As we age, our bodies start to produce hormones more slowly. This leads to hormonal imbalances that negatively affect our emotional and physical well-being. Luckily, natural hormone therapy can help. Below, we will discuss how.
What Is Natural Hormone Therapy?
Natural hormone therapy, also known as bioidentical hormone therapy, describes a hormone replacement therapy using hormones with the same molecular and chemical structure as hormones that your body naturally produces. These are thoroughly tested and FDA-approved for safety and effectiveness. They can be prescribed in a wide range of doses that can be customized to meet your unique needs.
Do I Need Progesterone After a Hysterectomy?
Health care professionals used to believe that progesterone was the “pregnancy hormone” since its has an imortant role before and during pregnancy. As a result, it was not commonly prescribed to women without a uterus. However, we now understand that progesterone plays several crucial roles in your body. These include:
- Bone health
- Breast health
- Cognitive function
- Emotional stability
- Fluid balance
- Libido
Can Progesterone Relieve PMS Symptoms?
Several factors, including an underactive thyroid, poor nutrition, and adrenal exhaustion, cause premenstrual syndrome symptoms. However, the primary cause for these symptoms is an imbalance of the ratios of estrogen to progesterone (excessive levels of estrogen and not enough progesterone) in the body during ovulation. Have your hormone levels tested two weeks before menstruation and see if increasing your progesterone levels may help you manage your symptoms.
What Is the Best Way to Test Hormone Levels?
While blood tests are the most popular way to test hormone levels, saliva tests are also becoming more common. Blood tests measure both inactive, or protein-bound, hormone levels and active hormones not bound to proteins. This is currently the most commonly used testing method because historically, it has been easier to measure. Both ways of testing hormones provide accurate levels.
Are All Estrogens the Same?
There are three primary types of estrogen in humans, and they each play a different role in your body’s functions. Estradiol and estrone are relatively strong forms of estrogen, and each accounts for around 10% of the estrogen in your body. Dissimilarly, estriol is a much weaker estrogen and accounts for around 80% of the estrogen your body produces.
What Part Do Hormones Play in Bone Health?
Bone is living tissue, and old bone is replaced with new bone throughout your life. Osteoclasts are cells that specialize in dissolving old bone, while osteoblasts are cells that specialize in building new bone. Estrogen slows bone loss by slowing your body’s osteoclasts. At the same time, progesterone, DHEA, growth hormone, testosterone, and androstenedione increase the rate at which your body builds new bone. So you can see having an optimal balance of hormones is vital for your bone health.
Do Women Need Testosterone?
Besides helping your body build new bone, testosterone helps women maintain their libido, maintain muscle tone, and increase energy. It is also imprtant for sleep and brain health. After menopause, women primarily produce testosterone by converting DHEA through their adrenal pathways. Replacement of low testosterone can significantly improve many post-menopausal symptoms.Talk to your doctor about your post-menopausal symptoms to learn if testosterone replacement are right for you.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today! (904) 694-0992
With over 20 years of medical experience, Dr. Capasso has the knowledge and experience to use natural hormone replacement therapy to protect your emotional and physical well-being. For more information on what natural hormone therapy can do for you, contact the friendly professionals at Thin MD Med Spa today to schedule your initial consultation. Call now! 904-692-0992.