Hormones are incredible chemical messengers in the body that affect the brain, heart, bones, muscles, and reproductive organs and are an essential part of the workings of every cell in the human body. Hormones work best when balanced. However, hormones can become imbalanced.
Hormone imbalances are caused by –
- Higher than average levels of stress
- Poor food choices
- Inadequate sleep
- Taking synthetic hormones
- Sedentary lifestyle (lack of movement or exercise)
Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.
Hormones work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including –
- Growth and development
- Metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood
Symptoms
Symptoms of hormone imbalance are experienced during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and post-partum, premenopausal and menopause. That makes up a sizeable portion of a woman’s life.
The common hormone imbalance symptoms include –
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Acne or skin breakouts
- Urinary tract infections
- Temperature changes
- Anxiety and irritability
- Headache/migraines
- Cravings for sweets
- Excess hair growth
Other symptoms include
- Allergy symptoms
- Problem sleeping
- Irregular periods
- Feeling fatigued
- Water retention
- Oily or dry skin
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings
- Weight gain
- Depression
Natural or Bio-identical Hormone Balancing
Bioidentical hormones – or bio identical hormones – are derived from naturally occurring sources, such as yams and soy, and are designed to replicate the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced naturally by our bodies. Based on your hormone levels, a specialized compounding pharmacy can individually tailor a bioidentical hormone regimen specifically designed for you.
These include –
Estrogen – Bi-estrogen (Bi-Est), a combination of estriol and estradiol. From 50% to 80% of Bi-Est is estriol, which has been shown to protect against breast cancer in animal studies. Estriol causes little or no stimulation to the uterine lining and is clinically effective for the treatment of symptoms caused by estrogen deficiency, such as vaginal dryness and atrophy, painful intercourse, and urinary tract disorders (incontinence, frequent urinary tract infections). Estradiol relieves symptoms such as vaginal thinning and dryness. It decreases hot flashes and night sweats; improves mood, energy level, sleep patterns, memory, and cognitive function; and reduces bone loss and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It also helps to lower blood pressure.
Tri-estrogen (Tri-Est) a combination of 80% estriol, 10% estradiol, and 10% estrone. Only a few women may need supplemental estrone, which is the primary estrogen produced after menopause.
Progesterone is a hormone commonly prescribed for women with too much estrogen relative to the level of progesterone produced by the body. Progesterone minimizes the stimulating effects of estrogen on coronary arteries, and when given alone or combined with estrogen, it may improve bone mineral density. Progesterone improves sleep, may increase libido, acts as a diuretic, lowers blood pressure, and improves the insulin-glucose balance to facilitate blood glucose control.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is prescribed for women whose hormone profile as determined by saliva, blood or urine testing indicates a low level of DHEA. DHEA enhances libido, helps to build bone mass, lowers the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, improves the sense of well-being, and increases alertness.
Testosterone is prescribed for women deficient in that hormone. It can help to improve libido, help to build bone mass, improve mood and the sense of well-being, increase muscle mass and strength, lower levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, normalize blood glucose levels, and decrease body fat.
Bioidentical hormones are more appealing to the masses when dealing with menopause or andropause because they are derived naturally and our bodies can metabolize them properly. Another advantage of using bioidentical hormones is that they are specifically designed to match your individual hormonal needs – unlike synthetic hormones, which use a one-size-fits-all approach to symptom relief.
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