My apologies, we’ll start off a little nerdy with the science and then explain why it all matters. Bodies are cool.
The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis plays a critical role in regulating estrogen levels in the body. The HPG axis is a complex network of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and ovaries.
The hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which travels to the pituitary gland and stimulates the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In women, FSH stimulates the growth of follicles in the ovaries, while LH triggers ovulation and the production of estrogen. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries and acts on the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to regulate its own production. (Crazy, right? This is how we can become imbalanced – if we don’t eliminate estrogen effectively we’re essentially doubling down on this hormonal message that is impacting the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
In the female reproductive cycle, estrogen levels rise after ovulation, signaling to the hypothalamus to reduce GnRH secretion and thus FSH and LH production. The decrease in FSH and LH secretion suppresses ovulation and estrogen production, leading to a decline in estrogen levels. This decline triggers the secretion of GnRH, initiating another cycle of estrogen production. Sounds messy? Read it again if you like – it took me a while to wrap my brain around this one. Essentially, it’s a finely tuned cycle that can easily be thrown out of whack by improper signalling from the gut or liver.
Dysregulation of the HPG axis can lead to hormonal imbalances and various reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), infertility, and dysmenorrhea. In addition, the HPG axis also plays a role in regulating other hormonal systems in the body, including the HPA axis and the thyroid gland. Understanding the HPG axis and its role in estrogen regulation is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of reproductive and hormonal disorders.
Understandably, this shows how easily disregulation in the HPG axis can acutally show up as thyroid dysfunction type symptoms, and can easily be dismissed as such. You may not have an underactive thyroid, you may be suffering from a disruption in the HPG axis. Remember, in order to have hormonal balance you need to have a gut and nervous system working together in harmony.
