It’s very difficult to live a normal life when your hormones are not balanced. Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can affect your routine, responsibilities, and relationships. If you feel off or like something could be amiss with your health, it’s a good idea to check your hormone levels.
Schedule a consultation today at Cell Theory: Institute of Cellular & Aesthetic Medicine in Miami, FL, for an assessment.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are the body’s messengers. They coordinate functions in the body by carrying messages through the bloodstream to different organs, muscles, and other tissues. These messages tell your organs and tissues what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.
Hormones control many bodily functions:
- Growth and development
- Blood sugar regulation
- Metabolism
- Body temperature
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood
The endocrine system creates and releases hormones. This system includes the thyroid, pituitary gland, and pancreas, among other glands.
How Do Hormones Become Imbalanced?
Some hormone fluctuations are normal. For example, many women experience fluctuating hormones during their menstrual cycles. However, some factors are associated with more serious hormone imbalances:
- Stress
- Obesity
- Anorexia
- Hyperglycemia
- Hypoglycemia
- Diabetes or prediabetes
Some hormonal imbalances are short-lived, while others are long-term and require treatment to restore balance and health.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance can result in the development and worsening of a multitude of symptoms. Typically, these symptoms depend on which gland is affected and what hormone is imbalanced, along with the sex of the individual.
For women, hormone imbalance may lead to:
- Mood swings
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Low sex drive
- Infertility
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Rashes
- Brittle bones
For men, these symptoms may indicate hormonal imbalance:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Thinning hair
- Loss of muscle mass
These and other symptoms can be signs of an imbalance of hormones that could require attention and treatment.
Bioidentical Hormones for Hormone Imbalance
Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones identical to the ones your body naturally produces.
For individuals suffering from low or imbalanced hormones, bioidentical hormones can help regulate hormone levels and restore balance in the body.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is used to treat patients who suffer from low or imbalanced hormones. This therapy can treat hormone imbalances for both men and women, and it is often recommended for the following conditions:
- Menopause or perimenopause
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoporosis
- Thyroid disorders
- Insulin resistance
- Anxiety
- Depression
The bioidentical hormones used in this treatment are man-made and produced from plants. Estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone are the hormones most commonly replicated to be used for hormone therapy treatment.
Bioidentical hormones come in many forms, including pills, patches, and injections. During your consultation, we will assess which form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy would be right for you.
Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone therapy is a great option for women who suffer from hormonal imbalances. The type of hormonal imbalance most common in women is estrogen dominance.
Estrogen dominance means there is a higher level of estrogen than progesterone in the body. Too much estrogen can cause several uncomfortable symptoms for women:
- Severe PMS
- Heavy, irregular, or painful periods
- Mood swings
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Severe headaches or migraines
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be used to help rebalance a woman’s estrogen and progesterone hormone levels. Hormone therapy for women could provide relief from symptoms and a return to feeling healthy.
Hormone Therapy for Men
Like women, men can suffer from several kinds of low or imbalanced hormones. However, for men, the most significant issue is often low testosterone.
Men begin producing testosterone around the time of puberty, but once they reach their 30s and 40s, testosterone production slows down. As testosterone levels lessen, men are left to deal with several unnerving symptoms:
- Low libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss
- Loss of muscle mass
- Problems with sleep
- Weight gain
Symptoms often worsen as testosterone levels continue to decline. Therefore, undergoing hormone therapy for men can balance testosterone levels and provide much-needed relief from symptoms.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy — Frequently Asked Questions
Our patients are often full of questions as they consider whether hormone replacement therapy is right for them. Below we’ve answered a few of the most commonly asked questions to give you some reassurance and peace of mind.
Should you have additional questions or concerns about BHRT, we’d be happy to discuss them with you during your appointment.
Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Bioidentical hormones have been rigorously tested and approved for use by the FDA. The FDA has strict standards, and the agency has determined that bioidentical hormones are effective when used to treat hormonal imbalances.
How Do I Know Whether My Symptoms Are Related to Hormonal Imbalance?
Suffering any of the listed symptoms of a hormonal imbalance does not necessarily mean that you need hormone therapy. We might recommend bloodwork or other tests to check your hormone levels and determine what could be causing your symptoms.
What Type of Hormone Therapy Is Right for Me?
We will discuss your needs and review your bloodwork and diagnostic testing to help decide what kind of hormone therapy you’d benefit from most. Then, we will create a personalized treatment plan to help you get the best results.
Take Steps to Improve Your Life with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
When you’re ready to learn more about hormone therapy and how it could benefit your life, schedule a consultation at Cell Theory: Institute of Cellular & Aesthetic Medicine. We proudly serve patients in Miami, FL, and the surrounding areas.
