Hormone Optimizing Warrior M.D.

Hysterectomies are one of the commonly performed surgeries in the United States, with half a million being performed every year. More than 40% of women will end up having a hysterectomy in their lifetime. Having this procedure may mean the end of carrying a child, however if you still have your ovaries, you may be able to have biological children via a surrogate.

Your period is a sign of how your hormones are working. Being without a uterus may make it more difficult to uncover any possible problems. For some women, their uterus is associated with their womanly spirit or essence—which means the loss of their uterus can lead to feelings of loss.

Sexual function is another potential downside following a hysterectomy. The degree to which your sex life may be impacted depends on your age, the reason your uterus was removed, and whether your cervix and/or ovaries were removed.

It's important to know there are potential traumas that can happen due to having this type of surgery. Other organs like your kidneys and bladder could be affected. For example, a significant percentage of women experience increased feelings of urgency to urinate and frequency of urination after a hysterectomy.

Before you decide to get a hysterectomy, it's important to consider your personal circumstances. Ask your health professionals about your options, and don't be afraid to get a second opinion. Depending on your age, the state of your uterus, and your personal preferences, you may be better off choosing surgical or non-surgical options that allow you to keep your uterus.

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Does a perfect diet exist? Some of the most popular diets to follow today include paleo, keto, and carnivore. While any one of these diets might make you feel good for a few weeks or months, variety is the key to eating in a way that fully supports a well-functioning body.

Being on any specific diet for a long time has the potential to help you lose weight. Many lead to a natural reduction in calories by emphasizing whole foods. Stable and improved blood sugar levels are also a common outcome from reducing processed carbs. Reduced inflammation is another benefit of following a specific diet.

Genetic individuality can also influence how any one diet impacts you specifically. One negative outcome, specifically those with an emphasis on high protein, can put a strain on your kidneys. Another downside might be inadequate fiber intake from excluding foods like grains and legumes.

Knowing there are pros and cons to each diet, how do you choose which one is best? The truth is there's no such thing as a perfect diet—but there may be a perfect diet for you. While you're exploring your options, here are a few things to look for: adequate nutrients, a focus on whole foods, balanced macronutrients, and controlled portions.

Even the perfect diet should allow for the occasional treat. Balance is the key to maintaining a strong diet long-term. Whatever diet you choose, it should be sustainable and support your health goals, whether that's weight loss, autoimmune disease, or blood sugar balance.

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Food is medicine, and what you eat has a significant impact on your health. While it's good to be conscious and intentional with what you eat, an intense focus on your diet can easily turn into an obsession. This is in part due to the fact that awareness around how what we eat affects our bodies has increased recently.

Different types of diets and eating styles have also been popularized online. Dietary advice is just about everywhere you look, pressuring you to eat a specific way to lose weight. Some of the most well-known diets include Mediterranean, carnivore, Atkins, Whole30 diet, and paleo.

Alongside types of diets, there are also different types of eating patterns or eating styles. One such example is intermittent fasting. This pattern narrows your eating window to between 6 and 8 hours. This style of eating has been documented to support cellular repair. However, if not done properly, this can instigate erratic eating habits for some people or lead to nutrient deficiencies.

Intermittent fasting may also lead to an increase in cortisol. However, this varies greatly from person to person. Some people experience a temporary rise, while others adapt without any fluctuation at all. If you're going to try this eating style, make sure you also prioritize sleep so you can manage stress and reduce any negative outcomes from this eating pattern.

Repeated exposure to intermittent fasting protocols may change the way you interpret hunger signals (hunger hormones) from your body. This, along with other hormones like norepinephrine and melatonin, can also be impacted by fasting cycles. If you decide to try intermittent fasting, be sure to monitor your body's response and modify the pattern (or try another style) if needed.

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Let's talk about the reality of food addiction. Whether you realize it or not, many of us are addicted to the foods we eat, at least to some degree. Our addiction to food affects us every day. What we eat plays a significant role in allowing our bodies to maintain homeostasis and can either help us reduce our toxic burden or increase it.

Once we can no longer manage our toxic burden, we become symptomatic. These symptoms can vary widely from person to person, making it difficult to identify detoxification as a possible issue. If you're eating food that you know is bad for you and you're doing it anyway, it's another sign that this could be causing issues for you.

Awareness is one thing, but you also need to have a willingness to change. This is as true for food addiction as it is for any other. On top of that, processed foods are designed to be highly palatable. These foods fire up your brain's reward centers and induce feelings of pleasure, encouraging you to go back for more.

Food addiction can have very negative emotional and psychological effects. It can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and an unhealthy relationship or unhealthy cycles with food. How do we fix it? Recognizing the problem comes first, and the decision to fix it comes next. Connecting with someone who understands, like a health professional or support group, can help.

You may also need to identify your trigger foods. Keeping a food journal to track your habits can help, as well as planning and preparing your meals. Focusing on your intake of nutrient dense foods can help you satisfy your body's needs and reduce cravings for addictive processed foods.

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We are exposed to a lot of unhealthy chemicals through our lifestyle and diet. In fact, ingestion is one of the main ways we are exposed to toxic compounds. In this sense, a clean diet isn't just one that's healthy or home cooked—it's also one that limits exposure to these chemicals.

One of the main issues most people run into is being too busy or overwhelmed to prioritize our diet and looking to foods of convenience. In our haste to be efficient and satisfy our taste buds, we develop habits that work temporarily but might hurt us in the long run.

The way our food is produced matters. Opting for products in a container, box, can, or bag may increase your exposure to chemicals. Processed foods contain additives, artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, and other synthetic compounds. A focus on eating whole, unprocessed foods can help reduce your toxic burden.

Cancer rates have been rising over the last few decades. For those born after 1960, the risk of cancer is 1 in 2 in your lifetime. Most experts agree that diet and lifestyle is one of the most significant factors in these increasing rates. The way we farm our food is also hurting our health. By consuming genetically modified foods and foods that are sprayed heavily with chemicals, we are increasing our chances of negative health outcomes.

Your body is capable of eliminating many of these chemicals and potentially harmful compounds, unless you are taking them in to the point that your body becomes overwhelmed. PFAS, more specifically, have greater longevity and can take years to be eliminated from the body. In many ways, we haven't yet scratched the surface as to how these toxic compounds are affecting us in the long term.

Endocrine disruption and obesity: A current review on environmental obesogens https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7326440/

PFAS Exposure and Risk of Cancer https://dceg.cancer.gov/research/what-we-study/pfas

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When it comes to women's health, many are concerned about how hormones might put them at a higher risk for cancer. At the same time, so few women are not as concerned with the toxins they come into contact with every day, which definitely do put them at a higher risk for cancer.

Thousands of chemicals have been introduced into our daily modern lives: walking barefoot on your carpet, breathing in car exhaust, and washing your clothes with detergent to name a few. Even the skincare you use exposes you to toxins. This increases the toxic burden on your body. Complete avoidance of exposure isn't the goal, but rather to lower the burden enough for our own detoxification system to keep up.

So, what are the symptoms of an overwhelmed detoxification system? Autoimmune diseases, chemical sensitivity, digestive issues, skin issues, mental illness, fatigue, stubborn weight loss, migraines, and menstrual issues are all signs of this issue. Your liver is your primary detox organ and plays a significant role in processing and eliminating toxins.

Normal bowel function is also critical for eliminating toxins. Those with declining kidney function or kidney disease can also struggle to flush out toxins. There are some types of genetic conditions (mutations) that can influence detoxification processes via the body's various detox pathways. Genetic testing can give you insight into your body's ability to deal with these compounds.

Each hepatic cell has about 1,000-2,000 mitochondria, so the liver needs a lot of energy to work efficiently. The liver needs crucial trace minerals and vitamins for the intense process of detoxification. This is why a medical grade detox program usually contains pre-packaged pills and supplements designed to enhance the different phases of detox and support each step along the way.

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Have you been exposed to estrogen receptor disruptors like phthalates, BPA, pesticides, and other chemicals? These substances can mimic, block, or alter the effects of estrogen on our cells, leading to significant potential health risks. These disruptors interfere with your hormones, but there are strategies you can use to detoxify from them and reduce your risk of related issues.

Endocrine disruptors were defined as exogenous compounds that interfere with pathways of endogenous hormones at the level of synthesis, storage, metabolism, elimination, and binding. Exposure is associated with hormone-related cancers like uterine cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancers.

Estrogen is not the cause of cancer, but estrogen disrupting substances are associated with cancer. In order to reduce this risk, it's critical to minimize exposure to these substances. A few ways of doing this include opting for organic food, using natural cleaning products, and using natural personal care products. By raising awareness and addressing these risk factors, you can make informed choices to support your health and hormonal balance.

What are the top ten signs you've been exposed to estrogen receptor disruptors? Changes in menstrual cycles is one, including abnormal bleeding patterns. Infertility is another big sign that estrogen disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are having an impact on you. Changes in breast tissue may also occur due to exposure.

Weight gain is another sign, as persistent exposure can influence your metabolism. Mood swings and fatigue can also be signs that EDCs are having an effect on you. Thyroid issues and endometriosis are further signs that you've been exposed to these chemicals. Lastly, breast cancer and various reproductive disorders are red flags that exposure to xenoestrogens may be causing issues for you.

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Our estrogen receptors play a significant role in our health as women. Knowing what they are, what they do, and how they work really matters, especially if you want to feel informed and empowered about your health. While estrogen is not the enemy, estrogen receptors play a role in all female cancers, including uterine cancer, and many other health related issues.

Estrogen has hundreds of functions in the female body. There are actually different types of estrogens our body can make: Estradiol (made by the ovaries), estriol (made in pregnancy), and estrone (produced during menopause). These estrogens bind to proteins, called estrogen receptors, which are found throughout a woman's body.

Both alpha estrogen receptors and beta estrogen receptors are expressed in our cardiovascular and central nervous system. Our cellular growth is greatly influenced by these receptor interactions too. While alpha is associated with hypergrowth and proliferation, beta is associated with balance and safety.

When estrogen acts on its own unchecked and unbalanced by progesterone—or when your system is hijacked by disruptors— issues related to estrogen proliferation can occur. Estrogen receptors can be influenced by chemicals as well, and these can act as a sort of virus on the receptors, causing dysfunction.

Estrogen is found in so many organs and systems in the female body, so the health of these receptors is crucial to healthy, functioning hormones. Molecules that can bind to these receptors include phthalates, BPA, pesticides, and more. These exogenous substances can bind to our receptors and lead to adverse health outcomes like infertility, various types of cancer, obesity, immune function problems, and more.

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By understanding the risk factors, you can reduce the risk factors not only for uterine cancer, but for all cancers. As women, there are steps we can take early on to avoid having uterine cancer later in life. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 37 women will develop uterine cancer in their lifetime.

Uterine cancer is more common in women who are postmenopausal or over the age of 50. After 50, women have little or no estrogen. Hormonal imbalances like estrogen dominance can also increase the risk of uterine cancer. Other conditions, like PCOS, are also correlated with higher instances of uterine cancer.

Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for this type of cancer, especially endometrial cancer. This is because an excess of fat tissue leads to higher levels of estrogen in the body, leading to estrogen dominance, increasing the risk of uterine cancer development. In particular, fat distribution along the midsection adds to the risk.

Regular screening for risk factors can play a key role in uterine cancer prevention. If you've experienced early onset menstruation, late menopause, and/or a history of infertility, you may also be at a higher risk. Women with diabetes also have an elevated risk.

Genetics also play a role. There are gene mutations that increase the risk for developing uterine cancer. If you notice symptoms like pain, discomfort, or abnormal uterine bleeding, it's important to talk to your health professional about it right away. Discuss birth control options with your doctor, as some may offer protection from uterine cancer.

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Even though uterine cancer isn't common, it's crucial to diagnose and treat it as soon as possible. Because this type of cancer presents with very clear signs and symptoms, it's possible to detect it early, and early detection supports more positive treatment outcomes.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is an early sign of uterine cancer. This includes prolonged or heavy periods, bleeding after menopause, or bleeding in between your periods. If your period is heavy month after month or if you're bleeding twelve months after you've finished the time in your life where you've menstruated naturally, this needs to be investigated.

Pelvic pain and pelvic pressure may also be a sign of uterine cancer, and so is abnormal vaginal discharge. Women with uterine cancer may also experience pain or discomfort during intercourse. If you're ever not sure if what you're feeling is normal or not, it's worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Significant unexplained weight loss may be a sign of an underlying health issue, including uterine cancer. This typically looks like a lot of weight loss that happens without any additional exercise or dieting measures. Another symptom is a feeling of fullness or bloating in the pelvic area. Persistent chronic fatigue is a possible symptom too.

Uterine cancer can also lead to chronic blood loss and anemia. If you're feeling any of these symptoms, don't dismiss them. Don't be so busy taking care of everyone else that you forget to make yourself a priority. Regular screenings can also help detect uterine cancer too. Remember to advocate for yourself and request a pelvic ultrasound on your annual checkup after the age of 50.

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