Perimenopause and your thyroid

​Perimenopause and your thyroid.

Perimenopause is the phase before menopause. It can begin as early as in your thirties, but usually start between ages 40 and 45. You might start noticing that your period is changing- it might be longer or shorter, more frequent or skipping cycles, more or less flow, as well as symptoms that comes with hormonal changes.

Perimenopause can last a few months upto  a few years. Once you have had no period for 12 months, the perimenopausal phase is complete and menopause has started.

Some women struggle more than others during perimenopause. Troublesome symptoms may include hot flashes, irregular periods, breast tenderness, fibrocystic or lumpy breasts and decreased libido. These symptoms are often like the ones you suffered from when you had PMS.

Less obvious symptoms that seem unrelated to the female system can also be related to hormonal imbalances such as weight gain/increased fat storage (especially in the thighs, hips, and breasts), water retention, fatigue, brain fog, sleep difficulties, mood swings, insomnia, headaches, hair loss, and joint pain.

Women are very likely to develop a thyroid condition during perimenopause, or experience a worsening of thyroid symptoms, because of the hormonal changes that are happening during this time.

Oestrogen dominance is the main culprit in causing perimenopausal and thyroid symptoms. Although oestrogen and progesterone both decline during perimenopause,  progesterone declines at a much faster rate, therefore causing progesterone to be lower in comparison to oestrogen, called relative oestrogen dominance.

In a nutshell, this means that sometimes a woman may have normal progesterone, but may have symptoms of progesterone deficiency due to a hormonal imbalance caused by estrogen levels that are too high. Other times, women are symptomatic due to unopposed estrogen relative to progesterone, meaning that they have normal estrogen and low progesterone.

If you have estrogen dominance, your conversion from T4 to T3 will not be optimal, leading to thyroid symptoms.

Everyday events that can contribute to the increased levels of oetrogen are oral contraception pills, decreased detoxification, estrogen-mimicking toxins (also called xenoestrogens), gut issues, stress, and thyroid conditions.

Low Progesterone SymptomsProgesterone is called "the happy hormone" and plays an important role in our mood, sleep, and bone health. It is also important for fertility. It is helpfull in reducing hot flushes and night sweats. Low progesterone leads to low thyroid levels.

Here are some common symptoms of low progesterone: 

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Insomnia and waking during the night
• Fertility or menstrual problems
• PMS 
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Irritability and nervousness
• Low mood and depression, especially around ovulation and pre-period
• Mood swings
• Weight gain and cellulite, especially around the thighs and buttocks
• Fluid retention – your fingers and toes swell up
• Brain fog
• Sagging skin
• Low thyroid function
• Pain and inflammation
• Osteoporosis
• Excessive menstruation
• Hypersensitivity
• Migraine headaches before cycles
• Decreased libido
• Decreased HDL (“good” cholesterol)

In order to have a thyroid that produces enough hormones for optimal functioning, the balance between progesterone needs to be restored. Hence, increasing levels of progesterone and decreasing levels of excess oestrogen is vital.
The following supplements and advice can be used to boost progesterone naturally: 

1. Zinc 
2. Magnesium
3. Vitamin C
4. Vitamin E 
5. Vitamin B6
6. Boosting good cholestrol
7. Boosting fibre intake
8. L Arginine
9. Limiting caffeine
10. Myo-Inositol
11. Vitex agnus castus
12. Balancing adrenals and proper sleep
13. Sulfur rich foods

Detoxification of oestrogen is essential to keep the hormonal balance and can be done by supporting liver function.
 
Progesterone is an important hormone during our fertile and childbearing years, but don't neglect your progesterone at any time during your lifeline as it will always play an important role in many bodily functions, not just for thyroid health.
 
Dr Marike de Klerk