Your body produces over sixty different hormones that circulate throughout your bloodstream and orchestrate the complicated process that is life. Different hormones help in regulating heart beats, controlling blood pressure, setting your metabolic rate, sex drive, fighting anxiety, soothing pain, fighting stress, stimulating your immune system, and many many more processes. Proper hormone balance is critical to maintaining your health.
Sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play important roles in sex drive, improving bone health, increasing energy, increasing muscle tone, enhancing mood, enhancing memory, and many more processes. Every woman is different and hormone replacement therapy is a topic that should be discussed with a knowledgeable physician with experience in the field, with close monitoring and medication adjustments being essential.
At North Shore Pharmacy all of our compounds are made with bio-identical hormones. What is bioidentical? A bioidentical hormone has the exact same molecular structure as the hormones already produced by the human body. Because their chemical structure is identical to our endogenous hormones, they generate the same physiological response in the body as the hormones already produced in our bodies.
Naturally produced sex hormones include estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriole (E3), progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrostene (DHEA), and pregnenolone. Numerous conditions, symptoms, and issues can be treated with BHRT. PMS symptoms, infertility, menopause and perimenopause, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue, headaches, emotional instability, insomnia, hot flashes, depression, anxiety, loss of muscle tone, weight gain, hair loss, etc etc etc. Hormone replacement therapy is not a cure all, but when done correctly with proper monitoring and knowledgable healthcare professionals surrounding you it can be very beneficial.
Estrogens:
Estrogen has 400 different functions in the human body. The three main estrogens produced by the body are estrone, estradiol, and estriole. For hormone replacement therapy estradiol and estriol are often prescribed in combination to reestablish a normal physiological balance. Common signs and symptoms of estrogen deficiency include:
• Hair loss
• Dry irritated eyes
• Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
• Lack of sexual desire
• Fatigue and poor mood
• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
Progesterone:
Progesterone may enhance estrogen activity while also moderating symptoms of estrogen dominance, such as water retention, fat accumulation, uterine bleeding, and mood swings. It also helps promote thyroid activity and may help improve bone health. Progesterone is also a very calming hormone and can be used to improve sleep and help with anxiety. Common sign and symptoms of progesterone deficiency include:
• Painful swollen breasts
• Anxiety, aggression, and irritability
• Headaches
• Water retention
Testosterone:
Testosterone is often viewed strictly as a male hormone, however it is very important in female physiology as well. Testosterone is critical for increasing sex drive, energy, and muscle tone and strength. It also plays a role in fighting against osteoporosis, immune function, obesity, diabetes, and decreasing cholesterol. Common sign and symptoms of testosterone deficiency include:
• Fatigue
• Low sexual drive
• Upset sleep
• Depression and anxiety
• Loss of muscle tone
Dehydroepiandrostene (DHEA):
DHEA is secreted more than any other hormone over a lifetime. It is made by the adrenal glands and is converted into various derivatives including estrogen and testosterone. DHEA has many functions in the body including helping protecting against infection, enhancing energy, and controlling the negative effects of cortisol excess. Common sign and symptoms of Dehydroepiandrostene (DHEA) deficiency include:
• Dry skin
• Anxiety and depression
• Low sex drive
• Low energy
Pregnenolone:
Pregnenolone is primarilly produced in the adrenal glands. DHEA, cortisol, progesterone, testosterone, and estrogens are made from pregnenolone. Pregnenolone may enhance mood and increase energy and memory.
Additional Patient Information:
Progesterone Misconceptions Article
