Let’s Talk Hormones + Postpartum

If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I’ve had quite the journey with my hormones since being postpartum. More specifically, after I stopped breastfeeding I noticed a huge shift in weight gain, my energy levels, hair loss and overall just feeling very off. I tried going to my general doctor for answers but I found myself having more questions than I had going into the appointment. I knew it had to be something deeper than what my general doctor could provide me so that’s when I turned to the functional medicine route! I documented my entire journey of testing and results on TikTok under the “Hormone Imbalance” playlist and will have my most recent video linked below! Let’s take a deeper dive into some differences I’ve started noticing, supplements I’ve been taking and other habits I’ve implemented!

Differences I’m noticing:

• I definitely feel a lot less bloated – before I was uncomfortably bloated all day, despite what I ate.
• I find that I have more consistent energy throughout the day – before I would feel groggy in the afternoons, despite how much sleep I got the night before.
• Overall my skin feels more hydrated and supple – before I had a lot of dry patches, but they seem to slowly be getting better!
• I know most women struggle with hair loss postpartum, but it had gotten progressively worse for me as time went on. I’ll continue to keep you guys updated to see if I see any improvements in that area since hair growth doesn’t happen overnight!
• I definitely feel like I have better periods and ovulations – before I had extremely painful menstrual cramps and intense mood swings. This past cycle has felt a lot more normal, so I’m feeling hopeful in this area.
• I used to feel like I had much more anxiety and now I feel a lot more calm and level throughout the day.
• My estrogen levels used to be extremely high, so I’ll go through what I’m doing to help regulate that below!

Supplements I’ve added:

• PURE Magnesium Glycinate at nighttime
• CDG Estrodim to help lower estrogen levels and regulate my metabolism
• PURE multivitamin daily
• PURE ADR, which helps support healthy cortisol levels
• Amino Replete – I usually add to juice or water before working out or in the morning. I’ve replaced preworkout with this! It also helps support a healthy neurotransmitter balance since my Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine levels were all sub-optimal.

Other habits I’ve implemented:

• Instead of drinking coffee first thing in the morning, I’ve been drinking an electrolyte drink followed by a glass of water. Then having my cup of coffee a few hours after waking up.
• I’ve been doing strength training 3-4 days a week with 1 day of cardio. Sometimes that day of cardio may just be something like a 45 min walk!
• I’ve been trying to get outside first thing in the morning to help with cortisol levels and regardless I do feel as though it boosts my mood!
• I’ve added in these foods to help regulate my estrogen levels: cilantro, parsley, cruciferous vegetables, spirulina, dandelion greens/tea and more!
• I’ve been making some adrenal cocktails: I’ve been enjoying this combo of orange juice, coconut water, and 1/4 teaspoon of pink Himalayan sea salt.
• I’ve been trying to choose organic, hormone free animal products while grocery shopping and drinking more water – really trying to reach 80 oz. a day!

That about sums it up! Be sure to comment below with any questions you may have – I’m an open book! I’m happy to be a resource for something I know so many of us struggle with!