Vernon Morning Star October 23, 2009
Hot flashes, fatigue, insomnia, low sex drive and weight gain are the most common signs that your hormones are out of balance. There are many other symptoms, but these are the classic ones that prompt people to seek help. Recent media attention on Oprah, Dr. Phil and The Doctors television programs has raised awareness about hormone balancing. Now natural hormone therapy is available that can make unpleasant symptoms a thing of the past.
About Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers made by your glands and transported in the blood. They enter tissues and transfer signals that regulate every bodily function. All aspects of your physical, emotional and mental wellness are influenced. Hormones levels fluctuate throughout your lifetime, especially during changes like pregnancy, menopause, andropause (male menopause) and aging. Imbalances occur when your body makes too many or not enough hormones, and when hormone disrupters pollute your body. These include prescription drug residues present in drinking water, hormones in animal products, heavy metal toxins in the air, food and water, and xenoestrogens (estrogen imitators) in plastics.
A deficiency or excess of just one hormone can cause a major disruption. It’s comparable to an out of tune instrument in an orchestra. It throws the rest of the musicians off. Hormone havoc ensues, contributing to common problems such as postpartum depression, PMS, infertility, osteoporosis, heart disease and memory loss. Male hormone imbalances can lead to health concerns that include lower sperm counts, earlier heart attacks and increased prostate cancer.
The Failure of Synthetic Hormones
In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study on synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was abruptly halted when it was discovered that HRT was literally killing women. The results made national headlines, showing increases in heart disease, blood clots, stroke and breast cancer. Women were stuck between a rock and a hard place. If they took HRT, they faced life threatening health risks. If they didn’t, they had to deal with horrible symptoms. Most chose to suffer in silence. Following the WHI study there was a backlash against all hormone therapy.
Natural Hormones
All hormones, however, are not created equal. Natural hormones, often referred to as bio-identical hormones, are exact duplicates of the hormones your body makes. They have the same biochemical structure, and are therapeutically advantageous without the perils of synthetic hormones. A pioneer in the use of natural, bio-identical hormones, Dr. John Lee, M.D., states that it is extremely unlikely that man can synthesize a hormone better than the one nature derived from eons of natural selection. Dr. Brownstein, M.D., author of a national best seller on hormones, agrees that natural hormones are safer and more effective than their synthetic counterparts and they should be employed for all cases that require the use of hormones.
Dosages are given to restore normal physiological levels that do not cause the body to cease its own production of hormones. The goal is to use the smallest dose necessary to achieve optimum results. The preferred methods of delivery are sublingual under the tongue and transdermal in a topical cream, so that the hormones are absorbed directly into the bloodstream.
Testing Identifies Imbalances
Before you consider treatment, it is prudent to measure your hormone levels. The most commonly tested hormones are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. Saliva and blood testing will provide confirmation of your suspicions. There is some controversy over which testing method is most accurate. In practice, however, the hormone being tested, your health condition and other factors will determine the method used.
Interpretation of results and dosing requires guidance by a physician knowledgeable and experienced with natural hormones. There is no one size fits all. Doses have to be closely monitored and adjusted to get the perfect result for you. At our centre we have successfully treated over a thousand patients for hormonal issues.
Stop struggling with debilitating symptoms and reduce your risk of disease. With hormone balancing you can feel your very best all the time.