Estrogen: changing the brain and body from menarche to menopause
/In May's Connectors Group webinar, guest speaker Dr. Miranda Marti* of Whole Life Medicine discussed estrogen. Estrogen heralds changes not just in the physical body but in mood and libido. It also has the power to shift focus for relationships and careers, and change the salience of what the brain finds rewarding and reassuring. For some women, these natural fluctuations of estrogen throughout life are experienced with grace, while other women may find themselves driven wild or to despair.
Dr. Marti discussed why this occurs and how we can support hormonal changes, whether they be monthly cycles or the perimenopausal transition, with ease. The recorded webinar with slides is provided below in three parts. The full audio is available as a podcast.
In Part 1, Dr. Marti explains:
- How estrogen levels change over a lifespan,
- The different ways in which estrogen and progesterone affect brain function, and
- How estrogen and serotonin-melatonin interact.
In Part 2, Dr. Marti talks about:
- Estrogen-dominant conditions,
- 5 steps to balance estrogen, and
- Answers questions from participants
In Part 3, Dr. Marti explains:
- Anxiety and the Vagus Nerve, and the Connection with Urinary Incontinence
- 3 Steps for urinary Incontinence
- And important differences between Vaginal Estrogen vs. Hormone Replacement Therapy
*Dr. Miranda Marti is a naturopathic physician and acupuncturist specializing in the connections between women’s health, digestive health (the 2nd brain) and mental health. In addition to her private practice at Whole Life Medicine in Kirkland, WA, she leads wellness groups at a Seattle-based drug and alcohol recovery program and is adjunct faculty for the Bastyr University Health Psychology Department.