Hormonal imbalance can lead to very uncomfortable and frustrating side effects. Here, we have described the relationship between the hormonal imbalance and the symptom, as well as the testing and treatment that is available for each.
- Hot flashes
- Fatigue & stress
- Low sex drive
- Weight gain
- Depression and mood swings
- PMS
- Osteoporosis
Menopause: An Emotional Roller Coaster
In the years leading up to menopause, menstrual cycles may start to become irregular. Bleeding may be heavier or lighter than usual. However, technically, we are not officially in menopause until we have 12 consecutive months without a period.
Irregular cycles are a sign of erratic ovulation, which leads to highs and lows in estrogen and progesterone, which leads to highs and lows in regards to your emotional health. During this time, ovaries begin to slow down, thus your hormone production decreases. This can cause many uncomfortable side effects during your transition through menopause.
Some of these symptoms include:
- Forgetfulness
- Foggy thinking
- Mental confusion
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Tearfulness
- Unwanted weight gain
- Thyroid problems
- Decreased sex drive
It is important for you to know that these feelings are not “all in your head.” These feelings are totally normal for a female to experience during the transition through menopause. More importantly, you should know that there are treatments available to lessen these uncomfortable side effects. If you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, chances are your hormones are out of balance. Dr. Haendiges wants you to know that you don’t have to feel this way, treatment is available.
Hot Flashes
Did you know that 50-75% of women in the United States experience hot flashes during menopause? Hot flashes can be very mild, or can be so bad you want to stand with your head in the freezer. The hot flash occurs when the blood vessels in the skin of the head and neck open more widely than usual, allowing more blood to shift into the area, causing heat and redness. Some common signs of hot flashes are perspiration, night sweats or redness in the face and neck. Hot flashes are triggered by decreasing estrogen levels and rising levels of follicle stimulating hormone. Besides hormonal changes, anxiety and tension magnify hot flashes. Saliva testing identifies the levels of the specific hormones linked to hot flashes. Dr. Haendiges uses these test results as a guideline to prescribe the appropriate natural hormone supplements. These supplements can restore balance and cool hot flashes.
Fatigue and Stress
Many people in today’s society experience high levels of mental and emotional stress on a daily basis. This puts a significant strain on adrenal function. The ability of the adrenal glands to do their job becomes compromised. The adrenal glands secrete cortisol in response to stress, in reaction to low blood sugar, with excitement, and also during exercise. In the morning, our adrenal glands secrete high levels of cortisol to get us going, with levels decreasing throughout the day. People with adrenal imbalance often have normal cortisol levels in the morning with abnormally low levels at other times throughout the day. If stress remains too elevated for a prolonged period, the adrenals can’t keep up with the demand, resulting in a total plummet of cortisol output. This is the cause of adrenal exhaustion.
Do you have adrenal imbalance? Common symptoms include feeling tired all the time, anxiety depression, cravings for sweets, tendency to feel cold, stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, increased susceptibility to infection, chemical sensitivities and allergies.
Saliva testing determines the extent to which cortisol levels are out of balance. Dr. Haendiges will work with you to design a complete program of hormone balance specifically for you, based on your test results. She will also monitor your progress after you begin the hormone therapy.
Low Sex Drive (Libido)
Did you know that estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are key players in the maintenance of circulation, nerve transmission and cell division? An imbalance of these hormones can easily lead to changes in regards to sex drive. Declining estrogen levels lead to decreased nerve impulses during sex, making us less sensitive to touch and vibration. Since estrogens increase blood flow to sexually sensitive areas, decreased levels can slow arousal response. Imbalances of estrogen and testosterone can cause vaginal dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue making sexual intercourse uncomfortable, and sometimes painful.
The key to a normal sex drive is the right balance of estrogen to progesterone. An excess blocks thyroid function, which inhibits libido. An appropriate balance stabilizes mood and supports thyroid function, which enhances libido. Progesterone is also very important, as it is the precursor to estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone and DHEA also have a major impact on sex drive. Levels gradually fall in the years leading to menopause and can drop dramatically with chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and hysterectomy.
If you have a low libido and lost interest in sex, saliva testing can determine probable cause and a foundation for correcting the imbalance. The saliva test will measure levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA.
PMS
Common Symptoms of PMS: Headache, bloating, grouchiness, depression, breast tenderness, loss of libido, fatigue, backaches - Sound familiar? These are all symptoms of estrogen dominance. Natural progesterone can be used to balance estrogen in PMS patients.
Saliva testing can determine if your PMS is associated with estrogen dominance. A low progesterone/estrogen ratio on your test report indicates strong estrogen dominance. If this happens, Dr. Haendiges will discuss your option to supplement with natural progesterone to keep the estrogen levels balanced.
Osteoporosis
Bone is a hormonally sensitive tissue that is affected by age-related decline in production of hormones that have an impact upon bone health, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. Many studies show as they age, both men and women begin to lose bone as the androgens-testosterone and DHEA's start to decline.
When there hormones are low and the cortisol levels are high, bone loss increases at a rapid pace. Too much stress raises cortisol output, interfering with calcium absorption and bone-building activity, as well as increasing the activity of bone destroying cells. Cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and a lack of physical activity are associated with bone loss.
Saliva testing can easily test for imbalances in each of the major hormones that have an impact upon bone health - testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. With these test results, Dr. Haendiges can determine the best course of treatment for you. Whether it may be supplementing with natural hormones, a program of stress reduction, optimal nutrition plans and/or weight-bearing exercises, Dr. Haendiges will have the proper tools to help you avoid the devastating effects of osteoporosis.
Weight Gain and Depression
Estrogen Dominance and Low Thyroid = Weight Gain and Depression
More than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with thyroid disease - and women are at risk of developing thyroid problems seven times more often than men! Thyroid hormone regulates metabolic rate, so low levels tend to cause unwanted weight gain, depression, low energy and cold intolerance. Excess thyroid causes higher energy levels, a feeling of being too warm all the time and weight loss.
Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is the most common in women during the menopausal years. Saliva hormone tests show that women who are estrogen dominant often have menopausal symptoms intertwined with low thyroid symptoms. The most common are weight gain or being unable to lose weight and depression. Cold intolerance, thinning hair, sleep disturbance, fatigue, mood swings and low sex drive are also associated with low thyroid.
If you are suffering from these symptoms, estrogen dominance, combined with low thyroid levels, may be a factor that can be identified through saliva testing.
Depression and Mood Swings
Mood swings and depression are common symptoms of perimenopause, as hormone levels begin to fluctuate unsteadily and continue to decline to even lower levels at menopause. Unfortunately, far too many women are put on anti-depressants, when natural hormone supplementation during these years may be all they need.
All of the sex hormones, especially progesterone, estrogens and androgens have a potent effect upon state of mind, mood and memory. So when they are out of balance (too high, too low, or fluctuating) as is not uncommon in mid-life, the effects can range from uncomfortable to devastating.
Estrogen is the hormone that reaches its highest level in the first half of the menstrual cycle, has been shown to increase mood-enhancing beta-endorpins in menopausal women as well as women who are stilll in the reproductive phase. Estrogen is also known to boost seratonin and acetylcholine-the neurohormones associated with positive mood and memory.
A lack of estrogen can bring on tearfulness and anxiety. But an excess can also effect our mental state by topping progesterone levels in the declining reproductive years. As we age, we ovulate less frequently and when we do not ovulate, we do not produce progesterone. When this takes place, we lose the natural calming and mood-stabilizing effects of progesterone. We also lose its balancing power upon estrogen which builds up, blocks thyroid activity leading to low thryoid, which results in depression.
Saliva testing to identify hormone imbalances linked to depression can serve as a basis for restoring baalnce, and with it a positive outlook on life. Many women find that they are in much better spirits once they begin natural hormone therapy, as testosterone, androgens and DHEA also play an important role in mental health and vigor.
Use the following checklists to determine your symptoms of hormone imbalance and to help you choose the appropriate hormone test profile. Mark each of the following symptoms that are troublesome and/or persist over time.
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