finding balance through hormone testing YOUR GUIDE TO FEMALE HORMONES AND YOUR HEALTH
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" I’m still amazed at how many people suffer from sub-optimal hormone levels for such an important marker of health.”
contents Do you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance? .................................................... 4 Symptomchecklist ..............................................................................4 The three stages of female hormones ............................................................ 5 Pre-menopause–themenstruatingyears............................................................5 Peri-menopause–theroller-coasteryears............................................................5 Menopause/postmenopause–theendofperiods.....................................................5 Commonhormoneimbalances.....................................................................5 How can I balance my hormones naturally ........................................................ 6 Thekeystohormonehealth.......................................................................6 Menopause – the 5 W’s ......................................................................... 7 Who,What,When,Where,Why...................................................................7 More about hormones .......................................................................... 8 Estrogen ......................................................................................8 Progesterone...................................................................................8 TestosteroneandDHEA(androgens) ................................................................8 Cortisol .......................................................................................8 Bio-identical hormone pellet therapy for women ................................................... 9 Benefitsofhormonepellettherapy .................................................................9 Why bio-identical hormone pellet therapy is a good choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 5 phases of hormone replacement therapy .................................... ............. . . . . . . 10 Phase1:Theperformancepanelbloodtest..........................................................10 Phase 2: Physical exam and consultation, featuring the bioID ™ ...........................................10 Phase 3: Your hormone replacement therapy program .................................................11 Phase 4: Vitamins and micronutrients ..............................................................11 Phase5:Follow-upandtracking ..................................................................11
Taking the next step ........................................................................... 12
Do you have symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Symptoms from one woman to another are as highly individual as a thumb-print.
Symptom checklist:
Y N Please indicate YES or NO Tender breasts Uterine fibroids Water retention Sleep disturbances Weight gain - waist and/or hips Foggy thinking Bone loss Heart palpitations Stress Cold body temperature Sugar cravings Increased facial/body hair
Y N Please indicate YES or NO Mood swings Hot flashes Night sweats Fatigue
Headaches Depression Anxiety Nervousness Irritability Tearfulness Memory lapses Difficulty losing weight
Scalp hair loss Acne/oily skin Thinning skin Aches and pains Fibromyalgia Frequent illness
Decreased libido Vaginal dryness Bleeding changes Incontinence Fibrocystic breasts Polycystic ovaries
Sound familiar? These are the signs of hormone imbalance.
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The three stages of female hormones Menopause is not a single point in time when hormone production is switched off for good, but a gradual evolution that brings an end to fertility. The ultimate pause in ovarian function is a normal feature of growing older that reshapes the way we think, feel and phase into the “second adulthood”– but we can treat the changes as they occur to help you look and feel your best. Pre-menopause – the menstruating years During their 20s and 30s, women should experience fairly regular cycles with balanced testosterone, estrogen and progesterone production. But increasingly, younger females who are prone to excessive stress, exercise, crash dieting and contraceptive use are not ovulating regularly. Irregular cycles can lead to symptoms of hormonal imbalance, severe PMS and more serious health issues before the end of periods and at increasingly younger ages. Peri-menopause – the roller-coaster years In the years approaching menopause, 40-something women begin to experience erratic cycles, as ovaries start to sputter and testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate dozens of times a day. A whole new world of symptoms, from hot flashes and mood swings to insomnia and low libido, take women on a hormonal roller-coaster ride. Now the search for symptom relief begins in earnest! Menopause/post menopause – the end of periods As the ovaries take their final bow, ovulation ends and menopause begins. Falling levels of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone trigger unexpected symptoms that can surprise women. With less hormone to go around, their role in protecting the health of the breasts, bones, skin, brain and heart is greatly diminished. Now is the time when learning to balance hormones naturally becomes more important than ever. Common hormone imbalances The right balance of hormones is vital to a woman’s health. But at any age when hormone levels are dropping, a deficiency of one hormone can trigger excess of another and result in common imbalances such as:
Low testosterone/DHEA Decreases in bone/muscle mass, metabolism, energy, strength, stamina, exercise tolerance, libido Cortisol high/low (stressed adrenals) Insomnia, anxiety, chronic fatigue, allergies, sugar cravings, lowered immunities, weight gain
Estrogen dominance Mood swings, migraines, fat gain in hips and thighs, low thyroid symptoms (cold all the time, slowed metabolism), higher breast cancer risk Low estrogen and progesterone Hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, foggy thinking, memory lapse, vaginal dryness High testosterone/DHEA Acne, hair loss, muscle mass, metabolism fat, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
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How can I balance my hormones naturally? Hormone balance and the knowledge that hormones work in tandem with a healthy mind and body are the keys to hormone health.
u First, determine your symptoms
u Test your hormones to detect specific imbalances
u Review your lab data with a qualified provider
u Always consider bioidentical hormones which are identical to those made naturally in the body
u Limit exposure to xenoestrogens such as pesticides, nail polish chemicals, etc.
u Use “hormone-free” foods and personal care products
u Take multi-vitamins daily
u Maintain ideal weight
u Support hormones naturally with exercise and strength training
u Minimize needless stress
u Learn yoga or meditation to lower stress hormones
u Get at least 7 hours sleep each night
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Menopause – the 5 W’s Who
There are approximately 40-50 million menopausal women in the US today and about 5,000 more are entering menopause every single day. A century ago most of us did not live past menopause. Today we can look forward to another 25 to 30 years–a third of our lives–which makes it even more important to support hormonal balance during this time if we want to age optimally. Since the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI 2002), a major study of post-menopausal women funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), found greater risks of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer among synthetic HRT users, the demand for non-synthetic approaches has skyrocketed. An estimated 2 million women have switched to more natural, bioidentical hormone* therapies (HT) for relieving symptoms and correcting imbalances identified through saliva or blood spot testing. Made from natural plant compounds, bioidentical hormones are similar in structure and function to the bodies’ own hormones, with fewer side effects or known disease risks. What Menopause is not a disease but a natural process, resulting from diminishing hormones and the end of ovulation as women age. This is the ovaries’ final act: lacking eggs and female hormones they can no longer perform their reproductive role. Menopause plays out over time. And in the years prior (peri-menopause), troublesome hot flashes and mood swings clue us in to the fact that we are entering a new phase of life. When The official start of menopause by the calendar is 12 months in a row without a period, occurring on average around the age of 51. But it is not uncommon to see symptoms appear much sooner. Acute and/or prolonged stress, for example, can negatively impact ovarian function and precipitate premature menopause in vulnerable women as early as mid-to late 30s. Menopause can also be surgically induced through hysterectomy, radiation or chemotherapy. Where The ovaries are the main producers of the female sex hormones estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, with a helping hand from the adrenal glands, throughout a woman’s fertile years. The pituitary gland produces Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH) to control egg-ripening and ovulation. Measuring levels of these hormones can be useful in determining fertility and/or menopausal status. Why As we age, the key players in the hormonal symphony begin to play out of tune as their levels change, fundamentally altering their relationship to each other: estrogen , the essential female hormone that develops our breasts and reproductive organs and safeguards their function; progesterone , the great balancer, codependent with estrogen in governing the reproductive cycle, and maintaining pregnancy; and testosterone/DHEA builders of bone, muscle and libido. Knowing what to expect in menopause can not only help us prevent chronic symptoms, but age-related imbalances that raise our risks for heart disease and breast cancer, as the protective benefits of hormones made in our prime wear off.
* Manufactured from natural plant, bioidentical hormones are equivalent in structure and function to the body’s own hormones, with fewer side effects or known chronic disease risks compared to synthetic hormone analogs such as progestins.
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More about hormones Estrogen
Estrogen has been labeled “the angel of life,” because it makes cells grow, developing the uterus, breasts, pregnancy and the egg within the ovary – and “the angel of death,” because estrogen in excess (estrogen dominance) can become toxic to the body. As they say, too much of a good thing can be dangerous, and too much estrogen can over-stimulate cells to multiply out of control, a recipe for breast cancer. Knowing and confirming the symptoms of estrogen dominance through hormone testing is a smart move since an imbalance that goes undetected for too long is not a risk worth taking. Progesterone Progesterone is primarily made in the ovaries and produced only upon ovulation. When for a variety of reasons we don’t ovulate, our bodies can’t produce enough progesterone to keep estrogen levels in check, setting us up for estrogen dominance. In a nutshell, progesterone deficiency = estrogen dominance leading to weight gain, water retention, PMS, mood swings, endometriosis, fibrocystic breasts and heightened risk of breast cancer. Testosterone and DHEA (androgens) Testosterone and its precursor, DHEA, generally decrease in women with age, and may be particularly low after surgical removal of the ovaries. This is when symptoms of “androgen deficiency” start to become apparent. Along with the most noticeable effect of low libido, testosterone and DHEA deficiency can also lead to depression as well as decreases in bone density, lean muscle, stamina, strength and metabolism. Cortisol Cortisol made in the adrenal glands is master of the stress response and also keeps our immune defenses primed for battle against infection. In healthy individuals, cortisol should be at “get up and go” highest levels in the morning and at lowest “ready for sleep” levels at night. When this normal pattern is disrupted, we may find ourselves feeling “tired and wired” all the time, relying on sugar and caffeine to keep going through the day and sleeping pills to get through the night. Allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities and susceptibility to every cold and flu bug go with the territory. Testing all the above hormone levels at the same time can help identity which imbalances are preventing you from being your healthiest and feeling your best.
The way to wellness is through bio-identical hormone replacement therapy
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Hormone Pellet Therapy places small, time released pellets of bio-identical hormones in the fat under your skin to be absorbed optimally over time. The hormones in the pellets are bio-identical, meaning they are the exact molecular match of the human hormone. The process is quick and painless, like having your blood drawn. Benefits of hormone pellet therapy: u No hassle dosing. The pellet is inserted and goes to work – no need to remember to take a pill or apply a cream. And, since the pellet is slowly metabolized by the body over time, patients don’t have to worry if they took too much or not enough. Bio-identical hormone pellet therapy for women
(pellet actual size)
u Minimizes fluctuations between treatments. Pellets are designed to work with each patient’s body chemistry, releasing a natural dose of hormones throughout the treatment cycle.
u Virtually painless. Although the insertion may sound a bit daunting, the pain is minimal. Local anesthetic is applied to the injection site, a tiny incision is made in the skin and the pellet is put into place by trained medical staff and sealed with a piece of medical tape. There is no need for stitches or fear of scarring. u No risk. Pellet therapy has not been associated with increased risk of any adverse conditions or diseases. Why bio-identical hormone pellet therapy is the optimal choice For women, hormone replacement therapy can counteract the upsetting signs of menopause and aging such as weight gain, moodiness, fatigue, depression, and hot flashes, among others. Our specialists will get your body back in balance by restoring the optimal hormonal environment within you to experience health, wellness, general feeling of well-being, and the best metabolic condition for weight management. Restoring your ideal hormone balance can relieve many of the symptoms of aging and help you feel and look younger, healthier, and better than ever.
OPTIMAL
PELLET THERAPY
INJECTIONS
MODERATE
PATCHES
LOW
ORAL / CREAMS
Hormone pellets are created from all-natural plant ingredients. They’re about the size of a grain of rice. Each pellet contains pure, pharmaceutical-grade testosterone or estradiol–which is a female estrogen hormone, without added ingredients. These hormones are bio-identical, which means that they function in your body exactly the same as the hormones that are naturally produced by your body. The pellets are typically inserted in the hips or buttocks and provide a gradual release of the hormones, which not only controls the level of hormone as it is released, but also allows patients to go up to four months between treatments.*
*Pellet will typically last for up to four months, however can be less for an extremely active patient or longer for a more sedentary patient.
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The search for balance is at the very heart of everything you pursue. It is the epicenter of success for any ecosystem. If even the most intricate member of a system is lost or failing, the system slowly begins to crumble. Your health is one ecosystem that is heavily dependent upon a million intricacies working in succinct stride with one another. The only solution is to restore balance–a concept that seems so simple, but is actually quite complex. Well, at least too complex to go at it alone. That’s why we offer a 5-phase plan for assessing and treating your body’s imbalances. We can help you get to the heart of the matter, uncovering where the imbalance began and which systems have been affected. Together, we can develop a treatment plan to restore balance, repair your health and revitalize your life. PHASE 1: The performance panel blood test The first step to solving any problem is to thoroughly assess every aspect of the situation. Assessing the current state of your health is Phase 1 of your treatment plan. W e offer the performance panel blood test, a state-of-the-art diagnostic test that measures vital aspects of your health, assessing function and efficiency to help us determine the root cause of the issue and the best course of treatment for you and your specific health needs. PHASE 2: Physical exam and consultation, featuring the bioID Even the most advanced testing isn’t worth much without expert review by a specially-trained physician. Lab testing is an essential first step, but your symptoms, medical history and changes to your quality of life play a significant role in finding a solution that not only restores your health, but also matches your lifestyle and wellness goals. Phase 2 of your treatment plan is an exam and consultation with one of the biostation’s expert providers specializing in hormone health. Upon completion of your consultation, you will receive your bioID. Your bioID shows you the specific biomarkers that have been identified as a concern and will be a central focus in developing your tailored treatment plan. Your bioID is as unique as you are, meaning your path to optimal wellness designed just for you. The 5 phases of hormone replacement therapy
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Phase 3: Your hormone replacement therapy program Phase 3 of your treatment plan at is hormone restoration. Hormonal balance is often achieved through hormone replacement therapy (HRT), testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), balanced nutrition and lifestyle changes, such as stress management, sleep regimens and routine exercise. Hormone replacement therapy plans must be carefully orchestrated by an expert physician who specializes in hormones and hormone therapy. O ur medical specialists will use your bioID and the results of your exam and consultation to develop a multi-tiered treatment plan that targets your imbalances, restores function, addresses your symptoms and ultimately leads to you looking and feeling your very best once again. Just some of the benefits of our hormone replacement therapy treatment plans include:
u Increased energy u Better stamina u Improved lean body mass
u Boosted libido u Better sleep u Stabilized moods
u Reduced body fat and more…
Phase 4: Vitamins and micronutrients Achieving balance requires a multifaceted approach. Hormone replacement therapy is not effective if you don’t also address your body’s nutritional needs. Vitamins and minerals work with hormones to ensure your body systems function optimally. Nutrient deficiencies must also be corrected to achieve total wellness. Nutraceutical therapies, like targeted supplements and nutrient IV therapy, can help you reach your wellness goals. Nutrients are essential, not only for optimal function, but to fight environmental damage and enhance performance. Through customized regimens of pharmaceutical-grade, high performance multi-vitamins and essential amino acids, our medical specialists will ensure your nutrient levels match your health and performance goals. Phase 5: Follow-up and tracking Success is rarely achieved alone. We will be with you every step of the way, helping you assess your progress, make adjustments as needed and cheering you on as you reach milestones in your plan. Phase 5 is all about making sure you are on the right path to feeling your very best every day. O ur Patient Advocates are there to ensure you get the most out your treatment plans. Your Patient Advocate can answer your questions and guide you through managing your new healthy lifestyle regimen. Our patients report that this 5-star level of care—including access to a dedicated Patient Advocate—maximizes the benefits and drives the most successful results when it comes to achieving their health and quality of life goals.
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taking the next step There’s really no reason to deal with the detrimental effects of aging when there’s a safe and effective solution that not only counters symptoms like decreased libido, muscle loss, and fatigue, but protects you from the risks of serious diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer. We have now entered an age where renewed energy, optimal health, and a greater sense of wellbeing have never been easier to attain. Take the next step in learning more about TRT and the exclusive personalized approach to age management . Schedule a consultation with our specialists to see how you can defy age to look and feel as confident and energetic as you did in your youth.
Redefining preventative healthcare at every touchpoint.
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