In my clinical experience, I have found that women have been mostly plagued with Candida and other yeast infections. I began to study this phenomenon and discovered a hormone connection. The following hormones can be causing your yeast infections: birth control pills or devices, estrogen, progesterone, elevated adrenal hormone cortisol or deficient thyroid hormones. Lets take a look at each one of these and their connection.

BIRTH CONTROL PILLS, DEVICES AND FEMALE HORMONE REPLACEMENT: Usually birth control pills are mostly made up from estrogen. Synthetic oral estrogen replacement products have been documented to promote yeast infections. In fact, a common complaint of many women on birth control pills is having yeast infections. There are several medical texts including the Merck manual that document the fact that estrogen hormone replacement therapy can cause yeast infections in women.

It is also common for women on synthetic progesterone to get a yeast infection. What I have discovered is when a woman's hormones are out of balance they are more susceptible to yeast infections at that time. I found this to be true especially if they are on synthetic hormone replacement therapy and their hormones are out of balance.

Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories published studies some time back, showing that hormones could effect intestinal bacteria negatively which can cause Candida to grow. When a woman takes oral hormones they pass through the intestines where the yeast gobble them up like super food and then become strong and grow in leaps and bounds. Because these hormones disrupt the normal balance in the gut the Candida can proliferate un-checked.

I have found that natural hormones do not effect yeast in the same way, mostly because of a different approach in their delivery system. Natural hormones are safer and just as effective because they are biologically identical to the synthetic form. Natural hormones do not have the side effects that synthetic hormones made from horse urine do. Natural hormones are usually made from soy products or wild yam and they have little to no side effects.

Birth control devices such as the copper 7 and other copper IUD's have been associated with yeast infections. Copper promotes the growth of yeast. Excess copper stored in the tissue can depress the adrenal, thyroid and immune system making it more difficult for the body to fight yeast. If you have used copper IUD's in the past a good test for copper toxicity is a hair analysis. It is the best measure for toxic metals and also measures any imbalance in you mineral levels that could effect your adrenals, thyroid or immune system. For more information click here Hair/Elemental Analysis.

The important key here is balance. If you have been having re-occurring yeast infections or have been plagued with Candida or it's associated symptoms I suggest you get a current comprehensive female hormone test. The most accurate test is a saliva test that measures your hormones at strategic points during a one month period. This is more accurate than taking a blood sample at one point in your cycle. For more information on this test click here Female Hormone Panel.

THE ADRENAL HORMONE CONNECTION
Many Candida suffers have reported that their symptoms worsen during periods of stress such as re-occurring vaginal yeast infections, skin rashes, allergies flair up, ear, nose and throat symptoms, chemical sensitivities, digestive trouble such as gas and bloating, foggy thought process, loss of memory, and increased white coating on the tongue and discharge from the vagina.

Cortisol is the adrenal hormone responsible for these aggravations during prolonged times of stress. When cortisol is released and it can lower the immune system, raise blood sugar, kill friendly bacteria; all contributing to the growth of Candida. The Adrenal Hormone Profile is very useful test in determining elivated cortisol and stressed our Adrenals.

HELP IS ON THE WAY
If someone has been going through prolonged periods of stress it can be very difficult to treat Candida, due to the above facts. Therefore, it would be most beneficial to test to see where the adrenal hormones lay so we can plan an effective course of action. The easiest way to detect elevated cortisol is through a saliva test.

Candida and elevated cortisol will contribute to weight gain especially around the mid section, making it extremely difficult to lose weight. For more information on this test click here Adreno Stress Hormone Profile. Once determine, elevated cortisol can be reduced through individualized nutrient protocols, but a stress reduction program must be instilled for optimum results.

THYROID HORMONE CONNECTION:
Hypothyroidism or a sluggish thyroid can contribute to Candida due to several reasons. A slow functioning thyroid can effect the immune system negatively because it in turn becomes sluggish. When the thyroid is sluggish the digestive and elimination process becomes sluggish too. When one has digestive problems they do not digest their food properly leading to food sensitivities, gas and bloating now the undigested food goes down into their large intestines and feeds the Candida. When the bowels become sluggish one becomes constipated and the longer the waste stays in the body the more yeast grow and the more toxins are re-absorbed back into the system, contributing to toxic symptoms such as headaches, body aches, flu like symptoms, body rashes, foggy thinking, loss of memory and the list goes on and on. In addition, when one becomes hypothyroid, the body temperature drops, this effect enzyme function which will in turn effect various chemical reactions within the body contribution to Candida growth.

Many main stream thyroid tests are not efficient in determining a thyroid problem. If they only test TSH and T4 you are not getting the whole picture. T4 needs to be converted to T3. Conversely, reverse T3 needs to be in adequate amounts to turn off other thyroid hormones. If one has elevated thyroid antibodies they may have Hasimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease commonly found in Candida sufferers.

The most complete thyroid test, just short of an ultrasound of the thyroid is the Thyroid Profile by Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratories.

Now you can see how specific hormones can contribute to the growth of Candida. Detecting the hormone imbalances is the first step towards mounting an assault on the Candida. Without these tests you can try numerous Candida diets and programs without success!

Call to set up a nutritional consultation so that tests can be performed and a comprehensive strategy of lifestyle, dietary modification and nutrient supplementation can be implemented to aid you in reversing this disorder.

For an appointment, contact our office at: 800-956-7083 and visit our web site www.completehealthinstitute.com go to lab tests and click on appropriate test for information.

Dr. Rispoli, Ph.D., L Ac. has had a clinical practice for over 20 years. Her programs work because she is so thorough in testing and providing a nutritional approach. Remember that the body can heal itself if given the proper nutrients.

The information herein is not intended as diagnosis, treatment or a cure. Should you have a medical condition please seek the advice of your medical doctor.