Wine can certainly make PMS & menopause symptoms more bearable, but there's a better way!
(even if you are years away from menopause, read on)
At 47 I am in the early stages of menopause, called perimenopause. After all the years of hearing about women suffering I am vowing to learn how to support my body through this process. That's not to say there won't be any symptoms but I will figure out how to minimize the symptoms as much as possible.
Hot flashes and emotional rollercoasters are just that, symptoms. And symptoms are your body's way of communicating to you that it needs support.
I firmly believe there are natural remedies for every illness and imbalance out there. If we support our body properly it can heal.
Endocrine health affects every function in the body. The endocrine system is made up of glands located all over the body. Each gland releases hormones. When one gland is not functioning properly they entire system is off.
The glands include
Hypothalamus: This gland is located in your brain and controls your endocrine system. It uses information from your nervous system to determine when to tell other glands, including the pituitary gland, to produce hormones. The hypothalamus controls many processes in your body, including your mood, hunger and thirst, sleep patterns and sexual function.
Pituitary: This little gland is only about the size of a pea, but it has a big job. It makes hormones that control several other glands such as the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles. The pituitary gland is in charge of many different functions, including how your body grows. It’s located at the base of your brain.
Thyroid: Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It’s responsible for your metabolism (how your body uses energy).
Parathyroid: These four tiny glands are no larger than a grain of rice. They control the level of calcium in your body. For your heart, kidneys, bones and nervous system to work, you need the right amount of calcium.
Adrenal: You have two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney. They control your metabolism, blood pressure, sexual development and response to stress.
Pineal: This gland manages your sleep cycle by releasing melatonin, a hormone that causes you to feel sleepy.
Pancreas: Your pancreas is part of your endocrine system, and it plays a significant role in your digestive system too. It makes a hormone called insulin that controls the level of sugar in your blood.
Ovaries: In women, the ovaries release sex hormones called estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Women have two ovaries in their lower abdomen, one on either side.
Testes: In men, the testes (testicles) make sperm and release the hormone testosterone. This hormone affects sperm production, muscle strength and sex drive.
The thought of having to keep each gland healthy can be a bit overwhelming. Thankfully there are products created for the entire endocrine system. FEMICRINE has quickly become my favorite. I absolutely love everything I have tried from this company. (I do not get paid for recommending this) You'll see it says it's for support in menopause. HOWEVER, it is great for females of ALL AGES. (there are also products available for males) If you are under 40 years old and would prefer something geared towards PMS support you could try Fpms (love the name!!) I have not personally used it but it is the same company. I have used several of their products and have been more than satisfied with everything so far.
One important thing I like to recommend, start slow. Sometimes taking a product to balance the endocrine system can kind of put your body in shock. To avoid this you can start by taking one dose every other day. When I say "shock" I just mean you may get headaches or your body may feel achy or energized etc. Nothing that's harmful, just your body balancing back out. The same thing can happen when you take any supplement. It's always good to start with low doses and work your way up. I'll be honest, I have not been consistent with this supplement. I take it when I remember. I have already had a lot of relief from PMS and the hot flashes I as starting to get.
I've talked a lot about female reproductive balancing but I also want to point out ho much the endocrine system affects the digestive system too. The digestive and reproductive systems are very intertwined. When one is off the other is off. So when looking for a good endocrine supplement you want one that has ingredients geared towards digestive health. That's the other thing I like about FEMICRINE, it has botanicals for the digestive system too.