Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" or the "cuddle hormone," plays a role in our overall well-being, potentially affecting our physical and emotional health, relationships, and hormonal balance. This hormone, produced primarily in the brain's hypothalamus region, may have effects on various aspects of our lives. In this article, we explore the potential impact of oxytocin on health, hormones, relationships, and well-being, drawing insights from the expertise of Dr. Anna Cabeca, a renowned OBGYN, and the "Girlfriend Doctor."
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Discovering the Role of Oxytocin
Dr. Anna Cabeca's journey to understanding the significance of oxytocin was a personal one, influenced by her own experiences with trauma and the challenges she faced in her medical practice. As she recounts:
"I trained as a gynecologist. I'm an obstetrician at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. And I came into solo practice, into private practice, right after as a National Health Service Corps scholar... And I quickly realized with the economic strains of many of my clients' shrimpers and some of the poorest areas of our nation... my doctor's bag was empty. It was really insufficient to deal with many of the things that I was seeing in my patients. And especially when it came to sexual health and menopause area."
"Through my own trauma, personal trauma, where in 2006, we lost our son in a tragic accident, and it was devastating for all of us," she shares. "And yet my husband and I desperately wanted to have another child."
It was through her tragedy of losing a child and the subsequent struggle with infertility that Dr. Cabeca encountered the potential benefits of oxytocin. After traveling the world and incorporating various natural approaches, she was able to conceive again at the age of 41, a feat she had been told was unlikely. This experience opened her eyes to the body's potential and the importance of addressing root causes, leading her to explore functional medicine and the role of oxytocin more deeply.
How to Know if Your Oxytocin is Low
Recognizing the signs of potentially low oxytocin levels is the first step in addressing possible imbalances. Dr. Cabeca sheds light on some symptoms that might be associated with low oxytocin:
"When oxytocin is low, you may feel disconnected... Anhedonia, lack of enjoyment, lack of pleasure. Also, we see in like, for example, autistic children are very low in oxytocin. We see pale skin, inability to flush. We can feel cold, clammy hands."
She further elaborates on the emotional and behavioral indicators:
"I will hear a client say, 'I love my wife, but I don't feel love for her.' Or 'I love my husband, I don't feel love for him.' 'I used to love doing this activity. I don't even want to do it anymore.'"
Dr. Cabeca also utilizes an "Oxytocin Quiz" on her dranna.com website to help individuals assess their oxytocin levels and identify potential deficiencies.
Menopause, Emotions, and Hormonal Health
One of the areas where oxytocin may play a role is in maintaining emotional balance and well-being during the menopausal transition. As Dr. Cabeca explains:
"If they're shaming people on Instagram... If they're hating on other people and they're not lifting you up, if they're putting you down, there's no reason we need to put, there's always something positive I can find in anyone. And that's a practice and a skill that I worked on. But it's like, I can learn from everyone. Anyway, I think that's a sign of low oxytocin."
The decline in hormones like estradiol and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause can potentially impact oxytocin levels, leading to emotional shifts, decreased patience, and a general sense of disconnection. Dr. Cabeca emphasizes addressing these hormonal imbalances to support optimal oxytocin production.
The Hormone Hierarchy
To understand the relationship between oxytocin and other hormones, Dr. Cabeca introduces the concept of the "hormone hierarchy":
"I like to categorize all our hormones, say at a university. Every student in a university has their own mission, their own purpose, their own role, their own job, et cetera, and gifts... Then the hierarchy, that's insulin and cortisol and adrenaline... And then the Dean of the University, the President of the University that is our oxytocin. Think about as the overarching the king or queen hormone the presidential hormone. And that is the hormone of love and connection."
In this analogy, Dr. Cabeca likens our hormones to students within a university, each with its unique purpose and function. However, the true governing forces within this hierarchy are insulin, cortisol, and adrenaline, which she refers to as the "professors." These hormones influence the balance and harmony within our bodies.
Just as a disruptive professor can create chaos and disorganization within a classroom, insulin, cortisol, or adrenaline imbalances can have consequences on our hormonal landscape. Elevated cortisol levels, for instance, can potentially suppress oxytocin production, producing emotional and physical effects.
At the pinnacle of this hierarchy stands oxytocin, the "Dean of the University" or the "President," a hormone that Dr. Cabeca describes as the "king or queen hormone." Oxytocin's role is to establish a sense of tranquility, connection, and overall well-being, ensuring that the various hormonal "students" work in harmony towards a common goal.
This hierarchical perspective highlights the importance of addressing imbalances, from managing stress and insulin levels to supporting optimal oxytocin production.
Balancing Cortisol and Oxytocin
One of the factors influencing oxytocin levels is the stress hormone cortisol. Dr. Cabeca emphasizes the balance between these two hormones:
"Stress with cortisol is the biggest thing with oxytocin and disrupted sleep. That's hugely disruptive to oxytocin... And on the stress factor, it's either real stress or perceived stress. Watching the news. It's like take action for good instead of watching the bad. Use your energy for the positive. That creates more oxytocin."
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can potentially suppress oxytocin production, affecting emotional well-being, relationships, and overall health. Dr. Cabeca encourages practices that reduce stress and promote a positive mindset, as these can naturally support oxytocin levels.
How to Support Oxytocin Naturally
While oxytocin replacement therapy may be considered in certain cases, Dr. Cabeca emphasizes the importance of nurturing our body's natural ability to produce this hormone. She shares various strategies to support oxytocin levels naturally:
1. Supplementation: Dr. Cabeca suggests considering vitamins C and D, as these nutrients may play a role in supporting oxytocin production and overall hormonal health.
2. Lifestyle practices:
- Quality time with pets: "Playing with a pet, having that time with a pet. They are so full of oxytocin."
- Intimacy and sexual health: "Orgasm, sexual health and intimacy."
- Engaging in fun and thrilling activities: "Doing things that increase oxytocin together, doing things you love, adventures you love, enjoying nature, enjoying some thrilling aspects of nature, going for long hikes, doing surfing, going out and doing fun stuff, exhilarating, that combine, and you're having fun."
- Attending social events: "Going to a wedding increases your oxytocin."
3. Essential oils: Dr. Cabeca suggests using specific essential oils, such as bergamot and lavender, to promote a sense of calm and positivity, which can indirectly support oxytocin levels.
4. Gratitude practice: "Microdosing gratitude throughout the day is microdosing oxytocin throughout the day."
5. Deep breathing and vagus nerve stimulation: "Deep breathing, vagus nerve, like in stimulating the vagus nerve, may support your oxytocin levels naturally as well."
Oxytocin Use for Couples
While oxytocin replacement therapy should only be considered under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional, Dr. Cabeca discusses its potential benefits for couples:
"Sometimes I'll go up to 50 IUs, Carrie, prescribing for like pre-intercourse, pre-intimacy for enhanced orgasm. But mostly I use it more often now for PTSD, trauma, and just kind of let's just get this crutch, get you back into the habit of what that feels good."
She also addresses the use of oxytocin vaginally, stating:
"Oxytocin is perfectly fine. DHEA, like in my Julva, perfectly fine for the male partner. It's a great question."
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Conclusion
Oxytocin, the "love hormone," may play a role in our overall well-being, potentially impacting our physical and emotional health, relationships, and hormonal balance.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, with its myriad stressors and emotional challenges, understanding and nurturing our oxytocin levels become increasingly important. Whether we strengthen our relationships, enhance our emotional resilience, or cultivate greater well-being, Dr. Cabeca's insights offer a holistic approach that addresses root causes and fosters a harmonious hormonal balance.
We can explore the potential of this hormone to help us thrive in our personal and professional lives and experience the joy and connection that come with a life lived in harmony with our body's innate wisdom.
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