April 21, 2009 | Dr. Phil.com

Every minute of the day, four more women enter into menopause. More than 25 million American males between ages 40 and 55 are experiencing some degree of male menopause (andropause). Although a little known fact, the symptoms of menopause and andropause can start as early as 20 or 30 years old. Dr. Phil and his wife Robin are continuing the conversation that Suzanne Somers and Oprah started and have energized even more women and men to do their research on more natural solutions to hormonal imbalance. “It’s time to open the forum and open dialogue about these things [menopause and andropause].”

Dr. Phil highlighted a number of symptoms of hormonal imbalance on his show “What’s Hormones Got To Do With It?,” covering everything from menopause, perimenopuase, andropause and thyroid disorder.

Dr. Phil’s wife, Robin author of What’s Age Got to Do with It?, started off the show and talked about taking control of the change and doing everything possible to “embrace life changes with dignity and grace.” She shared her struggles, both physical and emotional, and talked about what her family went through during that stage of her life. When she started having trouble with hot flashes and mood swings, she recounted going to her gynecologist and being told that she should “fill some prescriptions.” Robin knew that there was more natural solution to her emotional and physical struggles with this change of life. She found the solution in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and in Dr. Prudence Hall. McGraw says she’s “never felt better!” Her success has made her an evangelist for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and she is on a mission to let all women (and men) know that there is a way to feel better and take their life back. “Menopause does not have to be something you dread,” says Robin.

Balancing your hormones prevents “unhealthy aging” and allows you to better deal with the symptoms of hormonal imbalance like mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats. Robin also states that the use of bioidentical hormones will prevent your skin from wrinkling or drying out. Her mood swings were so bad that she and Dr. Phil believed it was her hormones talking, not her. They can now laugh when they recall those days! McGraw thinks that so many women suffer unnecessarily because they think what they're going through is "normal,” but in fact you don't have to be in menopause to be suffering from a hormonal imbalance.

Dr. Phil’s next guest was Becky. She’s been chronically exhausted and suffering from a lack of libido for the last 12 years. At 38 she said she hasn’t gotten a good night's sleep since she started suffering. When she looked in the mirror, she saw a woman who had aged 10 years in 12 months. She was very unhappy about the effect of her being so tired was having on her loved ones. Becky said that she used to feel like “running and putting [her] head in the freezer” when a hot flash came on. She recently started on BHRT and says “by far, this is the fastest way to a healthy love life and to getting some much needed sleep!”

Michelle was another woman who reached out to Robin McGraw for help after hearing her talk about her struggles on Oprah’s show. She thought she was too young to be going through perimenopause, but as she listened to Robin talk about her own symptoms, she realized that she was describing exactly what she was going through. “I went to put on a pair of slacks one day and I could barely get them on past my thigh, I’d gained so much weight.” Michelle goes on to say “You have perimenopause – I thought; 'No, I don’t I’m too young.'” Dr. Prudence Hall prescribes bioidentical hormones for Michelle and since starting on BHRT, she says she’s “laughing more, and no longer feels depressed.” She also described how her clothes are fitting nowadays – like they used to! She says “I feel marvelous” since Dr. Hall began treating her with BHRT after determining that her hormone levels were out of balance.

Then we met Leslie, Dr. Phil’s next guest. , “What my doctors have been telling me all these years was not right… it turned out that I had a hormone imbalance.” Leslie had been suffering from general fatigue for over a year and no one had thought about testing her thyroid. Then, one day she found a large knot on the back of her neck, it turned out she had thyroid cancer. Finding her hormonal imbalance lead to her diagnosis and she has been cancer free for 8 years now!

Dr. Phil also featured Jim Hrnci, a compounding pharmacist from Las Colinas Pharmacy. They talked about using bioidentical hormones versus synthetic hormones. Although bioidentical hormones cannot be patented, the prescription is personalized and customized for each individual, making it more effective and natural in treating the individual’s symptoms.

Dr. Phil grabbed every man’s attention by saying: “Every man in the world wants to know the answer to this question – how to solve erectile dysfunction.” Howard, a 47 year old man, shared his story. He had lost his zest for life, his libido and his ability to manage life. Dr. Phil explained what male menopause (andropause) was and how it affects so many men. This topic is becoming part of the conversation, slowly but surely as more men find out that their symptoms are a result of a hormonal imbalance. The suffering that men endure is no longer necessary. After visiting with Dr. Howard Liebowitz and beginning his supplement and hormone replacement regimen, Howard starts experiencing relief from his symptoms. He says of Robin: "I think it’s wonderful that she’s looking at the man’s side of it too," Dr. Liebowitz says that “It depends on the age group, but generally, men over 3 0 can have a hormone decline,” He goes on to say: “I really acknowledge both of you [Robin and Dr. Phil] for bringing this to public attention, because men do get overlooked in this.”

BodyLogicMD’s perspective: Do what the patients on Dr. Phil’s show have done – get your hormone levels tested and seek bioidentical hormone replacement therapy from a highly trained physician like Dr. Hall, Dr. Liebowitz and BodyLogicMD physicians who use a quality compounding pharmacy. These three factors combined are the most critical aspect of proper bioidentical hormone treatments. Contact one of our expert physicians today to discuss the difference you can feel.