Gynecological Disorders Flashcards
Gynecological Disorders
1) Hormone Imbalance Disorders
2) Menopause
3) Dysmenorrhea
Hormone Imbalance
aka
aka: estrogen dominance, hyperestrogenism
Hormone imbalance
–may contribute to:
1) premenstrual syndrome
2) abnormal uterine bleeding
3) benign growths of breast, uterus, ovary
4) breast cancer risk
may be affected by nutrition or botanical agents
hormone imbalance
–possible causes
1) obesity:
2) hyperinsulinemia
- -affects gonadal hormone metabolism
3) impaired hepatic estrogen metabolism
- -estrogen is conjugated and excrete in bile
4) inappropriate reactivation & absorption of excreted conjugated estrogen from the gut
- -requires beconjugation by certain intestinal flora
phytochemical effects on estrogen
1) Plant fiber
- -enhance excretion of conjugated estrogen
- -influence flora balance to reduce estrogen beconjugation
2) Phytoestrogens from soy, flax, herbs
- -may block estrogen r/c
- -may (+) estrogen catabolism
3) Cruciferous veggies
- -stim estrogen catabolism
Other influences on estrogen
1) alcohol may increase estrogen levels
2) B-Vitamins
- -needed for hepatic estrogen catabolism
- -actived B6 can block hormone r/c
3) Exercise may lower estrogen levels
premenstrual syndrome definition
- -defined by symptoms and their timing
- -when more severe and disabling = premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- -Timing: onset 7-10days before menses, ending when menses starts
- estrogen dominance appears to play a role
PMS treatment
1) estrogen-balancing approaches
- -vegetarian, high-fiber, low-fat diet
- -Vit B6 100mg/day
PMS botanical therapy
1) Vitex Agnus (Chasteberry)
- -may affect progesterone & prolactin levels
2) several tested european products
* Best choice = Femaprin by nature’s way 20mg/day
PMS combo products
PMS-specific multis
- -B-complex w. extra B6
- -Calcium & Mg
- -Vit E
- -Vitex agnus
- -phytoestrogens
Fibrocystic breast disease
a benign but painful condition
- -painful cysts are present throughout monthly cycle
- associated with estrogen dominance
- -soy protein, flaxseed, isoflavone supplement
- -may be associated with methylxanthine
- eliminate caffeine, theobromine, theophylline
Fibrocystic breast disease
*best supplement =
- -red clover isoflavones, 40mg/day
- -reduced pain by 44%
soy & hot flashes
- -mixed results…may be placebo effect
- -best results = 50% reduction w. 50mg/day
- -not effective in breast cancer survivors
–other benefits = lover LDL, BP, arterial stiffness, osteoporosis prevention
menopausal symptoms
- -hot flashes, skin & vaginal dryness, reduced libido. easy bruising
- -recent warnings against HRT
- -aerobic exercise & plant based diet
- -phytoestrogens may be pro-estrogenic rather than anti-estrogenic in perimenopausal women
menopausal symptoms & hot flashes
- -50% reduction in freq & severity = 50mg/day isoflavones, soy , or pills
- not effective in breast cancer survivors
- -other benefits = lower LDL, blood pressure, decreased arterial stiffness, osteoporosis prevention
