At different stages in our lifecycle, hormone deficiencies can cause major changes in our bodies. Although these hormone imbalances are just a natural part of the aging process, they can cause a number of negative symptoms to our everyday health. Luckily, the benefits of hormone replacement therapy, also known as HRT, can help reduce many of these unwanted symptoms.

But, what are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy? And how can treatment help you feel happy and healthy again? 

In this article, we are going to give you the top 5 telltale signs that you need hormone replacement therapy. We will also tell you everything you need to know about treatment, including:

• What is hormone replacement therapy?
• How does HRT make you feel?
• How long after starting HRT do you feel a difference?

If you’re wondering, “Do I need HRT?” then you’re in the right place. Let’s get started.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is a type of treatment where a doctor prescribes hormones to help replace your naturally produced hormones that are low. This treatment often comes in a pill, cream, patch, or spray.

Typically, your doctor will recommend lab testing where they will test your blood or saliva for hormone imbalances. This allows them to customize your hormone replacement to bring your body’s hormones back into balance.

5 Signs You Need the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Now that you understand what HRT is, it’s time to talk about hormone imbalances. For men and women alike, hormone levels play a very important role in your overall health and vitality. When hormones become unbalanced, you can feel sluggish, moody, and constantly fatigued.

Thankfully, HRT is here to help you replenish hormone levels and help you feel like you again. Let’s take a look at our first telltale sign you may need HRT. 

1. Extreme Menopause and Andropause Symptoms

When we talk about hormone deficiencies as we age, most of us will instantly think of menopause. For hundreds of thousands of women around the world, extreme perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause symptoms can cause a lot of discomfort in their everyday lives.

Negative menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and even a lower metabolism are commonly caused by the gradual changes in estrogen and progesterone levels before, during, and after menopause. This is where hormone therapy can help. By restoring the body’s hormones to optimal levels, many of the negative side effects from menopause can be eliminated. 

Do You Need Hormone Therapy After Menopause?

During menopause and postmenopause, many women search for fast relief to the unpleasant hormone changes they may be feeling. When symptoms are severe, hormone replacement therapy is definitely a viable option. 

Many women who experience low estrogen due to menopause or a hysterectomy turn to HRT to reduce symptoms such as:

• osteoporosis
• heart disease
• stroke
• dementia
• mood swings
• bone thinning
• hot flashes

Note: If you have a hysterectomy, numerous side effects could occur if you don’t take Estrogen.

Do you need hormone therapy after menopause? For women who experience hormone imbalances from perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, hormone therapy can be extremely beneficial for reducing the severity of the symptoms. Learn the benefits of hormone replacement therapy with an HRT consultation!

Hormone Imbalances in Men

Did you know? Hormone imbalances affect more than just women. That’s right, plenty of aging men experience extreme swings in their hormone levels as well. In fact, 20% of men experience negative hormone deficiency symptoms. 

But, why? Let us explain… 

As men age, they can undergo a biological process called andropause. This natural process causes testosterone levels to slowly decrease and usually begins to affect men in their 40’s and 50’s. In many cases, men going through andropause will experience sexual dysfunction, changes in mood, and lower metabolism.

Here’s the good news: many men opt for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), a popular treatment to eradicate many of these unwanted andropause symptoms. With BHRT, you can improve your body’s testosterone levels and feel healthier and more energetic. 

Along with andropause and menopause symptoms, there are many other telltale signs that indicate the need for hormone replacement therapy. Let’s move on to our next sign… 

2. Hair Loss

Although genetics are often the cause of hair loss in men and women, hormones also play a major role in the breakdown of hair. In fact, the main hormone at fault is dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT. When there is an imbalance of this testosterone byproduct, hair follicles can be jeopardized.

Another cause of hair loss is stress. When men and women undergo extreme levels of stress, the adrenal gland has to work overtime to produce stress hormones like cortisol. Unfortunately, when the adrenal gland is hyperactive, it can sometimes cause a major imbalance in our hormone levels. This can lead to hair thinning and hair loss.

The good news? Since hair loss is hormone-related, one of the benefits of hormone replacement therapy is its ability to restore hormone levels and reduce hair loss! 

3. Mood Swings

One of the biggest signs of a hormone deficiency can be seen in our state of mind. When we experience random mood swings, our hormones are typically at fault. Although some changes in mood are normal, you should be concerned when mood swings are severe and become the norm. 

When mood swings involve a heavy dose of the following, hormone replacement therapy might be a viable option: 

• Hormone Therapy for Emotional disturbance
• Hormone Therapy for Depression
• Hormone Therapy for Anxiety
• Hormone Therapy for Nervousness

Want to know more signs you may need hormone therapy? Keep reading to learn how HRT can improve libido and energy. 

4. Low Libido

Are hormone deficiencies causing problems in the bedroom? Since hormones are directly correlated to libido and sex drive, they will also dictate performance and pleasure. Therefore, a lack of certain sex hormones, such as testosterone in men and estrogen and progesterone in women, can result in intimacy problems.

For women, reduced levels of estrogen can cause vaginal dryness and pain during sex. For men, low testosterone can lead to erectile dysfunction and a lack of energy. Fortunately, all of these hormones can be balanced with HRT and pleasure can be restored.

Now that you know that performance in the bedroom can be affected by hormones, let’s talk about how your sleep cycle might indicate a hormone imbalance. 

5. Insomnia or Lack of Sleep

Here’s one thing we can all agree on: a good night’s sleep is vital to living a healthy life. When our sleep cycle is tampered with, a simple day at work can seem like an impossible task. If you are experiencing disturbances in your sleep cycle, hormone imbalances may be the main force keeping you up at night. 

Other side effects you may feel when hormones interrupt sleep include: 

• Insomnia
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Brain fog and memory loss
• Anxiety

As you can see, all of these are very negative symptoms due to a lack of sleep. To easily improve your quality of sleep, consider using hormone replacement therapy. So, how can you safely and effectively replenish your hormones through hormone replacement therapy?

What Are The Risks of Hormone Therapy?

Although the benefits of hormone replacement therapy can be incredibly helpful for patients, it is also important to know the potential risks. The potential risks of hormone replacement therapy include blood clots, heart disease, stroke, and breast cancer.

Risks often depend heavily on age, the type of hormone therapy used, and health history. You should discuss these risks with your doctor, in order to help determine if hormone replacement therapy is a good fit for you based on your individual needs and health history.

How Long Does Hormone Therapy Take to Work?

One common question we get is: How long after starting HRT do you feel a difference?

You should know that HRT isn’t a “band-aid solution” Rather, it is designed to bring your hormones back into their natural alignment over some time.

To begin, the process of hormone testing, waiting for lab results, completing online medical history, & attending your consultation should take a few weeks. Due to this “set-up” phase, it will take 2-5 weeks to feel the initial benefits of HRT. Then, it may take up to 3 months for the full effects of HRT to be felt.

Of course, hormone replacement is a very individualized process. While some patients feel meaningful results within a few days, some feel results after months. HRT treatments can be customized over time based on the needs of the patients. It is common to start hormone therapy with a low dose to see how it initially improves hormone levels, and then the dosage can be adjusted accordingly.

Ready to Reap the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

If you are experiencing any of the signs above from a hormone imbalance, look no further than Whole Health JC for help. Our clinic offers Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy treatment options for both men and women. Through a simple lab test, we can assess your hormone levels and create a BHRT treatment that fits your individual needs!

What are the Signs of Hormonal Imbalance? How to Regulate Your Hormones

It’s no secret that our bodies go through many changes as we get older. From our teen years to the big 50 and beyond, the body’s hormones are constantly changing to keep up with the times.

Unfortunately, not all changes are created equal. If you have noticed unpleasant side effects to the aging process, you might be dealing with a hormonal imbalance.

But, what exactly does it mean to have unbalanced hormone levels? And what are the signs of hormonal imbalance? In this article, dive into the top 5 signs of hormonal imbalance, what it means for your overall health, and how you can regulate your hormones.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s first discover what a hormonal imbalance is.

What is a Hormonal Imbalance?

In simple terms, a hormonal imbalance occurs when too much or too little of a specific hormone or set of hormones are produced in the body. When the levels of your hormones become unregulated, they can cause you to experience different symptoms, such as weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, pain, and sexual dysfunction.

Although there are many hormones in the body, some that are commonly affected by imbalances include:

• Estrogen
• Progesterone
• Testosterone
• Cortisol (stress hormone)
• Insulin
• Growth hormones
• Thyroid hormone     

These imbalances can take place in several locations of your body, including the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, kidneys, ovaries, thyroid gland, testes, and hypothalamus. Many of these parts of the body are found in the endocrine system, which uses hormones to regulate the body.

Hormonal Imbalance in Men and Women

As you can probably guess, there are some key differences between hormone levels found in men and women. For instance, men naturally have more testosterone than women, and women have more estrogen and progesterone than men.

Here’s the problem: When a man or a woman is not producing the right levels of each desired hormone, it can cause some bodily function issues. In men, this commonly appears as sexual disfunction, reduced muscle mass, tenderness in the chest area, and lowered metabolism. In women, it can show up as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, moodiness, low sex drive, and more. 

In this next section, you will learn the 5 common signs of hormonal imbalance that can be found in both men and women.

What are the Signs of Hormone Imbalance?

Hormone imbalances may be caused by a number of reasons, including 

• Stress
• Trauma
• Thyroid issues
• Menopause
• Poor diet; eating disorders
• Lack of exercise
• Certain medications
• Diseases like endometriosis, diabetes, etc. 

Depending on the reason behind your hormone imbalance and the types of hormones affected, you can experience a range of different symptoms. In general, these are the top 5 signs of hormonal imbalance. 

1. Decreased Metabolism & Weight Change

Have you been gaining weight recently and don’t know why? Or perhaps your appetite has changed and you are starting to lose weight?

Unexplainable weight changes are a tell-tale sign of unbalanced hormones. In particular, weight gain is commonly associated with aging because hormone levels that control metabolism begin to drop off as you enter your 30s. This slows down your metabolic rate. 

The main glands that regulate metabolic hormones are your thyroids. So, if you are gaining or losing a lot of weight and can’t seem to get back to normal, then your thyroid glands might be the root of the cause.

2. Change in Heart Rate

Blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart rate are all very important bodily functions. When levels of the hormones that control them change in the body, it can damage tissues and organs in your body. This is particularly the case when the hormone levels remain unbalanced for long periods of time. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

Insulin and glucagon are secreted by the pancreas to manage blood sugar levels and maintain proper blood pressure. However, when one is produced more than another or the overall levels are unable to function properly, you will notice a change in blood sugar, blood pressure, and heart rate. This can signify a hormonal imbalance. 

Oftentimes, exercise and a well-rounded diet can help you regulate your heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels. In other instances, you might need to consult a doctor to help stabalize your them.

3. Interrupted Sleep Cycles

Insomnia and irregular sleep cycles are a common symptom of a hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, if you find yourself waking up frequently in the middle of the night or you’re excessively fatigued during the day, your internal hormone levels are most likely at fault.

Melatonin in particular is known as the ‘sleep hormone’ and is the main hormone that helps you receive a good night’s rest. Cortisol, the ‘stress hormone,’ also plays a big role in your ability to sleep at night and hold energy during the day. Other hormones that help maintain your sleep cycle include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Therefore, if your sex hormone levels are off (such as during puberty, perimenopause, menopause, and andropause), you might notice significant changes in your sleep cycle.

Speaking of sex hormones… 

4. Irregular Reproductive Cycles & Sexual Dysfunction

If you are wondering what are the signs of hormonal imbalance, then this is it. One of the most well-known signs of a hormonal imbalance is sexual dysfunction.

This may include:

• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Vaginal dryness in women
• Pain during sex
• Low libido
• Delay or absence of orgasm
• Inability to become aroused 

At the same time, irregular menstruation in women is also a major indicator that a hormonal imbalance is present.

These dysfunctions and irregularities are caused by wavering levels of sex hormones. As men and women age, it is normal to see a drop off in testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. This commonly leads to menopause for women and andropause for men. 

When seen in younger men and women, sex hormone imbalances are sometimes traced back to genetics, diseases (like endometriosis), and high levels of stress. 

5. Increased Stress Levels

Stress plays a HUGE role in the well-being of your body. Scientists have found that significant levels of stress trapped in the body can cause a number of problems, including:

• Chronic pain and illnesses
• High blood pressure
• Muscle tension
• Headaches; dizziness; chronic fatigue
• Hair loss
• Anxiety; depression
• Digestion issues
• Sexual dysfunction
• And yes, you guessed it – hormone imbalances. 

When you undergo stress, your adrenal glands secrete cortisol to regulate it. Usually, the stress is managed and dissipates without causing too many problems for your body.

Red Flag for Your Adrenal Glands

But, if your body is frequently flooded with major stressors, like ongoing trauma, pain, and more, it can actually lead to adrenal fatigue or even adrenal failure. This occurs when your adrenal glands are unable to produce enough hormones to regulate your stress and it can cause symptoms like:

• Chronic fatigue
• Cognitive issues (dizziness; brain fog)
• Moodiness
• Anxiety; depression
• Compromised immune system
• Low libido 

Therefore, if you have noticed a big spike in your stress levels and a difficulty regulating your emotions, stress, and moods, then you may be suffering from a hormonal imbalance.

Can You Balance Your Hormones?

If you are showing the compelling signs of hormonal imbalance, don’t fret. Since so many men and women undergo hormone imbalances every year, the scientific and medical communities have found ways to balance hormones. 

One way to regulate your hormones is through hormone replacement therapy, a technique that replenishes your low hormones. In this process, a doctor will test your blood or saliva to see which hormones are unbalanced. Then, the doctor will formulate a customized program that comes in the form of a pill, cream, patch, or spray. 

Along with a healthy diet and daily exercise, your hormone levels will begin to balance themselves and you will notice a positive change in your body’s health.

Regulate Your Hormones with Whole Health JC

So, what are the signs of hormonal imbalance? To recap, if you are experiencing unexplainable changes in weight and heart rate, insomnia, fatigue, irregular reproductive cycles, sexual dysfunction, and increased stress, a hormonal imbalance may be at the heart of the problem.

Luckily, you can figure out the root cause of your hormonal imbalance at Whole Health JC. Whether you’re suffering from insomnia, low libido, moodiness, or other symptoms related to unbalanced hormones, Whole Health JC can help you get back on track.