Q. Dear Terry, “Any ideas for dealing with painful periods?”– Twila K., Dothan, AL

A. Dear Twila, I believe our exposure to xenoestrogens (toxins that mimic estrogen in the body) is causing huge disturbances to our natural hormone balance. When estrogen becomes out of balance in women, it can lead to a variety of issues, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and symptoms like pain, irritability, breast tenderness, bloating, and more.

While estrogen is necessary for good health, it goes through a life cycle that can transform it into unhealthy and unfavorable forms. Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a compound from cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage that, when combined with other powerful botanicals, can help to maintain the right form of estrogen, while increasing detoxification of the wrong forms of estrogen.

I recommend taking 120 mg of DIM that has been clinically studied, once or twice per day.
To assist with the detoxification of xenoestrogens and other unfavorable forms of estrogen, I believe curcumin is incredibly important. The liver is the detoxification door through which the “estrogen trash” needs to pass on its way out of the body and to prevent it from accumulating in the body. The curcumin I recommend is blended with turmeric essential oil for enhanced absorption and even better cellular protection.

Lastly, I think French grape seed extract is also very important for improving hormone balance. It is a known aromatase enzyme inhibitor, which prevents the conversion of androgens into estrogens. The grape seed extract I think is best contains low-molecular weight oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) that are much easier for the body to absorb and utilize.

I recommend 250 mg of curcumin and French grape seed extract, once or twice per day.

Because the liver is so important when it comes to detoxification, including hormones, you may also want to consider taking these botanicals for additional liver support: 100 mg of milk thistle, 200 mg of andrographis, and 100 mg of French grape seed extract, once or twice daily.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally