Are you living with a hormone imbalance?
Hormones are chemical messengers that affect the way your cells and organs function. It’s normal for hormone levels to fluctuate over time, such as with your monthly cycle, during pregnancy, or with the onset of menopause.
For women, the most pronounced hormonal changes come in the 40s and 50s, but are also seen in the mid-30s. Hormonal changes not only progress with age, but are also linked to lifestyle, diet, medications, pollution, toxins and xenoestrogens (synthetic chemicals that act as oestrogen in our bodies) that we are exposed to every day.
Hormonal imbalance can be to blame for a long list of symptoms which include irregular periods and infertility, cravings and persistent weight gain, digestive problems, low libido and vaginal dryness, fatigue, anxiety, irritability and depression, insomnia and poor sleep patterns, chronic acne and night sweats
A simple oestrogen and progesterone test can identify a hormonal imbalance. Changes to diet, digestive health, stress management, improved sleep and consistent physical activity have been shown to be effective in managing the effects of hormone fluctuations.
*Note this test is not appropriate if you are taking oral contraceptives.
What we test
Saliva Female Hormone Panel
This saliva hormone test includes the 3 oestrogens, testosterone and progesterone. These sex hormones (in conjunction with adrenal and thyroid hormones) exert powerful effects on the body. Knowing the function and levels of these hormones is a positive step in creating hormone balance and achieving wellbeing.
The sex hormone produced mainly in the ovaries following ovulation and is a crucial part of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone helps to combat PMS and period pain issues, assists fertility and promotes calmness and quality of sleep.
Too much oestradiol (oestrogen) is linked to acne, constipation, loss of sex drive, depression, weight gain, PMS, period pain, and thyroid dysfunction. The effects of low oestradiol are evident in menopause and include mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats and osteoporosis.
Premenopause, more than 50% of oestrone is secreted by the ovaries, and oestrone levels generally parallel those of oestradiol. After menopause oestrone levels increase and becomes the predominant oestrogen.
Oestriol is the weakest of the oestrogens with only 8% of the activity of oestradiol. Unlike the other oestrogens, oestriol is not made in the ovaries and is produced at its highest level in the placenta during pregnancy. It has both oestrogenic and anti-oestrogen effects.
The oestrogen quotient is a calculation of Oestriol/ (Oestradiol + Oestrone)
The progesterone ratio is a calculation of Progesterone/ Oestradiol. An imbalance can be associated with issues such as PMS, infertility, endometriosis, irregular cycles, anovulation and PCOS.
Androgens
In women androgens are produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and fat cells. Women may produce too much or too little of these hormones - disorders of androgen excess and deficiency are among the more common hormonal disorders in women.
High levels commonly seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which can lead to difficulties in conceiving. Symptoms can include irregular periods, loss of hair from the head, excess facial and body hair, unexplained weight gain and acne.
A long-acting adrenal hormone which regulates energy production, the immune system, brain chemistry, bone formation, muscle tone and libido.
Test instructions
Your test kit and all instructions are posted directly to you, and there is no need to visit a collection centre.
Take test 7 days before predicted date of menstruation (if known). If menstrual cycle is 28 days, test on day 21 (where day 1 is the first day of bleeding).
Provide a saliva sample before 10am in the morning.
You may also be interested in
Female Hormone 28 Day Check (saliva)
Adrenal Stress Check
Thyroid Check
