Hormone imbalance and deficiency is something many struggle with, especially once they reach their 50s. Though seemingly small, this difference in overall health can have a significant impact on anyone in the midst of its symptoms and side effects. Hormone imbalance can occur in both men and women, but all women will inevitably face this change.
Menopause is a widely known condition that occurs in every woman. Menopause is characterized by a decrease in both estrogen and progesterone levels in the female body, resulting in a myriad of symptoms and psychological changes such as depression, anxiety, mood swings, and memory loss. Women who go through menopause can start to feel like a completely different person or like they are losing a part of themselves—the femininity they have had their entire life. While not life-threatening, menopause and its symptoms can be a staggering change. For years women have been desperate for a treatment. There are several options in the form of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.
Testing can determine hormone deficiencies in men and women. Some of the most important hormones in the body include estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in women, and testosterone and estradiol in men. These hormones are produced by the ovaries/testes and the adrenal gland. Deficiencies in these hormones can happen during menopause or perimenopause, the transition period women go through before menopause, resulting in hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, brain fog, weight gain, and decreased libido. DHEA and pregnenolone are also produced in the adrenal gland and can negatively affect energy levels and memory, as well as mood and libido.
Simple blood work is all that is needed to check these hormone levels. There are a variety of bio-identical hormone replacement therapies available for supplementing all of these hormones. They may be compounded as creams, oral and sublingual tablets, or pellets, which are popular because they stabilize hormone levels and only have to be replaced every three to five months. This is the most common form of the hormone replacement therapy. These pellets, no bigger than a grain of rice, are inserted via a small and virtually painless incision. Hormones are slowly released based on cardiac output over the next three to five months in women and four to six months for men. This method is easy and painless, allowing the patient to live their life as they normally would, without being tied to a daily prescription regimen.
Men are no strangers to hormone imbalances, though they are less commonly heard about. Men suffering from hormone imbalances can experience symptoms such as decreased sex drive, fatigue, weight gain, depression and anxiety, inability to maintain muscle mass, decreased sexual function, and more. Much like in women, these changes do serious damage to a person’s confidence and sense of comfort in themselves, which is no insignificant thing.
Seeking treatment could be right for you if gaining back a spring in your step, your confidence, and your excitement for life are crucial to you. If you have noticed a significant change in your quality of life recently and are suffering from fatigue, moodiness, or changes in desires and memory, look at testing your hormone levels. This may be the chance for you to start the journey to regain balance in your life.
Dr. John W. White, Jr. is the medical director at The Transformation Doctor in Collierville. He is double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine. He has also completed additional training in Age Management Medicine and has personally used hormone replacement therapy himself for over six years. For more information call 901.221.7212 or visit: Thetransformationdoctor.com
