Lara Briden's Blog, page 6

Immune Treatment for Endometriosis

Endometriosis is not a hormonal condition. It’s affected by estrogen but is not caused by estrogen or “estrogen dominance.” Instead, endometriosis is a whole-body inflammatory and immune disease, and possibly a microbial disease. What does that mean for treatment? For one thing, it means that contraceptive pills and injections are the wrong tools for the ... Read more

Lara Briden's article Immune Treatment for Endometriosis appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

Why Progesterone Is Both Good and Bad for Mood (and How to Treat PMDD)

Progesterone is usually soothing to mood but can sometimes cause anxiety. A negative mood reaction to progesterone is called neurosteroid change sensitivity or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and affects about one in twenty women. Here’s everything you need to know about progesterone and mood. Contraceptive progestin drugs are bad for mood Progestins are not the ... Read more

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Why Progesterone Is Just as Important as Estrogen

It’s time to bring progesterone into the conversation about women’s health. That’s according to Canadian endocrinology professor Jerilynn Prior in her paper “Women’s Reproductive System as Balanced Estradiol and Progesterone Actions—a revolutionary, paradigm-shifting concept in women’s health.” In the paper, Professor Prior makes the case that historically there has been a “cultural over-emphasis on estrogen” ... Read more

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Is It PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (Undereating)?

What is the difference between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypothalamic amenorrhea? PCOS is the condition of androgen excess when all other causes of androgen excess have been ruled out. It can also cause irregular periods. Hypothalamic amenorrhea (HA) is the loss of periods due to undereating. It can also present with mild acne, facial ... Read more

Lara Briden's article Is It PCOS or Hypothalamic Amenorrhea (Undereating)? appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart)

To treat PCOS, you need to know what’s driving it. In other words, you need to know your type of PCOS. You could have insulin-resistant PCOS, post-pill PCOS (which is temporary), inflammatory PCOS, or the far less common adrenal PCOS. First things first, what is PCOS? Despite the name, polycystic ovary syndrome has nothing to ... Read more

Lara Briden's article 4 Types of PCOS (a Flowchart) appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

The Pros and Cons of the Copper IUD (ParaGard)

The copper IUD or coil (ParaGard) is a non-hormonal method of birth control. Its main advantage over hormonal methods is that it contains no contraceptive drugs and therefore permits natural, ovulatory cycles. Pros of the copper IUD: The copper IUD permits normal, healthy ovulation, and that’s a good thing because ovulation is how women make ... Read more

Lara Briden's article The Pros and Cons of the Copper IUD (ParaGard) appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

The Pros and Cons of Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, and Skyla)

Hormonal IUDs are different from all types of hormonal birth control in that they do not suppress ovulation and therefore can permit natural cycling. Other benefits of hormonal IUDs are that they can dramatically decrease menstrual flow and relieve symptoms of endometriosis. Pros of hormonal IUDs: Unlike all other types of hormonal birth control, hormonal ... Read more

Lara Briden's article The Pros and Cons of Hormonal IUDs (Mirena, Kyleena, and Skyla) appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period...

Ovulation Is the Main Event of the Menstrual Cycle

A menstrual cycle is, by definition, an ovulatory cycle in which ovulation is the main event and progesterone is made. Any other kind of bleed is either an anovulatory bleed or a pill-bleed — neither of which are real menstrual cycles. Ovulatory cycles are the only way to make progesterone which is important for general ... Read more

Lara Briden's article Ovulation Is the Main Event of the Menstrual Cycle appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

The Dos and Don’ts of Vitex for Period Problems

Vitex (also called chaste tree or chasteberry) is a herbal medicine prepared from the berries of a large Mediterranean tree (Vitex agnus-castus). In ancient times, it was used to suppress the libido of monks, hence the name. Fortunately, it does not have that effect on women. Vitex is effective medicine for breast pain, irregular periods, ... Read more

Lara Briden's article The Dos and Don’ts of Vitex for Period Problems appeared first on Lara Briden - The Period Revolutionary.

The Downside to Contraceptive Injections and Implants

The progestins of contraceptive injections and implants can cause depression, weight gain, and irregular menstrual bleeding.  Side effects from hormonal injections and implants occur because: 1) progestins are not progesterone, and 2) progestins at that dose can suppress ovulation and cause anovulatory bleeding.  Keep reading to learn the difference between a real period, an anovulatory ... Read more

Lara Briden's article The Downside to Contraceptive Injections and Implants appeared first on La...