This Common Hormone Disorder In Women Has Everything To Do With Blood Sugar Balance

Your hormones are the messengers of your body, and they determine everything from your mood to your energy levels to your weight. The major endocrine glands that make your hormones are your brain, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive glands (ovaries and testes). Your hormones control so many aspects of your health, but it's easy to overlook just how important they are to our health until they aren’t working well.

In my functional medicine clinic, I often see women dealing with many different hormone imbalances. Next to thyroid hormone issues, reproductive health and sex hormones are some of the biggest hormone issues that I see many women deal with—along with the life-altering, sometimes debilitating symptoms that go along with them.

In America, between 8 and 20 percent of women are affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (more commonly referred to as PCOS), making it one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of childbearing age—and one of the biggest contributors to fertility struggles. It is characterized by an overload of male hormones, known as androgens. Insulin resistance is also associated with PCOS since it is believed that high insulin levels can increase androgen production and vice versa. It’s this excess androgen that can throw off regular female body functions, including the menstrual cycle.

These plant-based estrogens are not produced by your endocrine system. They're gained through eating phytoestrogen-classified plants. Soy is the most controversial phytoestrogen and is common in a lot of gluten- and plant-based products due to its high protein content. However, all legumes (think: lentils, flaxseeds, and sesame seeds) are considered phytoestrogens.

Since those who have PCOS have high testosterone levels, it would make deductive sense that increasing phytoestrogen consumption would help to mitigate symptoms—and many studies1 support that theory. It’s important to note, though, that soy is often genetically modified and processed, which can further perpetuate hormone imbalances by potentially triggering an overload of estrogen—which comes with its own set of symptoms.

Flaxseed has been shown2 to be just as effective at reducing androgen levels as soy due to the fact that it is also considered a lignin, a group of polyphenols, found in certain plant foods. Research has found3 that lignins work to increase the levels of sex-hormone-binding globulin, which reduces the amount of free testosterone.

With insulin resistance being directly related to PCOS, it is important to manage your blood sugar and get it under control in order to manage symptoms. Food as medicine is the biggest tool you can use to naturally change your blood sugar. If you are not already eating a clean, whole food diet with a focus on organic meats, vegetables, and some fruit, that would be an important first step. But if you already are, make sure to include enough healthy fats. These will bring blood sugar levels down and control metabolism by using fat for fuel instead of consistently bombarding your body with glucose. Some of my favorite healthy fats include coconut products, avocados, and wild-caught salmon and are generally well-tolerated by most people.

Intermittent fasting is another way to take blood sugar management to the next level. Research has shown6 IF’s ability to increase7 metabolism and lower insulin resistance. Just make sure to work with your doctor to monitor your progress while your glucose starts to stabilize.