Our hormones control how our bodies operate day and night. We depend on them for virtually everything that we do or what happens to us – our mindset, body weight, reproduction and more. Our very well-being becomes possible only thanks to a carefully choreographed interplay between different hormones. In women, hormonal balance is a particularly sophisticated process.

When our hormones get out of balance, our entire lives are affected.

There are several key hormones we depend on.

Estrogen, the female sex hormone, is at the top of the list, and the phase of our lives when its levels rapidly drop is called menopause.

Menopause is a time when a woman’s reproductive function permanently shuts down. The ovaries stop producing eggs, and the production of sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone drops dramatically.

Menopause is a part of normal aging process but it can be also caused by surgery, medical conditions and medications. When the menstrual cycle stops for 12 months, you are considered in a menopause.

The average age in which women enter menopause is 51 but it varies widely due to genetics and other factors. It can happen in your 40’s or 50s, and the physical and emotional symptoms can develop even in your 30’s.

Here are the most common symptoms of menopause caused primarily by both decrease in production and imbalance of sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.

Hot flashes are the most commonly talked about symptoms of menopause. Hot flash occurs when you suddenly feel heat for no apparent reason, and your face becomes red and flushed. That may be accompanied by sweating and racing heart.

Night sweats are also common in menopause and can make good night sleep a challenge.

Hormonal imbalance in menopause also notoriously leads to slowing the metabolism which in turn results in increase in body fat, especially around midsection. At the same time, your lean muscle mass decreases.

Although going through menopause is inevitable and is a normal part of the aging process, improving hormonal balance can greatly reduce the amount of both emotional and physical suffering.

All 3 hormones – estrogen, progesterone and testosterone must be balanced to achieve relief.

A special note on testosterone: Although testosterone is commonly viewed as a male hormone, its proper levels in a woman’s body are absolutely essential.
Testosterone is necessary for energy production inside cells. It helps regulate brain function such as mood and aggression. Testosterone is involved in regulating blood pressure, heart rhythm and metabolism.
Last but not least, testosterone plays a key role in sex drive in both men and women.

Hormonal imbalance due to menopause or other causes can be successfully taken care of with proper treatment. We use only Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) that you can read about on this site.

Adrenal Fatigue

As we experience more and more chronic stress in our daily lives, the demand on our adrenal glands, the primary producers of the stress hormone cortisol, is constantly increasing.

At some point, our adrenal glands can’t keep up with the growing demand and start to fail.

By some estimates more than half of all women are affected by adrenal fatigue or adrenal dysfunction, as this condition is also called.

Here are the symptoms of adrenal fatigue:

• Low energy level, especially in the morning
• Chronic fatigue
• Irritability
• Salty food cravings
• Frequent colds due to weakened immune system

When adrenal fatigue is combined with other types of hormonal imbalance such as menopause, the effects can be debilitating. Good treatment options are available, however. You can discuss them during your consultation with our hormone replacement expert.

Thyroid disorders are extremely common in women

Unfortunately women are treated unfairly by Mother Nature when it comes to thyroid health. Women are affected by thyroid issues much more commonly than men. Many go undiagnosed for years.

Your thyroid gland can be producing too much or too little thyroid hormone, and each scenario produces its own set of symptoms. Sometimes a major medical treatment or even surgery is the only way to bring the problem under control.

Often, however, the thyroid gland is just underperforming leading to a condition called hypothyroidism. Here are the most common symptoms:

• Sluggish feeling
• Lack of motivation
• Water retention
• Bloating and constipation
• Feeling chilly
• Weight gain
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Low sex drive
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Dry skin
• Brittle nails

As you can see, achieving hormonal balance is a complex task especially in women, who have to go through menopause. Many hormones act in synergy, and the symptoms of their low levels and imbalance often overlap.

Thorough testing is therefore necessary before the balance is restored with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Each individual requires a different approach, but these are the potential benefits of successful therapy:

• Increased energy
• Improved mental capacity – memory and concentration
• Improved and more stable mood
• Increased sex drive
• Weight loss
• Reduced hot flashes and night sweats
• Improved blood sugar control
• Better sleep
• Improved bowel function
• Healthier skin
• Improved muscle tone
• Better immunity

The overall effect of restoring your hormonal balance is restoring well-being, energy and vitality, getting your life back and feeling yourself again.

And it’s all doable, one step at a time. You get started by sharing your story with a professional so you can get answers to all your questions. And to do that, to start on your way to a better life, just take this simple first step: schedule a free phone consultation with our Bioidentical Hormone expert Dr. Tatiana Fleischman and ask her anything that’s on your mind.