Are you struggling through your periods? Cramping, irregular spotting, clotting, back pain and heavy bleeding? If this sounds like your monthly dilemma, it’s possible that a hormonal imbalance or nerve interference is to blame.
Female hormonal health is not just related to menstruation and menopause – it is a matter of lifelong well-being and longevity. Sex and stress hormones are chemical messengers formed in endocrine organs and certain body tissues and then carried in the blood to other areas of the body. Depending on how specific their effects, hormones can alter either the functional activity or the structure of one or more organs. Synthetic hormones are different from naturally occurring hormones; they are structurally altered.
Are Synthetic Hormones Dangerous?
Women are led to believe that it is normal to experience distressing menstrual and menopausal symptoms. They anticipate 
having to accept the conventional treatment choice of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) with synthetic hormones. Women are encouraged to do this in spite of the fact that estrogen supplementation places them at risk for breast cancer and other serious health problems. HRT and fertility drugs — as well as birth control pills and other hormonal therapies — were all designed to treat only specific symptoms with no regard for the effects they have on the entire body. Because of this non-holistic approach, we are seeing an increase in the incidence of not only breast cancer and sexual reproductive organ dysfunctions but also uterine and ovarian cancer.
What needs to be understood is that, for example, if a woman’s thyroid or adrenal glands are depleted or functioning inadequately — a fairly common occurrence in our stressful culture — she will likely experience problems with her sexual reproductive organs. The connection between these organs and the thyroid, the adrenals and other endocrine glands is that they are all governed by endocrine hormones. This is an important interrelationship, which is why what disrupts one gland can disrupt another, causing a kind of domino effect or vicious cycle.
Is Stress A Factor?
Chronic stress is one of the major causes of hormonal imbalances. When we are required to sustain high levels of stress, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol from our adrenal cortex. When this hormone is released in excess, we actually deplete our adrenal function. This can lead to poor progesterone production and can impact fertility, mood as well as lead painful and uncomfortable PMS symptoms.
What Can You Do To Address Your Symptoms?
In order to restore hormonal health, an important component of the Chiropractic approach is to establish proper nerve flow to the autonomic nervous system thereby establishing balance. The spine has a multitude of nerves that are connected to specific organs and body systems, such as your reproductive organs. When there is an interference in one of these nerve centers, PMS symptoms such as cramping and back pain can occur. A Chiropractic adjustment can help to alleviate that pain and restore the body’s natural ability to self-heal and self-regulate.
Another important component is to consult with a certified holistic nutritionist to support the endocrine system through supplementation and allow it time to repair. Supporting immune function will reduce stress on the endocrine system. Make dietary and nutritional changes according to genetic predisposition, allergies, personal weight and exercise objectives. A nutritionist will also identify any digestive dysfunctions that could be leading to poor vitamin and mineral absorption.
Get exercise, establishing your level of capacity and personal training objectives. To relieve stress, try meditation, Reiki, visualization, Hatha Yoga, Tai Chi or QiGong. Relax by walking in nature, swimming, pursuing creative activities, changing routines.