Women's Whole Health Care
Research has demonstrated that female hormonal imbalances can affect mental health. Hormones are chemical messengers produced in the body controlling and regulating cell activity of specific cells and organs. Neurohormones specifically influence the brain and behavior. Female reproductive hormones (progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone) impact the brain and its nerve cell networkl which is designed to be protective against cognitive and/or memory loss.
Patients whose adrenal hormones (ie cortisol) are imbalanced tend to experience mental health issues (anxiety, depression, and insomnia). Since hormone levels commonly fluctuate from day to day, women can experience a combination of these symptoms. Many of the possible causes of hormonal imbalances are often due to diet, life stressors, environment, age, and lifestyle. In these situations, women tend to experience imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid. It is well known that following childbirth, a drop in progesterone levels is directly linked to postpartum depression.
Hormone Influences on Moods
Estrogen
Estrogen is a hormone that has several roles in the body. In females, it helps develop and maintain both the reproductive system and female characteristics (breasts and pubic hair). It also plays a key role in cognitive health, bone health, the cardiovascular system, and several other important body processes. Click photo.
Progesterone
Progesterone is another valuable female hormone. It stimulates and regulates several body functions, like maintaining pregnancy, preparing the uterine endometrium for conception (after ovulation) and regulating the monthly menstrual cycle. It causes the lining to thicken and accept a fertilized egg. It also calms uterine muscle contractions that cause the body to reject an egg. It also plays a role in sexual desire. Click photo.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a male sex hormone (androgen) and is also made in a woman's ovaries in smaller amounts. When combined with estrogen, (female sex hormone) testosterone helps with the growth, maintenance, and repair of a woman's reproductive tissues, bone mass, and behaviors. Click photo.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone and neuropeptide. Oxytocin is often linked to warm, fuzzy feelings and research reports it lowers stress and anxiety. It can regulate our emotional responses as well; key in social bonding, reproduction, childbirth, and postpartum. It is produced in the hypothalamus and secreted by the posterior pituitary. Often called the “love hormone,” levels of oxytocin rise during hugging and orgasm. It is believed to have benefits for treatment of depression, anxiety, and intestinal problems. Click photo.
Cortisol
Cortisol, a steroid hormone, regulates many important body processes, such as metabolism and the immune response. As the body experiences stress, the adrenal glands create and secrete Cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol's job is to streamline the body's workload so the individual can respond to the perceived/immediate threat. Chronic stress keeps cortisol levels high in the body instead of returning to baseline which can cause damage to organs and cause weight gain and difficulty losing weight. click the photo for link on imbalances and mental health. click the photo.
Thyroid Hormones
Thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH) are essential for adequate functioning of the female reproductive system. Their role is to modulate metabolism and aid in development of ovarian, uterine, and placental tissues. An imbalance in thyroid hormones can lead to either low thyroid (Hypothroidism) or high thyroid levels (Hyperthyroidism). Imbalances often result in poor fertility (causing miscarriage) or infertility (inability to conceive and carry a pregnancy) in women. Click photo.
Modern Living Influences Moods
Water Intake
Dietary Choices
Caffeine & Mental Health
Screen time & Anxiety
Healthy Relationship?
Exercise & Mood
Parenting Demands
Importance of Play
Improving Body Image
Hormone Imbalance & Low moods
Mindfulness & Mental Health
Birth Control Impacts Mental health
Women & Substance Use
Social Media & Mood
Endocrine Disruptors & Mental Health
Supplements that Support Mood
Tests for Women's Health (click photo to order test)​​
Complete Hormone Testing Kit
SEX HORMONE TRIO + FULL DAY CORTISOL testing kit is designed to be a comprehensive hormone imbalance test. Testing provides the full picture of an individual's hormone health by measuring their full day cortisol levels plus the trio of the body’s essential sex hormones.
COLLECTION METHOD: Saliva Approx cost $219.00
Cortisol Diurnal Testing
The Diurnal Cortisol Test measures cortisol throughout the day:
1.) Cortisol (morning value)
2.) Cortisol (after 4h)
3.) Cortisol (after 8h)
4.) Cortisol (after 10h)
The stress hormone cortisol is released to varying degrees throughout the day – too high or low values ​​at certain times can lead to exhaustion, tiredness or sleep disorders. Approx cost $129.00
Female Hormone Balance Testing
A comprehensive hormone panel for all women. This hormone level test helps identify how balanced hormones are the body or if imbalances may be contributing to symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, and mood disturbances. It measures key female hormone levels. Uses finger prick and saliva samples. Approx cost $199.00.
Thyroid Hormone Testing
This at home test measures thyroid hormone levels for the 3 main thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies) with this comprehensive test. All that is needed is a simple Finger prick sample. Approx Cost $99.00.
Private In-home STD Testing
Click the photo to be directed to a company that sells a variety of private in-home Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests. Clients can choose from a variety of kits with varying from simple to comprehensive. Approx Costs $59.00-$399.00.
Support for Women's Health
Vitamin A
B Complex Support
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Iron
Magnesium
Omega 3 EFA
Botanicals and Women's Health
Evening Primrose
Black Cohosh
Dong Quai (female ginseng)
Valerian Root
Ashwaganda
Rhodiola
Red Clover
Valerian Root
Women's Health Issues
Autoimmune Dysfunction
Autoimmune diseases can impact anyone. Yet certain persons have a higher risk:-Women of childbearing age, family history, environmental triggers, and ethnicity. autoimmune diseases tend to run in families(lupus & multiple sclerosis).
Different autoimmune diseases often affect different members in a family. Some genes can increase risk for autoimmune disease. Specific events or environmental exposures can cause or worsen autoimmune diseases (sunlight, solvents, viral and/or bacterial infections).Some autoimmune diseases tend to affect certain people groups more intensely. Type 1 diabetes is more common in Light-skinned persons and Lupus is worse in black individuals and Latino individuals.
Adrenal Dysfunction & Mood
Pelvic Floor Issues & Women's Mental Health
Premenstrual Dysmorphic Disorder
Disordered Eating Behaviors impact Mental Health
Breast Feeding & Psychiatric Meds
Integrative Care for Postpartum Health
Powerpoint presentation to support mental health in the postpartum period. Slide share presentation:https://www.slideshare.net/kimmercollisonris/integrative-care-for-postpartum-depression
Perimenopause & Mental Health
Menopause & Mental Health
Causes of decreased sexual interest
Low sexual interest is often linked to depression. Decreased arousal and pleasure are commonly linked to anxiousness. Physiologic sexual response can lead to fear instead of pleasure. Sexual pain is 10 x more likely to be linked to an anxiety diagnosis in women. Fluctuating hormones, high stress, depression, or medications also contribute.
Recommended Support Books
