Adrenal fatigue is a debilitating condition that negatively affects the adrenal glands and the endocrine system (hormone system) as a whole. Women are disproportionately affected by adrenal fatigue compared to men.

Here, we’ll introduce adrenal fatigue, its causes and symptoms, and natural, proven methods for correcting the issue – including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Adrenal fatigue is a debilitating condition that negatively affects the adrenal glands and the endocrine system (hormone system) as a whole. Women are disproportionately affected by adrenal fatigue compared to men.

Here, we’ll introduce adrenal fatigue, its causes and symptoms, and natural, proven methods for correcting the issue – including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

What Is Adrenal Fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue occurs when the body’s demand for cortisol (the “stress hormone”) is too great. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, which are important components of the hormonal network called the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis (HPA axis).

The demand for increased cortisol production seen in adrenal fatigue is usually due to chronic stress. Stressors can manifest in either psychological or physical form – or, often, both. Stress triggers an uptick in the demand for cortisol, which in turn places a heavier burden on the adrenal glands where cortisol is produced.

In the modern industrialized world of sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, and constant pressure from family, work, and other social commitments, adrenal fatigue is an epidemic.

Adrenal fatigue can have disastrous health consequences for women, causing a cascade effect of harmful symptoms.

The symptoms of adrenal fatigue in women can include:

• Frequent feelings of chills or cold sensations.

• Mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.

• Salty and sweet food cravings.

• Diminished capacity to handle stress.

• Loss of energy (chronic fatigue).

• Undesired weight gain (especially increases in dangerous visceral fat or “belly fat”)

• New allergies.

• Heart palpitations.

• Low sex drive (sexual libido).

Reduced blood pressure.

Fortunately, women have several options for reversing the effects of adrenal fatigue and recovering optimal hormone health. Strategies can include:

• Eating a diet richer in whole foods (especially vegetables) with a focus on vitamin C, vitamin B, and magnesium – all of which support healthy adrenal function. Cut out processed foods.

• Practice intermittent fasting.

• Limit coffee intake.

• Breathing exercises and/or meditation at the beginning of the day.

• Supplementation with adaptogens, which can naturally modify the body’s stress response.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to support healthy estrogen levels.

BHRT is an advanced form of hormone therapy that utilizes 100%-natural estrogen sourced from plants called phytoestrogens. These plant estrogens are identical in structural to the natural estrogens that are normally produced by the ovaries.

Natural hormones are delivered via tiny hormone pellets (about the size of a grain of rice) that are inserted under the skin. BHRT is safe, well-tolerated, and delivers significant results to nearly every woman with a hormone deficiency who receives it.

Because adrenal fatigue is associated with disrupted hormone balance, any strategy for recovery must involve rebalancing the hormones. Due to the loss of estrogen seen in menopause, menopausal and post-menopausal women, in particular, are susceptible to the hormonal disruptions that characterize adrenal fatigue.

That’s where BHRT comes in. Women battling adrenal fatigue who receive bioidentical estrogen through therapy report feeling younger, more vibrant, and more energetic after successfully completing therapy.

Adrenal fatigue does not have to hold you back from living a full, enjoyable, healthful life. By following the solutions described in this article, potentially including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you can live better and enjoy a higher quality of life.

To get started, our Find a Provider tool can help you quickly locate a local, convenient BHRT provider near you. There is no reason to put off defeating adrenal fatigue and recovering your hormonal wellness any longer.