Women’s health is complex and can change through different stages of life. From the beginning of menstruation until after menopause, hormone fluctuations, stress, and things like irregular or painful periods, fertility issues, perimenopause,e and menopause can lead to unwanted symptoms, frustration, and poor health. It is very important to take a holistic, whole-body approach to these concerns. Hormone balance and regulation do not take place in a vacuum. We need to consider all issues that may be affecting the body, whether hormonal, dietary, stress-related, or physical or emotional, to understand what is happening and why. At Pro-Holistic Care in Chicago, we are here to do just that.
Female hormones are vital for regulating a wide variety of bodily processes, including appetite, metabolism, menstrual cycles, fertility, sexual function, body temperature, sleep cycles, energy levels, and mood. Having the right hormone balance is essential for feeling good in your body, functioning well, and maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Menstruation
The beginning of a woman’s hormonal journey is menstruation. Menstruation is, on average, a 28-day cycle of fluctuations in the hormones that allow the body to prepare for either menstruation or pregnancy. The main hormones involved in this cycle are estrogen, progesterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstruation, follicular stage, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Each of these phases has distinct hormone spikes and dips and can result in a range of symptoms in women. These symptoms are more intense and more unpleasant if these hormones are out of balance.
Common signs and symptoms of hormone dysregulation in women who are menstruating:
- Heavy or excessive bleeding
- Painful cycles with strong cramping
- Spotting
- Short cycles resulting in more frequent periods
- Acne
- Mood swings
- Low back pain
- Weight gain
- Infertility
- Irregular cycles
- Sleep issues
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
- Depression
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is considered the transitional stage between menstruation and menopause. Most women enter perimenopause sometime in their 40’s. During perimenopause, hormones begin to change, and often women will begin to experience irregular periods. Periods can become less or more frequent during perimenopause, depending on the individual. Estrogen levels can spike or drop very low in perimenopause, and progesterone levels decrease. This can be a very stressful time in many women’s lives. During perimenopause, many women experience very noticeable physical changes in their bodies.
Some common symptoms of perimenopause include:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Painful periods
- Mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Increase or decrease in bleeding
- Abnormal hair growth
- Joint pain
Menopause
Menopause is the next stage of a woman’s journey. This stage generally begins between the ages of 45 and the early fifties. After 12 consecutive months without a period, a woman is considered to be in menopause.
Many of the common symptoms of perimenopause will continue, but the most common menopause symptoms are:
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Joint pain
- Decreased bone density
Post-Menopause
Post-menopause is the final phase of a woman’s journey. This is the period after menopause. This officially begins once you have gone more than 12 consecutive months without a period and continues for the rest of your life. Many of the same signs and symptoms of menopause can continue but usually decrease in severity over time.
$69 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Evaluation, X-rays if needed & Doctor’s report of findings
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Finally Be
Listened To
You know your body best, and we want to hear your story in detail. When you sit down with our doctors, we’ll take the time to listen, ask the right questions, and fully understand your health concerns so we can guide your care with confidence.
2. Understand Exactly What Your Problem Is
Our doctors perform a comprehensive evaluation of your health, which may include a physical exam, strength and stability testing, bloodwork, or x-rays. Whatever is needed, we’ll uncover the root cause and design a personalized plan to move you forward.
3. Get Back To A Happy, Healthy, Fun Life
Every patient receives a customized care plan designed to fit their unique needs. By combining the therapies best suited for you, we promote faster, more effective healing while providing a clear roadmap to correction and lasting success in your health.
Common Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms We Treat in Lincoln Square, IL
Irregular or Painful Periods
Most commonly, women contact Pro-Holistic Care for issues surrounding irregular or painful periods. Many of the symptoms women feel that they just need to deal with can be reduced or eliminated. Periods that are too frequent, too short, have heavy cramping, or intense mood swings are not normal. Balancing out the hormones and addressing the body’s physical and nutritional needs are vital. Although every woman will experience some symptoms with their cycle, intense or very uncomfortable symptoms are actually not normal. It is your body’s way of letting you know things are out of balance.
Infertility
Another common issue we see in our office is infertility. Women in the United States have infertility rates of about 13-20% in childbearing years. Women also have decreased rates of fertility as they reach 40 and over. Many women turn to holistic medicine as an alternative to traditional medical fertility treatments or as complementary treatments while undergoing traditional fertility protocols.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is another condition many women are looking to holistic healthcare for help with. These symptoms can be very disruptive to everyday life and reduce overall quality of life. Taking care of the whole body can greatly improve the everyday health and life of women in menopause. Holistic treatments can be used independently or in conjunction with traditional medical treatments like hormone replacement therapy.
How We Treat Hormonal Imbalance in Lincoln Square, IL
At Pro-Holistic Care in Chicago, IL. We offer several services that can benefit you on your path to better hormone balance.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
At Pro- Holistic Care, we aim to take a holistic look at your health and symptoms to address the areas that need support. The first step in caring for your hormonal needs is an in-depth consultation with one of our doctors. We want to get to know you, understand what has been happening with your symptoms, and identify anything in your medical history that may be impacting how you are feeling right now. We will also do a physical exam and review any lab work you have had done or run lab work for you if needed. Once we have a clear picture of what is happening, we will create a custom care plan tailored to your specific needs.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Lincoln Square, IL
Chiropractic adjustments can also be very helpful for women with hormonal issues, infertility, or painful periods. The nerves that exit the lower back supply all the reproductive organs and allow them to function. Misalignments in the lower back can put pressure on these nerves. Making sure the nerves that allow the reproductive organs to function are healthy and not under excess pressure is an important part of ensuring these organs function properly. Also, adjusting for women who experience cramping and low back pain during the period can help alleviate and, in some cases, eliminate this pain.
At Pro-Holistic Care, we take a holistic approach to our care plans. We are also happy to coordinate with your other providers to ensure you receive the best possible care. Many of our patients are also undergoing traditional medical treatments for women’s health issues, and our services provide a great complement to the other treatments they are receiving. Many patients hope to avoid more invasive medical treatments and are being treated only with Pro-Holistic Care. Whatever your case may be, Pro-Holistic Care is happy to help you in your journey of hormonal and women’s health. Our goal is to help you live a happy, healthy, fun life!
Functional Medicine
Functional Medicine can be very helpful in improving overall body function, hormone balance, and symptom relief. With functional medicine, we take an in-depth look at lab work, including blood panels, hormone panels, and any other lab work you may have had. We are not just looking for lab levels to be in the normal range; we want them in the optimal range. If we notice suboptimal blood levels, we will create a plan using nutrition, therapeutic nutrition, and supplementation to address these imbalances or deficiencies.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is one of our most popular therapies for hormone issues. Dr. Rae Bouvin is certified in Mei Zen acupuncture protocols to improve hormone balance, regulate the menstrual cycle, and improve fertility. Mei Zen abdominal acupuncture is a highly effective abdominal acupuncture protocol that greatly improves fertility, period regularity, and symptoms surrounding painful periods and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). General acupuncture can also be used to improve symptoms like insomnia, stress, anxiety, brain fog, mood issues, and sleep problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common hormonal symptoms that we see at Pro-Holistic Care?
Many women reach out to Pro-Holistic Care for symptoms related to their period, infertility, or perimenopause.
Can chiropractic help with hormonal imbalances?
Yes! Chiropractic care is a great option if you are struggling with hormonal issues.
What treatment options are best for someone experiencing hormone issues?
We recommend coming in for a thorough consultation and exam. From there, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and goals. We offer a wide array of treatment options, including chiropractic adjustments, functional medicine, and acupuncture.
$69 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Evaluation, X-rays if needed & Doctor’s report of findings
