Understanding the link between adrenal fatigue and PMS?
Adrenal hormones are important to healthy menstruation, and stress is known to affect the menstrual cycle. The adrenal glands are the only source of testosterone in women, and after menopause are the only source of the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These and other adrenal hormones play a major role in menstruation, sexual function, physical and psychological well-being, and the aging process, among other things. When these hormones are low, a number of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms can occur. It has been observed clinically that many women experiencing adrenal fatigue also experience PMS and tend to have difficulty during perimenopause and menopause.
When women enter perimenopause and menopause, the ovaries slow their production of estrogen and progesterone, and the adrenal glands have to pick up the slack for menopause to proceed smoothly. If the adrenals are already fatigued, it may be more difficult to meet this extra demand for hormone production. In fact, the adrenals may become even more depleted as a result, creating a vicious cycle. Pronounced morning fatigue may be a tip-off that low adrenal function is a factor in PMS or menopausal discomfort.
What can I do about this?
A saliva cortisol/DHEAS test that measures adrenal hormones at four different times in the day can help determine whether adrenal function is a contributing factor. Support for healthy adrenal function can often provide help in this situation. Book a consultation & hormone profile testing juelle@revitalizehealth.co.nz
Can adrenal fatigue be cause weight gain?
Stress is a normal and natural part of everyday life. Stress occurs when the demands placed upon us exceed our body’s ability to cope. The body’s response to stress, often referred to as the “flight-or-fight” response, occurs automatically at these times. The adrenal glands release stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline and corticosterone, which gives us a boost of energy for our “fight or flight” response. This makes sense when faced with a physical threat, but this same response also occurs with stressful psychological or emotional demands.
Stress hormones have other, not as obvious, effects. They play a role in metabolism, inflammation, and immune system responses. So when our body is continually stressed and continually bombarded by high levels of cortisol and corticosterone, our digestive function can become impaired – leading to increased appetite and weight gain; our immune system can be suppressed – leading to sickness or even autoimmune diseases; and our nervous system can be damaged – leading to anxiety or depression; . Anyone who lives in a constant state of stress or anxiety or uses stimulants (caffeine is a big one) runs the risk of burning out the adrenals to the point where they don’t produce enough pre-hormones to help regulate the body.
- See more at: http://www.hormonesolutionscenter.com/stress-adrenal-fatigue-affects-body/#sthash.jnJBOKc7.dpufStress is a normal and natural part of everyday life. Stress occurs when the demands placed upon us exceed our body’s ability to cope. The body’s response to stress, often referred to as the “flight-or-fight” response, occurs automatically at these times. The adrenal glands release stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline and corticosterone, which gives us a boost of energy for our “fight or flight” response. This makes sense when faced with a physical threat, but this same response also occurs with stressful psychological or emotional demands.
Stress hormones have other, not as obvious, effects. They play a role in metabolism, inflammation, and immune system responses. So when our body is continually stressed and continually bombarded by high levels of cortisol and corticosterone, our digestive function can become impaired – leading to increased appetite and weight gain; our immune system can be suppressed – leading to sickness or even autoimmune diseases; and our nervous system can be damaged – leading to anxiety or depression; . Anyone who lives in a constant state of stress or anxiety or uses stimulants (caffeine is a big one) runs the risk of burning out the adrenals to the point where they don’t produce enough pre-hormones to help regulate the body.
- See more at: http://www.hormonesolutionscenter.com/stress-adrenal-fatigue-affects-body/#sthash.jnJBOKc7.dpufStress is a normal and natural part of everyday life. Stress occurs when the demands placed upon us exceed our body’s ability to cope. The body’s response to stress, often referred to as the “flight-or-fight” response, occurs automatically at these times. The adrenal glands release stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline and corticosterone, which gives us a boost of energy for our “fight or flight” response. This makes sense when faced with a physical threat, but this same response also occurs with stressful psychological or emotional demands.
Stress hormones have other, not as obvious, effects. They play a role in metabolism, inflammation, and immune system responses. So when our body is continually stressed and continually bombarded by high levels of cortisol and corticosterone, our digestive function can become impaired – leading to increased appetite and weight gain; our immune system can be suppressed – leading to sickness or even autoimmune diseases; and our nervous system can be damaged – leading to anxiety or depression; . Anyone who lives in a constant state of stress or anxiety or uses stimulants (caffeine is a big one) runs the risk of burning out the adrenals to the point where they don’t produce enough pre-hormones to help regulate the body.
- See more at: http://www.hormonesolutionscenter.com/stress-adrenal-fatigue-affects-body/#sthash.jnJBOKc7.dpufStress and our adrenal glands and how they relate to weight loss and maintenance.
Stress is a normal and natural part of everyday life. Stress occurs when the demands placed upon us exceed our body’s ability to cope. The body’s response to stress, often referred to as the “flight-or-fight” response, occurs automatically at these times. The adrenal glands release stress hormones, including cortisol, adrenaline and corticosterone, which gives us a boost of energy for our “fight or flight” response. This makes sense when faced with a physical threat, but this same response also occurs with stressful psychological or emotional demands.
Stress hormones have other, not as obvious, effects. They play a role in metabolism, inflammation, and immune system responses. So when our body is continually stressed and continually bombarded by high levels of cortisol and corticosterone, our digestive function can become impaired – leading to increased appetite and weight gain; our immune system can be suppressed – leading to sickness or even autoimmune diseases; and our nervous system can be damaged – leading to anxiety or depression; . Anyone who lives in a constant state of stress or anxiety or uses stimulants (caffeine is a big one) runs the risk of burning out the adrenals to the point where they don’t produce enough pre-hormones to help regulate the body.
If you are stressed this will be contributing to your weight gain, PMS sympoms and subsequently adrenal fatigue - they are all interlinked and should be treated collectively.
Adrenal fatigue.org