Woman’s Guide to Hormones

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Hormones: What Exactly Are We Talking About Here?

From the time you were in your preteens, you’ve probably had various maladies blamed on “hormones.” From preteen pimples to teen angst, PMS to pregnancy food cravings, and middle age spread to menopausal mayhem, your hormones have been wreaking havoc on just about everything, haven’t they?

Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream to your organs to tell them when and how to do something. Hormones tell your body how to process the food you eat, they prompt your ovaries to get an egg ready each month, and they stimulate that “fight or flight” response that gets your heart pumping and your breath racing when you’re under sudden stress. Throughout a woman’s lifetime, many of these hormones go through some major changes.

While sometimes hormones are actually not to blame (like when you just feel like gorging on chocolate for a reason having nothing to do with where you are in your menstrual cycle), any type of hormone surge or imbalance can make you feel... well, less than balanced yourself!

Let’s take a look at some of the hormones that are floating around in a woman’s body at various points of life.

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EstrogenEstrogen is the hormone that helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. It’s the

primary “female” hormone, and as the reproductive years come to an end

during perimenopause and, later, menopause, estrogen

levels drop dramatically. This causes a range of

uncomfortable side effects, from painful sex to insomnia.

ProgesteroneProgesterone is another “female” hormone. This

one also helps to regulate the menstrual cycle.

Progesterone levels need to reach a certain point in

order to support a pregnancy. Dwindling levels of this hormone can contribute to a lowered sex drive in

menopausal women.

TestosteroneAlthough testosterone is

often thought of as a “male” hormone, it’s important in women’s bodies, as

it helps make estrogen. Testosterone can also

boost sex drive, so lowered levels of this hormone

can impact the behaviors and desires of women

approaching menopause.

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During the childbearing years, there are other hormones that come into play to stimulate ovulation. These are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

In addition to the hormones associated with reproduction, there are hormones produced by the adrenal glands, such as DHEA and cortisol. The thyroid is also responsible for producing hormones, namely T3 and T4. When these hormones are out of balance, you might experience fatigue, weight loss or weight gain, a racing heartbeat, depression, anxiety and other bothersome symptoms. Finally, insulin controls blood sugar levels, and imbalances can cause weight gain, diabetes and other health problems.

Getting your hormones in perfect balance requires specialized testing and an individualized treatment plan. Focus Total Health offers the testing you need to create a customized plan to help you achieve better health and overall wellness.

Hormones and Your Age: What to Expect in Your 30s, 40s, 50s and Beyond

You’ve been watching your body change over the years and decades. Some of the changes you were prepared for, but some of them likely came as a surprise. Are you wondering what’s in store for your future? Here are some of the changes you might expect as they relate to your hormones.

In Your 30sFor most women, hormone levels are fairly regular in their 30s. This does not include the times that you are pregnant or nursing, if you have children during these years. For some women, however, estrogen dominance begins to take place during the mid to late 30s. This means that estrogen levels are high and progesterone levels are lower than normal, and it could be a sign of perimenopause (the time around menopause). Symptoms include weight gain, insomnia, menstrual irregularities and depression.

What can you do? Work on keeping or starting up good health habits. Lose weight if you’re overweight, start an exercise program if you’re not already on one, and focus on good nutrition. See your doctor if you are beginning to signs of perimenopause. Even if you aren’t, an annual check-up is essential to help you nip any problems in the bud.

In Your 40sBy the middle of this decade, most women begin to experience the signs of perimenopause if they have not already. Fertility declines as hormone levels fluctuate, but it’s still possible to become pregnant. You might notice reduced skin elasticity, vaginal dryness, digestive difficulties and increased mood swings. In some women, thyroid problems begin for the first time.

What can you do? Again, keep up with your healthy lifestyle choices. Remember that until you have gone through menopause, you can still get pregnant, so work with your doctor to choose an effective birth control method.

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In Your 50sThe average age of menopause is 51, but it can be as late as 55, so many women are still getting their periods as they reach this decade. Expect menstrual irregularity for several years preceding menopause. You may also have hot flashes, night sweats, more wrinkles and a reduced libido as estrogen and testosterone levels begin to plummet.

What can you do? Talk to your doctor about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Keep using birth control until you’ve gone a full year without having a period. Since weight gain is common around this time, be vigilant with your diet and exercise regimen.

In Your 60s and BeyondBy now you have gone through menopause. Birth control is no longer an issue, but you might be contending with vaginal dryness and other issues that make sex uncomfortable or even painful. Many women in their 60s choose to continue with hormone replacement therapy in order to stay healthy and to feel better.

What can you do? Discuss the risks and benefits of remaining on HRT with your doctor. Also, be sure to see your practitioner regularly and to be tested for diabetes, heart disease and other maladies that are commonly diagnosed during this decade of life. Keeping up with your healthy lifestyle habits will help you live longer and more comfortably.

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Weight Gain: Defeating Middle Age Spread

It’s prevalent enough that it’s become a cliche: As women enter their 40s, they tend to get a little (or a lot) thicker around the middle. Why does this happen? And what can you do about it?

First, an explanation of some of the hormones involved with middle age spread: Insulin is one of the major players, and insulin resistance, a condition common in both men and women as they reach middle age, can cause the body to hold onto fat. As fat levels rise, estrogen levels rise, causing, you guessed it, further weight gain. Fat accumulates in the abdomen, hips and thighs, and the health issues that go along with overweight or obesity follow. It’s a vicious cycle; women often feel discouraged, frustrated and even depressed when the healthy lifestyle habits they’ve developed over the years no longer work to keep their weight in check.

All hope is not lost, however! Boosting your metabolism can help, and so can getting your hormones under control. Since losing weight safely is not always easy, it helps to have a healthcare professional overseeing your weight loss journey. Do not start a new weight loss regimen without speaking to a doctor.

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Components of an Effective Weight-Loss Program

NutritionSince your metabolism will likely slow as a normal part of the aging process, you may find that you can’t eat what you used to and still maintain a healthy weight. Drastic calorie cuts can be dangerous, but sticking to a moderately low-calorie diet plan can help. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and lean sources of protein, like fish and poultry.

Detoxes can be effective when used under medical supervision; they can jump-start your weight-loss efforts and make it easier for you to stick to a healthy eating plan.

Vitamin and mineral supplements also play a role in keeping you well-nourished even if you are cutting calories. Ask your practitioner which supplements are right for you.

ExerciseThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults get 30 minutes of moderate cardiovascular exercise most days of the week, and strength training exercise a few days per week. If you have been sedentary to this point, don’t just jump into a rigorous training program! Talk to your healthcare practitioner about what activity level is right for you at this time. This is particularly important if you are overweight or if you have underlying health conditions.

Exercises like bike riding, walking and swimming are easy on the joints while providing a good cardiovascular workout. If you are looking for something more intense, you might consider jogging or tennis singles. Yoga, pushups, sit-ups and various resistance exercises are good for strength training and require little or no equipment.

Hormone TherapyDepending on your age and specific hormonal deficiencies, a customized hormone replacement plan could literally change your life -- and your waistline! Ask your doctor to test your thyroid, adrenal glands and reproductive hormone levels. With that information, your healthcare provider can come up with an individualized plan so you get the hormones that you need to improve your health and help you lose weight.

Middle age spread is common, but it does not have to be your default. With medical supervision as you develop new habits along with appropriate hormone therapy you can maintain a healthy weight now and into the next decades.

Hormone Replacement: Benefits vs. Risks

Whenever your doctor prescribes a medication or a procedure, he or she first determines whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is no exception. For some women, HRT will carry risks that outweigh the potential benefits, and for others, the benefits will clearly outweigh the risks. While it’s important to educate yourself about any procedure or medication you are considering, remember that your doctor will largely influence your decision.

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

As women approach menopause, their female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) begin to diminish. This can cause various symptoms that are associated with this change in a woman’s life, including heart palpitations, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood changes, vaginal dryness, weight gain and more. Hormone replacement therapy is a combination of medications that can relieve these symptoms.

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you are suffering from a lower quality of life from your menopausal symptoms, HRT can make you feel much better. It can suppress some of the symptoms of menopause and can raise your libido and make sex more comfortable.

Certain women can benefit from HRT more than others. These individuals include:

• Those who went into menopause before the age of 40.• Those who have had their ovaries removed before the age of 45.• Some women who have lost bone mass.

For those at risk of complications of menopause, particularly early menopause, HRT can reduce the risks of:

• Coronary heart disease• Parkinson’s disease• Loss of bone mass (osteoporosis)• Anxiety• Depression• Early death from different causes

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Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy

All medications, natural or synthetic, carry risks that must be considered before you take them. HRT is no exception; it carries risks that should be weighed against the potential benefits.

Some of these risks might include:

• Breast cancer• Blood clots• Stroke• Heart attack

There are different types of HRT, so while one type might be too risky for you to take, particularly if you have a family or personal history of the aforementioned health conditions, it’s possible that another type would be safe. Your healthcare provider is the one who can answer these questions.

At Focus Women’s Health, we conduct comprehensive

and individualized testing to develop a custom-built HRT regimen, depending on each client’s needs. This means that you will not receive too little or too much of any

hormone; your regimen will be as safe and effective as

possible, since it will be created just for you.

We take your health and safety seriously. If you have any questions about the safety or efficacy of the hormone replacement therapies we provide, please call us at 210-305-5075.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Choosing Your Doctor

The decision to pursue hormone replacement therapy is a personal one and best discussed with a trusted practitioner. When you are evaluating hormone replacement specialists, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Is the treatment developed individually for each patient?

• Is comprehensive blood testing a mainstay of the treatment plan?

• Does the doctor go over all of the risks and benefits of each treatment component and fully answer your questions?

• Are you encouraged to make lifestyle changes in addition to receiving hormones?

• Does the practitioner help you evaluate your diet, your exercise level, your heart health and other facets of your overall wellness?

If the answer to all of these questions is “yes,” you have likely found a well-qualified practitioner who will be able to help you get through perimenopause, menopause and the years following this new phase of your life.

If you have any questions about the safety or efficacy of the hormone replacement therapies we provide, please call us at 210-305-5075.

FocusTotalHealth.com210.305.5075

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Melissa Miskell is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in total body wellness, anti-aging and weight loss. Dr. Miskell is an expert in the use of Bio-Identical hormones to combat the symptoms of aging and menopause and created her practice, Focus Total Health, to specifically target these issues.

Dr. Melissa Miskell is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who specializes in hormone replacement therapy for women, anti-aging and overall wellness. She graduated from Texas Tech University with a B. A. in Chemistry and a B.S. in Zoology. She then worked in the Biochemistry department at Texas Tech Health Science Center while earning an M. S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Dr. Miskell graduated from University of North Texas Health Sciences Center and completed her 4-year residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Texas Tech University Health Science Center where she was Chief Resident.

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