PCOS Cannot Be Diagnosed (or Ruled Out) by Ultrasound
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound because polycystic ovaries are not cysts. They’re follicles or eggs which are normal for the ovary.
It’s normal for all women to sometimes have a higher number of follicles. It’s normal for young women to always have a higher number of follicles because young women have more eggs. That’s why PCOS cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound. At the same time, PCOS cannot be ruled out by ultrasound because it’s possible to have normal-appearing ovaries on ultrasound and still have the hormonal condition PCOS.
How Phytoestrogens Can Lower Estrogen and Lighten Periods
Phytoestrogens are a special group of phytonutrients that occur naturally in most plant foods. The two major classes are isoflavones in soy, and lignans in seeds, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
They’re called phytoestrogens because they interact with estrogen receptors but they’re not estrogen. In fact, they bind so weakly to estrogen receptors that they effectively block estradiol and are therefore better classified as anti-estrogen.
7 Ways to Support the Vagus Nerve and Improve Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that activates the parasympathetic nervous system and increases levels of oxytocin and the calming neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Supporting the vagus nerve and thereby improving parasympathetic tone promotes relaxation, sleep, digestion, and healing.
Activating the parasympathetic nervous system dials down the sympathetic nervous system or fight-or-flight response. In that way, the vagus nerve acts as a built-in “stress-reset button.”
What Estrogen Does in Your 40s (and How Progesterone Can Help)
Night sweats, mood swings, and crazy heavy periods. Is this menopause already? And you’re only 42? No, menopause could still be a decade away. This is perimenopause or second puberty, which is the two to twelve years before your final period.
Perimenopause is different from menopause, which is the life phase that begins one year after your final period.
Reverse Insulin Resistance in 4 Easy Steps
Insulin resistance is the condition of having chronically elevated levels of insulin. It’s also called hyperinsulinemia, metabolic syndrome, or pre-diabetes and is a major player in many women’s health conditions including PCOS, acne, fibroids, perimenopause, and heavy periods.
Insulin resistance also causes abdominal weight gain and is a risk factor for diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, dementia, and heart disease.
Do you have insulin resistance? It’s time to find out.
Natural Treatment of Menstrual or Hormonal Migraines
Menstrual or hormonal migraines are the result of 1) estrogen-induced high histamine, and 2) altered levels of neurotransmitters when both estrogen and progesterone drop at the end of the cycle.
Natural treatments for hormonal migraines include oral micronized progesterone and magnesium. The synthetic estrogen and progestins of hormonal birth control are usually not a good idea.