Hormones may get a bad reputation for causing mood swings, but the truth is that you need your hormones. Your hormones are chemical messengers that play a role in many bodily functions, from regulating your metabolism to maintaining internal homeostasis.
Problems arise, however, when this delicate balance of hormones is thrown off.
Your hormone levels can fluctuate naturally with age and cause body-wide issues for both men and women.
Enter hormone optimization therapy. Daniel Moghadam, MD, and our team at Modern Aesthetica offer hormone replacement therapy to help rebalance and optimize your hormones and alleviate symptoms of hormonal imbalance, including mood swings, weight gain, or sexual dysfunction.
Read on to learn when you should consider hormone optimization therapy.
Hormone optimization therapy — also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) — involves the administration of hormones to achieve and maintain optimal hormone levels in your body. This therapy is typically used to address hormonal imbalances and alleviate related symptoms.
Here at Modern Aesthetica, Dr. Moghadam uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). BHRT uses pills, injections, lotions, or pellets that contain the just-right-for-you combination of hormones.
The goal isn’t to mask your symptoms; instead, the goal is to restore balance to your hormones and return your body to homeostasis (a balanced state).
You might consider hormone optimization therapy if:
Menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life, signaling the end of her reproductive years. Perimenopause refers to the transitional period leading up to menopause, and unfortunately, that can last anywhere from 4-8 years.
Both stages are associated with a decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. Common menopausal symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Hormone optimization therapy can help you manage these symptoms.
Andropause, sometimes referred to as “male menopause,” represents age-related changes in male hormones, most notably a decrease in testosterone levels. Symptoms of andropause may include fatigue, reduced libido, mood changes, and decreased muscle mass. Just like with menopause, hormone optimization therapy can help address these symptoms of low testosterone and restore hormonal balance.
Your thyroid hormones help to regulate your metabolism, energy levels, and body temperature. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can lead to a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, weight changes, and mood disturbances. Balancing out your thyroid hormones can help alleviate these symptoms.
Hormonal imbalances can also lead to sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction (for men), vaginal dryness (for women), and low libido. These issues result from imbalances in testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone.
Hormonal imbalances can affect cognitive function. Imbalance hormones may contribute to memory problems, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating in both men and women. As many as 60% of women deal with brain fog during menopause.
Chronic fatigue isn’t just an inconvenience. Chronic fatigue can impact your mental and physical health. While fatigue can be linked to poor sleep hygiene practices, chronic fatigue is also associated with hormonal imbalances, especially adrenal and thyroid hormones.
Hormone optimization, particularly with bioidentical hormones, works with your body to restore it to its natural balance. Bioidentical hormones are plant-based hormones designed to mimic the hormones your endocrine glands already make. As your hormones start to balance, you feel relief from your most pesky symptoms.
Hormone optimization therapy works well with other anti-aging lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and a healthy diet rich in protein sources.
Hormone optimization therapy isn’t right for everyone, so the first step is always a consultation. Dr. Moghadam performs an exam, reviews your medical history and symptoms, and analyzes your hormone levels. If hormone therapy is right for you, Dr. Moghadam reviews all of your options, from topical creams to pills to implantable pellets.
Get ready to feel like yourself again! To learn more about BHRT and how hormone optimization therapy can help you, call our Santa Monica, California, office at 424-391-3884. You can also request a consultation online.
