What Causes Brain Fog
“Brain fog” is a common complaint even though this is not a true medical term. It is a commonly reported symptom with many potential underlying causes. Women in perimenopause and after menopause report more memory complaints and difficulty concentrating than premenopausal women due to a decrease in hormone levels. Declining estrogen levels may be to blame, but other factors may play a role. Perimenopausal and post-menopausal women often have trouble sleeping and experience hot flashes and increased depression. These, in turn, may contribute to brain fog. Thyroid disease is another common cause of brain fog. See your doctor if you are experiencing brain fog so you can find out and treat the root cause. If declining estrogen levels are to blame, hormone therapy may offer some relief and restore hormonal balance.
Getting Help For A Hormone Imbalance
We recommend that you seek treatment for any symptoms of a potential hormone imbalance that interfere with your physical or mental health. The Riegel Center offers on-site hormone testing services to identify hormone imbalances, so you can get started on a treatment plan.
Dr. Reigel specializes in hormone replacement therapy that supplements your natural hormone to rebalance their levels. We offer bioidentical hormones that come from plant-based materials and are structurally similar to the hormones your body makes and Dr. Riegel personalizes a custom formula just for you.
Depending on your needs and health history, we can determine which delivery method for supplemental hormones will work best for you, such as creams, patches, pills, and pellets.
Once you start your therapy, you should notice a difference in the severity of your symptoms soon after. Our staff continues to monitor your hormone levels through regular blood testing, and we can adjust the dosage of your hormones as needed.
If you have symptoms of a hormone imbalance, schedule a consultation online or by calling The Riegel Center today.
How Is A Hormonal Imbalance Diagnosed
First, make an appointment with a health care provider for a physical exam. The health care provider will ask about your symptoms. Then, depending on your symptoms, they will suggest which hormone imbalance tests to do. These could be evaluations like:
- Blood test: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroxine, TTH, insulin, and cortisol levels can be detected in the blood.
- Pelvic exam: A health care provider will search for any lumps or cysts.
- Ultrasound: Images of your uterus, ovaries, thyroid, and pituitary gland can be obtained.
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How Do You Test For Hormone Imbalance
When it comes to how to test for hormone imbalance, you have severaloptions to choose from.
Let’s take a look at 4 of the most common methods of hormone testing.
Blood Tests
Blood testing for hormonal imbalance may be done through the use of at-home tests or by a physician.
A blood hormone panel can be done on both men and women and will test for a wide variety of hormones including:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
A female-specific hormone blood test checks hormone levels associated with aging and overall well-being.
For this test, blood will be drawn on specific days of a woman’s cycle and tested for a broad variety of hormones.
Urine
As with blood testing, urine hormone testing may also be conducted through a home test or through your physicians office.
How do you check your hormone balance by using urine?
Urine testing involves collecting multiple samples of urine at different times throughout the day or collecting all of your urine for 24 hours in a specified container.
One of the most popular urine hormone tests is theDUTCH testor Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones.
DUTCH testing is highly advanced and provides an extensive hormonal profile of sex and adrenal hormones, including:
How do you test for hormone imbalance by using saliva?
It’s easy.
For saliva testing, patients are asked to spit into a series of plastic tubes, over the course of one or several days, in order to test hormonal levels of:
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
Nutrition Response Testing
Low Sex Drive Could Be Low Testosterone
Testosterone is typically thought of as a male hormone, but both men and women have it. Effects of hormonal imbalance in females may include low testosterone levels that may cause low libido. In one study of more than 800 postmenopausal women reporting low sex drive, those who received 150 or 300 micrograms per day of testosterone in the form of a topical patch reported more sexual desire and less distress than women who received a placebo. Women receiving extra testosterone also reported more satisfying sexual experiences compared to women who took a placebo. However, women who took 300 micrograms of testosterone per day had more unwanted hair growth than women who took the placebo. Men can get low testosterone, too. The condition has been referred to as andropause in males.
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Exacerbation Of Mental Health Problems
Estrogen is believed to have a protective effect on the brain. It appears to positively impact brain chemicals , cognition, and the ability to withstand stress. Dropping estrogen levels appear to be associated with an increased risk of psychosis. The age of menopause is associated with a second peak of schizophrenia onset in women. Results of preliminary research suggests selective estrogen receptor modulators may improve cognition and other symptoms in women who have psychiatric disorders. They may even reduce the frequency of manic episodes in women who have bipolar disorder. However, these drugs are not without potential risks. See your doctor if you believe decreasing estrogen levels are contributing to serious mental health symptoms.
Changes In Weight Distribution
As estrogen levels decrease in women who are postmenopausal, they may notice they gain more weight around the abdomen and arms. This central obesity, as it is known, is dangerous because it increases a woman’s risk of cardiovascular disease. In one study, postmenopausal women who received hormone therapy did not experience weight gain in the trunk and arm areas compared to women who did not take HT. Women treated with hormones gained an insignificant amount of weight during the study in their legs. This pattern of fat distribution is not associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The treated women had better bone mineral density compared to those who did not receive hormone therapy, too. Talk to your doctor if you notice you’re gaining more weight around your middle. Hormone therapy, if it’s appropriate and safe for you, may help.
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How Long Does It Take To Balance Your Hormones
Hormones are incredible chemical messengers in our body that affect our brain, heart, bones, muscles, and reproductive organs and are an essential part of the workings of every cell in the human body.Hormones help with reactive situations, and send signals to allow the body to.Hormones work best when balanced.Hot flashes can occur for a few months to several years.
How long does it take for bioidentical hormones to work patients say that they feel relief from plenty of symptoms within 1 to 2 days after treatment.How long does it take for hormones to balance after quitting alcohol?How long does it take for hormones to balance after starting birth control?How long does it take for my hormones to balance?
How low is too low?However, hormones can become imbalanced.However, other underlying conditions and external factors may also affect recovery time.I would advise giving your body two full menstrual cycles to see if it normalizes, says nayak.
If symptoms persist, your doctor can advise on next steps to take, whether its prescribing a medical intervention or another lifestyle change.In a few rare cases, some people had hot flashes for 10 years.In fact, many women report feeling less anxious and depressed once they begin taking the pill.In many ways, how long does hrt take to work? can be a difficult question to answer.
You’ve Lost Your Period Or It’s Irregular
Female fertility is a complex issue. One majorly under-addressed aspect is natural hormone balance and stress. When your body has high cortisol, it shuts off blood flow from “non-vital organs”. This includes your GI tract and fertility organs. The decrease in blood flow results in a decrease in vital nutrients your fertility organs need to maintain normal function. This can lead to increased risk of infertility and loss of period.
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Common Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances can cause many different symptoms. Some common issues to look out for include:
- A bulge in the neck
Many symptoms of a hormonal imbalance can be misleading. For example, both weight gain and weight loss can be symptomatic of a hormonal imbalance. So, it’s really difficult to just rely on symptoms to understand which specific hormone is the root of the problem. This is when getting tested becomes handy.
If you’re having trouble falling asleep, you may have low progesterone levels that are usually in charge of helping you fall asleep. On the other hand, high progesterone levels could be problematic as well, as these will make you feel sleepy even if you’re getting enough rest.
Low melatonin gives your body a signal that it’s time to rest. Low estrogen can give you night sweats that can be unbearable for many.
If you’re struggling with any symptom of a possible hormone imbalance, you need to get tested. Your hormone levels will depict the root cause of the symptoms you are experiencing and, you will be able to target them properly.
Your Hormones Your Health
Feeling bloated, irritable, or just not your best? Shifts in your hormones could be to blame. Hormones are chemical âmessengersâ that impact the way your cells and organs function. Itâs normal for your levels of them to shift at different times of your life, such as before and during your period or a pregnancy, or during menopause. But some medications and health issues can cause your levels to go up or down, too.
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What Is A Hormone Imbalance
Yourhormonesare your bodys chemical messengers.
For most of us, when we hear the word hormones, we think of the reproduction process.
But hormones are fundamental to each and every system throughout your body.
And since hormones are so essential in your body, even a tiny imbalance can cause serious side effects.
Produced by your endocrine system, hormones send messages throughout your body to help regulate body processes such as:
- Blood pressure and
A hormone imbalance occurs when there is either too little or too much of a specific hormone in your bloodstream.
And if your hormones arent doing their job, you arent going to feel like you.
Check Your Hormone Levels From The Convenience Of Home
If youâre concerned about your hormone levels, you can use the information here on how to know if you have a hormonal imbalanceâplus speaking with a healthcare providerâto help inform your next steps.If youâre interested in hormone testing at home, consider the following tests :
- Womenâs Hormone Test – Lets you learn your levels for 10 key hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and thyroid hormones.
- Thyroid Test – Check the 3 main thyroid hormones , plus thyroid antibodies.
- Womenâs Fertility Test – Test your levels for 5 hormones that help support ovarian function and pregnancy.
- Men’s Health Test – Check your cortisol, DHEA-S, estradiol, and testosterone.
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Hormonal Imbalance And Women
Female hormones are powerful chemical messengers that regulate the reproductive system and influence many other vital systems. When they are present in the body in the proper amounts and ratios, they work in concert with one another to promote optimal health and well-being. However, when female hormonal imbalance becomes an issue, the consequences can manifest themselves throughout the body, taking a toll on a woman’s health and quality-of-life. When the condition is accurately identified and treated, the balance of female hormones can be corrected, reducing the symptoms and health risks associated with hormonal imbalance.
Avoid Environmental Toxins When Possible:
Toxins are everywhere and it isnt possible to avoid them all, but here are some simple things that you CAN do.
1. Go through your personal care products . Look for anything that contains parabens or artificial fragrance, and replace them. Parabens cause hormone imbalances, and are possibly associated with an increased risk of cancer, including breast cancer.
2. When you are shopping for cleaning products, look for greener choices, with less chemicals. Even better, use natural cleaners like vinegar and baking soda!
4. Dont char your meat. When you cook on the grill and the edges of the meat become slightly charred, heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced. These are cancer causing compounds. Cook your food at lower temperatures to avoid this.
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Causes Of Hormonal Imbalances
The causes of hormonal imbalances are complex and varied. Sometimes it could be down to your lifestyle and other times it could be caused by a medical condition.
Some lifestyle factors that could cause hormonal imbalances include:
- medication for example, an oral contraceptive , hormone replacement therapy , or steroids
Some medical conditions that could cause hormonal imbalances include:
- an underactive or overactive thyroid
- an endocrine tumour or cyst for example, a pituitary tumour
- an ovarian tumour
- a side effect of cancer treatment
What Treatments Are Available For Teen Hormone Imbalance
Treatment will vary according to the hormones involved and the severity of the imbalance. In many cases, supplements and lifestyle changes can offer relief from symptoms.
At Coyle Institute, we understand how scary it can be for a parent and a teen to experience a health issue such as hormonal imbalance. If you suspect your teen has a hormonal imbalance, a simple saliva test can be the first step to getting to the root of the issue.
Call us today and set up a consultation with our compassionate, expert team. Were here to listen to your concerns and help you find the safest and most effective solution to teen hormone imbalance.
At Coyle Institute, We Restore Womens Lives Through Improved Pelvic Health So You Can Focus On Whats Important: Enjoying Your Life and the People You Love.
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What Happens When Your Hormones Are Unbalanced
Our hormones are responsible for more functions in your body than you may realize. When any of these chemical messengers are out of whack, it can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health.
At The Riegel Center, hormone specialist Christopher Riegel, MD, understands how bad you can feel when you have unbalanced hormones. Dr. Riegel offers customized hormone replacement therapy plans to restore your hormone levels, your vitality, and your overall health.
Signs You Have A Hormonal Imbalance And What You Can Do About It
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
We ladies know the trouble, stress, and frustration that hormonal imbalances can cause us. When hormones fluctuate, we can feel angry, emotional, tired, moody, and suffer the embarrassment from an outbreak of acne. However, no matter what our partners say, hormonal balance is key to our general health and not just a lame excuse for mood swings and feeling off color.
In fact, the signs of hormonal imbalances dont just affect our mood and emotions. Our hormones also directly affect our chances of becoming pregnant and can also affect ovulation and sexual desire.
In this article, you will learn about the symptoms of hormonal imbalance and the reasons why your bodys natural chemistry is constantly changing. First of all, lets look at why its important to have your hormones in balance.
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How Can I Find Out If I Have A Hormone Imbalance
The only way to confirm a hormone imbalance is to test your hormone levels. Both blood tests and saliva tests are proven techniques in assessing a hormone imbalance. i-screen uses blood tests to accurately determine sex hormone and thyroid hormone levels, but prefers saliva testing to assess cortisol levels. This is because cortisol levels follow a diurnal pattern which means tests must be conducted throughout the course of the day this makes blood testing inconvenient.
Men And Estrogen: What You Need To Know
Estrogen is known primarily as a female hormone that helps regulate menstrual cycles, yet the hormone plays a bigger role in mens health than most people realize. Men produce small amounts of estrogen as part of their normal functioning male reproductive system, along with the male hormone testosterone. As they age, less testosterone is produced.
Yet questions are beginning to emerge as to what specific part estrogen plays in male development, especially as a man ages. Once largely ignored, estrogen levels in men are now under the microscope as researchers are trying to determine this hormone’s role in men and how it affects the body’s different hormone levels.
A decrease in estrogen, for example, may be a factor in fat accumulation in men as well as women. One endocrinologist at Harvard Medical School reported in a 2013 study that some of the symptoms of testosterone deficiency in males, including a decline in libido, were at least partially caused by lower estrogen production.
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Treatment For A Hormonal Imbalance
There are many different treatment options for hormonal imbalances. The treatment you ultimately be given will depend on which hormone exactly is unbalance as well as the underlying cause of the imbalance. Sometimes, a life event might cause such a fluctuation in your hormones, such as menopause. In that case, your treatment would be short term one. However, if you have a genetic disorder that causes a lifelong hormonal imbalance, you will need to pursue a more prolonged course of medications.
Hormone therapy is a common treatment for hormonal imbalances. Women who are witnessing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms may choose estrogen therapy. Testosterone therapy is a common choice for men with low testosterone levels or adolescents facing delayed puberty. Taking thyroid hormones can help individuals with hypothyroidism. Such hormone replacement therapies may come in the form of pills, patches, or even injections. Your doctor will help you choose the appropriate dosage by checking your hormone levels test results. This is how he will determine the right amount of supplemented hormone you will need to recreate the balance.
Bioidentical hormones can be produced by pharmaceutical companies using different doses. Examples include bi-estrogen which is 50 to 80 percent estriol combined with estradiol, or tri-estrogen which is 10 percent estrone, 10 percent estradiol, and 80 percent estriol.