Soy contains a group of chemicals called isoflavones, which act like estrogen in the body. There are rumors that eating soy can make you gain weight, but this untrue. The rumor was founded on a theory that the phytoestrogens may cause...
The human body is healthiest when a balance of fat and muscle is maintained. Either too much or too little body fat can both cause or be the result of endocrine disorders, or imbalanced hormone conditions. Estrogen is the primary hormone...
Sometime between the ages of 40 and 60, a woman experiences a drop in her estrogen levels and she stops having periods and may gain weight. The drastic change causes problems that range from annoying to serious, but treatment comes with its own...
Women experience a number of surges and recessions when it comes to the hormones in their bodies. Estrogen surges during both puberty and pregnancy and then begins to subside come time for menopause. During times of estrogen peaks and valleys, you...
Estrogen is commonly referred to as the "female hormone," but it's also present in males. According to the Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities, estrogen controls female development and reproduction as well as...
Estrogen is a female hormone produced naturally in the bodies of both males and females. At normal levels, estrogen positively effects the reproductive system, mood, energy levels and libido. Higher levels of estrogen can contribute to unwanted...
Hormone levels decrease with age. Higher levels of estrogen, seen in estrogen dominance, reflect what is happening with other hormone levels in the body, says Dr. Tina Marcantel. Progesterone deficiency causes estrogen dominance. Hormonal...
The anabolic hormone estrogen promotes growth of cells and the storage of predominantly more fat tissue in women. Obesity increases circulating estrogen levels in the blood. Weight loss reduces estrogen levels in post-menopausal women. Estrogen...
Hormone replacement therapy is used to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Hormone therapy involves taking a combination of estrogen and progestin to replace the hormones that have stopped being produced by the body during menopause,...
Estrogen is an important hormone in the body: it helps maintain female traits as well as reproductive organs and functions. The National Cancer Institute explains that estrogen is produced in the ovaries, adrenal glands and other organs. Estrogen...
Women often complain about the effects of hormonal fluctuations, particularly as menopause sets in. Unbalanced hormone levels can send emotions willy-nilly and sap energy. Weight gain frequently occurs in the breasts and abdomen of menopausal...
"Calories in, calories out" has traditionally been the mantra of doctors counseling women on weight loss. While your best friend can eat hot fudge sundaes without gaining a pound, you look at a bagel and it seems to go straight to your thighs....
Many different conditions can cause weight gain around the middle. No matter what the cause, belly fat is dangerous to your health, increasing your risk of heart disease, diabetes, gallbladder disorders and certain kinds of cancers. Imbalances...
Endometriosis affects more than five million American women, according to the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). This reproductive disorder occurs when tissue that normally grows in the uterus (the endometrium) grows in other...
The effects of low testosterone on men is well known and well publicized, however low testosterone also affects women. During menopause, or after removal of the ovaries, testosterone levels in women can drop by more than a third. A small, but...
The copper IUD sold in the United States under the name Paragard is a highly-effective, hormone-free method of birth control. An IUD is a plastic, T-shaped device that is inserted into and removed from the uterus by a health care provider....
The human body's eight major endocrine glands produce more "mail" than any global carrier in the form of constant hormone messages. Hormones bravely endure the wind and weather of the body's bloodstream, tissues and organs to bring us the best and...
Weight gain often occurs during perimenopause, but lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and regular exercise can help control it. During perimenopause, your body's production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone fluctuates. These...
A longstanding myth is that certain foods burn fat -- more specifically, belly fat. The foods are typically referred to as "negative calorie foods." The truth is, there is no such thing as a food that directly burns fat, and the term "belly fat"...
Bodybuilders have a tendency to focus on protein, carbs and supplements without considering the importance of vegetables. Ask any pro bodybuilder what he eats, though, and he'll tell you how important vegetables are. Although most vegetables can...
The symptoms of menopause send many women running, sweat-drenched, to their nearest pharmacy or doctors. But if traditional medications and treatments don't offer relief from menopause symptoms, some women may opt for alternative medications --...
Consumers want to take natural products for their medical problems. Bioidentical hormones are considered equally effective -- and perhaps safer -- alternatives to synthetic drugs, according to a June 2011 review in "BMC Women's Health."...
Whether you're male or female, you may be exposed to too much estrogen from living in modern society. Estrogen in chemicals, such as plastics and pesticides, and hormones fed to cattle mimic the effects of estrogen. Also, being overweight adds to...
Health, diet, disease, stress and drugs affect women's menstrual cycles. Biological and cultural forces influence eating patterns and hormonal rhythms. Sudden weight loss due to strict dieting, gastric bypass, excessive exercise or anorexia...
The "Los Angeles Times" explains that HCG has gained an invalid reputation as a weight loss medication largely due to Kevin Trudeau's 2007 controversial book "The Weight Loss Cure 'They' Don't Want You to Know About" that glamorized Dr. A.T.W....
Estrogen is a hormone produced in the ovaries. It supports bone health and strength. High levels of estrogen can increase the risk of endometrial cancer and breast cancer. It can also strike an imbalance in the menstrual cycle and increase PMS...
Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause when your periods start to become irregular as your ovaries begin to produce fewer hormones. Weight gain is one of the more frustrating of a wide range of symptoms you can experience during...
There are other ways to lose weight besides maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. While those components are important, you can also look to other methods. Hormones that are out of balance can prevent your body from losing weight. Hormone...
Adjusting your diet and foods you eat can help with endometriosis. Learn how to adjust your diet to fit your specific health and nutrition needs in this healthy shopping video.