What are the causes of Hormonal Imbalance?
Many different factors can affect hormone balance. Causes of imbalance can vary, depending upon which hormones or glands are affected. Common causes of hormonal imbalance include:
- Eating disorders
- Medications
- Stress
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Pituitary tumor
- Injury or trauma
- Cancer treatments
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypogonadism
- Cushing syndrome
- Thyroiditis
- Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Certain causes of hormonal imbalance affect women only. These include:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Hormone-based drugs, such as birth control pills
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in women?
Women experience a variety of symptoms when their hormone levels become imbalanced, including:
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cold hands and feet
- Decreased libido
What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men?
Although not as well-known as the hormonal imbalance symptoms typically experienced by women, men also experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance, consistent with low testosterone levels. These symptoms include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decreased sex drive
- Increased body fat
- Decreased bone mass
- Erectile dysfunction
- Mood changes
- Depression
- Irritability
- Brain fog
Would I benefit from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy is not the proper treatment for everyone. If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance, we can run a comprehensive blood panel to discover whether or not this treatment will help you feel your best once more. This lab work can identify any hormone and/or vitamin deficiencies and help us develop a treatment plan that will set you on the right hormonal course.
Who is not a candidate for BHRT?
- If you have or have had breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, blood clots in your legs or lungs, stroke, liver disease, or some forms of vaginal bleeding, you should not use hormone replacement therapy
- If you are not having menopausal symptoms or started menopause after age 45, you do not need hormone replacement therapy to maintain your health. We can discuss other options for addressing potential osteoporosis and heart disease if you have some risk factors.
- Men with normal testosterone levels, from 300 to 900 nanograms per deciliter, will not benefit from hormone replacement therapy.
What results can I expect from bio-identical hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone optimization varies with the patient. Most patients report some symptom resolution in as little as two to four weeks, but complete hormone optimization may require up to six months. A single pellet lasts between three and four months, while oral progesterone treatment varies depending upon the dosage.
