Hormone Imbalances

Hormonal imbalances ​in women (which is also becoming more common in men) is a term used when a person has too much or too little of one or more hormones - your body's chemical messengers. One of the most common type of hormone imbalance is estrogen dominance.

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Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle and reproductive system in women. It helps in the development of female sexual characteristics and bone health. Maintaining balanced estrogen levels is essential for overall health and well-being.

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Estrogen and progesterone play vital roles, whilst estrogen is responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics, progesterone, on the other hand, prepares the uterus for pregnancy and helps maintain a healthy pregnancy. These hormones work together in a delicate balance to support fertility and overall reproductive health.

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Some peoples bodies do not make enough progesterone, leading to an over abundance of estrogen. Working overtime in your body, is can cause cell overgrowths, like tumors in the uterine lining.

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Estrogen dominance occurs when the body has too much estrogen relative to progesterone. This hormonal imbalance can lead to various symptoms such as weight gain, mood swings, and irregular periods. Managing estrogen dominance often involves lifestyle changes like reducing stress and incorporating more fiber-rich foods.

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What are the symptoms of hormone imbalance?

 

• Physical fatigue

• Irregular periods (unpredictable timing, light or heavy bleeding)

• Dense breast tissue

• "Muzziness" in the head/ brain fog

• Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)

• Sleep problems

• Consitpation

• Unexplained weight gain or weight loss

• Diarrhea/ frequent bowel movements

• Numbness and tingling in hands

• Fluctuations in temperature

• Dry, Coaase hair 

• higher-than normal blood cholesterol levels

• Darkened skin in your armpit or back and side of your neck.

• Skin tags

• Extreme thirst and frequent urination

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Dozens of medical conditions are caused by hormone issues. Whilst many hormonal imbalances require treatments, some can be temporary and go away on its own. Some of the most common hormone-related conditions include: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), amenorrhea, infertility, acne, thyroid disease, menopause and obesity.

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What treatment will be given?

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Manual Lymhatic drainage massage is a very gentle, "light touch" form of massage based on pumping, circular and spiral shaped movements, which encourages the lymph fluid to flow more freely around the body.  

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Dr Vodder's method is an advanced lymphatic massage technique using gentle, pumping, circular movements to guide the toxins leaked in the extracellular matrix (ECM), back into the bloodstream through the venous system. 

 

The lymphatic system is a major player in immunity, recognising toxins and foreign invaders (like viruses, bacteria and fungi) and removing cellular waste. It is responsible for producing and releasing specialised white blood cells (in the thymus and bone marrow) called lymphocytes, which play an essential role in fighting infection. 

The lymphatic system drains lymph that has leaked into our tissues from our blood vessels, while the lymph nodes recirculate it back into the bloodstream through the venous system. The lymph is a separate circulatory system from blood circulation with a primary function of carrying waste proteins and fluid away from the extracellular matrix (ECM), which is essentially a communication network of vessels, organs and tissues between cells. The intricate network of lymphatic vessels extends throughout the entire body, even into the brain; the meningeal lymphatic vessels connect the brain and the immune system and are responsible for maintaining a healthy fluid balance, as well as removing waste.

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A study in July 2017 shows significant reduction of physical and emotional symptoms in women suffering from menopause. Inoue K & Mauroka H. Effects of Simplified lymph drainage on the body: in females with menopausal disorder. Journal of physical therapy science. 2017; 29 (1); 115-118.  

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) was developed by Dr Emil Vodder and his wife in 1930s. They identified the importance of the lymphatic system and devised treatments for the whole body to alleviate swelling and congestion, caused by Lipodema and Lymphedema.

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Dr Emil Vodder was born on February 20, 1896 in Copenhagen. Very early on he was interested in physical medicine. He fell ill with malaria and had to suspend his studies very early on. In 1928 he recieved his PhD from the University of Brussels with a dissertation in art history. In Cannes, he and his wife, Estrid founded an insitute of physical therapy, where he began his research and interest in the lymphatic system. He was awared Rohrbach medal for his lifetime achievement in 1984, accompanied by the recognition of a professional association Dr Vodder's Manual Lymph Drainage. Sadly he died in Copenhagen in February 1986, shortly before his 90th birthday.  

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At current many researchers and surgeons continue to study the importance and relevance of lymphatic drainage.With recent studies have demonstrated improved breathlessness, sleep, and increased urinary secretion of adrenergic hormones, serotonin, and histamine as a result of MLD.

Williams AF et al. A randomised controlled crossover study of manual lymphatic drainage therapy in women with breast cancer- related lymphoedema. European journal Cancer care (engel). 2002; 11 (4): 254- 261.