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How related are PVC to hormones?

Hi, I'm a 36 years old female. I have had what I think is PVCs for the past six years. They usually only start after vigorous excersice and stop the same day or the day after. I saw my PCP about them back in 2005 and had an echocardiogram, which was normal. She suggested the holster, but at that time I was so busy with career, studies and a 1 year old, and since she said it was probably nothing to worry about and it wasn't so bad, I never had it done, so I don't have confirmation on what it is.  
Well, it was all good until monday last week, when they came for apparently no reason (I had surgery so I haven't been excersising) and had not leave since. My PCP told it's time to see the cardiologist to know what is happening, so I'm going to be wearing the holster this wednesday.
When talking to the cardiologist, he did mention that this is very common in young women and that he had patients that complaint about having them before their periods came. After reading some posts in this and other forums it looks like it may indeed have something to do with female hormones.
I'd been reading a lot about hormonal imbalance, as I have many symptoms related to what is called perimenopause (irregular periods, hot flashes, breast lumpiness and discharge, ovarian cysts, etc). I'm actually talking to my gyno to start bioidentical hormones (I finally found a doctor that is working with them instead of the synthetic ones).
My question is, has anyone understood the relationship between PCVs and hormones? Is it because too much estrogen or too little progesterone?
To be honest with you, I'm really weary of the MDs and drugs. The cardio prescribed me a low dose beta blocker and my PCP a low dose antianxiety, but I don't want to take them as I"m afraid of the side effects!!!! If I can understand what is the relation between these PVCs and hormones, I will be able to more effectively talk to my gyno about the natural hormone replacement treatment.

More info about my case: Three weeks ago I had surgery to repair an umbilical hernia. 3 days later I developed a nasty allergic reaction to the iodine that caused blisters around the surgical wound and had it infected. I ended up in the hospital for 3 day with IV antibiotics, steroids and antihistamines. After being discharged, I continued using steroid creams and antibiotics for one more week. The non-stop PVC started 3 days after I stopped the antibiotics and the cream. The cardiologist doesn't think there is any relation between any of these medicines and the PVCs, but I don't think there is any other possible trigger that could have had then started and not letting them stop, what do you think?
Best Answer
363281 tn?1643235611
Hormones can definitely cause the irregular heart beats, I know when I am near my period, I get a lot more than usual. However, adding the natural form of progesterone will help the palps not cause them, I think that was a mis print, I am a member of skipping hearts and I have read that article, it is a great group by the way. Bio-identical hormones are terrific, they mimic your own bodies hormones and are very safe, they can certainly help those going through peri-menopause like I am.

The reason hormone fluctuation can cause weird heart beats is due to the chemical changes our bodies are going through, the natural hormones will act like your own, and they sort of boost what you have, thus, making you feel better in general, they work with your body, not against them.

One other thing, being under a lot of stress can cause these and stress can also affect our hormone production.

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Avatar universal
I suffer with tachychardia too.  Try taking a really deep breath and holding it while baring down on your stomach muscles like you are having a bowel movement.  Hold as long as you can then SLOWLY let out your breath.  Works every time for me.  An ER doctor taught me that.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow...so good to hear your story although I know it's not fun.  I am 38 years old with 9 kiddos...I know that my SVT is directly correlated to my hormones and stress/anxiety.  It always happens directly after ovulation and on occasion if I get stressed out. The ONLY thing that I have found to help is Nature's Sunshine Nervous Fatigue Formula and also Anxiousless, (by the same company)  My heart has gone up to 270 bpm. on quite a few occasions. Normally I can convert by blowing on my thumb or just waiting it out...ugh. I have had adenosine twice. Super not fun....it is nice knowing that I am not alone in my thought process on hormones being related...if I could just get a doctor to understand that...
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Avatar universal
Wow, this is something else..I've been searching all over the place for some kind of confirmation on my irregular heartbeats.  Doctors reduce it to anxiety or panic attack, which is what it may seem like, but I'm not having anxiety issues or anything, it's just an irregular heartbeat.  it's different all the time, but I feel it most when I lay down to go to bed.  It will be thumping all through my chest, throat and shoulders. I'll feel it speed up a few then slow down, sometimes it will skip a beat and start up normally again, but it seems to be worse just before my period.  Had the holster monitor once that didn't show anything, but it's really bothersome.  Anti-depressants or anxieties don't do anything as I've tried a couple.  The only thing I can think of is hormones, but my doctor has not heard of that or have any idea of it, so I have a hard time getting any help.  Good to know I'm not alone.  I'm 37 and have been having this for at least a year now.  Perimenopause?
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Avatar universal
Hi.  So glad I came across this site.  I started on natural progesterone 3 months ago and everything was good until this month (Feb) My periods were regular every 28 days.  Now this month I started my period on time and then started the progesterone on day 12 and period started again 3 days later, very heavy and bleeding for 8 days now, it has slowed down.  Since then I have been having weird heart rhythm. I am 49 years old and approaching 50 in june.  Do you think my heart rhythms are associated with progesterone?  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Lynn
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I finally have the results of all the tests I have. As I expecte, the holster showed about 10000 pvc, several in bigemy, trigemy and runs. My heart rate remained always bellow 120, so no tachycardia.
The results of the echo are normal, showing trace mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Stress test was completely normal, although right after I got out of the office, the PVC started again (they stopped when my period came again)
The cardiologyst said not to worry about the regurgitation and told me to try magnesium to see if it helps with the PVCs. I ask him about the hormonal relationship and he didn't say any specific, what did approve on me starting a bioidentical program.
I have an appointment on monday to get the results of my hormonal blood work to get started on that. SassieLassie, did you start your regime? How is working for you so far?
Thanks again for the info.
Helpful - 0
363281 tn?1643235611
Starting Tuesday, I will be trying a new method of bio-identical hormones called "The wiley Protocol" This is supposed to be the best method of all as it incorporates both the estrogen hormone, Estradiol, and the Progesterone hormone during different times of the month, I am anxious to start. I think if you type in "Wiley Protocol" on google and do a search, you will find some neat info on it. You can only get it with a doctors prescription through a pharmacy that is licensed to do sell it. I will let you know how I like it via a PM.
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Avatar universal
Thanks SassyLassie. I wore the holster yesterday, I'm waiting for them to give me the results. Since I stopped taking the low dose inderal I started last week, the palps yesterday were quite often, sometimes I would feel 11 PVC's in a row several times during the day, that was a first for me and I'm glad it was captured in the monitor so that I can discuss it with the cardiologist.
The inderal right now is helping in reducing the sensation, but the PVCs are still there. I can't wait to start on the hormones and start feeling better at so many levels. Are you using bioidentical hormones? I sure will love to hear the experiences of others with them in regards to their hearts and general health.
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Avatar universal
Thanks no_fate. It's an interesting article, so it looks like an increase in progesterone might cause them.
In my case, my palps are not related to my periods. Before this particular episode, they always camed after excersice. This time however, I don't know why they came or why they haven't gone away after a week.
Helpful - 0
1144520 tn?1277115601
In case you haven't read,
on skippinghearts there is an article about the relationship between hormones and pvc's.

http://www.skippinghearts.com/articles/palpitations-period-pvc-menstruation/
Helpful - 0
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