Hormonal Health

Hormonal Health

 

Our bodies are extremely complex.  There are many levels of regulation and when running correctly, we do not notice anything unusual. One of the regulatory mechanisms in our body is through our hormones. Hormones are messenger molecules in our body.  They help control how our body functions. Both men and women have a surge of sex hormones as they reach puberty.  Women's hormones cycle which allows ovulation and pregnancy.  This usually happens until they reach menopause at which time the majority of their sexually related hormones cease to function actively.  Men’s hormones tend to gradually decline with age. 

 

 

Menopausal Symptoms

 

Menopausal symptoms can be mild or severe. They may barely be noticed, or they can be life changing. The proper balance of hormones is important for energy, bone, urinary tract, sexual and heart health. Many women notice the onset of menopause with hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and loss of energy or libido. Vaginal dryness can lead to sexual discomfort and recurrent UTI’s. Loss of female hormones can lead to bone loss or osteoporosis. 

 

Painful Intercourse (Dyspareunia)

 

As women age, their bodies face a host of new changes, from a loss in elastin and collagen, to physical trauma associated with vaginal childbirth, to reduced estrogen.  Vaginal discomfort such as dryness, burning, and painful intercourse along with incontinence can be the end result. The main cause is often atrophic vaginitis: a disease that can adversely affects your life and the relationship with your partner. Treatments for dyspareunia and vaginal dryness may include vaginal estrogen, hormone therapy (such as testosterone pellets or estrogen), pelvic floor physical therapy, and addressing underlying medical or psychological factors to improve comfort and sexual health.

 

Female Hormones

 

While we often group testosterone as the male hormone and estrogen as the female hormone both men and women have both. In fact, testosterone is the dominant sex hormone in both men and women. Over the years women have been prescribed forms of estrogen with mixed results. Premarin was a popular estrogen replacement. It was named for its original source, PREnant MARe’s urINe. That’s right, it comes from pregnant horses. There are documented concerns about blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, and breast cancer among others. I do not use Premarin in my treatments but will use bioidentical hormone creams or pellets.

 

Low Libido

 

Low libido, or a decreased interest in sexual activity, is a common issue for women that can arise from various factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, fatigue, or medical conditions such as thyroid dysfunction or menopause. Psychological influences, such as anxiety, depression, or relationship concerns, may also play a role. Identifying the underlying cause is key, which often involves a comprehensive evaluation of hormonal health, lifestyle, and emotional well-being. Treatment may include hormone therapy, counseling, medications or lifestyle adjustments to enhance sexual desire and improve overall quality of life. 

​

Bioidentical Hormones

 

Bioidentical Hormones are chemically nearly identical to those that are found in humans. Estradiol, in both pill and cream form, resembles human estrogens. There are other bioidentical, synthetic or plant based hormones that can be utilized to decrease menopausal symptoms. Since a women produces estrogen through a pathway that includes testosterone, one way to create natural estrogen is to replace bioidentical testosterone through pellets. This is absorbed and then converted to the patient’s own estrogens.

​

If you are struggling with side effects of menopause, see the PeeDoc to discuss options that may be of benefit to you.