Moving Mountains Health - Dr Cyndi and Dave Reed

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HORMONES DON’T WORK IN ISOLATION.

When women experience changes in their menstrual cycles, weight, mood, energy, sleep, libido, or cognition, the answer is not always simply “your estrogen is low.”

Female hormone physiology is an interconnected network. A change in one hormonal pathway can influence several others.

INSULIN
Insulin resistance and chronically elevated insulin can affect ovarian hormone production, androgen activity, ovulation, appetite, fat storage, and menstrual regularity. It is particularly important to consider with PCOS/PMOS and other metabolic conditions.

CORTISOL
Cortisol helps regulate the stress response, glucose availability, blood pressure, inflammation, and circadian physiology. Chronic stress and disrupted sleep can alter cortisol patterns and interact with reproductive and metabolic function.

ESTROGEN
Estrogen influences much more than reproduction. It affects the brain, bones, cardiovascular system, skin, vaginal and urinary tissues, body composition, and menstrual cycle. Both fluctuations and declining estrogen can contribute to symptoms.

PROGESTERONE
Progesterone rises after ovulation and helps regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the endometrium for pregnancy. Changes in ovulation and progesterone exposure can be associated with irregular cycles, abnormal bleeding, breast tenderness, and premenstrual symptoms.

TESTOSTERONE
Women need testosterone too. It contributes to s*xual function, muscle and bone physiology, energy, and overall well-being. Excess androgen activity can contribute to acne, unwanted facial/body hair, and scalp hair loss.

DHEA
DHEA is primarily an adrenal androgen and a precursor to other s*x hormones. Levels generally decline with age, but both excessively high and low levels may warrant evaluation in the appropriate clinical context.

DHT
Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen produced from testosterone. Excess androgen/DHT activity can contribute to acne, increased facial or body hair, and androgen-related scalp hair loss.

LEPTIN
Leptin is produced primarily by fat cells and communicates energy availability to the brain. Leptin signaling interacts with appetite, metabolism, body weight, and reproductive function. Both very low energy availability and leptin resistance can disrupt normal reproductive physiology.

The important point is this:

Your hormones communicate with one another.

Insulin affects ovarian function.
Stress physiology interacts with reproductive signaling.
Ovulation determines progesterone production.
Estrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout the cycle.
Androgens interact with metabolic health.
Leptin helps communicate whether adequate energy is available for reproduction.

This is why symptoms such as:

• Irregular, heavy, or painful periods
• PMS or PMDD symptoms
• Acne or unwanted hair growth
• Hair thinning
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Fatigue
• Poor sleep
• Mood changes
• Brain fog
• Reduced libido
• Infertility or difficulty ovulating
• Perimenopausal symptoms

should be evaluated in context, rather than assuming that one hormone explains everything.

Hormones are a system, not a collection of independent laboratory numbers.

The goal should be to understand the pattern: your symptoms, menstrual cycle, metabolic health, stress and sleep, medications, stage of life, and appropriate laboratory testing when indicated.

Treat the person—not just the hormone level.