Here is an email I received that is very typical of many, many others.  Read it and see if you can relate:

Dear Barbara:

"Can you help me? About 2 years ago I started to get increasingly anxious, right around when I started into perimenopause and skipping periods.  My body started feeling like I was jumping out of my skin.  Then I would start worrying about every little thing. Then I got crabby at my husband and kids and everyone wanted to avoid Mom.  Now I feel it is getting worse.  If I go to the grocery store I can feel panicky in the store and sometimes I am too anxious to even think about what I want to buy.  I have NO reason to be so anxious and I feel it is something wrong with my hormones.  Nothing like this runs in my family and my sisters keep telling me to calm down, but that is not easy.  I refuse to take anxiety medications because I am afraid of them and I think this is something I can help.  What can I do? I'm so tired of being nervous & anxious."

You all know the symptoms of anxiety....irrational or intense fear, muscle tension, jaw-clenching, teeth-grinding, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, a choking sensation or nausea, jumpiness, irritability, shakiness, sudden sweating....you may have some of these or all or even ones I did not mention....pulling on your hair for instance.

Mild to moderate anxiety or generalized anxiety is very widespread and common among women today.  Even women who say they were never anxious before in their lives can develop anxiety and/or panic attacks as they experience hormonal changes.  It is ESPECIALLY common during peri-menopause.  As a matter of fact, it can be the first sign that you are entering this phase.

Other periods of hormonal change that can trigger anxiety in women are:  Puberty, PMS, and following childbirth.  Personally, I did not have any post-partum depression, but I definitely had post-partum anxiety.  I was absolutely convinced that if I lay my baby down, something awful was going to happen when I was not looking.  It was both irrational and intense at the same time!  Hysterectomy also can cause anxiety due to the dramatic decrease of hormones due to the surgical removal of the uterus and/or ovaries.

Medication for anxiety is prescribed freely.  In fact, women who simply complain of hot flashes are often given Xanax, Ativan or Valium.  Our email writer is afraid to take anti-anxiety meds and she has a valid point.  They can be highly addictive and do not correct the root cause of the anxiety.  They simply mask the symptoms so that you can function. Also, it has been found that these drugs can actually make symptoms worse in older women.  Others say they will feel calm, but also like a "zombie" while taking them.

This is not to say that all  people do not need anti-anxiety medications.  However, there are ways that you can support yourself, naturally, to reduce your symptoms or even to eliminate them.

Most of the anxiety in women appears to fall into two categories:  Hormonal and Brain Neurotransmitter dysfunction.  There are natural ways to address both of these.

You have heard me say that natural progesterone is a natural anti-anxiety agent. How does it work? Progesterone is known as a neurosteroid, because it is synthesized in the central nervous system.  It distinctly affects nerve function and therefore mood and calmness. 

Progesterone is known to enhance the calming effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) by activating the GABA receptor sites and it also suppresses the brain's excitatory response. The anti-anxiety affect has been noticed very quickly in some people with reports of as little as ten minutes. The  anti-anxiety response has been compared to that found with benzodiazepine drugs, but without the risk of addiction. Isn't that wonderful?

GABA in itself is a calming neurotransmitter.  If progesterone and GABA are used together the calming affect is enhanced. The recommended does of progesterone is between 40-80mg per day. You can use more during an anxious episode.

In my experience, relief from perimenopausal and menopausal anxiety and panic attacks can be gained when hormone balance is restored.

For years women have been told that their anxiety is "all in their head".  Guess what? This is not entirely untrue!  If your neurotransmitters are not balanced, your brain makes you more prone to a high level of excitability and more prone to a fearful response to events. Constant high levels of the excitatory neurotransmitters (adrenaline, epinephrine) and low levels of the calming neurotransmitters (GABA and serotonin) can alter the circuitry of the brain.  Your stress response never recedes keeping you in a chronic state of adrenalin-fueled feelings and behavior. In other words, a "nervous wreck!"

The messages from the brain are designed to be sent in a calm, rhythmic fashion.  When the neurotransmitter balance is disrupted the signals are sent in a jerky fashion and often too many at once.  Then you become anxious....and no wonder! Your entire body feels restless, your heart can be beating faster, emotions are heightened, mental focus becomes very narrow, you can't breathe deeply and you can experience sheer panic.  You will definitely have problems sleeping as well. This can be helped!  You are NOT alone.  There are literally thousands and thousands of people in your shoes probably at the same time you are experiencing YOUR anxiety!

What are the recommendations for this type of anxiety:   

 GABA:  is involved in the production of endorphins, the brain chemicals that create a feeling of well- being.        

L-Theonine: a naturally occurring amino acid found in green tea. It is involved in the formation of GABA

5-HT– raises serotonin levels which promotes a sense of calm focus.

Melatonin- good sleep promotes good brain chemistry.   

These supplements work to calm you without drowsiness and will also increase mental clarity. GABA and L-Theonine seem to work the fastest. I love a product called Zen-Mind. It works for me!

Of course, if you have a severe anxiety disorder, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or social phobias, you should contact your healthcare practitioner.  However, these conditions afflict only a small minority of people who suffer from anxiety.  The rest of you might want to give GABA and progesterone a try.  You could add the other supplements as needed.

"I cannot find a Doctor who knows about Bioidentical Hormones OR I cannot afford the office visit.   Is there anything I can do myself to Balance My Hormones?"

Don't be dismayed.  You are not alone AND there are some easy things you can do to help yourself.  Actually, even with insurance
coverage and no financial concerns, many women are still becoming their own health advocate...as evidenced by the many women's health websites that have recently been established, not to mention the plethora of chat rooms wherein women are counseling and advising each other.  Hormone balance discussions are a good thing because there are some simple natural remedies to many of the symptoms that do not require a doctor visit or a prescription medication.  Remember..menopause is a transition, not a disease and women throughout the years have been going through it without being under a doctor's care.

Now, do not misunderstand me.  I have worked in and with the medical community for over 30 years and I deeply respect physicians.  However, it is true that many doctors either will not accept insurance, do not have knowledge of bioidentical hormones and thus continue to prescribe synthetic hormones, or charge office visit fees that are not affordable for many women.  I know of one woman who paid over $500 for her "hormone evaluation".  Just today, I heard of a doctor who is charging $1500 to become one of one of the doctor's hormone patients!

So...are you having some of these miserable symptoms of Estrogen Dominance:  

• Weight Gain
  Insomnia
• Breasts tenderness
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Inability to concentrate
• Creeping forgetfulness
• Panic attacks
• Bloating
• Mood swings
• Dry hair/skin
• Low sex drive

Is this you?  Are you yearning to get rid of this unwanted fat? Friends, you are not alone.  In fact, this tummy pooch is epidemic!  Let's get educated and "bare arms" against this insidious enemy

Ladies, I field these "weight gain" calls on a daily basis. Women who call me are complaining about 2 things:
 1) a weight gain of between 10-40 pounds, (yes, I'm not kidding and I'm sure many of you are sadly nodding in agreement...up to 40 pounds!)
2) the change in the shape of their bodies. You ask, what is going on?  You describe it as a "spare tire" or, in today's jargon, a "muffin top" You have new fat accumulated around your stomach, buttocks and thighs!  Somehow this might be easier to take if it was evenly distributed over your entire body.   Instead, you have pants that don't fit, zippers left undone and are investing in tunic tops and SPANX is the new Wall-Street darling.

WHAT'S GOING ON?  It's HORMONAL! 
We have already discussed estrogen dominance causes (see my last blog).  It causes WEIGHT GAIN!

Here is the sad truth in a nutshell:

When hormones become unbalanced and estrogen dominance occurs, the average man or woman may add 1-2 pounds per year between ages 35 and 55. This weight goes right around the middle and can be almost nuclear as far as losing the weight until hormones are balanced.

Excess estrogen (estrogen dominance caused when progesterone is low)

• Causes abdominal tissues to retain water and causes BLOATING. When you are menstruating, this bloating occurs right around the menstrual cycle. When you no longer have periods and are not producing progesterone, the bloating will be a constant problem.
• Estrogen prompts your body to CONVERT CALORIES INTO FAT instead of using them for energy.
• Estrogen dominance causes the fat to be stored IN THE ABDOMINAL AREA. Abdominal fat is a sign that the body's internal hormonal ratio of progesterone to estrogen is disturbed.

WHAT'S ELSE IS GOING ON?  Could it be my thyroid?  YES! It's all related!

Thyroid is negatively affected when progesterone is low.  

Studies reveal that estrogen dominance can cause an increase in thyroid binding globulin, placing the thyroid into a sluggish state. Of course, the thyroid gland affects metabolism and when it is not working properly, all of your dieting and exercise will be futile.

I always tell women that Thyroid and Progesterone are Best Friends; The Thyroid gland needs you to have your progesterone/estrogen balanced to keep your metabolism strong.

ANOTHER THING:  WHY AM I CRAVING SUGAR?

The Answer Is: Estrogen dominance can cause insulin to be released more often than it is needed due to a condition called insulin resistance. This extra release of insulin causes the body to crave sugar. As you know, these cravings can be uncontrollable in nature. No matter how hard you try, you find yourself eating when you are not hungry, and you cannot stop your brain from demanding that you consume something sweet.

Solution: Progesterone balances estrogen and regulates the release of insulin. Did you know that insulin spikes cause the body to store fat?  Are you getting the total picture? 

It is ALL PREVENTABLE with hormone balance!

WHY DO I HAVE TO LOOK LIKE THIS PEAR?

Estrogen levels impact where the body distributes fat. Estrogen is made and maintained by abdominal fat so fat cells accumulate around the abdomen when you are estrogen dominant It is a very vicious cycle. Fat cells make estrogen and, in turn, the estrogen tells your body to store fat. Without balancing your hormones, you will NOT break the cycle no matter how hard you diet or exercise!

WHAT IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON?  NATURAL PROGESTERONE!  A very simple, inexpensive investment!

You can lose that Muffin Top!  Why  Natural Progesterone Your Answer:

• Progesterone encourages the body to use calories for energy (it is thermogenic). (Without enough progesterone, the body is compromised in its ability to metabolize calories)
• A metabolic response is triggered at the cellular level that will allow weight loss to occur
• It acts as a natural diuretic, reducing bloating
• Insulin release is regulated, reducing food cravings and normalizing blood sugar
• Progesterone counterbalances cortisol (the stress hormone) which also tells the body to store fat. (Your "pooch" can be caused by exposure to high rates of cortisol!)
• Progesterone occupies receptor sites and protects you from the effects of xenoestrogens (counterfeit hormones that cause a buildup of toxins in the fat cells, especially around the middle!)
• Hormone balance helps keep serotonin at normal levels. Serotonin helps the body control appetite, food cravings and binge eating.

WHAT IS THE DOSE?

Get yourself a good natural progesterone crème and use as follows:

Menstruating Women:  1/4 tsp twice daily day 12-26 of the menstrual cycle
Non-menstruating Women: 1/4 tsp for 25 days each month.  Take a 5 day break.

HERE'S WHAT WOMEN ARE SAYING ~ you CAN lose that Abdominal Fat, too!

"Okay, Barbara, sounds Great. Where do I find a good crème?  Do I need a Doctor's appointment?"

If you have a doctor who is working with you with your bio-identical hormones, he or she can certainly write you a prescription for progesterone.  (Be sure it is progesterone and NOT a synthetic progestin)  However, you can also purchase natural progesterone
over-the-counter.  Look for a crème containing 1000 mg of progesterone in a 2 ounce jar.  Simply use as directed.
For my personal recommendation, visit www.bhnformulas.com

Questions?  email me at:  drbarbara@askdrbarbara.com
I welcome hearing from you!

P.S. MEN CAN HAVE ESTROGEN DOMINANCE WEIGHT GAIN, TOO
                   We will discuss that at a future date
                   OR call for a copy of my men's information packet  877-539-6200

Do You Feel Like an Alien in your own body?
Most Likely It's Your Hormones!

I'm Barbara Hoffman, N.D. author of Hope For Your Hormones and I have spoken with over 100,000 women about Hormone Balance since 1992. And I want to help YOU!

Ladies, I have heard this feeling described repeatedly over these past many years. Women are saying "I just don't feel like myself anymore and it's debilitating." You say "I'm cranky, depressed, bloated, have no energy, cannot focus, can't sleep and my hair is falling out". Some of you say, "I've been told I'm going crazy" by my husband/children/even doctor! You are at your wit's end. What is going on? Guess, what? These symptoms are related to a condition called Estrogen dominance. A woman can have deficient, normal, or excessive estrogen but has little or no progesterone to balance it. This can make you feel like you are literally losing your mind! I have been consulting on natural hormone balance for almost 20 years and I know I can help you!

But... you say, "I've always learned that we need estrogen as we get older because our estrogen disappears. Not the problem! It's progesterone that becomes overwhelmed or diminished, NOT estrogen.

Let me ask: IS THIS YOU? LOOK AT ALL THESE SYMPTOMS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE!

These symptoms may sound common to some of you, but they are not normal! If you have any of them, it is essential to get your hormones back in balance as soon as you can. The symptoms will only get worse especially the weight gain. And who wants that? Natural progesterone créme has helped many women lose weight!

I hear you saying "What Has Happened to Me?" As your ovaries age, their function begins to decline. The progesterone hormone production falls dramatically between the ages of 35 and 50. Progesterone is the "feel good hormone" and you will definitely begin to not feel good! Your estrogen hormones now have undue influence on your body and you are Estrogen Dominant. Sadly, many women have experienced this state since puberty causing them to experience PMS symptoms which they took as "normal". Things are not hopeless! Estrogen Dominance can be stopped and reversed.

When Can Estrogen Dominance Take Over YOUR Life?

• During peri-menopause or premenopause
• When you are exposed to xenoestrogens, those environmental toxins and chemicals in the air and food which have an estrogenic effect on the body.
• When you are taking estrogen replacement therapy or birth control pills that are high in estrogen.
• When you have a hysterectomy and either your ovaries are removed or are no longer functioning properly. Did you know that even when the ovaries remain, they function sub-optimally after a hysterectomy?
• When you have had a tubal ligation that affects the function of your ovaries.
• When stress is a factor in a woman's life. Ha, ha, is there someone who does NOT have stress as a factor?

HOW DO I CORRECT MY ESTROGEN DOMINANCE?

It's not that difficult! Start now, before things get worse!

• NUMBER 1 REMEDY: Use natural progesterone créme will usually restore hormonal balance and help a woman "feel like myself" again. Use just 25 days of the month for non-menstruating women and 12 days per month for menstruating women
• Avoid external sources of estrogen (xenoestrogens from meats, dairy, plastic, petrochemicals, pesticides and herbicides
• Use a supplement called DIM (diindolyl methane) or Indole-3-Carbinol which encourages your body to excrete excess estrogens. Good for men, too!

You can get back to normal! As I say, "Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life" Has your doctor placed you on synthetic hormones? Is your spouse, mate, child ready to move out? Are your friends worried about you? Do you have a hormone nightmare story? Let's share & get through this together!