Hormones play a big role in regulating many systems in our body!

With aging, various hormonal shifts happen in both men & women, causing symptoms of menopause and andropause.

WOMEN:

What are some of the symptoms of peri-menopause?

Most women go through menopause between the ages of 50-52 years old, but symptoms surrounding the change in hormones can start as early as 15 years prior. Menopause is caused by the drop in sex hormones most notably estrogen and progesterone. Common symptoms of low estrogen include hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, dry skin, headaches, pain with intercourse and increased incidence of UTIs due to vaginal dryness and atrophy. Common symptoms of low progesterone include insomnia, mood swings, brain fog, depression, bloating, and weight gain.

What are some of the symptoms of estrogen dominance?

The term “estrogen dominance” doesn’t mean you have too much estrogen (estradiol). Rather, it means that you may have too little progesterone relative to your estradiol. Too much estradiol can cause symptoms of fibrocystic breasts, water retention (bloating), belly weight gain, ovarian cysts, bone loss, migraine, foggy thinking, heavy or irregular menses because it is a proliferative hormone (cell-growing). This is why balancing levels between estrogen and progesterone is key. Contact us today to find out how a simple urinary hormone test and hormone replacement therapy can help you.

Advantages of HRT for women:

**Improved Menopausal Symptoms**
**Reduced Hot Flashes**
**Reduced Night Sweats**
**Improved Mood**
**Increased Focus**
**Increased Libido**

Is hormone replacement therapy (HRT) safe?

Bio-identical hormones, that is, hormones that are comprised of the same chemical and molecular structure as those produced naturally by the body, are the safest hormones to use. They have been shown to not cause the side effects seen with synthetic hormones such as equine conjugated estrogen and medroxyprogesterone. There are many forms of hormone replacement therapy out there and not everyone is a candidate for treatment so finding a doctor well-versed in the practice is key.

What if you’re already past peri-menopause, can HRT still help you?

Yes! If losing or maintaining weight has been a struggle for you, it may not be your diet and exercise routine, it could be your lack of hormones! Achieving optimal hormone levels through BHRT can support weight loss goals. Not only that, having adequate estrogen and progesterone levels can be beneficial to heart, bone, and brain health. Even the America Heart Association agrees that estrogen is believed to have a positive effect on the inner layer of the artery wall, helping to keep blood vessels flexible.

MEN:

What are some of the symptoms of low testosterone?

Andropause, often referred to as the male menopause, is a decline in testosterone levels. This can happen as early as age 30! There are variety of factors involved. Symptoms of low testosterone include depression, anxiety, decreased urinary flow, fatigue, low libido, night sweats, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle tone, abdominal weight gain, and concentration problems. Hormone replacement therapy can help you stabilize your testosterone levels.