But for Jenni, diet, nutrients, and exercise weren’t enough. Even though she professed she’d done everything correctly, she still suffered from headaches (especially in the beginning of her cycle), thyroid imbalance, terrible sleep, and an inability to maintain her happy weight. As a doctor who helps women balance their hormones without the need for birth control pills, I started putting the pieces together to treat Jenni’s condition. My patients have a love-hate relationship with estrogen. Some vilify it, and some (normally post-menopausal women) revere it. Yet like any hormone, estrogen isn’t good or bad; it all comes down to balance. Among its duties, estrogen gives your body fabulous hips, breasts, and thighs. It builds up endometrial tissue in your uterus to have a baby (important even if you don’t want to get pregnant). Adequate estrogen levels also protect your mood, brain, heart, and bones. You want estrogen sticking around, but you also want it to stay in check. When it starts running the show and knocks other hormones like progesterone out of whack, estrogen imbalance occurs. While it took several months to reverse Jenni’s estrogen dominance—we focused on things like detoxification and thyroid support during our follow-up consultations—eventually she felt better and hit her weight loss goals. During her last visit, she told me she felt like a new woman. Here’s an acupressure technique to balance your hormones. In the meantime, try this hormone-balancing tea.
