How IBS and SIBO Can Affect Periods and Hormones

IBS, SIBO, and period problems.

Did you know that what’s happening in your gut can affect your periods and hormones?

In episode twelve of my podcast and Youtube video, I discuss small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and its role in IBS; how SIBO can drive or worsen endometriosis, insulin resistance, premenstrual mood symptoms, and the fibromyalgia of perimenopause; plus how to treat SIBO.

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Progesterone Is Just as Important as Estrogen for Women’s Health

Progesterone is important for women's health.

It’s time to bring progesterone into the conversation about women’s health. That’s according to Canadian endocrinology professor Jerilynn Prior in her paper “Women’s reproductive system as balanced estradiol and progesterone actions—a revolutionary, paradigm-shifting concept in women’s health.” In the paper, Professor Prior makes the case that historically there has been a “cultural over-emphasis on estrogen” while “progesterone tends to be ignored or associated with negative effects.”

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Guide to Using Progesterone for Women’s Health

How to use natural progesterone.

Body-identical or bioidentical progesterone can treat women’s health conditions such as PCOS, PMDD, migraines, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and perimenopause.

Progesterone is called oral micronized progesterone and requires a doctor’s prescription. Brand names include Prometrium, Utrogestan, Teva, and Famenita, depending on your country. Alternatively, progesterone cream is available over-the-counter in some countries and can help with mild symptoms but is generally not as effective as progesterone capsules.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Cyclic Progesterone Therapy for PCOS

Progesterone has anti-androgen benefits and can promote ovulation. That makes progesterone therapeutic for polycystic ovary syndrome, as described in my recent paper The central role of ovulatory disturbances in the etiology of androgenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—Evidence for treatment with cyclic progesterone.

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