Bioidentical Hormones For Every Woman

Bioidentical Hormones for Every Woman

What every woman should know about bioidentical hormones

Courtesy of Labrix Clinical Services, Inc

Why is hormone health important to you?

Hormones determine how we feel.

Many physicians believe it is the most important thing

we can do to optimize health—second only to diet and exercise.


Hormones at Work

Starting with the day we are born, the body produces hormones (chemical messengers) to control how and when things happen in

the body throughout life: • Growth • Development • Most physical and mental functions


Where are your hormones made?

• Most hormones are produced by a group of glands known as the endocrine system.

• Even though these glands are located in various parts of the body, they are considered one system because of how they work together.

• These glands include ovaries (female), testes (male), adrenal and thyroid glands and pancreas.


How do hormones travel?

• Hormones travel from these glands into the blood stream and are then delivered to the right cells in the body.

• When a hormone reaches a specific destination, it's individual purpose is unlocked.


Which hormones are we talking about?

Progesterone

Estrogens

Testosterone

DHEA

Cortisol


Hormones - Estrogens

There are three types of estrogens: Estradiol, Estrone and Estriol

• Estradiol is strongest and made mainly in the ovaries.

• Estrone is 50-70% less active than Estradiol and made mainly in the fat cells.

• Estriol is only 10% as active as Estradiol, AND it can’t be converted to Estradiol or Estrone.


Estrogen has more than 400 functions in the body

• Development of sex characteristics

• Stores fat• Decreases thyroid

function by increasing thyroid binding globulin

• Influences brain activity

• Stimulates growth of uterine lining

• Stimulates development of the egg follicles

• Stimulates growth of breast tissue

• Supports vaginal health

• Maintains collagen in the skin and connective tissue


What else does your estrogen do?

• Increases serotonin• Helps transport

glucose (energy) into the brain

• Helps nerves grow• Lowers fibrinogen, a

protein involved in blood clotting

• Inhibits constriction of the blood vessels

• Promotes healthy cholesterol production

• Inhibits osteoclasts, which weaken bones

• Improves insulin sensitivity

• And much more


What can happen you have too little estrogen?

“I’m not myself anymore. I wake up every night 3-4 to four times, often drenched in sweat. In the morning, I feel more tired than when I went to bed. At work, I have even had to leave a business meeting because I was so uncomfortable and embarrassed. You can actually see the hot flashes; my face turns beet red”!

-- Peggy (49 years old)


And how about too much estrogen?

“I have never had a weight problem, until now! I have always exercised regularly, eaten a pretty healthy diet, and I’m still gaining eight, especially around my middle…where is this belly coming from!!!... I have even been exercising more and eating less to stop the gain. Nothing is helping. The pounds seem to be here to stay”.

--Susan (54 years old)


Progesterone

• Produced by the ovaries with a surge during the luteal phase, or second ½ of the cycle.

• Small amounts produced by the adrenal gland.• Some drug companies make a type of synthetic

hormones called progestins.• Progestins are NOT progesterone

– They have a different molecular structure– Progestins do not have the same effects as

bioidentical progesterone– Progestins have many negative side effects


What does progesterone do?

• Promotes normal sleep patterns

• Calms the brain• Reduces cholesterol• Helps estrogen work well• Increases scalp hair• Helps to burn fat for

energy• Can be an anti-depressant• Acts as a diuretic• Cuts down on spasms in

the coronary arteries

• Essential for maintaining pregnancy

• Counteracts some of the negative effects of estrogen in breast, brain, and uterine lining

• Promotes normal cell death

• Helps the body use glucose the right way and improves insulin resistance

• Helps the thyroid gland work properly


Anxiety:one of many symptoms of low progesterone

I awoke suddenly in the middle of the night with my heart beating fast and hard. I lay frozen in my dark room, intently listening for the source of the danger that had surely roused me.

It would have been an appropriate response had someone been breaking into my home, but the house was perfectly still. I got out of bed and made a room-by-room check of the house. All was quiet and secure.

Yet, the terror in my chest would not ease. This was the third wakeful night in a row. I would spend another night wide-awake, waiting out the psychological storm, somehow trusting sanity would return.” Amy (46 years old)


Testosterone

Yes! Women need Testosterone!Women have about 9 times less than men and it

is a beneficial part of female health and sex drive.

• Testosterone is made in the ovaries and adrenal glands

• It improves sleep• It improves your sense of well being and vitality• It improves bone density• It helps burn fat and slows fat build up


A symptom of low testosterone

“My sex drive when I was younger was pretty good. I had friends who seemed more energized than I did that way, Yet I felt good and satisfied sexually.

Now I’m dead that way. Seriously, I have no interest whatsoever, and if I am sexual, it feels like a lot of work… too much effort.

I try to accommodate my husband every once in awhile, but he’s not that interested either - knowing I’m just not into it”.

Stella (51 years old)


DHEA

DHEA is also made in both the ovaries and the adrenal glands

• It’s important for libido and arousal• It promotes a sense of motivation

and well being• Healthy levels improve immune

function• It improves REM sleep function• It improves memory function


Cortisol• Cortisol is the hormone that

make’s sure your body can respond and adapt to the stresses of daily life – it’s our fight or flight hormone.

• Cortisol also kick starts you in the morning and gets you going.

• It also helps to maintain blood sugar levels and supports a healthy immune system.

• Cortisol is made in your adrenal glands.

• Healthy cortisol levels are a critical part of allowing you to have a healthy, active life.


Low cortisol: tired adrenal glands

“I’ve always been an energetic person, but lately I’m noticing that I feel tired all the time, even mid-morning when I’ve only been awake for a few hours.Since I started menopausing, I have been slowing down. It’s getting to the point where I don’t have the energy to exercise anymore, and I do nothing in the evenings after work. I can just plop down on the couch, turn on TV, and not rise again until bedtime! That is so not me. I used to go out and do things or work on projects at home, but I feel too tired now”.

Karen (44 years old)


Why are your hormones changing?

1. From our mid thirties forward our hormone levels start changing as we age.

2. We live high-stress lives these days, and with much different pattern than in the past. As your stress level rises over a long time, your adrenal glands and your ovaries struggle to produce the hormones you need in the right balance.


Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance Hot Flashes Night Sweats Vaginal Dryness I ncontinence

Low Estrogen

Bleeding Changes Uterine Fibroids Water Retention Tender Breasts Fibrocystic Breasts I ncreased Forgetfulness Foggy Thinking Tearf ul Depressed Mood Swings

Estrogen Dominance

Stress Morning Fatigue Diffi culty Sleeping Decreased Stamina Anxious I rritable Nervous Fibromyalgia Allergies Headaches Sugar Cravings Dizzy Spells

Adrenal

Cold Body Temperature Goiter Hoarseness Hair Dry or Brittle Nails Breaking or Brittle Constipation Slow Pulse Rate Rapid Heartbeat Heart Palpitations I nf ertility Problems

Thyroid

Acne I ncreased Facial/ Body Hair Scalp Hair Loss Weight Gain – Hips Weight Gain – Waist High Cholesterol Elevated Triglycerides

Metabolic Syndrome

High Androgens

Decreased Libido Decreased Muscle Size Thinning Skin Ringing in Ears Rapid Aging Aches and Pains Bone Loss

Low Androgens/

Other


How do I get back in balance?

• Test your hormone levels

• Evaluate your results with your doctor

• Start treatment

• Retest to check your hormone levels

• Evaluate your treatment with your doctor

• Monitor your hormones levels annually


What does the test kit look like?


What Hormones do I test?

The best place to start is the Comprehensive Hormone Panel. It will measure your:

•Estrogen (Estradiol) •Progesterone, •Testosterone, •DHEA, •Four timed cortisols.


How does the test kit work?


What else can I do?

In addition to balancing your hormones you can:• Practice sacred selfishness – it is okay to take care of

yourself, in fact, it is essential that you take care of yourself. Be proactive during peri-menopause.

• Make time for activities you enjoy at least 3 times a week, and connect with others who care for you.

• Feed your body food that keeps it well.• Do deep belly breathing at least 3 times a day for 10

minutes - this sends a calming message to your adrenal glands that “everything is okay.”

• Exercise 20 minutes, at least 3 times a week.


Where can I learn more?

Slim, Sane, and Sexy

www.slimsaneandsexy.com


Bioidential Hormones for Every Woman

Find a provider. Email [email protected], include area code and city

Order Slim, Sane and Sexy www.slimsaneandsexy.comPrint an information sheet on

salivary hormone testing to take to your healthcare provider. Go to

http://everywoman_001.labrix.com


Bioidentical Hormones For Every Woman

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