What Are Hormones and Why Do They Matter?

April 29, 2020 0 Comments

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT), Hormone Optimization

When it comes to treating hormonal imbalance, there is no uniform approach. Hormonal imbalance can come from various sources.

But no matter the cause when left untreated, the consequences can be severe. One approach many practitioners use to help patients find balance is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

Before diving into hormone replacement therapy, let’s cover the basics of hormones. For something that plays such a significant role in our bodies, many don’t know much about hormones!

Hormones Are Chemical Messengers

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through our blood and enter cells, tissues, and organs, telling them what to do and when to do it.

From here, they can regulate everything from our emotions to reproduction to our general wellbeing. Essentially, hormones control and coordinate various activities throughout our bodies.

Hormones carry messages between cells and organs.
Hormone levels will naturally decline with age. However, when left untreated, you could have health issues.
Hormonal imbalance can impact both men and women of any age.

Furthermore, because hormonal imbalance can happen at any time and can cause serious health problems, regular check-ups and monitoring are essential to keep your body in balance.

What Are the Signs of a Hormonal Imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance is the result of too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. As we know, hormones play an important role in our bodies. And, even the smallest change can cause a ripple of side effects throughout the body.

Hormones regulate major processes and bodily functions, like:

Metabolism and appetite
Heart rate
Sleep cycles
Reproductive cycles and sexual function
General growth and development
Mood and stress levels

Both women and men can experience hormonal imbalance, and while symptoms are often unique for each person and can vary greatly. There’s a list of common symptoms experts agree are solid indicators of potential hormonal imbalance.

Where Do Hormonal Imbalances Come From?

Often, hormonal imbalances are just a part of life and occur naturally as we age. However, some other common culprits of hormonal imbalance can be:

Extreme stress
Thyroid issues
Poor nutrition
Abuse of certain medications
Environmental factors

Your healthcare provider can walk you through potential causes for your symptoms on your journey to finding an effective treatment.

Because symptoms can impact everyone differently and often mimic other health conditions, you should meet with your medical provider to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Restoring Balance with Hormone Replacement Therapy

BHRT is a type of hormone therapy that uses hormones that are structurally identical to the substances as they naturally occur in your body. It has been a favorite for both men and women going through the aging process and dealing with hormonal imbalance.

Other hormone therapy options include pills, patches, and creams, but don’t offer an individualized approach for your unique needs and health concerns. BHRT is the natural alternative to synthetic hormone treatments that often don’t provide relief.

We use BHRT through hormone pellet therapy. Hormone pellets have been around for decades but were pushed aside when pills and patches flooded the market.

However, many practitioners are turning back to hormone pellet therapy to offer their patients a more individualized approach to restoring balance and optimizing hormones.

Which Hormone Replacement Therapy is Best for Me?

With various options and tons of information out there, it can be a lot of pressure deciding which method is the best for you.

Designed for both men and women, hormone pellets are roughly the size of a grain of rice and composed of an estrogen hormone or testosterone.

They come from organic plant materials that mimic the molecular structure of those hormones found in the body. And, these tiny pellets are inserted under the skin, usually in the buttocks, in a simple and painless in-office procedure.

Maintaining Balance

Apart from navigating daily life with a hefty list of symptoms making things more complicated, keeping your hormones balanced is crucial for your health.

Hormonal imbalance has been linked to various diseases such as Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers.

Imbalanced hormones don’t always produce symptoms. So, even if you don’t notice any of the warning signs, it’s crucial to have your hormones checked. Your specific set of symptoms along with other factors (age, stress levels, weight, etc.) will be an important influence on when to have your hormones tested.

Likewise, timing will also be a considerable factor on when you’re able to have hormones tested; for example, women under the age of 40 will need to plan hormone testing around their menstrual cycle. For best results and optimal efficiency, it’s always best to plan with your doctor and discuss an appropriate time for hormone testing.

There are some lifestyle changes you can make to naturally encourage hormone balance. So, even if you undergo BHRT with pellet therapy, adding the following methods to your routine can help improve your health.

Sufficient Sleep

Skimp on your zzz’s too often, and you may interrupt your circadian rhythm, and its ability to release certain hormones. Prioritize an established sleep schedule and plenty of rest to stay healthy!

Regular Exercise

Routine exercise can benefit your physical and mental states. Switch up your workouts by implementing strength training, aerobics, and endurance training. Not in the best shape? Start out slow with daily walks around your office building or neighborhood.

Address Your Stress

Lastly, we’ve already mentioned how stress can negatively affect your hormones. So, take some time to pinpoint areas of stress in your life and work to reduce them. Try taking 10 minutes of quiet for yourself periodically throughout the day as a simple stress management tool.

Get Help Today!

Our hormones are just as unique as we are. So, finding the best treatment path to help you achieve balance requires time and collaboration.

Schedule your consultation today to speak with our clinic and take the first step toward restoring balance!