What Does A Hormone Imbalance Do
Hormones regulate everything sleep patterns, metabolism, hunger, etc. If you do not take care of your various bodily needs, from sleep to nutrition, you can create an imbalance in your hormones. Also, various life stages as we get older can trigger changes in our hormones.
This imbalance can cause stress, an increased or decreased body temperature, and issues related to the reproductive system. The bodys endocrine system is so exact that even a slight imbalance in the secretion of hormones can make a big difference in how we feel.
Bioidentical Or Natural Hormones
Bioidentical hormones are hormone preparations made from plant sources that are promoted as being similar or identical to human hormones.
Practitioners claim these hormones are a “natural” and safer alternative to standard HRT medicines.
However, bioidentical preparations are not recommended because:
- they are not regulated and it’s not clear how safe they are there’s no good evidence to suggest they’re safer than standard HRT
- it’s not known how effective they are in reducing menopausal symptoms
- the balance of hormones used in bioidentical preparations is usually based on the hormone levels in your saliva, but there’s no evidence that these levels are related to your symptoms
Bioidentical hormones are not the same as body identical hormones. A body identical hormone, or micronised progesterone, can be prescribed to treat menopausal symptoms.
Many standard HRT hormones are made from natural sources, but unlike bioidentical hormones, they’re closely regulated and have been well researched to ensure they’re as effective and safe as possible.
Hrt Today Key Points
The balance of benefit to harm always needs to be assessed but appears to have shifted favourably for HRT. Users can be reassured provided:
- HRT is taken for the correct reasons, i.e. to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause. It has a role in the prevention of osteoporosis but long term use is often required
- The dose and duration of HRT use should be made on an individual basis after discussing the risks and benefits. No arbitrary limit should be set on duration of use
- HRT users are assessed by their GP at least once a year.
If women start HRT around the time of menopause the risk is very small and there appear to be cardiovascular and bone protective benefits. It is not usually appropriate for women over 60 to be starting HRT but as the WHI study shows, women initiating it over 60 years do not seem to be at increased risk of cardiovascular events or mortality.
Many women seek advice on the effects of HRT on sexual activity and desire. Whilst there is no definitive answer, case studies indicate that the estrogen in HRT can help maintain or return sex drive. It will also help other menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. If vaginal symptoms are the only problem, then the use of local vaginal estrogen or dehydroepiandrostenedione may be preferable. Separate factsheets on Sexual Health are available for download from the Womens Health Concern website.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. You should have a complete physical exam, including blood pressure measurements, breast and pelvic exams, and a Pap test at least yearly. Follow your doctor’s directions for examining your breasts report any lumps immediately.
If you are taking hormone replacement therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, your doctor will check every 3 to 6 months to see if you still need this medication. If you are taking this medication to prevent thinning of the bones , you will take it for a longer period of time.
Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take hormone replacement therapy, because this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
How Does Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy Work
In order to understand the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy, youll first need to know how it works. BioTE Hormone Replacement Therapy uses pellet therapy as a way to bioidentically replace the hormones people lose over the course of their lives.
For females, this treatment is focused on balancing the hormones containing estrogen and testosterone, while the male therapy is targeted toward testosterone levels alone. The process is designed to replenish the necessary hormones that are missing in order to help people feel balanced and healthy.
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Quitting Hormone Replacement Therapy
Studies show about half of women who take HRT stop treatment within a year, and up to 75% within two years. Most dont have any problems while they stop, however, stopping suddenly does increase the risk of menopausal symptoms returning, so you should not stop taking your HRT without consulting your doctor.
Doctors may differ in how they taper their patients off HRT. Some gradually decrease estrogen and progesterone doses over time. Others decrease the number of times a week patients take the HRT, along with lower doses. Depending on what type of HRT you are taking and how high the dose, it can take from 3 to 6 months to completely taper off. It can be as long as a year, particularly if your menopause symptoms reappear during the process.
If you stop taking HRT and your symptoms, like hot flashes return, your doctor may first recommend you try nonhormonal treatments before putting you back on HRT. For women with vaginal symptoms, keep in mind that low-dose estrogen in the vagina does not increase the risk of breast cancer, or . Continuing vaginal estrogen does not pose a health risk according to studies.
Venous Thrombosis And Hrt
Venous thromboses are blood clots that form inside veins. Women under 50 years of age, and women aged 50 to 60, face an increased risk of venous thrombosis if they take oral HRT. The increase in risk seems to be highest in the first year or two of therapy and in women who already have a high risk of blood clots. This especially applies to women who have a genetic predisposition to developing thrombosis, who would normally not be advised to use HRT.
Limited research to date suggests the increased risk of clots is mainly related to combined oestrogen and progestogen in oral form, and also depends on the type of progestogen used. Some studies suggest a lower risk with non-oral therapy or tibolone.
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Whats The Verdict On Pellets For Hormones
Whats best for one woman isnt always right for another. When considering HRT, its extremely important to connect with your primary care physician. Discuss the different options being presented to you. How you take your HRT should be a conversation as individualized to your age, lifestyle, needs, symptoms, and preferences as your dosing.
Breast Cancer And Hrt
Women over 50 years of age who use combined oestrogen and progestogen replacement for less than five years have little or no increased risk of breast cancer. Women who use combined HRT for more than five years have a slightly increased risk. Women on oestrogen alone have no increased risk up to 15 years of usage.
There is no evidence to suggest that a woman with a family history of breast cancer will have an added increased risk of developing breast cancer if she uses HRT. The risk with combined oestrogen and progestogen is greater than with oestrogen alone, or with newer HRT agents such as tibolone , and may also depend on the type of progestogen used. Studies suggest that medroxyprogesterone acetate and norethisterone have higher risks than dydrogesterone and progesterone.
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Who Can Take Hrt
Most women can have HRT if they’re having symptoms associated with the menopause.
But HRT may not be suitable if you:
- are pregnant it’s still possible to get pregnant while taking HRT, so you should use contraception until 2 years after your last period if you’re under 50, or for 1 year after the age of 50
In these circumstances, alternatives to HRT may be recommended instead.
How Will I Be Monitored While On Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Your doctor will measure your testosterone levels at the 3- and 6-month marks after treatment begins. After that you’ll be tested once a year. If your levels are OK you’ll stay on your current dose.
If your testosterone levels are too low, your dose may be adjusted. At the same time, your doctor will check your red blood cell levels.
Within 1 to 2 years of TRT, your doctor will measure your bone density if you had osteoporosis when treatment began. Your doctor will evaluate your prostate cancer risk at the start of treatment and may do more tests at the 3- and 6-month marks, and then annually.
Patients taking TRT should call 911 immediately if they have symptoms which include:
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Who Is Affected By Hormone Imbalances
Changes in hormones can occur in anyone, and the symptoms surrounding the imbalance vary according to the errant hormone. In teenagers, hormone fluctuations can cause problems sleeping. For women, a change in hormones may affect menstruation and pregnancy. For men, a hormone imbalance could lead to sexual performance issues.
The hormones which get the most attention are estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, which are the human sex hormones. Changes in these hormones tend to affect our behavior and our mood.
That is why hormone replacement therapy can get your body back to feeling and working like normal again. A wellness professional can evaluate your hormone levels and provide natural and therapeutic ways to get your system back on track.
Reach Out To Mirela Cernaianu Md Dr C At Hera Healthcare For Hrt
Your choice. Your way. We value the premise that its the patients choice, and were here to support your need and your desire to try HRT. At HERA Healthcare, we aim to provide the cleanest, safest, and best individualized Hormone Treatment plan for each patient. Schedule an appointment with Dr. C so she can go over your health profile, specific concerns and provide the best solution for your challenges. Lets work together and see if youre a candidate for HRT! Call 805-379-9110 to schedule your HRT appointment in Thousand Oaks.
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Insomnia Lack Of Sleep
Heres one thing we can all agree on: a good nights sleep is vital to living a healthy life. When our sleep cycle is tampered with, a simple day at work can seem like an impossible task. If you are experiencing disturbances in your sleep cycle, hormone imbalances may be the main force keeping you up at night.
Other side effects you may feel when hormones interrupt sleep include:
- Insomnia
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Brain fog and memory loss
- Anxiety
As you can see, all of these are very negative symptoms of a lack of sleep and can be easily improved with hormone replacement therapy. So, how can you safely and effectively replenish your hormones through hormone replacement therapy?
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Options
There are many delivery methods available for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy . Your doctor will make recommendations for you based on availability, medical needs, lifestyle and personal preferences. Bioidentical hormone delivery options include pills, patches, creams, injections, and pellets.
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How Do I Take Testosterone Replacement Therapy
TRT comes in several different forms. Each has pros and cons.
Patches. These are easy to apply. But patches can cause skin rashes and may have to be applied more than once a day.
Gels. You rub gels into the skin daily. They are convenient to use. But you have to be careful that no one comes into contact with the treated area for several hours after you’ve applied it. Otherwise they could get testosterone in their system. A nasal gel is now available that eliminates the risk of exposure to others.
Buccal patch. You put this on your upper gum twice a day. These patches are convenient but can cause irritation or gum disease.
Injections. Injections are given anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks apart. They are inexpensive compared to other treatments. But injections may not provide steady benefits. Your testosterone levels will go back down between doses.
Subcutaneous pellets. Your doctor inserts these under your skin every 3 to 6 months. They are very convenient once they’re put in, but they require minor surgery for each dose.
Balance Your Hormones With Whole Health Jc
If you are experiencing negative symptoms from a hormone imbalance, look no further than Whole Health JC. Our clinic offers Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy treatment options for both men and women. Through a simple lab test, we can assess your hormone levels and create a BHRT treatment that fits your individual needs! Contact us at 573-893-5500.
Dr.Su
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Signs You May Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone imbalance can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms for men and women. From sexual wellness problems to excess fatigue throughout the day, abnormal hormone levels could significantly impact your everyday life. When you add in the natural changes that occur during aging plus erratic hormone fluctuations, you may find yourself feeling frustrated. If you have tried multiple over-the-counter solutions, you may have concluded that these problems are impossible to overcome.
However, the compassionate team at CosmeticGyn Center wants to dispel that theory. Led by our board-certified gynecologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Otto Huertas, we proudly provide bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in Dallas, TX. This procedure can treat hormonal changes in both men and women. Learn about the signs of hormone imbalance that may indicate you need hormone replacement therapy and schedule an appointment with Dr. Huertas to live more comfortably.
How To Stop Hormone Replacement Therapy
This article was co-authored by Inge Hansen, PsyD. Dr. Inge Hansen, PsyD, is the Director of Well-Being at Stanford University and the Weiland Health Initiative. Dr. Hansen has professional interests in social justice and gender and sexual diversity. She earned her PsyD from the California School of Professional Psychology with specialized training in the area of gender and sexual identity. She is the co-author of The Ethical Sellout: Maintaining Your Integrity in the Age of Compromise.There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 19,037 times.
Hormone replacement therapy is lifeline for many people, whether they are going through menopause or transitioning gender. Because of the increased risk of cancer or other side effects, however, you may decide to stop HRT. If youre ready to stop HRT, talk to your doctor to determine the best method for you. In most cases, the doctor will gradually reduce your dose over 4-6 months. This is because stopping HRT immediately may lead to overnight menopause or worsening menopause symptoms. That is why, when possible, your body should get time to adjust to its new hormone levels. Keep in mind that there may be some side effects. You may handle these symptoms using other treatments and lifestyle changes.
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Why Is There So Much Confusion
Hormone therapy is complicated, and its been a long process to figure out how and where it works best.
Estrogen was initially prescribed to treat menopausenot so much the symptoms but the aging process itself, said Dr. Wendy Wolfman, director of the menopause clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Toronto. The goal was to make women feel younger and be more sexually responsive, she said. Estrogen sales doubled and tripled in the 1960s and 1970s.
Hormone therapy fell briefly out of favour in the 1970s after research showed that taking estrogen alone increased rates of uterine cancer. But scientists soon found that adding progestin to hormone therapies mitigated that risk.
In the 1980s, a landmark study from the United States called the Nurses Health Study showed that women who took hormone therapy had less coronary heart diseasea major killer of women after menopause. Over the next two decades, hormone therapy use among women soared.
But in 2002, results from the Womens Health Initiative , a US study of more than 160,000 post-menopausal women, raised the alarm about hormone therapy. An analysis showed that postmenopausal women whod been taking hormone therapy for approximately five years had an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, clots in the legs and breast cancer. Women came off the therapy in droves, says Wolfman.
But this history created a stigma around hormone therapy, said Dr. Wolfman.
Hormone Therapy And Cardiovascular Disease
The incidence of cardiac disease is heightened in postmenopausal women. This finding has been linked to a causative pathogenic role of ovarian hormone deficiency.
When the concept of HT was initially introduced, it was believed that replacing ovarian hormones would reduce the observed increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, this expected result has not been unequivocally demonstrated in various trials over the years.
The WHI study revealed an increased annual risk of heart attacks of 7 per 10,000 women who took combined therapy as opposed to women who took estrogen alone, in whom no significant difference was noted. Subsequent re-analysis showed similar results for breast cancer, demonstrating no increased risk in the fifth decade, though the risk rose with advancing age.
Two important clinical trials have been conducted to examine the relationship between cardiac disease and HT: the Postmenopausal Estrogen/Progestogen Interventions Trial and the Heart and Estrogen-Progestogen Replacement Study .
PEPI investigators looked at the effect of estrogen alone and combination therapies on bone mass and key risk factors for heart disease. They found generally positive results, including a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by both types of therapy.
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