If you are interested in setting an appointment to discuss your bio-identical hormone treatment options, please schedule a separate appointment from your normal yearly exam. This type of consultation takes considerably more time than a normal checkup. The separate appointment gives Dr. Haendiges and yourself more quality time to discuss all of the treatment options that are available to fit your needs. 

Why Natural Hormones?

Bioidentical (Natural) Hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones produced within the human body.  Most natural hormones are developed from natural plant sources, which are identical to those that the human body produces for itself. When there is a need to replace the body’s hormones, it only makes sense to use the ingredients that the body recognizes as its own, rather than potent artificial versions. Synthetic hormones do not fit the natural receptors that are in the human body.

Females Produce Three Major Hormones:

1. Estrogen
2. Progesterone
3. Testosterone

Estrodiol and Progesterone levels and their ratio are an index of estrogen/progesterone balance.  An excess of estradiol (relative to progesterone) can explain many symptoms in reproductive age women including pre-menstrual syndrome, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, and endometrial hyperplasia.

In older women who use estrogen supplements alone, a deficiency in progesterone can also result in symptoms of estrogen dominance, which include weight gain in the hips and thighs, fibrocystic and tender breasts, irritability, water retention, uterine fibroids, and thyroid problems.  These symptoms are also seen in women approaching menopause, whose estrogen levels swing wildly from high to low without the balancing effects of progesterone.  If estrogen dominance is not corrected, it can lead to cancers of the uterus and breasts, and insulin resistance. 

With the onset of menopause, when ovarian estrogen and progesterone production declines, a new subset of symptoms can result from low estradiol levels including: bone loss, rapid skin aging, foggy thinking, sleep disturbances, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and hot flashes.  To achieve optimal health, it is essential to maintain appropriate levels of estradiol balanced with progesterone, no matter what your age may be.

Testosterone levels can also be either too high or too low.  Testosterone in excess, often caused by ovarian cysts, leads to conditions such as excessive facial and body hair, acne, and oily skin and hair. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is thought to be caused, in part, by insulin resistance.  On the other hand, too little testosterone is often caused by excessive stress, medications, contraceptives, and surgical removal of the ovaries.  This leads to symptoms of androgen deficiency including loss of libido, thinning skin, vaginal dryness, loss of bone and muscle mass, depression, and memory lapses.

Hormones are extremely powerful substances.  It only takes a small amount to generate an effect.  That being said, hormones will only work on their target areas.  These hormones will travel through the blood and enter the cells through the receptor sites.  This is very much the same as a key unlocking the door. Once the hormone enters the cell, it will have many functions including growth and development that leads to mental and physical functions throughout a person's life.

Once hormonal imbalance occurs, either due to physical, mental and/or emotional reasons, the signals that control all of our major functions are no longer reaching their target cells.  If the hormone is not at the right place at the right time, the system will eventually quit working.  This results in disorder and chaos in our bodies causing many unpleasant symptoms to occur.  If left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic conditions and disease can occur.

Hormones are not stored in the cells, but they must be available in the blood stream at the precise time in which they are needed. In a perfectly working hormonal environment, one hormone that is overproduced will be naturally balanced by one of more complementary hormones.

Hormone Testing

An individualized and complete hormone profile is needed to provide a rational basis for correcting any and all hormonal imbalances.  Hormonal balance can be corrected with diet, exercise, supplementation and bioidentical (natural) hormone supplementation if indicated.

Every patient is different!  Dr. Haendiges will take many issues into account when evaluating and ordering your hormone profile.  She will review your age, weight, symptoms, gynecological history when determining what test is right for you.  Saliva or blood spot testing eliminates the guesswork in regards to hormone imbalance. 

Hormone Profiles are multiple hormone tests that provide a complete assessment of your overall hormone status, giving a better picture of the hormone imbalances that are causing symptoms. Instead of treating a secondary hormonal imbalance caused by an abnormality in only one of the hormonal symptoms, you can address the underlying issues that lie at the root of the problem.

Saliva Testing has been proven for decades to be the most reliable testing format for evaluating the free, bioavailable hormone activity at the cellular level. Saliva test results show the actual level of hormone at the cellular level, not what is in the blood stream, which is key to targeting the exact source of hormonal imbalance. 

Testimonial

"Thanks so much for your follow up with me. It means alot to have a doctor care so much about my health and well-being. I have seen an improvement since starting the hydrocortisone. I think this past week I have noticed the biggest improvement thus far. I feel as if I have energy to get up in the mornings, but still a little sluggish in the afternoon. I feel my mood improving and not feeling like I am on edge all the time. I think my biggest challenge has been trying to find the right foods. When trying to cook for a family of 5 its hard to make something healthy everyday and everyone like it, but I am working on it. When I went grocery shopping last week I really paid attention to the labels and wow I had a hard time finding things that were "good." I have really appreciated your daily emails and are getting alot of good information from them." -A.L.

Schedule Your Hormone Consult with Dr. Haendiges