Hormone Balance

When we talk about aging in America we usually think about women going through their menopausal changes. Men generally think they are not going through the same changes as women, but this is not true. Recently, doctors have labeled a condition for male menopause called Andropause.

The Mayo Clinic did an extensive study on men between ages 30 and 80, and found that men at the age of 30 experience up to a 2 percent decrease in their testosterone level every year. As men continue to age and their testosterone levels continue to decline, some physiological changes start to happen. They start to have problems with sexual function, decrease in muscle mass-weakness, disappearance of facial and body hair, increase in body fat depression, osteoporosis and a decline in over all well-being.

Low levels of testosterone may also result from other conditions such as obesity or severe systemic illnesses, including malnutrition, AIDS, and hepatic cirrhosis. One of the most common contributions to low testosterone levels is aging.

Today, approximately 4-5 million American men are facing Andropause and only 5 percent of them seek medical treatment. Men have a tendency to ignore the symptoms of Andropause, believing that the symptoms are a normal part of aging. However, living with these symptoms does not have to be a way of life.

Physicians can help with hormone replacement. The treatment of Andropause not only relieves symptoms, but is also helps with the prevention of Osteoporosis and muscular protection. In mid-life, men normally experience less bone fractures than women of the same age, but by the age 80 occurrence of fractures and breaks are equal in both sexes.

The first step in evaluating patients for Andropause is with a questionnaire that will connect the symptoms of Andropause to the patient, this questionnaire is called ADAM- Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males. The questionnaire includes 10 questions such as:

	Have you lost weight?
	Are you depressed?
	Do you have a decrease in sex drive?
	Has your work performance deteriorated?

If you fit the criteria for Andropause, a saliva or blood test will be done to determine if hormone levels are in normal ranges. If the lab tests reveal that hormones are deficient, we need to look at the whole individual. Dietary and lifestyle changes may help. Exercising, taking vitamin supplements, a diet low in saturated fat and rich in vegetables, whole grains, healthy meats, soy protein and lots of water is beneficial. If the physician feels that the patient needs hormone replacement, there are different methods of receiving therapy. Oral tablets are available, but avoided because of their toxic side effects to the liver. Testosterone injections can be given at a doctor's office on a weekly basis. Patches, topical gels and creams are also available and convenient; they are applied directly to the skin where it can be absorbed quickly.

It is very important for men who may have signs of low testosterone- Andropause to find a physician who is experienced and knowledgeable with hormone replacement because of the risks that accompany treatment. Some men should not undergo hormone replacement therapy due to the risk of developing prostate cancer or other prostate problems. Men who have had prostate cancer or prostate enlargement should not receive hormone replacement therapy and should be screened at least once a year. Men who have had cardiac disease, liver problems or breast cancer may also experience problems.

Balance Your Hormones…Balance Your Life!

Typically as a woman enters her 40's - for some even earlier - she may encounter hormone related symptoms such as:

Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Vaginal Dryness, Foggy Thinking, Memory Lapse, Irregular Menstruation, Tearful, Depressed, Sleep Disturbed, Morning Fatigue, Evening Fatigue, Stress, Sugar Craving, Weight Gain-Waist & Hips, Decreased Libido, Loss of Scalp Hair, Increase in Facial or Body Hair, Mood Swings, Breast Tenderness, Nervous, Irritable, Anxious, Water Retention and Fibrocystic Breasts." These symptoms are often a result of hormone levels decreasing in your body. In the past woman were offered a chemical solution for their symptoms but recent studies have shown an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots with the use of the synthetic hormone Prempro (a combination of Premarin and Provera).

Women are frustrated but they are no longer willing to accept the risks associated with chemical hormones and are searching for safer alternatives.

An estimated two million women are now benefiting from Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy.

Dr. Stula encourages you to become an active consumer of health care and educate yourself on the safe alternatives for hormone and menopausal symptoms. By doing so you will learn the risks of the synthetic hormones and benefits of Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy.

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy reduces your risk for:

	Osteoporosis
	Cancer of the colon
	Genital urinary symptoms
	Alzheimer’s Disease
	Heart Disease*

*The risk of cardiovascular disease is decreased in those patients who have never had cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke).

How do women get started on Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy?

Following a physical examination and screening, the patient at home completes a saliva test or a blood test can be performed at the clinic. The sample is sent to a state-of-the-art laboratory and the results arrive back to Dr. Stula within 10-14 business days. Blood test results usually arrive within 3-4 business days. Once your test results are received, you will be called to schedule an appointment to go over the results. Candidates for hormone therapy will receive a personalized prescription for that individual's specific hormone levels. These natural hormones are made to the doctor's exact specifications by a compound pharmacy such as MD Custom or Woman’s International.

Dr. Stula will also coach you on the benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet, as this combined with natural hormone therapy will help you on the road to a healthier lifestyle.

Informative Charts*:

Recommended Reading:

Natural Hormone Balance - Uzzi Reiss, M.D./OB-GYN

The Sexy Years - Suzanne Somers

The Wisdom of Menopause - Christine Northrup, MD

Hormones decline as we age; bio-identical hormone therapy replaces the hormones that your body needs to function. Dr. Stula uses bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones are - molecule-by-molecule - exactly the same as the hormones present in the human body.

At LifeSteps Health & Wellness both adrenal fatigue and thyroid disorders are often investigated as the symptoms can be similar.

Adrenal Fatigue is a collection of signs and symptoms, known as a "syndrome” that results when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. This syndrome is commonly associated with intense or prolonged stress, it can also arise during or after acute or chronic infections, especially respiratory infections such as influenza, bronchitis or pneumonia.

Your thyroid is one of your body's most important glands and about 13 million Americans are affected by thyroid disorders. When your thyroid doesn't work properly, it can cause you to feel nervous or tired; make your muscles weak; cause weight gain or loss; impair your memory; and affect your menstrual flow.

Patients frequently come to LifeSteps after years of frustration. They struggle with extreme fatigue, insomnia, weight gain, depression and many other symptoms. Typically they have had lab tests and their doctor has told them their tests results are normal and there is nothing wrong. This only adds to their frustration and anxiety as they don’t feel well. Time and time again their families start to wonder if their illness is in their head. The lack of support or understanding only adds to their stress.

Sadly, week after week we see patients who have spent thousands of dollars trying to find out what is wrong with them. Plus there are also the patients that basically give up exploring the cause and resign themselves to feeling sick and tired all the time. This is no way to live.

Dr. Stula, like most medical doctors, may suggest lab tests for patients as appropriate. However, your condition is not always reflected in a lab tests. Equally important are your symptoms. For example, many patients have been on thyroid medication for years yet they continue to express every symptom of an under-active thyroid. By listening to the patient and charting your symptoms along with the lab results, sometimes Dr. Stula merely has to make medication changes or suggest a natural hormone to use along with the medication in order to help you get the results you’ve hope for.

Adrenal fatigue and thyroid disorders do require a commitment from the patient. There is no magic pill. You will be asked to balance your diet, exercise and reduce stress. However, if you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and are willing to do the work you are asked, LifeSteps Health & Wellness will offer you the care and treatment you need to get well.

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