About Hormones

What are hormones?

We have over 50 hormones in our body, and they are chemical messengers released in the blood to control or regulate many different processes in our body. Examples include insulin which regulates blood sugar control, thyroid hormone that regulates body temperature, metabolism, energy and well-being and testosterone that regulates mood and libido. Hormones are essential for our health and lives. As we age, the number of hormones we produce can change, as well as target receptors become less sensitive to hormones. When this happens, we can experience signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance. 

What are signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance?

The signs and symptoms depend on the hormone imbalance, but a few common symptoms in adults are fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, weight gain, hair loss, moodiness and irritability. Both men and women will complain of decreased libido, with men also complaining of erectile dysfunction and women complaining of vaginal dryness. The list goes on and on!

Is there anything to fix a hormone imbalance?

Yes! We are told repeatedly as we age that symptom is “normal” or “welcome to aging” when it can be a hormone imbalance. Many symptoms are related to hormone imbalance and certain imbalances can be treated by optimizing our hormones by utilizing BHRT along with lifestyle changes. It is possible to feel better!

What is BHRT?

BHRT is an abbreviation for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Bio-identical hormones are basically the same chemical structure as the naturally occurring hormones in the human body and because of this they are metabolized along the usual pathways making them more effective. BHRT is prescribed to optimize your hormone levels leading to feeling better and improving your overall health. 

How is a hormone imbalance diagnosed?

An imbalance can be diagnosed by reviewing your medical history, medication review, a detailed symptom review, physical examination, and appropriate blood tests to assess for specific hormone imbalance.