HORMONE IMBALANCE

Hormone imbalance can occur for a variety of reasons. It is most commonly associated with the aging process. Symptoms of hormone imbalance that are effectively treated with hormone replacement therapy include hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, anxiety, weight gain, muscle loss, joint pain, poor sleep, and more. Hormone therapy is the use of hormones to treat and restore hormone balance within the human body.

At Youthful Wellness Lounge, we exclusively offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to help patients overcome the negative symptoms of hormone imbalance, as well as experience well-being and better health as they age. Every treatment plan is designed to suit the needs of each patient’s personal medical history, health status, and lifestyle.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU NEED HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?

Men and women who feel they may have “passed their peak” or frequently experience low energy, sleepless nights, hair loss, low or no desire for sex, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, irritability, and more are candidates for hormone replacement therapy.

Hormone imbalance can diminish your quality of life and impact relationships. Bioidentical hormone therapy has been shown to be particularly effective for both women and men with few side effects and added benefits, such as reduced risk of disease.

HORMONE IMBALANCE SYMPTOMS FOR WOMEN AND MEN

Unexplained weight gain
Loss of muscle tone and mass
Brittle or Weak Bones
Poor Sleep
Irritability and Anxiety
Fatigue
Headaches
Low Libido- Low Sex Drive
Erectile dysfunction
Dry skin
Skin rashes
Sensitivity to Cold and Heat
Excessive sweating
Irritability
Lack of focus
Anxiety
Depression
Low energy
Joint pain
Vaginal dryness
Painful intercourse
Hot flashes
Night sweats

SYNTHETIC VS. BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE THERAPY

Synthetic hormones are often derived from animals and combined with chemicals to create a hormone therapy that is similar to but not exactly like human hormones.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), unlike synthetic hormones, uses bioidentical hormones derived from natural sources that are compounded to be an exact structural match to the hormones inside the human body.

The natural ingredients of bioidentical hormones have the same molecular structure of our natural hormones that, allows them to fit into the human receptors exactly the same as naturally- occuring hormones. This ensures the safety and efficacy of the treatment. With synthetic hormones, the molecular structure is only similar, causing the body to struggle with recognition of the substance and, therefore, causing side effects and poor outcomes.

Research done in past years focused on synthetic hormones. Researchers are now turning their attention to BHRT as the effectiveness of bioidentical hormone therapy has become renowned. Bioidentical hormones have been deemed as a natural hormone therapy option, which is effective for disease prevention as well as eliminating uncomfortable symptoms that often occur as part of the aging process.

In 1991, The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI)study suggested that hormone therapy was dangerous. At that time, it was the largest-ever study on hormone therapy. The study was designed to compare the efficacy of estrogen-only therapy vs combination of progesterone and estrogen therapies. In this study, researchers used only synthetic hormones, and many of the participants were of advanced age and at higher risk of disease before the study began. This lead to many experts reviewing the study and uncovering flaws in the methodologies used. These reviews have led large medical organizations and experts to revise previous policies against the use of hormone therapy. The now known benefits of hormone replacement therapy are numerous and it is believed to be the best treatment option for hormone imbalance and prevention of disease with the benefits outweighing the risks.

 

THYROID OPTIMIZATION

Thyroid dysfunction can impact your overall health and contribute to uncomfortable symptoms.
Thyroid imbalances can also be treated, and it begins with accurate lab testing of all the hormones that play a role in thyroid function.
Approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population suffers from thyroid dysfunction, yet 60 percent of Americans are undiagnosed. Untreated thyroid dysfunction can increase your risk of other diseases or worsen the impact of other conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
The thyroid influences nearly every cell in the body, making any dysfunction a significant issue. If you struggle with sleep, weight gain, depression or anxiety or if you just feel tired all the time, it could be related to thyroid imbalance.

 

ESTROGEN HORMONE THERAPY

As a woman ages, estrogen levels decline and have been shown to contribute to uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, low libido, weight gain, mood swings, and more. The dramatic decline and affiliated symptoms are classically linked to perimenopause and menopause, but low estrogen can occur before middle age.

Estrogen is a foundational hormone that regulates the brain and body bioenergetics in the female body. There are 3 types of estrogen found in the female body: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. The levels of all of these hormones start to fluctuate during perimenopause and fall dramatically at the onset of menopause. Estrogen is produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands. An extremely small amount of estrogen is produced in men through the conversion of testosterone. Symptoms characterized by loss of estrogen are hot flashes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, bladder problems, difficulty concentrating, and anxiety.

Health risks that occur with loss of estrogen are cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Estrogen is essential for bone growth, causing rapid bone loss after menopause. Loss of estrogen can also result in the development of heart disease. Estrogen may lower total blood cholesterol and raise healthy cholesterol. While estrogen protects the heart, it also protects the brain from cognitive impairments.

Unfortunately, most of the estrogen that is prescribed to women is synthetic estrogen, an estrogen that is not natural to the human body, and because of this, many women develop side effects. A healthy trend nowadays is to avoid synthetic estrogens and prescribe natural estrogens.

Human receptor sites were designed to accept natural estrogen, not the synthetic form that can cause side effects. Studies have shown that long-term use of synthetic estrogens increases the formation of breast cancer. In contrast, natural estrogen, especially when taken in conjunction with natural progesterone, can protect against breast cancer, similar to the way it protects against uterine cancer.

Benefits of estrogen:

Protects against cardiovascular risks
Supports healthy cholesterol.

Enhances memory and cognitive function
Decrease symptoms of menopause- hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, weight gain
Prevent bone loss by slowing the process
Improvement with vaginal dryness, bladder issues, painful intercourse

PROGESTERONE THERAPY

Progesterone is a hormone that is produced by the ovaries and adrenal glands. Progesterone functions to balance the effects of estrogen. Natural progesterone enhances the action of estrogen, and these hormones work together to maintain normal hormone balance. Progesterone is known as the “happy, calming” hormone. A lack of progesterone causes symptoms similar to those caused by deficiency of estrogen, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, decrease in libido, and diminished quality of life. The combination of progesterone and estrogen can prevent a downward spiral by keeping women vital, strong, and healthy.

The benefits of progesterone replacement are:

Maintains uterine lining
Supports hormonal balance and supporting breast tissue
Supports healthy mood
Natural diuretic
Aids thyroid hormone action
Supports healthy blood clotting
Supports healthy brain
Helps to support healthy blood sugar levels
Protects against abnormal cell development in the endometrium and breast tissue
Sustains strong bones
Promotes sleep

 

TESTOSTERONE HORMONE THERAPY

Most people believe that testosterone is the male hormone. What they don’t realize is that both men and women make and need testosterone for optimal health.

Testosterone plays a significant role in male and female sexual health, brain health, and weight management. As testosterone levels decline with age, you may experience a lack of focus, brain fog, low libido, anxiety, depression, insomnia and, an inability to build muscle, or weight gain.

TESTOSTERONE HORMONE THERAPY

Most people believe that testosterone is the male hormone. What they don’t realize is that both men and women make and need testosterone for optimal health. Testosterone plays a significant role in male and female sexual health, brain health, and weight management. As testosterone levels decline with age, you may experience a lack of focus, brain fog, low libido, anxiety, depression, insomnia and, an inability to build muscle, or weight gain.

Testosterone is important to both men and women. It is a hormone that is secreted by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and testes. Women require less testosterone than men, but it is needed to sustain a woman’s libido and enhance the functions of estrogen. In both males and females, it strengthens the bones to help prevent bone loss.

Testosterone naturally declines with age. Symptoms appear as a decrease in energy, thinning bones, and muscles, increased visceral fat, depression, anxiety, sleep issues and impaired sexual function. Testosterone deficiency has also been linked to hypertension, obesity, and increased heart disease risks.

Testosterone therapy helps patients restore hormone levels to an optimal state to eliminate symptoms and enhance health and well-being. Testosterone therapy is also effective in supporting a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.

Benefits of Testosterone:

Increased bone density
Increased energy
Improved sexual function
Increased sexual satisfaction
Decrease in body fat or improved body composition
Balance healthy cholesterol and or improve lipid profiles
Improved glucose levels
Balance healthy blood pressure
Increase sexual desire
Increase muscle strength
Improved moods
May help with prevention of Alzheimer’s disease

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FOR MEN

Hormone imbalance in men can occur at any age and is as common among men as it is among women. Men who choose to pursue male hormone replacement therapy experience a number of benefits, including improved strength and muscle mass, healthier sex drive and performance, more energy, better sleep, and better weight management.

Testosterone production naturally reduces in men as they age, making it difficult to enjoy the benefits of natural testosterone later in life.

LOW TESTOSTERONE OR ANDROPAUSE

Low testosterone, also known as low T or andropause, is observed in men at middle age. Research suggests that around age 45, nearly 40 percent of men will begin to experience symptoms of low testosterone.

Testosterone levels begin to decline in a man around his late 20s and recede over time. By age 40, most men begin to notice at least one or two symptoms of andropause or low testosterone.

Low levels of testosterone are risky to a man’s health. A number of studies have confirmed that low testosterone is correlated with an increased risk of disease, and seeking treatment to achieve hormonal balance can support reduced risk of disease.

HORMONE PELLET THERAPY FOR MEN

Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy for men provide natural restoration of testosterone, mimicking the natural structure and function of testosterone made by the human body.

Unlike other delivery methods, pellet therapy maximizes convenience and efficacy to achieve optimal results. During a routine appointment with your provider, the pellets are inserted under the top dermal layer near the upper buttock or flank area. Over the course of 5 to 7 months, depending on your body’s needs and lifestyle, the pellet releases a steady dose of testosterone to support your body’s needs. For men who are more active or under high stress, more hormones are released—the same reaction as the body would have with natural testosterone.

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FOR WOMEN

Women face hormonal fluctuations across a lifetime. Puberty, monthly menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause all contribute to hormonal changes that can impact a woman’s health, well-being, and quality of life. Hormone imbalance can happen at any age. Uncomfortable symptoms related to imbalanced levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone often appear after childbirth or when approaching menopause, also called perimenopause. When hormonal imbalances are left undiagnosed and untreated, women become at increased risk of disease. Natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is the solution for women experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy helps women find relief with fewer side effects and better results. Hormone balance and optimization can promote health and a complete sense of well-being.

Early symptoms of female hormone imbalance are commonly dismissed as signs of aging or stress brought on by everyday life. Many women continue to suffer without realizing that perimenopause and menopause should not cause daily symptoms and ongoing distress. Thyroid dysfunction presents with symptoms similar to menopausal hormone imbalance and should not be left untreated. Thyroid dysfunction can impact your overall health and contribute to uncomfortable symptoms.

Approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population suffers from thyroid dysfunction, yet 60 percent of Americans are undiagnosed. Untreated thyroid dysfunction can increase your risk of other diseases or worsen the impact of other conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.

The thyroid influences nearly every cell in the body, making any dysfunction a significant issue. If you struggle with sleep, weight gain, depression or anxiety or if you just feel tired all the time, it could be related to thyroid imbalance.

MENOPAUSE SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Menopause is one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalance among women. Menopausal changes typically begin around the age of 50, but there are a number of women who report distressing and uncomfortable symptoms much younger—even before the perimenopausal years.

Hormone imbalance can occur at any age. Symptoms may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, low libido, weight gain, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. When left untreated, symptoms can last years—more than a decade in some cases—impacting relationships, productivity at work or home, and reducing overall quality of life.

Fortunately, menopausal symptoms can be effectively treated with natural hormone therapy. Bioidentical hormone therapy allows women to experience the vast benefits of hormone replacement therapy for menopause without the risks or side effects associated with synthetic hormones.

HORMONE PELLET THERAPY FOR WOMEN

Hormone replacement pellet therapy is recognized as one of the most effective hormone therapy options. A number of studies have reported on the safety and efficacy of hormone replacement therapy.

Pellets are inserted under the skin near the hip or buttocks area during a routine appointment with your provider. After insertion, the pellet releases a steady dose of hormone(s) over 3 to 5 months, depending on your activity and stress level–much like your natural hormones. This feature avoids the peaks and valleys commonly associated with other hormone replacement therapy delivery methods. Plus, you do not have to remember to take a pill each day or risk transference like you do with creams or gels.

Women who choose hormone pellet therapy report an improvement in symptoms within a few weeks of beginning the treatment. Within a few months, most women report an improvement in other areas of their health and well-being, including better moods, more energy, and an increased sex drive.

IS HORMONE THERAPY EFFECTIVE?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been proven effective for the treatment of hormone imbalance related to conditions such as andropause (low testosterone in men), menopause, perimenopause, and thyroid dysfunction. HRT has also been shown to effectively reduce or eliminate symptoms of aging.

Hormonal imbalances can be difficult to identify because the symptoms present very differently in different people.
When you choose bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you are making a choice for a healthier, higher quality of life.

A hormone imbalance will not simply go away on its own. Seek the care of an expert in hormonal health who can help you get to the root of your problems and support your well-being with effective solutions. Select a provider who will look at the whole picture, reviewing hormone health, and who will create a treatment that is specifically designed to help you reach your personal level of optimization.

IS HORMONE THERAPY SAFE?

There have been a number of studies and meta-analyses reviewing the safety and efficacy of hormone therapy and bioidentical hormones. The outcomes suggest that bioidentical hormones are the safer, more effective option for treating conditions and symptoms of hormone imbalance when compared to methods of hormone therapy that use non-bioidentical hormone therapies.

In addition to effectively treating hormone imbalance, other studies have linked bioidentical hormones to a reduced risk of cardiovascular complications and breast cancer when compared to non-bioidentical hormone therapies.