Have you ever felt like your body was your enemy? Have you not felt “yourself?” Our bodies are filled with incredible systems that intricately work together to give us life. If one system is not functioning properly, due to an imbalance or malfunction, then many systems can be affected. One important system that needs to stay balanced, to maintain good health, is the hormonal system. Unfortunately, hormone imbalance is a common occurrence and it has an enormous effect on how we feel. Our bodies experience hormone changes regularly, but if those changes affect your quality of life, you may be experiencing an imbalance that needs intervention.
Irregular Menstrual Cycle
One of the most common signs of imbalance, among women, is an irregular menstrual cycle, which involves estrogen and progesterone. Typical monthly periods should occur between every 21 to 28 days. Normally, women will have an irregular period or no period while pregnant or in the many stages of menopause. If a woman experiences frequently missed periods or unpredictable cycles, this may be a sign of hormone imbalance.
Sleepiness & Fatigue
If progesterone levels are low, this may also cause sleepiness and extended fatigue. The average person needs eight hours of sleep every night. Sleep studies also suggest going to sleep and waking at the same time every day, along with reduced screen time and a dark sleeping environment, to maximize restful sleep. However, if you do all of this and you still wake up feeling unrested or continually fatigued, you may be experiencing a progesterone imbalance.
Acne
A common complaint from adolescents going through puberty and women on their menstrual cycle is acne. Androgen is a hormone in both men and women. During puberty and periods, androgen levels can become elevated, creating overworking oil glands. This leads to clogged pores, usually on the face and back. Acne can come and go, but if you have an androgen imbalance, the acne can become chronic.
Mental fog, mood swings, and depression
Another sign of hormone imbalance is a change in mental health and capacity. Mental fog, mood swings, and depression can be caused by a change in estrogen levels. Estrogen is a hormone that can affect neurotransmitters in the brain, as well as the brain chemicals that affect our moods and emotions. It is normal to feel occasional moments of sadness or mild changes in mood. If estrogen interferes with the brain’s functions, this can make you feel extended periods of unexplained sadness or create more noticeable changes in mood.
Sexual dysfunction and vaginal dryness
Sexual dysfunction and vaginal dryness occur if testosterone and estrogen levels decrease for extended periods of time. This imbalance can affect sexual activity by making it painful or decreasing the interest in it. Lack of libido can also affect relationships and mood. It is important to maintain proper hormone balance for healthy sexual activity.
Other Signs of Hormone Imbalance
There are many more signs of hormone imbalance: Headaches, intestinal issues, hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety, increased appetite and weight gain. Most of these signs can be caused by numerous medical conditions. In the end, if you suspect a hormonal imbalance, you should consult your doctor.
I have a hormone imbalance. What are my options?
The best way to diagnose a hormone imbalance is to consult a doctor. Through medical observations, taking a medical history, and medical screenings, a doctor can determine if there is an imbalance and possibly what is causing it. Typically, doctors will prescribe a regimen to help balance the body and maintain good hormone health. This can include synthetic or bioidentical hormone therapies. The most common therapy involves using a synthetic hormone treatment that is made from progestin and conjugated equine estrogens from pregnant mare urine. The use of animal estrogens and the word “synthetic” can scare many away from hormone therapy. There are other alternatives to synthetic hormones.
What is BioTe?
Many people do not feel comfortable taking synthetic hormones and opt to go without a prescribed remedy. BioTe was created with these people in mind.
BioTe is a plant-based hormone therapy that does not use synthetic hormones. This remedy comes in a pellet form that is made with bioidentical estradiol hormones. These pellets are FDA approved and are custom compounded. Bioidentical means that the hormone is the same chemical structure as your naturally occurring hormones. BioTe pellets are inserted under the skin and are naturally and consistently absorbed by the body, eliminating the ups and downs of pill form or injection hormonal therapies. BioTe makes two types of pellets: Estrogen and testosterone. This makes BioTe a hormonal therapy for both men and women.
Where can I learn more about BioTe?
Dr. Paul Valbuena is a BioTe Medical Certified Practitioner and can help you learn more about BioTe and your hormone therapy options. Make an appointment with Valbuena Wellness to speak with medical consultants and complete your journey to balanced hormonal health.