Introduction

Welcome back nude followers, today we are summarizing an episode by Nathalie Niddam, where she discusses women's hormonal health, particularly during perimenopause and menopause, with her guest Rowan Sanderson. Rowan, a hormone specialist and functional medicine practitioner, shares insights on maintaining hormonal balance, the impact of endocrine disruptors, and the importance of community support.

• Guest and Main Theme: Rowan Sanderson, a hormone specialist and functional medicine practitioner, discusses women's hormonal health during perimenopause and menopause.
• Key Topics: Hormonal balance, endocrine disruptors, genetic testing, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and the importance of community support.

Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause

Rowan Sanderson explains the definitions and transitions of perimenopause and menopause, highlighting the hormonal changes and their impacts.

• Definitions: Menopause is defined as 12 months after a female's last period, while perimenopause is the 4-5 years leading up to this period, characterized by hormonal volatility.
• Hormonal Changes: During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate irregularly, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, brain fog, and joint pain.
• Early Onset: Hormonal imbalances can start as early as the 20s or 30s due to external factors such as diet and endocrine disruptors.
• Symptoms: Symptoms include estrogen dominance, hot flashes, nighttime wakings, and decreased progesterone levels.

Impact of Endocrine Disruptors

Rowan discusses the significant impact of endocrine disruptors on hormonal balance.

• Sources: Endocrine disruptors are found in personal care products, soy, cereals contaminated with pesticides, and other environmental sources.
• Effects: These chemicals mimic hormones, leading to estrogen dominance or deficiency symptoms, and can convert testosterone into estradiol in men.
• Thyroid Issues: Endocrine disruptors can also affect thyroid function, with decaf coffee being a notable example due to its potential mold content.

Hormonal Balance and Testing

Rowan emphasizes the importance of hormonal balance and the various tests used to assess it.

• Key Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are crucial for women's health, each with specific roles and benefits.
• Estrogen Types: There are three types of estrogen (estrone, estradiol, estriol), and testing all three is essential for a complete picture.
• Genetic Testing: Genetic tests, such as the Magnificent Seven, help identify predispositions to hormonal imbalances and cancers.
• Dutch Test: The Dutch test is a valuable tool for assessing metabolic pathways and hormonal balance over a 24-hour period.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Rowan discusses the benefits and safe use of bioidentical HRT.

• Safety: Bioidentical HRT can be safe if balanced with progesterone and if the body is supported in metabolizing estrogens healthily.
• Benefits: HRT can improve brain function, liver processing of cholesterol, intestinal health, and overall quality of life.
• Metabolization: Proper metabolization of estrogens through phase one and phase two processes is crucial to avoid health risks.

Role of Testosterone and Progesterone

Rowan highlights the importance of testosterone and progesterone in women's health.

• Testosterone: Testosterone is essential for libido, motivation, and overall well-being but must be managed to avoid conversion into estradiol.
• Progesterone: Progesterone is vital for balancing estrogen, promoting sleep, and energy; it is often overlooked but crucial for hormonal harmony.

Community Support and Lifestyle Changes

Rowan stresses the importance of community support and lifestyle changes in managing hormonal health.

• Community: The Hormone Balance Clinic offers a supportive community with workshops, Q&A sessions, and access to functional medicine practitioners.
• Lifestyle Changes: Changes in diet, stress management, sleep, and inflammation reduction are key to maintaining hormonal balance.
• Centenarian Insights: Centenarians often have high levels of community engagement, a diet rich in polyphenols, and lower exposure to pollution, which contribute to their longevity.

Key Takeaways

Here are the key insights from the episode:

• Early Intervention: Hormonal imbalances can start early, and intervention can significantly improve the transition through perimenopause and menopause.
• Endocrine Disruptors: These chemicals have a profound impact on hormonal health and should be minimized.
• Balanced HRT: Bioidentical HRT can be safe and beneficial when properly balanced and metabolized.
• Community Support: Community and lifestyle changes are crucial for managing hormonal health effectively.
• Individualized Approach: Each individual's hormonal balance is unique and requires a personalized approach to management.