Lower oestrogen occurs during peri-menopause and menopause. There are actually many benefits to being menopausal (more on that another day), but while the change is taking place, it can be uncomfortable. Some symptoms of lower oestrogens include:
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Hot flushes
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Insomnia
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Vaginal dryness
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Loss in libido
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Mood swings
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Depression
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Loss of usual interest in femininity – clothes, makeup etc.
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Loss of interest any domestic activities
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Less accommodating towards family
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Weight gain
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Bone loss
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Night sweats
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Increased appetite
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Diminished fertility/infertility
Oestrogen levels can start to decline from age 35, due to less ripe eggs being available.
DID YOU KNOW? Gluten intolerance and breast-feeding are other explanations for low oestrogen.
Maca is a nutritional supplement that can support women with low oestrogen. Lepidium peruvianum comes from the root of a plant traditionally found in Peru. It is a ‘super-food’ used as a powder in smoothies and or taken as a capsule. It is known for energy, libido and mood enhancing effects.
If you know that you are peri-menopausal or menopausal with low oestrogen symptoms, you can take 2000mg Maca a day to help with sweats, flushes, libido, dryness and mood. Get an organic brand if you can.
If you are not expecting menopause (you are below the age of 40) then you can take Maca but, be wise and also visit a gynaecologist to get your hormone levels checked. This is especially important if you still want to have children. From the work of Dr Sara Gottfried, I have learnt that measurement of AMH (anti-mullerian hormone) is even more reliable for detecting diminished ovarian reserve than FSH levels (follicle stimulating hormone). AMH can predict the age of menopause!
And don’t forget! Stress management is the key to many hormonal imbalances.
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deep breathe
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learn to say” No”
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hang out with supportive women
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track your cycles
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get to bed
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consider vitamin c and fish oils to lower cortisol
The Evidence for Maca
Meissner, Kapczynski W, Mscisz A, et al. “Use of a gelatinized maca (Lepidium peruvianum) in early-postmenopausal women – A pilot study.” International Journal of Biomedical Science I (1) (2005): 33-45.
Meissner H, et al. “Hormone-balancing effect of pre-gelatinized organic maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to maca in double-blind, randomized, crossover configuration, outpatient study.” International Journal of Biomedical Science 2 (4) (2006): 375-394.
Try Yogasync for another method shown to help with hot flushes:
