|
|
|
|||||||
|
Managing Your Menopause Type®
Educational Class |
||||||||
|
Session One - Redefining Menopause |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
Actions
& Interactions Of Hormones |
||||||||
|
When talking about hormones,
there is a tendency to say a hormone is "good for this" or
"bad for that". This assumes that a hormone has a limited area of
activity or actions. It also assumes that hormones act alone. In truth,
hormones have dynamic interactions that may work together or against each
other. In addition, the actions that any one hormone has will vary from
tissue to tissue. The amount of the hormone or the amount of other hormones
or that work with it or against is will also determine how your body will
react to that hormone. |
||||||||
|
These actions and interactions of estradiol,
progesterone and testosterone affect the endometrium, the vagina & the
urinary tract, the libido, blood sugar, blood insulin, the brain (mood &
memory), the breasts, the skin, the bones, the heart, and quite possibly
every other tissue in your body. |
||||||||
|
When discussing the actions and interactions of
these three hormones, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are best
considered as a "team" or "group" of hormones. Remember
that the one-size-fits-all model is
being rejected. We are now more concerned about the big picture of hormonal
balance. |
||||||||
|
Here are some examples about how these hormones may work together in
affecting your body. |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Endometrium The risk of endometrial hyperplasia or endometrial cancer
is greatest when there is excessive estradiol, excessive testosterone and/or
inadequate progesterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Vagina & Urinary Tract The risk of vaginal atrophy and urinary
incontinence is greatest when there is inadequate estradiol, inadequate
testosterone and/or excessive progesterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Libido The risk of decreased libido is greatest when there
is inadequate estradiol, inadequate testosterone and/or excessive
progesterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
Blood Sugar & Insulin The risk of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia
is greatest when there is inadequate estradiol, excessive progesterone and/or
excessive testosterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Brain (Mood & Memory) The risk of depression and decreased cognitive
function is greatest when there is inadequate estradiol and/or inadequate
testosterone. The risk of anxiety is greatest when there is inadequate
progesterone. Excessive progesterone can cause depression. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Breasts The risk of breast cancer is greatest when there is
excessive estradiol, excessive testosterone and/or inadequate or progesterone.
Excessive progesterone may also increase risks. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Skin The risk of thin, fragile, dry skin is greatest when
there is inadequate estradiol, inadequate testosterone and/or inadequate
progesterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Bones The risk of osteoporosis is greatest when there is
inadequate estradiol, inadequate testosterone and / or inadequate
progesterone. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
The Heart The risk of cardiac disease, high blood pressure
and angina is greatest when there is inadequate estradiol, inadequate
testosterone and/or inadequate progesterone. Excessive testosterone or synthetic
progestogens may increase risk of cardiovascular disease. (Ref) |
|||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
What
this means to you |
||||||||
|
It's important to understand that hormones affect
virtually every tissue in your body. When hormone levels are not ideal they
can affect your endometrium, vagina & urinary tract, libido, blood sugar
& insulin, brain, breasts, skin, bones and heart. |
||||||||
|
Understanding your Menopause Type® will
help you make informed choices that you can make to enhance the quality of your life and decrease the risk of diseases associated with menopause. |
||||||||
|
What's
Next? |
||||||||
|
The next discusses the ideal levels for hormones. |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
The Managing Your Menopause Type® Educational Class
is provided to the public without charge. This information is provided for educational
purposes only, and is not intended to prescribe treatment. Consult a
physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional regarding the
applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your
symptoms or medical condition. |
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
