Do You Have Hormonal Imbalance?
Hormonal imbalance refers to a disruption in the normal level of hormones produced in our body by our adrenals, ovaries, or thyroid gland. These hormonal systems are interrelated and oftentimes an imbalance in one can offset the balance of the other, leading to a broad range of symptoms. How does this happen?
Our hormones play a major role in our body and effect how we look, feel, and function. Life stressors from working long hours, taking care of the family, commuting, poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, environmental toxins and other forms of physical and emotional stress can disrupt our natural hormone balance leading to fatigue, menstrual irregularities, having difficulty losing weight, mood changes, or simply not feeling like yourself.
Do you have one or more of the following symptoms?
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritable
- Poor memory/concentration
- Mood changes
- Frequent/chronic infections
- Headaches
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Cravings for sweets/carbs
- PMS
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Reduced Libido
- Fibroids
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vaginal Dryness
- Excess facial or body hair
- Acne
- Menstrual irregularities
- Aches and pains
- Thinning Hair
- Dry Skin
- Decreased Muscle Mass/Strength
If you answered yes to any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing hormonal imbalance related to menopause, perimenopause, andropause or low testosterone syndrome, PMS, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroid, or blood sugar disregulations.
No matter what symptoms you are experiencing, we will determine the underlying cause of your natural hormone imbalance and restore your hormones to optimal levels with our effective personalized health plan.
Our Treatment program is created to address each individual patient’s needs. We recognize that each patient has a unique set of risk factors based on his/her family history, diet and lifestyle, past medical history, and other current medical conditions for which he/she is undergoing treatment.
Determining Your Hormonal Needs
Disruptions in hormone levels from hormonal imbalance can result in any of the above symptoms. To investigate further we utilize specific tests that measure your individual hormone levels in order to create a personalized health plan tailored to your needs. Testing is as easy as a simple blood test or saliva sample. For information on hormone testing, please visit Specialized Testing page.
Confused about Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy? You’re not alone…read on to get answers to your most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Hormones
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are identical to the hormones produced naturally in our body. They share the same chemical structure as human hormones and are referred to as ‘natural ‘ for this reason.
What are the differences between natural and synthetic hormones?
Natural hormones are mostly plant based and modified in the lab to mimic the hormones in our body. Synthetic hormones are either come from animal sources or synthesized in a lab to be similar to but not exactly the same as our own hormones. Since synthetic hormones are are patentable there have been more studies on them evaluating the risks and benefits associated with their use.
Are natural hormones safer than synthetic hormones?
Slight difference in the structure of synthetic hormones has a significant effect on their metabolism and action at receptor sites that may cause negative side effects. Larger clinical trials that have studied the effects of synthetic estrogen and progestin have shown increased risk for stroke, breast cancer, heart attack, and blood clots. Since bioidentical hormones are not as profitable as their conventional counterparts, there have been few large, well-designed studies to evaluate the risks and benefits of bio-Hormonal Replacement Therapy ( bio-HRT for BHRT). However, the results of studies that have evaluated bio-HRT thus far do not appear to show the same side effect profile as synthetic or conventional HRT and therefore they are considered a safer alternative.
Since the exact risks of BHRT are not fully investigated, it is best to give the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time. Individualized dosing by compounding pharmacies makes this possible by allowing the practitioner to choose the specific dose and form of hormones most appropriate for each individual. Synthetic hormones on the other hand lack this advantage since they are manufactured in a one-size-fits-all dose, making it difficult to adjust treatment over time.
How long will I be on hormone therapy?
There is no set amount of time that an individual will be on hormone therapy. It depends on how much success a person has in managing the other factors that help to balance hormone such as diet, stress, sleep, and exercise. For those individuals who need the extra support in addition to diet, lifestyle modification, nutritional, and botanical therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) at the lowest effective dose and for the shortest amount of time necessary to rebalance hormone levels and provide symptom relief may be indicated.
Therapeutic Approaches
Regardless of the symptoms you are experiencing, Dr. Wali will work to determine the underlying cause of your health concern and will create an individualized treatment program that includes:
- Diet and lifestyle analysis and support
- Nutritional Analysis and Support
- Botanical/Herbal Medicines
Our Personalized Health Plan includes:
Our approach to treatment involves a three-step process starting from more gentle treatment to more supportive measures depending on the needs of each individual.
STEP 1: Diet and Lifestyle
Through our experience, we have found that supporting the body naturally with diet and lifestyle modifications as well as nutritional supplementation is often all that is needed to bring the body back to a state of balance.
STEP 2: Botanical Therapy
We utilize specific herbs that have been researched and studied for their medicinal benefits for the treatment of symptoms related to hormonal imbalance. Botanical therapy for natural hormone replacement is very effective and many patients can comfortably control their symptoms and feel great on STEPS 1 and 2 alone.
STEP 3: Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
When more support is needed, especially for those with increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and for those patients that need extra support in controlling their symptoms, natural hormone replacement therapy may be the best option.