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 more accurately characterized as anti-estrogen.

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High Histamine Can Make for a Tougher Perimenopause

A tendency to allergies or high histamine can contribute to perimenopausal symptoms like night sweats, anxiety, sleep disturbance, fluid retention, breast pain, migraines, and heavy menstrual bleeding.

That’s because histamine increases with estrogen, and estrogen is usually higher than normal during the early years of perimenopause.

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What Estrogen Does in Your 40s (and How Progesterone Can Help)

Estrogen rollercoaster of perimenopause

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 decade or so before your final period.

Perimenopause is different from menopause (or post-menopause), which is the life phase that begins one year after your final period.

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