncomfortable intercourse and irregular menstrual cycles.
As fertility declines, women’s sex hormones go a bit haywire. Although estrogen levels trend down, some may experience months with higher-than-average levels of estrogen. Menstrual cycles may even shorten leading up to menopause, defined as the final period followed by 12 months with no menstruation.
In post-menopause, the ovaries no longer make progesterone and estrogen levels are very low. Not only does this affect vaginal lubrication and sex life, but it can have implications on cardiovascular health.
So, how do we support our bodies with exactly what is needed in each phase of our menstrual cycle and through the phases of menopause to help feel our best?
EVERY PHASE. EVERY CYCLE. EVERY WOMAN. Rethink your menopause story.
Meet Modere OVA™-m!
Modere OVA™-m, empowers the body to find balance. The latest hormone-free and soy isoflavone-free advancement in women’s health backed by clean label bioceuticals. Unlike anything else, OVA-m works differently than most women’s health formulas. Instead of interfering with the natural hormone balance, it delivers key nutrients and potent botanicals highly studied for their ability to effectively support the female body without hormones.
Metabolites and micronutrients like amino acids, lipids and vitamins fluctuate throughout the cycle and as menopause approaches, causing changes in the female body’s energy metabolism, detoxification processes, inflammatory response and mood. OVA-m targets these biochemical responses, providing support when needed the most, and supports hormone health across the body’s major communication pathways, or axes, empowering women to feel their best every day of the month and through menopause.
Menopausal women can support their unique needs with OVA-m, a single hormone-free formula that helps with the signs associated with perimenopause, menopause + post-menopause*. This unique formula supports against night sweats by maintaining normal levels or perspiration† and promotes a healthy night’s sleep. Relaxation and a positive mood‡ are also targeted with the inclusion of lemon Balm in this herbal formula.
Unlike many conventional approaches to menopause, OVA-m works synergistically with the body to help support hormonal wellness without the risks associated with estrogen receptor-binding soy isoflavones. Instead, it features a potent blend of herbs and botanicals shown to be more effective than soy isoflavones at targeting normal, mild menopausal symptoms to support the female body through perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause*.
What It Does:
- Helps with signs associated with perimenopause, menopause + post-menopause*
- Helps night sweats by maintaining normal levels of perspiration†
- Supports cognitive function‡
- Supports relaxation and positive mood‡
- Promotes a healthy night’s sleep‡
- Helps protect cells from oxidative stress‡
- Supports the nervous system*
What’s Inside:
- A potent blend of highly studied herbs including Bergamot and Olive Extract
- Peony root Peony which is traditionally used during menopause and contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
- Sage to support normal levels of perspiration
- Lemon Balm helping to maintain a positive mood and cognitive function
*Peony is traditionally used during menopause and contributes to the normal function of the nervous system.
†Sage contributes to maintaining normal levels of perspiration.
‡Lemon balm helps maintain positive mood and cognitive function. It contributes to relaxation and healthy sleep. And it contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress.
Usage:
Take three (3) capsules once daily with food.
For menopausal signs outside the normal range, medical conditions, or when taking medication, consult your health care provider prior to use. Not for use if you are nursing or pregnant.
