Did you know before ?
having low levels of thyroid hormones, called hypothyroidism, can contribute to weight gain, low mood, constipation, and even dry skin

Excess androgen
considered typical male hormones, which females also have — can stimulate sebaceous glands in skin to pump out oil, one factor that contributes to the development of acne

estrogen levels
can start to decline. Estrogen helps to stimulate the right amount of oil production to keep it supple, smooth, and plump. But as estrogen decreases, skin is drier and itchier. We see this in patients with dry skin in general as well as in eczema patients during flares,” says Dr. Cook-Bolden.

In fact, regular visits to your dermatologist can be critical for your hormonal health. “One of the most amazing things about dermatology is that the skin can serve as a window into the health of the body.

 hips, bottom and thighs represent slimming’s axis of evil
– an obstinate hump on an otherwise co-operative landscape. And it’s often governed by hormones, says Dr Keoni Teta, naturopathic doctor and co-author of The Metabolic Effect Diet (Harper).
If it’s just a case of a few extra pounds of flesh around the hips then with unyielding
effort the weight will come off eventually, even if nature’s cruel trick means it might
go from bust before bottom.“In places where fat is burned easily, your waist, for example, the fat cells have a higher percentage of beta-adrenergic to alpha-adrenergic receptors,” explains Dr Teta. “The beta receptors bind to adrenaline and noradrenaline, causing fat to be
burned for energy, rather than stored. Fewer beta receptors in the hips, buttocks and
thighs help create an hourglass shape, but mean when you want to shift weight, fat
is slower to burn. ” If diet and exercise haven’t yielded results, it’s time to look at your hormone balance. “Oestrogen dominance is a main culprit for unexplained weight gain on the bottom, hips and thighs” explains Dr Martin Galy, a bio-identical hormone specialist from theenowned Marion Gluck Clinic, London. “Look at a standard 28-day menstrual cycle.
For two weeks after ovulation, oestrogen and progesterone levels begin to rise. Keyis how much oestrogen you have in relation to progesterone. An imbalance canoccur when the ovaries are producing too much oestrogen, or not enough progesterone to counteract it.” Other symptoms of oestrogen dominance include swollen breasts, headaches, carb cravings, heavy periods and irritability“Progesterone levels decrease over time,” says Dr Galy. “Usually, this begins in a
woman’s early thirties, with some noticing symptoms, such as weight gain,
immediately, because only a slight drop in progesterone is enough to exacerbate an
existing mild imbalance.”The most important step to correcting a hormone imbalance is to tailor your diet to
your cycle. “Modify your sugar intake by eating a Low GI (Glycaemic Index) menu,”
urges Dr Galy. “When you take in sugars, the body produces insulin, causing the
ovaries to secrete more oestrogen. So: less sugar, less insulin, less oestrogen.”
“In the second two weeks when hormone levels are rising, avoid food containing
phytoestrogens,” says Dr Galy. The main culprits are soy (avoid soy milk and tofu),
and soy-based, processed products (processed foods tend to have a high GI
anyway).
So what can you eat? “Fill your diet with green vegetables, like kale, broccoli and
cauliflower, which help metabolise excess oestrogen. Green tea is also effective,”
adds Dr Galy.The good news: hormones can help burn fat too. “A low-carb diet will decrease theactivity of the alpha receptors, increasing effectiveness of the fat-burning beta
receptors,” says Dr Teta. “Supplements, such as green-coffee extract promote fat
burning in more stubborn areas.”Fundamentally, without hormones you wouldn’t have any kind of womanly shape.But, if your bottom has become a bigger issue than you would like, understanding your hormones can help put you in control of your curves.

READING YOUR FACE AND WHAT CAN IT TELL YOU ABOUT HORMONE BALANCE

losing hair
at the crown of your head, you might have a thyroid deficiency. Thyroid hormone affects the thickness of the hair shaft and the abundance of hair. Adequate amounts of the sex hormones, such as the estrogens and testosterone, also contribute to hair luster. Another factor to consider is your diet — your hair might need more minerals and proteins. Insufficient intake of these nutrients in your diet, or the inability to assimilate those nutrients, can also contribute to hair problems. Low stomach acid makes it difficult to absorb minerals and protein. Because digestive enzymes are needed to break down protein so it can be absorbed, supplements may be needed.

thinning eyebrows
or you have lost the outer third of your eyebrows, this is called the “Sign of Hertoghe,” named after the endocrinologist who first made this observation. This is also typically a sign of low thyroid function.

your eyelids are drooping over your eyes
many people resort to plastic surgery to snip away at the extra tissue. Growth hormone deficiencies contribute to the loss of elasticity of this tissue. Dark circles under the eyes may be related to cortisol deficiency.

If your eyes are constantly dry or watering unexpectedly
it may be due to an inability to build the fatty layer of your tears. Proper production of tears has been shown to be influenced by testosterone, DHEA, progesterone, and the estrogen hormones.

lose he eyelashes 
Both hypo- and hyperthyroid states can lead to loss of eyelashes. Sex hormone deficits associated with aging can also contribute to losing eyelashes, and is second only to allergies as a cause of eyelash loss. Having allergies is also an indicator of low adrenal hormones, such has hydrocortisone.

Although you may not readily see it in your face, nasal stuffiness is associated with the ebb and flow of hormones. When estrogens peak mid-cycle, you might find that nasal stuffiness also peaks. If you are also plagued with an itching nose and develop a habit of rubbing your nose in an upward fashion, you may develop a horizontal crease across your nose.

Moving down to the upper lip
let’s look for signs of a problem called melasma. Melasma is hyperpigmentation of the skin associated with hormone disturbances, especially with pregnancy and birth control pill use. Sun exposure may trigger melasma, or make it worse. However, the underlying hormone responsible is melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH). This hormone increases the production of melanin, which is responsible for darkening the skin.

spots in the upper lip
is a frequent location, but you may find dark spots in other areas as well. These are sometimes called liver spots, age spots, or sun spots.
darkened skin
can actually be related to adrenal fatigue. As you become stressed, your body produces more and more cortisol to help cope with the stress. As more cortisol is produced, the precursor hormones like progesterone and pregnenolone are depleted, which leaves the estrogens in an unbalanced situation. This extra estrogen stimulation actually increases MSH, which in turn increases the amount of melanin deposited. Re-establishing hormone balance and relieving stress can help prevent this, and may even help reverse it.

  SOME OTHER CAUTIONS

Fragrance
Has hormone-disrupting effects. Fragrance is also connected to headaches, dizziness, asthma and allergies. Instead, use products with natural fragrances only.
Formaldehyde
A known carcinogen and irritant found in nail products, hair dye, fake-eyelash adhesives and some shampoos. It has been banned in other countries.

Lead
A known carcinogen and hormone disruptor found in certain eyeliners, hair dye and lipsticks.

Mercury
A known irritant and allergen that, with body accumulation over time, can impair the brain and nervous system.

Parabens (Propyl-, Isopropyl-, Butyl- and Isobutyl-)
Used as preservatives in many products. A study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology in 2004 detected parabens in breast tumors and discussed their estrogen-like properties. While this doesn’t create a direct connection with cancer, I recommend avoiding these ingredients.

Oxybenzone
An active ingredient in chemical sunscreens that accumulates in fatty tissues and is linked to allergies, hormone disruption and cellular damage. I recommend wearing skin-protective clothing and using natural minerals or zinc products.

DEA/TEA/MEA (Ethanolamines)
Used as emulsifiers and foaming agents for shampoos, body washes, soaps and topical application. It’s been associated with cancer in animal studies.
Sodium lauryl (ether) sulfate (SLS, SLES): A former industrial degreaser now used to make soap foamy, it’s absorbed into the body.

Diethylene glycol (or DEG)
A central nervous system depressant and potent kidney and liver toxin. Sometimes found in fragrances. Glycerin and propylene glycol are sometimes contaminated with DEG, which are common ingredients in personal care products.
Steps to balance your hormons naturally

Cut out dairy , gluten , sugar, and excess alcohol
These food cause inflammation in the body, which can wreak havoc on your hormones and show up on your skin.

Eat more greens, clean protein , and healthy fat
These foods will give you the idea balance of nutrients, antioxidants, cellular-level building blocks (fats), and cellular fuel (protein), to keep hormones balanced and skin healthy

Rebuild Protein Shake
Our favorite shake at Parsley is our Xymogen Rebuild shake, a professional grade protein shake that doubles as a multivitamin and a blast of antioxidants. It’s packed with tons of essential nutrients, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants

Vitamin D3/K2
Vitamin D deficiency can cause low estrogen in women and low testosterone in men, which can in turn affect sex drive and mood. Unprotected sun exposure is the best way to get Vitamin D but due to sunscreen use and a lot of time spent indoors most of us are deficient. We recommend Vitamin D3/K2 drops, at a dose of 2000 to 5000 IU daily

Curcuplex
Derived from a main phytochemical in turmeric, Curcuplex reduces inflammation in the body on the cellular level and helps balance estrogen levels

The Right Probiotics
Probiotics shift your microbiome which are the important population of the bacteria that live in our digestive tracts. These microscopic little beings are responsible for the health of our intestinal lining, and the modulation of our immune system. Taking a probiotic helps ensure the microbiome is healthy and helping the immune system from producing too much inflammation
Know your food sensitivities
By identifying foods that your immune system is reacting to, you’re able to decrease inflammation in your body. Many people link flares in their skin condition with food consumption. Dairy and eczema is very common example!
Green your beauty cabinet
The skin is an organ of digestion, and the same way it digests nicotine through a patch, it absorbs these toxins into your bloodstream, where your circulation propels them into contact with every single cell. Check out how clean your products are by using the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep app – it rates your beauty products on a scale of 1-10; 1 being clean and 10 being highly toxic For example BPA, a common toxin in plastics, has been shown to disrupt hormone levels and cause inflammation

Avoid unnecessary medications like Ibuprofen and antibiotics

Keep your digestion moving
If you aren’t going to the bathroom every day you are not detoxifying properly. Estrogen in particular recirculates through your system, leading to hormone imbalance. Other toxins also recirculate, leading to inflammation system wide.
Fiber
Water
Engage in regular exercise
Physical activity strongly influences hormonal health. Aside from improving blood flow to your muscles, exercise increases hormone receptor sensitivity, meaning that it enhances the delivery of nutrients and hormone signals A major benefit of exercise is its ability to reduce insulin levels and increase insulin sensitivity
Get consistent, high quality sleep
No matter how nutritious your diet or how consistent your exercise routine, getting enough restorative sleep is crucial for optimal health.

Maintain a moderate weight
Weight gain is directly associated with hormonal imbalances that may lead to complications in insulin sensitivity and reproductive health.Obesity is strongly related to the development of insulin resistance, while losing excess weight is linked to improvements in insulin resistance and reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease
Coconut oil
Like we had to tell you to eat them. "Avocados—and other good fats like olive oil and —support the manufacture of healthy levels of cholesterol, a key component in hormone synthesis," Cates says. This will enable your skin to release and circulate the hormones it needs so it can stay healthy. And that's not avocados' only beauty benefit. Healthier fats beef up your skin cells’ natural lipid bilayers so the membrane stays in top shape, allowing your skin to retain water better so it looks plump, not dry and dull, Cates says. Eat half an avocado a day to get the perks of its monounsaturated fatty acids, fiber, potassium, vitamins C and E, and lutein, which helps prevent sun damage, says Jaliman.
Eggs
If you're an egg whites–only type of woman, listen up: Though the yolk has gotten a bad rap for being high in cholesterol, the variety it contains—HDL cholesterol—is actually the type that your body needs to create hormones, leading to softer, more supple skin, says Diana Bitner, MD, medical director of Midlife and Menopause Health Services at Spectrum Health Medical Group in Grand Rapids, MI. Jaliman recommends eating just one egg per day to get the goods without overloading on the rich food.
Broccoli
And don't forget to eat your broccoli—and spinach, and . Dark leafy greens contain the natural compounds sulforaphane and indole-3 carbinol, which improve your liver's ability to metabolize estrogen. And trust us, you want estrogen—it , which keeps your skin firm and taut, and bumps up blood supply to the skin, so it can repair itself quickly. "As estrogen levels decrease, everything shrinks and pulls in," Bitner explains. Help keep your levels up with at least half a cup of dark leafy greens per day, Jaliman says.