by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Mar 20, 2024 | Hypothalamus
How does BPA affect your hormones? Let’s talk about it. BPA – Bisphenol A – is an endocrine-disrupting compound used in the manufacture of everyday products like plastic water bottles and canned food linings. BPA can leach from these products into...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Mar 13, 2024 | Menopause, Women's Health
Did you know there’s another estrogen? Let’s meet E4. Estetrol (E4) is a natural estrogen discovered in 1965. It is known as E4 because it has four OH groups. Estetrol is produced exclusively by the fetal liver and is found in detectable levels only during...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Oct 11, 2023 | Perimenopause
What is the hypothalamus’ role in perimenopause and how can progesterone help? Let’s talk about it. Perimenopause is the 5 to 15 years before menopause when you have your very last period. At that time your hormone levels are fluctuating drastically but the hormone...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Nov 29, 2023 | Hypothalamus, Women's Health
What is estrogen dominance and what is the role of progesterone? Let’s talk about it. Estrogen dominance is a condition where a woman produces more estrogen in ratio to progesterone. In a healthy reproductive cycle, the ovary produces 10-50 times more progesterone...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Aug 28, 2023 | Menopause, Women's Health
Why do menopausal women have memory issues? Let’s talk about it. A severe impairment of cognitive function characterizes dementia. Mild cognitive impairment represents a transition between normal cognition and dementia. The frequency of cognitive changes is higher in...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: May 16, 2023 | Menopause, Women's Health
How do you manage hypoglycemia in menopause? Let’s talk about it. Hypoglycemia means your blood sugar is too low. It’s quite common in young women, especially cyclically. The reason for that is estrogen helps to stimulate insulin receptors. When your...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Feb 27, 2023 | Gut Health, Men's Health, Women's Health
How do hormones affect your colon health? Let’s talk about it. Hormones definitely affect the health of your colon. Estrogen promotes a healthy colon epithelial layer. Estrogen deficiency in post-menopause can lead to dysplasia or abnormal cells in the colon....
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Feb 2, 2023 | Hypothalamus, Menopause
Why is estrogen dominance a menopause health problem? Let’s talk about it. Estrogen dominance means that estrogen is out of balance with progesterone. When you’re reproductively active and ovulating regularly, you make 10 to 50 times more progesterone than...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Feb 2, 2023 | Hypothalamus, Infertility
Is there a connection between infertility and depression? Let’s talk about it. When you’re having trouble getting pregnant, it can have a lot of psychological impacts. Depression and anxiety are incredibly common for infertile couples. Infertility is...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Jan 16, 2023 | Blog, Weight Management
Can hormones cause weight gain? Yes, if they’re out of balance. Hormones are essential to life. But when they’re out of balance, your metabolism is affected. And that means you can gain weight. First, Unopposed estrogen can cause water weight. Especially if you’re...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Jan 11, 2023 | Hypothalamus
You have estrogen receptors all over your body, as well as in your brain, and it’s well-known that your hypothalamus is rich in estrogen receptors. We tend to assume that since estrogen is a sex hormone, it only affects sexual behavior. But it actually affects...