Options exist for hormone treatment

There are many reasons that hormone levels in men and women may become imbalanced. Unfortunately, such changes are not isolated to old people. Changes in hormonal levels are seen in people as early as their 30s and occasionally earlier.

For women, the 40s are often when changes in hormones occur. As women age, the ovaries produce less of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. This decrease in hormone production often leads to unpredictable menstrual periods, irritability, anxiety, changes in mood, tension and feeling overwhelmed.

Other hormonal changes that may occur could be related to the thyroid. As your thyroid ages, it can begin to function less effectively and either produce too little or too much of the thyroid hormones. According to Dr. Daniel Einhorn,an endocrinologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, California:

“Thyroid disease, generally, comes in two flavors: over- (hyperthyroidism) and under-active (hypothyroidism). The symptoms of hyperthyroidism — including weight loss, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, irritability, heat intolerance and a constantly ‘wired’ feeling — generally catch women’s attention sooner than those of hypothyroidism. A common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid.

“An under-active thyroid, called hypothyroidism, however, is a whole different story.

“The symptoms are usually mild and non-specific, so it’s easy to attribute them to many other things ... like menopause, for instance,” Einhorn wrote.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, an under-active thyroid can lead to fatigue, brain fog, irregular menstrual periods, weight gain, depression, constantly feeling cold and even hair loss.

A BIOIDENTICAL APPROACH

Bioidentical hormone replacement can be used, specifically for women, to help mitigate the symptoms of general hormonal imbalance in addition to menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

Dr. Charla Blacker, a reproductive endocrinologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit explains, “Unlike conventional hormone therapy that uses synthetic hormones or animal-based hormones that are slightly different from a woman’s own hormones, bioidentical hormones are biochemically the same as those made by the ovaries during a woman’s reproductive years.”

HORMONE THERAPY

Hormone replacement therapies are medications containing female hormones to replace the ones that a woman’s body no longer makes. Typically, hormone replacement therapies consist of a combination of estrogen plus progestin and are made from synthetic hormones or animal-based hormones that are slightly different from a woman’s own hormones. They are commonly available in tablets, transdermally (through the skin); subcutaneously (a long-lasting implant) and vaginally.

Until recently, the combination of estrogen and progestin made up most hormone replacement therapies and was considered to be an effective treatment for menopause. However, side effects of hormone replacement therapy have led many people to seek other options.

Known side effects of hormone replacement therapy include breast cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease. The risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy need to be weighed individually and in conjunction with your doctor.

WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative study brought to light concerns about hormone replacement therapy. It was a randomized, controlled clinical trial of hormone replacement therapy and is one of the most definitive, far-reaching clinical trials of post-menopausal women’s health ever undertaken in the U.S.

While the Women’s Health Initiative study has shown that hormone replacement therapy has had life-threatening risks, research is still being conducted on some of the potential benefits. The beneficial effects on colorectal cancer risk and large colon adenomas are still of interest to researchers and the medical community.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement is thought to be effective in helping to regulate hormones without the side effects of the therapies using synthetic ingredients. Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones are thought to be biochemically the same and have the same molecular structure as those made by the ovaries.

Bioidentical hormone therapy has been supported with sufficient trial data that warrants a look. If you are interested, you can research the web and try speaking to your local pharmacist who may be educated in preparing bioidenticals.

Excerpted from: http://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/21754356-113/vail-daily-column-options-exist-for-hormone-treatment

Are You Experiencing a Sex Hormone Imbalance?

Do you have a sex hormone imbalance? Sex hormones - primarily testosterone, estrogen and progesterone - are vital not just for a healthy sex life but for health in general. Imbalances can affect both sexes and produce a variety of symptoms.

The following symptoms may indicate a sex hormone imbalance: Low libido, insomnia or poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, memory problems, rapid and persistent weight gain, mood swings, fatigue and persistent headaches. In men, gynecomastia (growing breasts) is a sign of too little testosterone, too much estrogen or both. Contrary to popular belief, both sexes produce (and need) both types of sex hormone, just in different amounts. There are tests that can be done to work out whether you have an imbalance. Imbalances are more common in women over 40 and men over 50, but can happen at any age.

For women, the most common imbalance is between estrogen and progesterone. This can cause cravings (which is why pregnant women get cravings - progesterone increases during pregnancy), mood swings and weight gain. Testosterone imbalances can also affect women. Too much testosterone can cause excessive hair growth, including facial hair. Too little causes weight gain and reduced libido - so, yes, women do sometimes need HRT testosterone to fix bedroom problems.

For men, reduced testosterone levels are the most common problem. This can also result in too much estrogen, which can cause gynecomastia, as well as hair loss, weight gain and irritability. Too little testosterone lowers the sex drive, reduces performance and can cause weight loss, especially muscle loss. HRT testosterone replacement can help with both of these problems.

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) should be considered for menopausal women as well as men, and for anyone experiencing sleep problems or sexual dysfunction. Women who have had their ovaries removed should consider combination therapy, whilst women who have had a hysterectomy often receive estrogen only. While low testosterone is rarely a problem for women, some women may need a very low dose to sustain sexual interest or help stave off cognitive decline.

In men, the reverse is true - the most likely hormone needed is testosterone. Testosterone replacement can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

If you think you might have a sex hormone imbalance, take our quick assessment to gauge your status and find out if HRT is right for you. It can help you deal with symptoms - even ones you might have had for years and had no idea it had anything to do with your sex hormone levels.

Options for Raising Testosterone

You’ve not been feeling like yourself for some time.  In fact, it seems as if nothing at home or work is as much fun as it was in the past.  The problem could be that your testosterone levels are lower than they should be.  Fortunately, there are ways to correct this type of hormone imbalance and help you get back in the game.  By talking with your doctor about ways to increase testosterone levels, you could be feeling better in a matter of weeks.

Changing Personal Habits

There’s a good chance that over the years you’ve picked up some habits that are not helping your body produce a sufficient amount of testosterone.  As you talk with your doctor about how to increase testosterone safely, those habits will be one of the first things the medical professional will want to address.  

If you are a smoker, you now have one more reason to quit.  In addition to increasing the risk of more than one form of cancer, smoking can inhibit the production of testosterone.  

Since you spend most of the day in front of a computer, you’ll need to start getting up and moving about more.  Talk with your boss about adding a rising desktop to your workstation.  That will allow you to stand for part of the day as you take care of your assigned tasks.  Spending part of your lunch hour taking a walk in the park isn’t a bad idea either.

Getting Enough Sleep

Not sleeping deeply or long enough does more than make you cranky in the morning.  As you seek to learn more about how to increase testosterone, rest assured that questions about your quality of sleep will come up.  Getting recuperative sleep provides your body with some of what it needs to remain healthy.  That includes ensuring more reasonable production of hormones.  

You Are What You Eat

Along with reducing foods that tend to inhibit testosterone production, it helps to consume foods that contain nitrates and stimulate the production of nitric oxide.  That’s one of the building blocks your body needs to produce testosterone.  Nitrates are found in all sorts of foods, although the amount varies.  Your doctor can provide some suggestions on how to increase testosterone by including the right foods in your daily meal plans.

Considering Hormone Replacement Therapy

When the levels are only a little low, it may be possible to raise them using strategies like lifestyle changes, exercise, and diet.  For those who are facing a more serious issue, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is the way to go.  Designed to provide what your body is not producing, the delivery of HRT testosterone may be in the form of an injection, a patch, or a gel.  Your doctor will go over the pros and cons of each option, and provide guidelines for their use.

Keep in mind that if you do agree to trying the replacement therapy, it must be done exactly as your doctor instructs.  Don’t get the idea that if a little is good, more has to be better.  Your doctor will monitor the dosage and see what an impact it’s making.  If there is a need to adjust the dosage for any reason, the doctor is the one to make that decision, not you.

Low T is not something you have to live with the rest of your life.  Learn more about how to raise testosterone and work out a plan of action with your doctor.  It won’t be long before you notice the changes and begin to feel like your old self again.