4 Root Causes of Pelvic Pain

Have you ever wondered if there might be other ways to deal with endometriosis and pelvic pain than to just take the birth control pill?

Then keep reading.

Even though the causes and contributing factors are unique to each woman dealing with pelvic pain, there are common causes we can investigate with functional medicine. For example:

1️⃣ Hormone Imbalance

Some women with endometriosis have estrogen dominance, or a mismatch between the amount of estrogen and progesterone produced. How do we test? Hormone testing.

2️⃣ Gut Microbiome

Research has found unique changes in the gut microbiome associated with endometriosis. How do we test? Stool tests.

3️⃣ Immune Reactions

Higher concentrations of inflammatory molecules and immune cells are found in endometrial tissues, suggesting immune reactions may be at play. How do we test? Blood tests.

4️⃣ Chemicals & Toxins

Common everyday products like plastics and lotions often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals that mess with your hormones and can contribute to endometriosis and pelvic pain.

Give us a tap ❤️ if you’d rather get to the root cause than take a pill until menopause.

And then head on over to our website to get started. Getting to the root cause is our specialty.

Not Enough People Are Talking About This.

Nearly every chronic disease is linked to this one thing.

😬😬😬Not enough people are talking about this.

Nearly every chronic disease in the world today can be linked back to this same thing. 

🔥 Chronic Inflammation 🔥

3 out of 5 people worldwide die because of chronic inflammatory diseases, and the World Health Organization ranks these diseases as the greatest threat to human health. 

Chronic inflammation is at play in:

🔹 Diabetes

🔹 Heart Disease

🔹 Autoimmune Disease

🔹 Arthritis

🔹 Eczema

🔹 IBD (Crohn’s & Colitis)

🔹 Depression

The list goes on….

But here’s what you really need to know. 

Chronic inflammation can be subtle as it gradually builds up over time. Even in the absence of a chronic disease, inflammation can contribute to:

🔸 Fatigue

🔸 Achiness

🔸 Sleep Problems

🔸 Anxiety

🔸 Weight Gain

🔸 Weight Loss

🔸 Digestive Issues

Or other vague and confusing health issues. 

There’s so much to unpack about chronic inflammation that I’m going to commit a series of posts to this topic. 

Up next? 

👉 What’s causing the inflammation?? 

Stay tuned.

Is There a Supplement to Support Dopamine?

🤷‍♀️ Is there a supplement to support dopamine?

Dopamine is the brain chemical that gives us a sense of pleasure and drives motivation and reward. 

Some people might think that boosting dopamine is only a good thing, but not so fast. 

There are helpful ways to trigger dopamine release—like meditation, listening to music, or going outside in the sun. 

But there are also harmful ways to trigger dopamine release—like drinking alcohol, gambling, or binge eating. Over time, addictive behaviors can alter how your brain responds to dopamine. 

So where do supplements fall on the spectrum of helpful to harmful? 

Let’s look at the potential pros and cons. 

Supplements that support dopamine may also support:

🔸 Energy

🔸 Focus

🔸 Learning

🔸 Mood

🔸 Libido

BUT too much dopamine may also come with some risks:

🔹 Impulsivity

🔹 Thrill Seeking

🔹 Tolerance (less response to dopamine over time)

If supplements that support dopamine are used unnecessarily, in too high amounts, or for too long, they could end up making the problem worse over time. 

One supplement you may have heard called the “dopa bean” is Macuna pruriens. It has been used as part of the Ayurvedic tradition for centuries, but it does contain l-dopa, which is the precursor to dopamine. 

Be cautious and aware if ever choosing new supplements on your own. While most are safe, it’s always best to consult with a health practitioner who understands natural supplements. 

This is our specialty. 

Drop me your favorite emoji if you learned something from this post. 

Little-Known Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice

Did you know that tart cherries are naturally rich in melatonin—the hormone that supports sleep at night?! 

Not only that, but here are 5 more health benefits of tart cherry juice:

🍒 may reduce soreness and speed up recovery after intense exercise

🍒 high in antioxidants to support immune function 

🍒 may reduce uric acid levels, which are associated with gout

Tart cherry juice is more concentrated in several nutrients than sweet cherry juice, so be sure to read the label carefully!

Drop me a 🍒 in the comments if you’ve ever tried this juice!

[New Study] How Intermittent Fasting Affects Women’s Hormones

✨new research on intermittent fasting in women ✨

Intermittent fasting is effective for weight loss, but we have never known whether it has any effect on female hormones—until now.

A study at The University of Illinois Chicago looked at the hormonal effects in 23 obese pre- and postmenopausal women following the “warrior diet.”

The warrior diet restricts eating to a 4 or 6-hour window each day and allows only for water for the other 18-20 hours.

Here’s what they found after 8 weeks:

↔️ There were no changes in testosterone or SHBG levels in pre- or postmenopausal women

↔️ There were no changes in estrogen or progesterone levels in postmenopausal women (these weren’t tested in premenopausal)

⬇️ DHEA levels dropped by about 14% in both pre- and postmenopausal women

The women following the warrior diet did experience weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity.

The study was published in Obesity in October 2022.

The takeaway?

👉 Intermittent fasting may lower DHEA levels in women. This is a hormone that is important for fertility and as a precursor to other hormones after menopause.

We need to weigh the risks and benefits for each individual because there is no one-size fits all. Plus, we need to keep following the research as it comes out (we’ll do that part so you don’t have to!).

If you need a personalized approach to your hormones and weight, please book a consult. Appointments can be scheduled at elementsnatmed.com 🔗

Reference

Faiza Kalam, Rand T. Akasheh, Sofia Cienfuegos, et al. Effect of time‐restricted eating on sex hormone levels in premenopausal and postmenopausal females. Obesity, 2022. [link]