Have you ever wondered what your menstrual cycle looks like?
I mean, maybe you remember a thing or two from science class back in grade school, but do you ACTUALLY know what YOUR cycle looks like?
If this looks familiar to you, congrats! You are one step ahead of the curve ;) This is what your cycle SHOULD look like.
However, what if you get tested and find out it looks a bit more like this—where Estrogen is elevated and Progesterone is relatively low?
This was ME 6 months ago! The black dots indicate your hormone level relative to one another. I was low on Progesterone.
Ok now we have a problem.
Look at the first graph. Notice how Estrogen is higher in the first half of your cycle and lower in the second, relative to Progesterone.
When Estrogen is relatively higher than Progesterone during the Luteal Phase (second half of your cycle), you might find yourself with these occurring symptoms:
-acne
-PMS
-period cramps
-sore breasts
-weight gain
-back aches
-etc.
This is called Estrogen Dominance.
Does this sound like you?
It’s ok if it does, it’s more common than you think, you’re not alone!
So what can you do to rebalance your hormones?
First, I’d recommend getting a functional lab test like the Thyroid Adrenal Hormone Test I did, if you haven’t already. This gives you a snapshot of what your hormone health looks like at a given time.
You can also implement these tips to start healing your hormones:
-get consistent sleep (this is crucial for hormone regulation)
-get adequate high-quality protein like fish, legumes, and pasture raised meat
-cut back on caffeine the week leading up to your period
-eat a raw carrot a day (this helps to bind and release excess Estrogen)
Give this a go and let me know how it goes!
If you have any other questions about your period, symptoms you’re experiencing, or about functional lab testing, you can reach out to me at kc@kelseychen.com or find me on TikTok and IG @tinybutmightywellness!