FAQS ON HORMONE IMBALANCES IN BOTH MEN & WOMEN

WHY DOESN’T MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR TREAT ME FOR HORMONE DEFICIENCIES?

Hormone replacement therapy requires specialty training. Traditional doctors do not usually have the required training, resources, or time to become familiar with the latest therapies.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS THAT A WOMAN MAY EXPERIENCE WITH HORMONE IMBALANCE?

A woman suffering from hormone deficiency may have some or many of the following symptoms of hormone imbalance: fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, insomnia, irritability, memory loss, anxiety, depression, decreased libido, mood swings, dry skin, and vaginal dryness. Women with balanced hormones combined with a healthy diet and regular physical activity tend to have a better quality of life as they age and can lower their risk for certain diseases.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS A MAN MAY EXPERIENCE WITH HORMONE IMBALANCE?

Men experiencing hormone imbalance may have any of the following symptoms: fatigue, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, weight gain, depression, changes in mood, memory loss, decreased muscle mass and increased body fat. As men age, production of the hormones begins to decline and they may experience many of these symptoms. In men, there is a reduction in blood levels of total testosterone at a rate of about 1 percent per year after the age of 30. This drop in testosterone is known as andropause. Candidates for hormone replacement therapy can expect more energy, better erections, higher libido, increased muscle mass, and an overall better sense of well-being.

WHAT IS TESTOSTERONE?

Testosterone is a hormone made by the body and is present in both males and females. It is responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for maintenance of other sexual characteristics. Women have approximately 1/10th the amount of testosterone that a man does, however, testosterone is important for women as well. In men and women, testosterone improves mood and energy level, sex drive, muscle mass, strength, and sexual function. Generally speaking, there is a reduction in blood levels of total testosterone at a rate of about 1 percent per year after the age of 30 years.

For more information, check out our Testosterone Replacement Therapy page.

WHAT IS ESTROGEN?

Men and women both have estrogen, but it is found in higher amounts in women, especially those capable of reproducing. After menopause, a woman experiences a reduction in estrogen. This may lead to memory problems, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, fatigue, irritability and a decrease in bone density.

For more information, check out our Estrogen Replacement Therapy page.

WHAT IS PROGESTERONE?

Progesterone helps to regulate the menstrual cycle of women. Progesterone also helps to reduce swelling and inflammation, and keeps blood-clotting levels at normal values. As a woman ages, levels of progesterone and estrogen begin to decline. This gradually leads to menopause. The loss of progesterone decreases collagen, which contributes to wrinkling and decreased skin elasticity.

WHAT IS THYROID HORMONE?

Thyroid hormone is made in a large gland in neck and is important in regulating the body’s metabolism. Some individuals make too much thyroid hormone, while some made too little. When the thyroid gland is overly active, a condition called hyperthyroidism, an individual may always feel hot, have difficulty sleeping, lose weight for no apparent reason, have heart palpitations, oily skin, anxiousness, and moodiness. Symptoms of an under functioning thyroid gland include weight gain, fatigue, thinning hair, brittle nails, dry skin, always feel cold, depression, constipation and irregular menstrual periods in women.

WHAT ARE BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES AND SHOULD I USE THEM?

Bio-identical hormones are produced by plants and have the exact chemical structure as those made by the body. This allows them to work identically as hormones produced naturally in the body. Synthetic hormones are typically made synthetically in a lab or produced from horses and do not work the same way human hormones do. The also may have more side effects because they are not metabolized the same way and may lead to some unwanted side effects.

Yes, you should use bio-identical hormones when they are clinically indicated. Replacing hormones can help control the adverse effects of aging and give you an overall better quality of life.

WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES?

Because bio-identical hormones have the same chemical structure of the hormones your body makes, there are relatively few side effects. Side effects occur mainly when the dosage of hormone is too high for the individual. Your physician will discuss the side effects depending on what you may be a candidate for. Generally speaking, women may experience breast tenderness, swelling in the legs, increase in facial hair, although these are not common. Men may experience acne or hair loss, but are not common at the medically indicated dosages.

WHAT IS THE COST OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AT BALANCE HORMONE CENTER?

That depends on what your treatment plan consists of. Your physician will be able to go over pricing with you during your visit. Depending on your insurance, it may or may not cover the cost of your treatment. Many times your insurance may cover your laboratory testing, office visits, but not the treatment, as it may be considered “cosmetic.” If you do not have insurance, we can set up an all-inclusive fee that would cover all your labs, office visits, and any medication given at the center for a low fee. Call or contact us online for any further questions and we would be happy to answer them.

HOW DO I PAY FOR HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY AT BALANCE HORMONE CENTER?

We offer many different forms of payment and accept insurance plans from mutliple providers. For a full list, check out our Insurance & Payments page.