Hormonal Imbalance Treatment FAQs

Hormone therapy, also known as HT, is a treatment used to supplement the body with hormones to promote proper balance and homeostasis. The primary hormones utilized are either estrogen alone or a combination of estrogen and progesterone. For instance, in menopause, when the ovaries no longer produce sufficient amounts of these hormones, hormone therapy can supplement the body with adequate levels and the proper balance of estrogen and progesterone. This helps relieve symptoms of menopause and prevent osteoporosis by replenishing estrogen levels.

Maintaining proper hormonal balance is crucial for overall health. When imbalances occur, a broad range of signs or symptoms may indicate a hormonal imbalance. The specific signs and symptoms experienced depend on which hormones or glands are not functioning properly.

Common symptoms of hormone imbalance include:

• Weight gain or sudden weight loss

• Fatigue

• Muscle weakness, aches, tenderness, and stiffness

• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

• A hump of fat between the shoulders

• Increased or decreased heart rate

• Sweating

• Increased sensitivity to cold or heat

• Frequent urination

• Digestive changes (constipation or increased bowel movements)

• Increased thirst and hunger

• Emotional symptoms (depression, decreased sex drive, nervousness, anxiety, irritability)

• Blurred vision

• Infertility

• Thinning hair or fine, brittle hair

• Dry skin

• Puffy face

• Rounded face

• Purple or pink stretch marks

Various treatments are available to address hormone imbalances, including:

• BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy):** Derived from natural compounds with a molecular structure identical to hormones in the body, BHRT is used to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

• HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy):** Replaces or replenishes depleted or imbalanced hormones, commonly used for menopause symptoms, testosterone levels, and birth control.

• Holistic Approaches:  Focus on understanding natural factors that may trigger or exacerbate hormone imbalances, allowing the body to naturally heal and rebalance hormones.

If you suspect hormone imbalance and are experiencing symptoms, seek professional guidance. La Belle Vie offers experienced professionals in hormone therapy to help restore balance.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy stands out for using human-made hormones derived from plant sources. These hormones have a molecular structure identical to those in the human body. This sets BHRT apart from traditional hormone replacement therapy, which often involves synthetic substances, such as urine from pregnant mares. BHRT is regarded as a more natural alternative due to its molecular similarity to the body's hormones.

Hormones serve as chemical messengers, dispatched by your brain and endocrine system, traveling through your bloodstream to regulate and ensure the proper functioning of nearly every bodily process. These include growth and development, metabolism, mood, reproduction, and sexual health. Various glands throughout the body, such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreas glands, as well as the ovaries and testes, secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Guided by your brain's commands, these hormones reach the organs and tissues responsible for regulating and controlling essential bodily functions, making them indispensable to our health and overall well-being.

However, just as with any biological system, hormones undergo changes with age. Aging can lead to decreased or imbalanced hormone levels, and target organs or tissues may become less responsive to hormonal signals. For instance, there's a reduced responsiveness to hormones produced by the hypothalamus gland as we age, influencing the entire endocrine system and its regulation of functions like appetite, body temperature, stress levels, memory, and energy maintenance. Parathyroid levels often increase with age, impacting bone density and heightening the risk of osteoporosis. Notably, the most common hormonal changes associated with aging involve the sex hormones—testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone—whose declining production gives rise to conditions such as menopause, andropause, and post-menopause.

If you have low or imbalanced levels of specific hormones, you might be a suitable candidate for hormone replacement therapy. It's possible to experience symptoms of low or imbalanced hormones without fully understanding the cause. Recognizing the signs of hormonal imbalance is crucial. Indicators that you could benefit from HRT include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Brain Fog

• Memory loss

• Loss of bone density

• Fatigue and lack of energy

• Hair loss

• Hot flashes and night sweats

• Insomnia

• No sex drive or decreased libido

• Mood swings and irritability

• Pain, burning, or itching sensation during intercourse

• Vaginal dryness

• Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight

If you identify with these symptoms, consulting with healthcare professionals can help determine if hormone replacement therapy is a suitable option to restore hormonal balance and enhance overall well-being.