Today, we’re going to talk about the HPO axis and it’s relationship to the menstrual cycle.
This involves the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and their effects on the ovaries in terms of hormone production. This in term affects ovulation and determines the length and health of the menstrual cycle.
We are going to look at both the external and internal environments and some lifestyle changes you can make to get the best out of your hypothalamus and pituitary gland to optimise the health of your ovaries.
The Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is located within your brain and is a control centre, primarily connecting your endocrine and nervous systems.
The hypothalamus regulates temperature, hormones, metabolism, growth, appetite, salt, water, stress and receives signals of light and dark.
The hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland in the brain to release FSH and LH. It does this through a pulsation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). If the pulsation is too fast, too much LH is released and if the pulsation is slow, there is likely to be a dominance of FSH.
What Does This Mean?
High LH is seen in PCOS and can lead to multiple follicles (12-13) growing on an ovary without them developing fully, and therefore not producing an egg. When ovulation doesn’t occur, or only occurs in an irregular pattern, the menstrual cycle is often long and irregular, making timed intercourse difficult.
High FSH can lead to a lower ovarian reserve and affect egg quantity and quality. It is also connected to oestrogen so we like to look at the balance of these hormones together.
If your Hypothalamus is out of Balance You May Have:
PCOS
Ammenorrhea (long periods without bleeding)
Long and irregular cycles
Temperature swings
Stress or anxiety
High or low AMH
The Pituitary Gland and Ovary
The pituitary gland is a small endocrine gland located at the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus. It releases FSH and LH. FSH stimulates follicle growth in the ovaries and LH triggers ovulation when a dominant follicle is at optimum size.
The steroid hormones are then made by the ovary and testosterone is converted to oestrogen which will support the lining of the uterus.
You can see that if there is an imbalance in hormones, there may be problems with egg production, follicular growth, ovulation, menstrual cycle health and uterine lining. PCOS is the most common diagnosis of ovulating disorder and can be affected by androgens (male sex hormones), insulin, the hypothalamus, pituitary and the ovary.
What Can You Do To Support the Hypothalamus, Pituitary and Ovary?
Have an early bedtime
Avoid blue light at least 1 hour before bed.
Include a blue light filter on devices.
Read from a book, not a kindle.
Avoid long distance travel, jet lag and sleep changes (shift work)
Regulate insulin with a healthy diet
Meditation
Inner child healing
Journalling on triggers
Acupuncture
How Can Acupuncture Help?
In Chinese Medicine we see the needles as a weather vane. We can activate the appropriate channels with the needles and allow the body to find its own way.
For example:
If oestrogen is high, this means that the pituitary and hypothalamus function is also high, leading to an increase in production of LH and FSH.
Acupuncture can encourage the body to reduce oestrogen and modulate FSH and LH by a process called ‘moving blood.’ We would use needles in the abdomen and legs to do this.
If oestrogen and therefore pituitary and hypothalamic function are low, we would need to support Blood and Yin. For this treatment, you could expect needles in the wrists, ankles and lower abdomen.
This is why I will ask you for blood test results to support the Chinese Medicine diagnosis in order to give you the most effective treatment.
In Chinese Medicine, we put a strong focus on treating the heart, as the heart is the master controller of the brain, hypothalamus and pituitary.
At Creation Acupuncture I do this by treating the heart channel on the wrists and via heart chakra healing through meditation, emotional support, inner child healing and journalling.
I hope this helps to understand the role of the hypothalamus if you have long cycles, PCOS or ovulation disorders.
Natalia
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