Say Yes to Aging Well

If you are a woman, your hormones naturally decline as you approach menopause.  In fact, you will likely spend more than one third or more of your life in post-menopause. If you are a man, your hormones won’t decline as rapidly but they decline nonetheless.  In both cases, this decline leaves you open to age-related symptoms.  These range from annoying symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue and lowered sex drive that reduce your ability to enjoy life to life threatening diseases that threaten your health and independence due to osteoporosis, heart disease and reduced mental functioning.  There is a safe way to ward off these symptoms and diseases – the prudent use of bio-identical hormones.

Synthetic vs. Bio-Identical

Synthetic hormones bind to your hormone receptors at a rate that is 2-3 times that of your own hormones.  The chemical structure of these substances is very different from the hormones that you body produces. Synthetic progestins tend to increase LDL (bad cholesterol) and decrease HDL (good cholesterol). Synthetic estrogen produces metabolites that increase inflammation, leading to hypertension, heart disease, strokes, blood clots, and even cancer.

In contrast, bio-identical hormones, made from yams and soy beans, are substances that are exact chemical replicas of the estrogen, progesterone and testosterone that your body produces.  They bind to your hormone receptors perfectly. When properly administered, bio-identical hormones provide protection against heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer.  They can also keep your body lean and help you regain youthful energy levels and a healthy sex drive.

Your Personal Hormone Symphony

Bio-identical hormones must be properly adjusted for your individual needs.  How much you need is based on your own hormone levels as well as how your body absorbs and metabolizes hormones.  When beginning hormone replacement therapy, it is best to remember that your endocrine system functions like a symphony. So it is absolutely essential to make sure that your thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands are functioning at their best. If one of theses glands is out of kilter, the others adjust to move in concert.  For instance, I see many patients with hypothyroid symptoms caused by their thyroid down-regulating to match reduced adrenal function.  Many of my peri-menopausal patients also find that hot flashes and insomnia go away when we regulate their adrenal glands, without adding any additional sex hormones.