Women's Health

Many women experience hormonal changes as they age, and bio-identical hormones can provide relief from symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. However, hormonal imbalances can also occur in women who are in their childbearing years. Other factors can disrupt this balance, such as diet, lifestyle, pregnancy, a full or partial hysterectomy, illness, stress, and even some medications.

 

•  Low sex drive

• Weight gain or inability to lose weight

• Loss of muscle mass/increased fat mass

• PMS

• Irregular periods

• Infertility

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Headaches/Migraines

• Inability to sleep

• Fatigue

• Inability to think clearly or focus

• Memory problems

• Anxiety and depression

• Irritability and moodiness

• Hair loss

• Acne

• Hair growth in unwanted places, such as the face

• Food cravings

• Joint inflammation

• Muscle aches and pains

• Endometriosis

• PCOS

• Fibroids

• Higher risk for endometrial cancer

• Estrogen dominance

• Fibrocystic breasts

• Vaginal dryness

• Increased frequency of vaginal infections and/or UTIs

• Painful sex

• High cholesterol

• Osteopenia/osteoporosis

• Sagging and/or thin skin

• Increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease

• Decreased ability to handle stress

• Increased inflammation

• Digestive issues

 

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Why are hormones important?

 

Estrogen:

Estrogen levels begin to decline as women enter perimenopause and continue to decline as you reach menopause. A deficiency in estrogen produces hot flashes, an uncomfortable symptom that many women experience. Some studies have indicated that a deficiency in estrogen can contribute to metabolic syndrome, obesity, cardiovascular disease.  Research is evaluating the effects of estrogen deficiency and the link with Alzheimers.   

 

Supplementing Estrogen (estradiol) affects sleep quality, mood, libido, focus, and memory. It also protects bones, the heart, the urinary tract, vaginal health, and skin. Estrogen also aids in the production of collagen, which affects the elasticity of skin and hair growth.

 

 

Progesterone:

Progesterone acts as the “protector” and has a calming effect on the mind and body. Progesterone stimulates your brain to produce a neurotransmitter known as GABA.  The more progesterone you have, the more GABA you’ll produce.  GABA is an amino acid that helps your brain cells communicate with each other.  One of the main roles of GABA is to lower brain activity- which reduces stress, balance your mood and promote sleep. 

 

When balancing hormones for women, it’s important to maintain the correct ratio between estrogen and progesterone. Adequate amounts of progesterone are vital for sleep quality and mood, like anxiety and depression.  Progesterone also prevents the overgrowth of cells and shields against nerve damage. It affects metabolism and contributes to using fat for energy, lowers triglycerides and decreases plaque buildup in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). 

 

Progesterone complements estrogen and it’s important to have a proper ratio and balance.  If this ratio gets out of balance, it can cause a condition called estrogen dominance to occur which can cause fertility problems, endometriosis, fibroids, weight gain, and even endometrial cancers.