1. Understanding Menopause, PMS, and Hormone Balancing for Today’s Women
Menopause Made Easy!
Understanding Menopause, PMS, and Hormone Balancing for Today’s Women
HUNT NATUROPATHIC CLINIC
Dr. Jeffrey J. Hunt
Hon. B.P.H.E., N.D., F.C.A.H.
1618 2nd Ave., Trail, BC,
(250)
BACK IN BALANCE
Dr. Diana Draper, BA, ND
2325 6th Ave Castlegar BC
(250)

2. OverView Introduction The Physiology of Hormones
Treatments for Hormone Balancing:
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Natural Therapies
Prevention
Questions

3. Introduction
Dr. Jeffrey Hunt excels in the treatment of many complex health conditions utilizing his extensive training and diagnostic skills and tools.
He is a graduate of at the top of his class from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
He’s been practice at Hunt Naturopathic Clinic in Trail for over 20 years.
Dr. Hunt is particularly interested in gastrointestinal disorders, hormonal concerns, cancer, Lyme disease, allergenic disorders and weight loss.

4. Introduction
Dr. Diana Draper is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, and a member of the College and Naturopathic Physicians of BC and the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She recently left her practice in Calgary AB to return to her hometown of Castlegar BC.
As a licensed medical practitioner, Dr. Draper use natural therapies that work with the bodies innate healing abilities to promote optimal, sustainable health by addressing all areas of the self: the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Her goals as a Naturopathic Doctor are to be a facilitator for anyone who wishes to reach their highest potential in life, to empowering patients and the community to take responsibility for their health, and to be a health educator and advocate.
Areas of special interest include stress, anxiety, insomnia, pain management, digestive complaints, hormone regulation, and inflammatory conditions.
Tools used for treatment include clinical nutrition, acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, biopuncture, IV therapy, counseling, and nutritional supplements.
Aside from her practice Dr. Draper works with Hope College in Drumheller AB where she has designed 3 health diploma programs for the College and continues to provide consulting on best practices in their clinic.

5. Naturopathic Medicine
The Naturopathic Oath
First, to do no harm.
To co-operate with the healing power of nature.
To address the fundamental causes of disease.
To heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine

6. The Physiology of Hormones
How Hormones Work:
Lock and Key
Interdependences and Interactions
Hormone Key
Receptor Lock
Target Tissue
Lock and key helps regulate function. It is important to use the right key for the right lock
If slightly different, like non-identical synthetic hormones, it may fit but not open the same door or leave the door open too long or slam it shut
Often takes several hormones to get specific response ie. 4 hormones are needed to stimulate the release of an egg at ovulation
Hormone Key
Receptor Lock

7. The Physiology of Hormones
Steroid Hormones:
Cortisol
Estrogens
Androgens
Progesterone
Made from cholesterol
In Women, produced primarily by ovaries and adrenal glands
There are many hormones in the body, these are the ones we are going to focus on
These hormones fall into one of the following categories: estrogens, androgens, progesterone, or glucocorticoids.
Slide of Hormone Synthesis

8. The Physiology of Hormones
Adrenal Gland:
Located above kidneys
Release adrenaline, cortisol, and DHEA
DHEA forms androstenedione which then forms Estrone and Testosterone
Conversion of one hormone to another requires an enzymes
Enzymes require vitamins and mineral
Testosterone turns into Estradiol
Estrone turns into Estradiol, Estriol or Estrong Sulphate
If you are vitamin or mineral deficient then conversation cannot happen
Aromatize is an enzyme used to convert Testosterone to estrogen. It is stored in fat, therefore, women who have more fat on their body experience less estrogen deficiency sx as oppose to women with little low fat percentage in their body.

9. The Physiology of Hormones
Adrenal Gland
DHEA
Androstenedion
Testosterone
Estradiol
Estron
Estriol
Estrone Sulphate
Cortisol
DHEA stands for dehydroepiandrosterone
Change arrows one way from adrenal gland to DHEA to androstenedion to estrone and testosterone and estrone to estriol and testosterone to estradiol
Need aromatse for androstenedione to estrone and testosterone to estradiol

10. The Physiology of Hormones
The Adrenal Gland and Pre-Menopause
Prior to menopause ovaries are the major producers of estrogen and progesterone
40% of estrogen comes from adrenal gland via conversion from androstenedione
About half of womens testosterone comes from DHEA released by adrenal glands
Almost all progesterone made by adrenal gland is used to make cortisol

11. The Physiology of Hormones
Post-menopause and the Adrenal Glands
After menopause the adrenal glands become the primary source for estrogens and testosterone.
Ovaries produce small amounts of estradiol and testosterone
Majority comes from DHEA and androstenedione
Women with complete hysterectomy are similar to post-menopausal women in physiology of hormone production

12. The Physiology of Hormones
Estrogens:
Receptors found in cells throughout body
Bone, brain, blood vessels, bladder, breast, thyroid gland, reproductive organs
Development of breasts and menstrual cycle
Conjugation in liver
Estrogens are conjugated in the liver to make then more water soluble. Conjugated estrogens are considered inactive forms of the hormone, however, they can be converted back into their active form – therefore liver detox and proper filtration is very important.

13. The Physiology of Hormones
Estrogens:
3 main forms:
Estradiol – strongest, main one produced by ovaries. Primary in menstrual cycle and builds endometrium lining
Estrone – main post-menopausal estrogen. Easily converted to estriol or estradiol
Estriol – very high in pregnancy
Estrone Sulphate – most abundant. Storage form
2 Hydroxyestrone – thought to be protective against breast cancer
2 hydroxyestrone – not considered active, estrogen breakdown product and likely balances the action of stronger estrogens. Progesterone and Indole-3-carbinol both enhance formation of 2 hydroxyestrogen (they are though to protect against breast cancer)
Serum testing of ration between 2 hydroxyestrone and 16 hydroxyestrone

14. The Physiology of Hormones
Progesterone:
Receptors found throughout body:
Brain, bone, breast, bladder, blood vessels, thyroid gland, reproductive organs
Essential to maintain pregnancy
Essential to balancing hormones
Produced in ovaries, small amount in brain, and adrenal gland

15. The Physiology of Hormones
Androgens:
Testosterone
Sense of wellbeing, sex drive, maintains vaginal mucosa and bone tissue
Improves heart health, maintains skin elasticity and muscle mass
1/5 to 1/10 amount compared to men
Converted to estradiol via aromatse – fat percentage affects this

16. The Physiology of Hormones
Androgens:
DHEA
Most abundant steroid hormone in body
Circulates in blood primarily as DHEAS
Makes estradiol, estrone, estriol and testosterone
DHEAS is conjugated sulphate form which is its storage form

17. The Physiology of Hormones
Androgens:
Androstenedione
Made from DHEA in adrenal glands
Building block for estrogens and testosterone
Critical for production of steroid hormones after menopause

18. The Physiology of Hormones
Cortisol:
Release by adrenal glands in response to physical and emotional stresses
Promotes release of sugar in the body
Essential to mobilizing defense against infections and inflammation
Highest in morning to combat stress of overnight fasting and provide energy
Regulates effects of other hormones
Competes with progesterone for same receptor – can cause functional deficiency where progesterone levels normal but cannot connect to receptor therefore deficint

19. The Physiology of Hormones
Cortisol and Estrogen:
Cortisol stimulates aromatase activity which promotes estrogen formation
Promotes deposition of fat around waist
Excess cortisol = excess estrogen

20. The Physiology of Hormones
Cortisol and Progesterone:
Competes with progesterone for same receptor
Can cause functional deficiency
progesterone levels normal but cannot connect to receptor therefore deficient

21. The Physiology of Hormones
Cortisol and DHEA:
Opposite effect on immune function and blood sugar regulation
Cortisol and Thyroid:
They need eachother for each to work properly
Symptoms of deficiency in one family can be due to deficiency in the other family
DHEA improves insulin sensitivity
Higher cortisol levels = higher DHEA production leading to deficiency

22. The Physiology of Hormones
Add in triangle of thyroid, adrenals and sex hormones

23. The Physiology of Hormones
Insert slide on hormone def.

24. The Physiology of Hormones
Testing:
Saliva Vs Serum

25. Treatments Progesterone Studies:
40 premenopausal women who were scheduled for excisional biopsy of benign lesions were given topical progesterone, topical estradiol or both days prior to surgery.
Reduction in the proliferation rate of acinar cells was seen in both the progesterone and the combination groups.
Influences of percutaneous administration of estradiol and progesterone on human breast epithelial cell cycle in vivo. Chang KJ, et al. Fertil Steril (1995) 63(4):

26. Treatments
Another study involving 40 postmenopausal women who received topical placebo, estradiol, progesterone or estradiol and progesterone two weeks prior to excision showed increased number of cycling epithelial cells in estradiol cohort, but reduced in the groups using progesterone and estradiol plus progesterone.
Foldart JM et al. Estradiol and Progesterone Regulate the Proliferation of Human Breast Epithelial Cells. Fertil Steril (1998) May; 69(5):

27. Treatments Comparing apples to oranges:
When a French study compared women using estrogen in combination with a progestin vs. women using estrogen in combination with progesterone they found a significant increase in incidence of breast cancer with the progestin group and no increase in the group using progesterone.
Breast Cancer Risk in Relation to Different Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy in the E3N-EPIC Cohort. Fournier A et al. Int J Cancer (2005); 114(3):

28. Treatments Natural Therapies: Diet and weight management Acupuncture
IV therapy
Herbs and nutrients

29. Treatments Diet Weight management
Xenoestrogens in herbicides and pesticides and plastics
Promote estrogen
Weight management
Decrease fat for aromatase enzyme
Decrease inflammation

30. Treatments Acupuncture: Balancing Yin and Yang Addressing anxiety
Improving hot flashes
Improving sleep
Decreasing nighttime urination

31. Treatments IV Therapy: Adrenal support
Include homeopathic injections for hormone balance
Avoid first pass effect
Avoid complications in digestive system

32. Treatments Herbs and Nutrients: Hot Flashes: Vitamin C Vitamin B
Curcumin
Gamma Oryzanol
Hesperidin
Fish oils
Alkaline Powder
Chaste Tree Berry
Astragalus
Valerian
Black cohosh
Chih Pai Pa Wei Wan
Rehmannia
Flax Seed

33. Treatments Herbs and Nutrients: Insomnia, Anxiety, Depression
B complex
Calcium
5-HPT
St. John’s wart
Siberian Ginseng
Valerian
Melatonin

34. Treatments Vaginal Dryness: Herbs and Nutrients: Black cohosh
Saw palmetto
Fish oils
Ground flaxseeds
Vitamin E
Vitamin A
Zinc

35. Treatments Combination Therapies: Estrovera – Rhapontic Rhubarb
Pascofemin – complex homeopathic
Menopause – black cohosh
Womens support – Dong Quai, chaste tree, Black cohosh, Red clover

36. Treatments Valarian and Postmenopausal women: 4 week study
30% improvement in sleep quality with valiarian group vs 4% improvement with placebo group

37. Treatments EFA and Hot Flashes: 8 weeks 70% found positive results
50% decrease in hot flashes
45% remission rate

38. What to Expect from Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor
Initial Consult is 1 hour
Depends on severity of symptoms which route to start with
Testing
Informed consent
Transitioning between natural products and bio-identical hormone replacement

39. Highlights Feedback mechanism in the brain for hormone balance
Stress affects hormone balance
Bioidentical hormones are plant source
Hormone balance is more important than hormone levels
Estrogen production in creased by obesity, Phthalates from plastic and xenoestrogens from herbicides and pesticides
Low testosterone looks like depression

40. Questions?
Thank you for coming!