Hormone Replacement Therapy

Help! My Hair is Falling Out

August 7, 2017 By Connie Odom

As a woman, you won’t have to worry about losing your hair and going bald, as that is a problem for men, right? Well, generally speaking, yes. However, although excessive hair loss in women is rare, it is not impossible. If you happen to be experiencing it firsthand, it isn’t a nice feeling. Losing a little hair is perfectly normal, just check the drain after a shower or your hairbrush after brushing. If you are losing excessive amounts, there could be a reason which will need addressing. Here are a few causes for hair loss.

Hypothyroidism – The thyroid hormone plays a significant role in some physiological processes within the human body. In women, thyroid hormone problems could be the cause of excessive hair loss. With hypothyroidism (aka thyroid disease), the body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hair growth slows down, and it could potentially fall out. Other common symptoms include weight gain, lack of energy, depression, lethargy, and trouble sleeping. If you suffer from thyroid issues, you may wish to speak to trained experts who may recommend treatment such as Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT for short).

Iron Deficiency – Iron is an incredibly important mineral in the human body that plays a vital role in the production of hemoglobin. A lack of iron means the body will not have enough red blood cells, so less oxygen is carried around the body to the cells. This lack of oxygen can result in a lack of energy, causing fatigue. Other symptoms include pale skin, weakness, and hair loss. To help rectify the issue, consider investing in a good quality iron supplement, and consume more iron-rich whole foods such as red meat, leafy greens, and seafood.

Too Much Styling – Let’s face it, most women’s hair goes through a lot on a weekly basis. You style it, dye it, blow dry it, curl it, and straighten it. You use sprays, gels, oils, and mousses. Exposure to too much heat and chemicals can damage your hair, and if you aren’t careful, can result in hair loss. If you are experiencing hair loss, give your hair a break and don’t use any chemicals or heat treatments on it for several weeks, and see if you notice any improvements.

For more information on HRT, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Sex after Menopause

July 24, 2017 By Connie Odom

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is the use of medicine containing female hormones estrogen and progesterone to reduce the effects of menopause such as hot flashes. Hormone Replacement Therapy works to restore the hormones that the body no longer makes after menopause. Doctors consider this type of therapy as the best way to treat menopause-related effects but advise re-evaluation six months into the treatment.

Estrogen hormone prepares the uterus to receive a fertilized egg and also controls how the body utilizes calcium. High levels of estrogen increase the chances of getting cancer of the endometrium and why it goes hand in hand with progesterone. Progesterone reduces the likelihood of getting this type of cancer as it thins the lining of the uterus. The chances of getting this cancer are high in females who’ve hit menopause as cells from the endometrium aren’t leaving your body as would be the case during your period.

A common occurrence in women who are at the menopause age is low sexual drive and complicated vaginal problems. According to Menopause Matters survey, 51% of the females polled reported that once they hit menopause bothersome vaginal problems like bleeding and vaginal dryness were key factors for them to avoid sex. 47% also said that after menopause they realized that their sexual drive was lacking. The females were told to go for consultations with professional healthcare givers. A majority of those that started Hormone Replacement Therapy reported that they felt like their old selves. HRT eliminated the complicated vaginal issues and low sex drives. Hormone Replacement Therapy takes four to six weeks to show results and is known to help women suffering from low levels of testosterone which is also a major contributor of low sexual interest. Through HRT testosterone levels are increased, and sexual interest and response are restored.

As good as HRT is, some medical experts advise against its use. They say that its continued use causes long-term effects and diseases such as heart complications, stroke, blood clots and breast cancer. These issues are the main reason why HRT is not recommended for everyone. Females suffering from the conditions mentioned above are advised to seek other alternatives to the HRT treatment. Women who suffer from early menopause and those who had their ovaries removed are also advised not to undertake the treatment until the age of 45 at the earliest.

To have hormone levels tested, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.

Hormones and Headaches

June 19, 2017 By Connie Odom

Did you know about 75% of all chronic headaches are suffered by women? This information is according to statistics provided by the US National Headaches Foundation. The distinction between the number of females and males who experience headaches is underlined by one factor: hormones.

The Relationship Between Hormones and Headaches

Every person in the world has hormones. Hormones are the compounds that are responsible for almost all impulses that related to pain in the body. Some hormones induce pain reception by the cells in our bodies. Different hormones enhance these responses while others transmit pain signals to the brain.

Men and women have different dominant hormones. While men have testosterone, women have estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones in the female body that control the brain’s reception of pain signals.

During certain periods in a woman’s life, the levels of these two hormones will vary considerably. These times are when a woman has her menstrual cycle, experiences menopause or is pregnant. Estrogen and progesterone levels spike and fall during these times. When a woman has high levels of these hormones, she will feel euphoric. On the other hand, when the levels of these hormones become too low a woman begins experiencing symptoms such as headaches or migraines. This is because reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease the hormone endorphin’s ability to hinder the brain from responding to all forms of pain. The headaches caused by lowered levels of female hormones are known as hormonal headaches.

Signs of Hormonal Headaches

A physician may give a hormonal headache diagnosis if a woman frequently gets migraines or headaches about two days before her menses begin. These headaches are typically the lone symptom of hormonal headaches, but at times they may be accompanied by other signs. These additional symptoms include fatigue and poor sleeping patterns, slight tiredness, facial acne, intense cravings especially for red wine, alcohol, and salt, and dizzy spells.

Controlling Hormonal Headaches

Hormonal headaches are controlled in different ways depending on the woman’s medical history. Some ways of preventing and managing hormonal headaches include:

Natural Methods – A woman with hormonal headaches can reduce the pain and frequency of a headache through her diet. Eating healthy foods and drinking lots of water while avoiding processed meats, overly salty or sugary foods, and red wine helps balance hormone levels in the body. Additionally, getting massages or taking up relaxation exercises like yoga and meditation reduces the tension thereby relieving some of the pain caused by the headaches. If the headaches persist, staying in a dark room and using a cold compress on the side of the head that aches could help.
Medication – Medication is used to reduce the intensity of hormonal headaches. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen make the headaches bearable, and triptans shrink blood vessels to produce a similar effect. NSAIDs are taken when the headaches occur while triptans are ingested from 1-2 days before menstruation until the cycle ends. Supplements rich in magnesium can also be used to even out hormonal levels in women.
Hormone Balancing – Hormonal headaches are caused by extremely low hormone levels in women. Therefore, they can be managed by balancing these levels. One way to do this is through taking hormone replacement therapy. This treatment comes in estrogen pills and patches and is used mainly by women who are past menopause. Women who have not reached menopause can use oral contraceptives to balance their estrogen and progesterone levels.

For more information on hormone replacement therapy contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.

Four of The Main Causes of Estrogen Dominance in Men

May 22, 2017 By Connie Odom

The human anatomy is a truly miraculous creation that in truth, is far more complicated than many people can even begin to comprehend. When it comes to our hormones, in particular, getting the right balance is essential if we wish to enjoy a healthy and productive life. Though it is often considered to be a female-only issue, in men estrogen dominance is a very real, and fairly serious matter that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. Estrogen dominance is a condition where men find that estrogen becomes the dominant hormone in their bodies, rather than testosterone. Estrogen is naturally present in the male body, though ideally, it should only be present in small amounts, with testosterone being the dominant hormone. If Estrogen becomes the dominant hormone, there will be problems. To understand Estrogen dominance in men, we need to look at what causes it, so let’s take a more detailed look, shall we?

Constricting underwear – You’ve all seen those famous underwear ads for men, and you’ve all seen how tight the underwear on the insanely ripped male models is. Tight underwear, however, can be a contributing factor towards estrogen dominance in men, due primarily to the fact that it squeezes the testes so tightly, causing them to become overheated. Blood flow is also constricted, which can reduce testosterone and cause estradiol levels to increase. This condition can also affect a man’s fertility.

Being overweight – Obesity is linked to all kinds of ailments in people of all ages and genders, including estrogen dominance in males. Fat tissues and cells contain enzymes which convert proteins into testosterone, which is then converted into estradiol. So, when you’re carrying more fat, estradiol levels will increase, causing estrogen dominance. Ironically, estrogen dominance also causes weight gain.

Unhealthy diet – An unhealthy diet is one of the leading contributors for estrogen dominance, due in large part that many processed foods have been genetically modified, and treated with chemicals which have estrogen mimicking effects inside the body. Many animal products, especially dairy, can cause an increase in estrogen levels. Instead, try to consume more organic, fresh, and natural foods.

Alcohol and caffeine consumption – A little of what you enjoy is fine, but if you drink too much caffeine or alcohol, your estrogen levels may spike. Caffeine can trigger estrogen dominance, whereas alcohol is made from ingredients which can mimic estrogen within the body.

Hormone levels are determined by a simple blood test. Testosterone therapy is available for men who have high estrogen levels. Getting those hormone levels balanced is important to reduce symptoms.

For hormone testing, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.

How To Treat Hormonal Imbalance In Women

March 21, 2017 By Connie Odom

Reduced hormone levels can lead to a multitude of unpleasant symptoms including mood instability, hot flushes, improper digestion, insomnia and significant risk of chronic disease. There are many ways to manage hormonal imbalance in women using natural methods and healthcare practices. The following tips can help incorporate the proper solutions to prevent complications and severe wellness issues.

Many people are placed on synthetic hormone prescriptions to return the body to its balanced state. Unfortunately, this type of medication can cause serious and uncomfortable side effects that increase the risk of dysfunction without resolving the underlying cause. Long-term use of prescriptions can lead to heightened anxiety, physical limitations, and risk of cancers.

A healthier approach incorporates healthier types of fats into the daily diet such as coconut oil and oily fish high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats. For the body to function optimally, it requires natural fats to produce hormones. These essential fats also work to decrease inflammatory processes and provide the body with the building blocks it needs to maintain a healthy immune system.

Consuming more fiber in fresh fruits and whole grains keeps a clean and healthy condition of the digestive tract. Consuming processed foods wreak havoc on the stomach, and also on hormonal production. Yogurts full of probiotics and healthy cultures will restore the operation of the abdominal system and protect against inflammatory responses.

Create a suitable exercise plan and find ways of alleviating chronic stress. The impact of sedentary lifestyle and stress can leave the body in a state of imbalance causing unhealthy fat to accumulate around the abdomen and compromise healthy hormone production. Keeping weight in control and finding time to relax will facilitate healthy results.

Lifestyle changes including the appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement can encourage balanced hormone levels. The goal for alternative therapy is to assist patients in managing the impact that hormone imbalances can have on regular physical and emotional function. Healthcare strategies discussed with a medical practitioner can help address risk factors.

For more information on hormone imbalance and hormone replacement therapy, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.

Why Should You Have Your Hormone Levels Checked?

March 6, 2017 By Connie Odom

What is a hormone?

The first thing to know is what hormones are. Hormones are natural substances which are essential for people’s health. As time passes, hormone production decreases in the body. This reduction in hormones leads to many age-related conditions and diseases.

Hormones act on the cellular level. Maintaining the proper hormonal balance allows the cells to act younger. Although hormone imbalances are found more in older people due to the aging process, hormone imbalances can also occur in young people. In younger people, hormone imbalances are often a sign of a degenerative condition or disease. Some conditions trigger the onset of cells aging earlier than is expected.

Why is Checking Hormone Levels Important?

Checking hormone levels should be part of an annual check-up. Hormone Therapy can restore the youthful levels of hormones within the body. The gonadal (sex) hormones, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones are the most important. If these hormone levels are sub-optimal, then hormone therapy can easily be the solution. It is broadly believed that high levels of hormones increase the chances of getting cancer. But, this is not true for everyone. A discussion with a doctor will help decide if it is right for you.

People with advanced age will never have the hormone levels that they had in their teens, but a more youthful energy and libido are possible with hormone replacement therapy.

Hormone Therapy Wilmington NC

There are many stigmas about hormone therapy. Many times healthcare providers are cautious to recommend it. But, physiological and controlled doses of natural hormones can give good results. They help in maintaining the health, appearance, and functioning of the internal organs. Bio-identical hormone therapies do not exert any excess pressure on the body. They ensure that the youthful levels are restored.

Medical practitioners say that every patient is unique. So hormonal requirements are unique as well this is all the more reason to get hormone levels checked. Doctors can then tailor-make the treatment schedule for every patient.

Take the Hormone Deficiency Test

For more information on hormones and hormone therapy, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228 or 910-599-9925.