People often mistake the symptoms of imbalanced hormones in women with signs of normal aging. The natural aging process produces subtle changes in adult hormone levels that can profoundly effect on health. In most women, hormone levels (estrogens, progesterone, testosterone) peak in the early twenties, and perimenopause symptoms can occur as early as the early thirties. Around age forty, hormone levels typically start to fluctuate in different ways as the body moves beyond childbearing age and begin to prepare for life after menstruation or post menopause. However, women of any age can experience hormone imbalance symptoms. Many women experience symptoms due to declining estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone production.
Because hormones affect the body in staggeringly complex ways, there can be a broad range of debilitating symptoms. In some women, symptoms influence general behavior and well-being and can be severely disrupted. Perception of hormone replacement therapy has changed with the help of celebrities discussing their journey and treatment(s), opening pathways for women to learn more about health and their bodies. It is not possible to experience each stage of life without the dreaded symptoms listed below.
Symptoms of Menopause and Related Hormonal Imbalance:
- Weight Gain
- Hot Flashes and Night sweats
- Bone Loss
- Depression or anxiety
- Mood Swings
- Low Libido
- Vaginal Dryness
- Dry Skin, Thinning Skin, Wrinkles, Acne
- Premenstrual symptoms
- Memory Loss/brain fog
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Bloating
- Hair Loss
- Increased Facial Hair
- Heavy, irregular, or painful periods
- Fibroids
- Endometriosis
DO WOMEN NEED HORMONE THERAPY?
Progesterone
Progesterone is primarily produced in the ovary just before and after ovulation until menopause. After menopause, it is made by the adrenal glands. Progesterone naturally decreases production during perimenopause, resulting in estrogen dominance, which can contribute to low libido in women. Progesterone balances estrogen, affects sleep, builds bones, helps prevent anxiety/irritability/mood swings, helps bladder function, and relaxes smooth muscles.
Estrogen
Estrogen is a female hormone that is produced in the ovaries. The body has receptor sites for estrogen everywhere; in the brain, muscles, bone, bladder, gut, uterus, ovaries, vagina, breasts, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels, to name a few.
Estrogen refers to a group of similar hormones produced in the body. Like testosterone, estrogen is a required hormone women’s health. The three main estrogens are estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3). Estrogens are believed to be protective against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and memory disorders. It also protects against vaginal atrophy and urinary incontinence and prevents symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and poor temperature regulation (e.g., “hot flashes”). Estrogen deficiency is linked to bladder problems, incontinence, increased skin wrinkles on the face, fatigue, depression, mood swings, and decreased libido. The non-bioidentical synthetic estrogens bind nearly 20 times stronger to your cell’s receptors. A consequence of estrogen dominance includes mood swings, weight gain, and fatigue. Too little estrogen can also cause similar symptoms.
Testosterone
Testosterone is vital to the health and well-being of BOTH men and women. In women, testosterone is produced in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Testosterone contributes to muscle mass, strength, and endurance, decreased fat, increased exercise tolerance, enhanced well-being, and psychological health. Testosterone protects against cardiovascular disease and reduces blood sugar. It leads to improved lean muscle mass, increased bone density, decreased cholesterol, improved skin tone, improved healing capacity, and increased libido and sexual performance. It enhances the quality of life for women by reducing the diseases of aging. Cells that require estrogen use testosterone to manufacture estrogen inside the cell by a chemical conversion that uses an enzyme called aromatase. Testosterone is present and extremely important in women when balancing hormones.
How are hormones replaced?
It depends on the hormone being replaced. Testosterone replacement can be done via topical cream or gel, trochee (lozenge), injections, and bioidentical pellet therapy. Estradiol and estriol can be a topical cream, patch, or trochee. Progesterone is usually taken at bedtime in the form of a capsule or cream. Thyroid, DHEA, and pregnenolone are typically taken in a tablet or capsule form.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTS
Nutritional deficiencies can be encountered in the BHT patient that may affect BHT effectiveness. Examples include iodine and other trace mineral and vitamin deficiencies. If this is suspected inexpensive non-prescription, pharmaceutical-grade supplements may be recommended. B-12 injections are also an option for BHT patients who so desire. Many feel it helps.
TESTING
After the evaluation of symptoms and a complete history is taken, state-of-the-art diagnostic tests by blood, urine, or saliva will be selected to determine the unique, individualized treatment. As symptoms change, retesting is preferred to know how hormone levels respond to treatment.
Bring current labs only if labs are from two to three months before your appointment. Nutritional testing is another option to detect underlying deficiencies that could impair optimal health. It is difficult to have balanced hormones without good nutrition, stress reduction, and exercise.
CUSTOMIZED HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
After beginning bioidentical hormone therapy, careful monitoring and re-evaluation of hormone levels (primarily testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone) will be part of the integrative approach to maintaining optimal hormone balance. Other areas, such as adrenal and thyroid function are evaluated to ensure treatment success. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment for women with low hormone levels who want to boost their health and overall well-being.
INSURANCE
Linda Lea does not accept insurance plans. Most insurance plans do not cover compounded bioidentical prescriptions. This means your actual hormone prescription could be a personal expense. If you are not covered by insurance or have a high deductible under your current insurance plan, a complete laboratory panel is offered at the Linda Lea Office. Please contact your insurance provider to inquire if bioidentical hormone is a reimbursable expense.
WHAT’S NEXT?
There is good news! These hormone losses and imbalances are successfully corrected with proper treatment. Balancing hormones safely and effectively using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can increase quality of life, bringing about a stronger, healthier you. It is never too late to benefit from bioidentical hormone therapy.
If you are not covered by insurance or have a high deductible under your current insurance plan, a full laboratory panel and other lab tests are offered at cost through the office of Linda Lea. Please contact your insurance provider to inquire if bioidentical hormone replacement is reimbursable and what specific documentation the insurance company will require.