Volume 2, Issue 2
7/1/12
equilibrium
A newsletter By Dr. Jacquelyn Paykel
What is Estrogen dominance?
The term “estrogen dominance” refers to a relative deficiency of progesterone in relation to estrogen levels. Symptoms of estrogen dominance
include: Fibrocystic and tender breasts · Irregular menstrual cycles · Uterine fibroids · Decreased sex drive · Mood swings · Hot flashes , night
sweats · Weight gain (hips, waist, thighs) · Foggy thinking · Forgetfulness · Increased levels of triglycerides · PMS, PMDD.
General causes of estrogen dominance in women:
Premenopause (age < 40): Impaired ovulation and/or reduction of ovarian production of progesterone. Women who have regular menses
but suffer PMS symptoms, are likely not producing enough progesterone, even though they may be ovulating and menstruating.
Perimenopause (age 40– last menses): Lack of ovulation and/or erratic cycles, when estrogen levels fluctuate rapidly from high to low in the
absence of adequate progesterone. As a woman reaches menopause and ovulation ceases completely, the production of progesterone will
typically have decreased by over 90%. However, estrogen continues to be produced from the conversion of testosterone in her peripheral
adipose (fat) tissue, resulting in estrogen dominance
Postmenopause (after last menses): An imbalance of progesterone to estrogen in waning reproductive years when ovarian production of
estrogen can decline by as much as 60% and levels of progesterone can drop to nearly zero with the cessation of ovulation. Hormone therapy
may also contribute to estrogen dominance.
Xenoestrogens: Chemicals in our environment that have a chemical structure similar to estrogen (e.g. chemicals frequently found in plastic
bottles, cosmetics, sunscreen, preservatives and insecticides) can disrupt the estrogen/progesterone balance.
Stress including genetic makeup, dietary intake (processed carbohydrates and refined sugar) and poorly managed life stressors. Increased
stress leads to cortisol production causing fat deposition and increased estrogen production. ◊◊◊
It’s all greek to me
Is Greek yogurt really better than regular yogurt? Yes. Although plain or Greek yogurt in their low-fat or no-fat forms can
be a part of a healthy diet, there are a number of reasons why Greek is a better choice. Why? Unlike regular yogurt, it is
extensively strained to remove liquid whey, lactose and sugar. Comparing calorie to calorie:
Greek yogurt is higher in protein, and that promotes fullness. A 6-ounce serving contains 15-20 grams of protein; regular
yogurt contains 9 grams.
Greek yogurt contains half the carbs and sodium as regular yogurt.
Six ounces of Greek yogurt supplies 20 % of the daily calcium recommendation.
Stick with low-fat or no-fat Greek yogurt to decrease intake of saturated fats. ◊◊◊
Yoga: 5 things you should know
Yoga typically combines physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation or relaxation. Researchers are studying how yoga may be used
to help improve health and to learn more about its safe use. If you’re thinking about practicing yoga, here are 5 things you should know:
1. Studies suggest that yoga may be beneficial for a number of conditions, including pain. Recent studies in people with chronic low-back pain
suggest that a carefully adapted set of yoga poses can help reduce pain and improve function. Other studies also suggest that practicing yoga (as
well as other forms of regular exercise) might have other health benefits such as reducing heart rate and blood pressure, and may also help
relieve anxiety and depression.
2. Studies show that certain other health conditions may not benefit from yoga. Research suggests that yoga is not helpful for asthma, and
studies looking at yoga and arthritis have had mixed results.
3. Yoga is generally considered to be safe in healthy people when practiced appropriately. However, people with high blood pressure,
glaucoma, or sciatica, and women who are pregnant should modify or avoid some yoga poses.
4. Practice safely and mindfully. Everyone’s body is different, and yoga postures should be modified based on individual abilities. Carefully
selecting an instructor who is experienced and is attentive to your needs is an important step toward helping you practice yoga safely.
Inform your instructor about any medical issues you have.
5. Talk to your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use, including yoga. If you’re thinking about
practicing yoga, also be sure to talk to your health care providers before starting an exercise regimen. ◊◊◊
does gluten cause depression?
Depression impacts about 120 million people worldwide, and each year about 6% of men and 9.5% of women experience
an episode of depression. The World Health organization predicts depression to become the second most burdensome
disease by 2020, with the greatest burden in the North America and the United Kingdom.
Over 160 million antidepressant prescriptions are written every year, despite the fact that recent studies show
they are no more effective than placebos to treat mild to moderate depression. Side effects of antidepressants include
sexual health disruption, infertility, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and even suicide.
Is there a better way to treat mild to moderate depression? Well, there is mounting evidence that the
gluten-laden American Diet may contribute significantly to depression and anxiety.
What is gluten? Made of the proteins gliadin and glutelin, gluten is found in foods processed from wheat and
related grain species, such as rye, triticale, spelt and barley. Gluten is ubiquitous throughout the modern world, both in
foods prepared directly from wheat/grains like breads and as additive to foods otherwise low in protein.
Celiac disease is an inflammatory disease of the upper small intestine resulting from gluten ingestion in genetically
susceptible individuals. Positive results on celiac blood panels can strongly suggest this condition; intestinal biopsy
confirms the diagnosis. This is not the same as gluten sensitivity, which is not proven by laboratory tests, but is more a
diagnosis of exclusion (exclude gluten from your diet and you feel better). However, like celiac disease, it causes a
chronic gluten-induced inflammatory process that changes the architecture of the bowel lining and results in malabsorption
of tryptophan, iron and other nutrients that can contribute significantly to reduction in depressive symptoms.
This may very well explain why my patients who try a gluten-free diet not only lose weight rapidly but have more energy
and less depression, anxiety and irritability. ◊◊◊
Jacquelyn M. Paykel, MD, FACOG is a board certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist with fellowship training in
Integrative Medicine.
She completed her medical school and residency at the University of Wisconsin and her
fellowship at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine under the direction of Dr. Andrew Weil.
Dr. Paykel is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. In addition to Obstetrics,
Gynecology and Integrative Medicine, she specializes in Menopausal Medicine (including hormone therapy) and
Female Sexual Health.
Special points of interest
Dr. Paykel’s Website: www.drjacquelynpaykel.com
Dr. Paykel now has additional office hours on Thursdays from 8:30-4:30 at the Women’s Incontinence and Sexual Health (WISH)
Program through the Department of Urology at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee, WI. Call (414) 805-0331 for details.
Internet Talk Show: Dr. Paykel hosts an internet talk show, Integrative Health for Women. Join her at 7:00 Central on the
first Tuesday of the month. She discusses women’s health concerns from a holistic perspective. Link:
www.talkshoe.com show number 93301.
Location and Office Hours:
Springdale Health Center
Women’s Incontinence & Sexual Health Program (WISH)
21700 Intertech Dr., Brookfield, WI 53045
9200 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226
M, W 8:00 to 4:30; F 8:00 to 3:00
Th 8:30 to 4:30
Phone: (262) 532-8300
Phone: 414) 805-0331
Be good to yourself.
Seek balance.