Estradiol: Estradiol is also labelled E2 estrogen. This is the strongest estrogen that your body produces. It promotes cell proliferation and is produced with every menstrual cycle. If your hormones are off kilter and you’re noticing it, this is the most probable cause. It is the first prescribed hormone in most replacement therapies. On a personal note, I tested super low on E2 (to a count of 7 but as hormonal levels change with our cycles, this could be different in a week’s time).

Progesterone: Progesterone is one of the neutral hormones. It is a balancing hormone to E2 (or estradiol – see above). This is the hormone that protects your uterine lining and breast tissue. If you have low progesterone levels you may find that you have an estrogen dominance (not in my case as seen above). Progesterone also assists your body to build new bone and aid in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Testosterone: This hormone is a love/hate thing for me. I’ve always been a little high, but as I’ve aged my testosterone level is growing higher. Concern over a genetic disposition to heart troubles as high levels can triple heart risks for older women. The hormone might cause facial hair growth but will also increase libido. (See what I mean about love/hate?)

DHEA: Found in your adrenals, (the orchestrator of hormone availability as it was explained to me), DHEA converts to testosterone and the estrogens. If you are tested and are deficient this one is an easier ‘fix’ than other hormones with a DHEA supplement.

AM Cortisol: Cortisol, also made in the adrenals, as a reaction to stress. High cortisol causes weight gain, decreased libido, low energy, and mild confusion or forgetfulness. My cortisol levels were only slightly out of whack, but given other factors in my life, I was told to assess and make changes in my daily stress levels immediately.

Related Posts

• Signs of Hormonal Imbalance
• Natural vs. Bio Identical Hormones

Why would you want to do this?

The results will give you a decent indication of what is changing or amiss in your body. The nice part about a saliva test is that you’ll discover which hormones are actually being circulated through your system. Circulation equals instant availability – as opposed to a blood test which may only show which hormones and their levels are present. Not necessarily the same thing, right?

Get yourself a test if you are experiencing any/all of the following and/or get to your general practitioner. Do not rely on home tests alone if something is terribly amiss.

• Irregular periods.
• Hot flashes and night sweats.
• Forgetfulness or confusion.
• Depression or anxiety.
• Afternoon lethargy.
• Bloating without cause.
• Lack of libido.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Yeast or urinary tract infections.
• Thinning hair or skin.
• Unexplainably stiff joints in morning.
• Incredible craving for carbohydrates and sweets.
  

Saliva test kits are available online, are non-intrusive and have many benefits. Wouldn’t you rather know than guess?

Related Posts

• Signs of Hormonal Imbalance
• How Did We All Get Sucked into Synthetics?