Both men and women rely on a critical balance of estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, DHEA, and cortisol. Each hormone has a specific job yet overlaps the others to create a synergetic environment for better health.
Hormone levels start to drop 1% to 3% each year beginning around age 30. That calculates to a 20%-60% drop by age 50.
Having diminished hormone levels contributes to a litany of symptoms and a slow, steady deterioration in our health. As years pass, these symptoms become even more noticeable as the relationship between them and hormone levels becomes undeniable: diminished libido, waning energy, decreased lean muscle and increasing body fat, weakened bones and osteoporosis, reduction in skin tone and elasticity, memory lapses, cardiovascular concerns, sleeplessness, irritability and mood swings, among several others.
Outwardly, a middle-aged man may have increased abdominal fat and reduced lean muscle mass- hallmarks of hormone imbalance. He no longer looks or feels virile, as his sexual functions fade. As a result, self-esteem begins to suffer.
The story is not that different for women. In fact, both genders suffer when hormone imbalances develop, which results in physical and emotional stress.
Both genders experience menopause. Male menopause (called andropause) is subtler than its female counterpart. Sparked by a decline in androgens (male sex hormones), male menopause typically begins in the 40’s.
Female menopause (marked by a dynamic drop in estrogen and testosterone levels) occurs at a definitive point in time, while male menopause moves stealthily over a period of 20 years.
Men also begin to form more estrogen than his female, postmenopausal counterpart. These higher estrogen levels ultimately compete with testosterone for the same receptors.
In addition, an increase in sex hormone-binding globulin takes up even more of the free testosterone. This loss of testosterone contributes to a middle-aged man’s “pot belly” and reduced muscle tone.
FEMALE MENOPAUSE
- Affects all women
- Symptoms begin at a specific point, often abruptly
- Dramatic drop in estrogen levels, beginning in 40’s and 50’s, along with progesterone and testosterone diminishment
- Diminishing hormonal levels result in changes that can seriously affect physical and mental health
- Resulting symptoms: difficulty in sexual arousal, vaginal dryness, cardio concerns, weight gain, osteoporosis, cognitive concerns, hot flashes, anxiety, emotional upheavals, irritability, lack of skin elasticity, aches, pains, and stiffness
- Unable to reproduce
MALE MENOPAUSE
- More subtle, affecting some men
- Symptoms creep up over a period of 20 years
- Reduction of testosterone, beginning in early 30’s
- Diminishing hormonal levels result in changes that can seriously affect physical and mental health
- Resulting symptoms: difficulty in sexual arousal, weaker erections, cardio concerns, weight gain, osteoporosis, cognitive concerns, fatigue, depression, emotional upheavals, irritability, anxiety, lack of skin elasticity, aches, pains, and stiffness
- Maintains ability to produce sperm
THE KEY IS RESTORING A MORE YOUTHFUL HORMONE BALANCE
At IHL, our goal isn’t simply to replace hormones, but first stimulate the body to make hormones on its own, then complement hormones, when clinically indicated. Personalized hormone optimization programs at IHL can revive male and female sexuality. It begins with an intensive evaluation and ends with you enjoying a vibrant life, an enhanced libido, more energy and improved health. At IHL, we only prescribe bio-identical hormones to supplement your body’s naturally produced hormones.
WHAT ARE BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONES?
The molecules of these hormones are identical in structure to the hormones naturally found in our body. A pure biologically identical (human identical) hormone is either extracted from plants or synthetically manufactured.
Bio-identical hormones are natural to the human body. Since these hormones are identical to our own hormones, they cannot be patented which gives pharmaceutical companies no reason to produce them commercially. As a result, they must be compounded by specialist pharmacies which acquire the pure, pharmaceutical grade hormone and compound it into the dose and form ordered by the physician. The pharmacy can produce pills, liquids, or creams, depending on the doctor’s requirements, and makes the program very customized for each patient.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BIO-IDENTICAL AND SYNTHETIC HORMONES?
Other commercial hormones (synthetic) are not identical to our natural hormones. For instance: Consisting of conjugated estrogens from pregnant mare, Premarin® contains more than ten different horse estrogens not found in the human body; a synthetic progestin, medroxyprogesterone Provera® has a very long list of side effects and risks as listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference including breast cancer, depression, weight gain, blood clots. These synthetic hormones produce abnormal metabolites that can cause side effects and increase the risk of cancer. A natural hormone is a perfect fit in the body; it is a biologically identical hormone the body recognizes as its own.