Menopause & Andropause: do you need bio-identical hormones?

What are hormones?

It helps to have a basic understanding of what hormones are, what they do, and how they work. Hormones are substances secreted by glands, which are then transported through the bloodstream to a target tissue where they regulate the functioning of that target tissue.

Hormones exist in a delicate balance are just one aspect of the complex relationship that exists among our body’s nervous, endocrine, and immune systems.

A hormone’s ability to perform its duties is dependent in many factors including receptors that provide a mechanism for making them available to the tissue and plasma proteins that are used to transport hormones throughout the body.

In addition, factors such as diet, low blood sugar, stress and sleep deficit can affect the function of the receptor and levels of plasma binding proteins which subsequently accept the accuracy of the hormone level measurement.

What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?

Being familiar with the symptoms associated with hormone imbalance is critical to assessing your hormone health. Someone may need his or her doctor’s help to identify deficiency or excess.

Here are some of them, notice the overlap of symptoms sometimes.

Estrogen deficiency – hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disorder, vaginal dryness, dry skin, anxiety, mood swings, headaches, depressions, memory loss, palpitations, painful intercourse, inability to reach orgasm

Estrogen excess – water retention, fatigue, breast swelling, loss of sex drive, craving for sweets, weight gain

Progesterone deficiency – headache, low libido, anxiety, moodiness, swollen breast, weight gain, painful joints, acne

Progesterone excess – drowsiness, menstrual cycle changes

Testosterone deficiency – loss or absent libido, depression, lethargy, weakness, foggy thinking

Testosterone excess – acne, weight gain, fluid retention, male hair growth patterns

DHEA deficiency – low bone density, chronic fatigue, difficulty losing weight, sparse hair, mood swings

DHEA excess – acne, increased facial hair, deepening of voice, mood swings

ACTH deficiency – fatigue, weakness, nausea, hypotension, low blood sugar

ACTH excess – obesity, bruised skin, slow wound healing, hypertension, osteoporosis and anxiety

How do you know if you are imbalanced?

Commercially available laboratory kits for measuring hormones include urine, blood, and saliva tests. Different types of hormone tests vary in their sampling and analyzing technique and each has its own critiques and limitation. You need to discuss with your doctor the type of test appropriate for your needs.

Natural Hormones vs. Conventional HRT

Conventional hormone replacement therapy consists of premarins, premabera, and birth control pills. They are not bio-chemically identical since they work by replacing or substituting one hormone for another in the body, for example, substituting progestin for progesterone. Because of this unintended side effects are more likely. Natural hormones are prescribed and compounded by compounding pharmacies for each individual patient needs and tend to relieve symptoms with fewer side effects.

Custom Compounding allows for precise dosing and potency tailored to individual needs. It also allows finer adjustments than Conventional HRT.

Hormonal balance is not simple but complex. Finding and attaining the best hormone combination and dose may require adjustments. It is important to disclose to your physicians the medicine, over the counter medicines and alternative therapies you are using, since they all may affect your hormonal balance.

It is of utmost important that you find a physician that you will feel comfortable with and who is knowledgeable in bio-identical hormone replacement. After all, the choices you make at this time of your life have a magnificent impact on your future health.

Dr. Divina Gracia Averilla is Board Certified in Family Practice and Anti-Aging Medicine. She may be contacted at Love Your Body Medical Spa, 5693 S. Jones Blvd. Ste 108, Las Vegas, NV 89118 (702-649-5683 / lybms@aol.com).