If you have ever wondered how hormones affect your daily life and overall health, learning about hormone balance and optimization can provide valuable insights to enhance your well-being.
What are hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands in the body. Once released, they enter the bloodstream and are transported to different parts of the body. The main sex hormones are testosterone and estrogen in both males and females as well as progesterone in females.
Quality of life
Optimizing hormones has been shown to increase quality of life. Hormone balance is critical in preventing several common health issues, particularly in women, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, infertility, breast cancer, and fibroids.
Hormone deficiency effects
For women: Testosterone deficiency can cause aches, pains, thinning skin, vaginal dryness, insomnia, heart palpitations, lack of libido, and depression. Estrogen deficiency can lead to poor memory, bone loss, insulin resistance, hair loss, dry skin, dry eyes, headaches, urinary tract infections, incontinence, anxiety, depression, and decreased libido.
For men: Testosterone deficiency can cause fatigue, lack of interest, loss of energy, weight gain, irritability, quick temper, loss of fitness, anxiety, decreased libido, osteoporosis, feeling overwhelmed, and increased risk of heart disease. Though less common in men, estrogen deficiency can result in osteopenia (a condition that begins as you lose bone mass and your bones get weaker), cognitive decline, and dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream).
Addressing hormone imbalance
If you feel like you may be suffering from a hormone imbalance, talk with your medical provider. They will likely start with a blood test and thorough consultation. Based on the results, your provider might recommend hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can be administered via oral supplements, injectables, creams, or pellets.
Bethany Meyer, Owner, Signature Aesthetics IV Lounge
Nurse practitioner (MSN) Bethany Meyer opened Signature Aesthetics in 2020. She is certified in Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Pellet Therapy and BLS/CPR.
@signature_aesthetics_tx • 512-264-5662