Female Hormone Replacement Therapy in Plano/Wylie, TX
Interaction between the five female hormones (estrogens, progesterone, cortisol, DHEA’s, and testosterone) are fundamental to health, and hormone imbalances may negatively impact health. Below are examples of how hormone imbalances may impact health:
Weight Gain and Hormones
High-stress hormone levels, cortisol, can cause unstable blood sugars and may increase sugar cravings. High estrogen levels may interfere with thyroid gland function and result in weight gain. High levels of testosterone and DHEAs may be associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that makes weight loss very difficult.
Depression/ Difficulty Coping/ Irritability
While there is no guarantee restoring hormone balance will lessen these mood symptoms, many women experience some relief from mood disorders when their hormones are balanced.
Sleep Disturbances
High or low cortisol levels may affect sleep, as may low estradiol levels. For some postmenopausal women, difficulty sleeping is directly related to hot flashes and night sweats, which are often signs of hormone imbalance. Once hormone imbalances are addressed, sleep issues may be resolved.
Hot Flashes
Having too little estrogen can be associated with hot flashes, dry skin, vaginal atrophy, depression, etc.
Bone Loss
Testosterone and estradiol help build bone, while high cortisol tends to break down bone. High cortisol is of particular concern because it breaks down bone and interferes with the bone-building action of testosterone!
Breast Cancer
A typical pattern of hormone imbalance shows up in women with breast cancer: above-range estradiol, below-range progesterone, above-range evening cortisol, and out-of-range DHEAs. The Estrogen Metabolism Ratio test can also give insights into breast cancer risk.
Why Test Saliva Hormones?
- Saliva hormone testing is excellent at uncovering hormone imbalance.
- Saliva measures hormones that have made it into tissue because hormones pass through saliva gland tissue before entering saliva. Blood measures hormones that may or may not get to tissue.
- Saliva collection is painless and easy to do at home. Blood collection requires a trip to the laboratory, and some hormones cannot be tested in blood (e.g. estriol).
- The stress of a needle puncture for blood collection tends to raise cortisol levels. Saliva collection is not known to raise cortisol levels.
Restoring Female Hormone Balance
Estrogens
- Low Estrogen: Low estrogen levels are often addressed by supplementing with estrogen cream or patches; however, some nutritional supplements may help improve symptoms.
- High Estrogen: Occurs either from making/retaining too much estrogen or supplementing with too much. Women who carry weight around their midsection often have high estrogen levels because fat cells have an enzyme that makes estrogen from adrenal hormones. Thus, weight loss usually reduces estrogen levels. When estrogen levels are high, it is essential to make sure there is enough progesterone to balance its effects. Supplementing with too much estrogen can make estrogen receptors less responsive to estrogen, leading to estrogen deficiency symptoms.
Progesterone
- Low Progesterone: Treatment often includes natural progesterone supplementation, which is generally very safe and effective. The herb chaste berry may also help normalize progesterone levels. Sometimes, low progesterone indicates low thyroid hormone levels. Therefore, lab tests for thyroid function may be recommended.
- High Progesterone: This is almost always a consequence of over-supplementation. Therefore, it is likely that your healthcare practitioner will recommend a dose reduction. Prolonged supplementation of high doses of progesterone may cause progesterone receptors to become less sensitive, which could result in symptoms of low progesterone. Too much progesterone also sometimes leads to increased testosterone levels and symptoms of testosterone excess. A dose reduction or different progesterone type (cream instead of capsule) may be required.
Cortisol
- Low Cortisol: Low morning cortisol may indicate adrenal issues, which may require further testing or interventions by our healthcare provider.
- High Cortisol: High cortisol levels are associated with numerous symptoms and conditions, including bone loss, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and diabetes, weight gain, memory impairment, and immune system suppression. High cortisol levels also interfere with the action of other hormones. Therefore, when cortisol levels are high, the first step in restoring hormone balance is often to lower cortisol levels. Your healthcare provider may recommend lifestyle changes and supplements to help address high cortisol levels.
DHEAs
- Low DHEAs: The signs and symptoms of low DHEAs are not well-defined, although low DHEAs are often associated with chronic illness. Some women may benefit from supplementing with DHEA to bring saliva hormone levels within range.
- High DHEAs: This is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. Thus, further testing or treatment may be necessary.
Testosterone
- Low Testosterone: Sometimes, adding progesterone or correcting adrenal issues can improve low testosterone symptoms. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to supplement with testosterone.
- High Testosterone: Is associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance. Thus, further testing or treatment may be necessary.
Hormones and Female Sexual Dysfunction.
Physical
Physical conditions that may cause or contribute to sexual problems include arthritis, urinary or bowel difficulties, pelvic surgery, fatigue, headaches, other pain problems, and neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. Certain medications, including some antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antihistamines and chemotherapy drugs, can decrease your sex drive and your body’s ability to experience orgasm.
Hormonal
Lower estrogen levels after the menopausal transition may lead to changes in your genital tissues and sexual responsiveness. The folds of skin that cover your genital region (labia) become thinner, exposing more of the clitoris. This increased exposure sometimes reduces the sensitivity of the clitoris or may cause an unpleasant tingling or prickling sensation.
In addition, the vaginal lining becomes thinner and less elastic, particularly if you’re not sexually active. At the same time, the vagina requires more stimulation to relax and lubricate before intercourse. These factors can lead to painful intercourse (dyspareunia), and experiencing orgasm may take longer.
Your body’s hormone levels also shift after giving birth and during breastfeeding, which can lead to vaginal dryness and can affect your desire to have sex.
Psychological and Social
Untreated anxiety or depression can cause or contribute to sexual dysfunction, as can long-term stress. The worries of pregnancy and the demands of being a new mother may have similar effects. Longstanding conflicts with your partner — about sex or any other aspect of your relationship — can diminish your sexual responsiveness as well. Cultural and religious issues and problems with your body image also may contribute.
Emotional distress can be both a cause and a result of sexual dysfunction. Regardless of where the cycle began, you usually must address relationship issues for treatment to be effective.
Female Hormones Treatment
Testosterone cream, Intravaginal Estriol, L-Arginine cream, Oxytocin nasal spray, counseling.
Female Hormone Therapy in Plano/Wylie, TX
Estrogen and progesterone are female hormones that play significant roles in a woman’s body for reproduction and sexual health. The aging process in a woman can affect the production of estrogen and progesterone in a woman’s body. Women approaching menopause usually have low levels of estrogen and progesterone.
This can affect a woman’s reproduction and sexual health. Some of the effects of low estrogen and progesterone production in women are vaginal dryness, hot flushes, inability of the ovaries to produce eggs, and painful and uncomfortable intercourse.
If your estrogen and progesterone levels are low, you may need to undergo hormone replacement therapy to restore your hormone levels.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment used to restore estrogen and progesterone levels in a woman. It helps to restore female hormones that are at lower levels. It helps to relieve symptoms of the menopause.
What are the signs that you need female hormone replacement therapy?
There are several known signs that you may need female hormone replacement therapy. These include:
- Finding it difficult to sleep at night
- Decreased muscle strength
- Reduced or loss of sexual desire
- Exhaustion
- Low energy
- Fatigue
- Hot flushes
- Weight gain that may occur around the stomach
- Thinning hair
- Reduced mental clarity or finding it difficult to concentrate
- Dryer skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Irregular menstrual cycles or loss of menstrual flow
- Moodiness or depression
- Excess weight gain or inability to lose weight despite a healthy diet and lifestyle
- Muscle pain
- Joint pain
What is the safest hormone replacement therapy in Plano/Wylie, TX?
Systemic estrogen therapy, which comes in the form of a pill, skin patch, gel, cream, or spray form, is the most effective and safest treatment for menopausal symptoms.
How long should a woman take hormone replacement therapy?
It is not recommended to take female hormone replacement therapy for a very long time. Most experts agree that hormone replacement therapy should be used on a short-term basis, particularly not more than five years). When used longer than this, it may lead to significant risks.
Hormone replacement therapy is not recommended to be taken for more than ten years. Consult with your doctor to know more about the risks of taking hormone replacement therapy for a more extended period.