Patients seek bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for a multitude of different reasons. Perhaps you feel sluggish, fatigued, or unmotivated. Maybe you’re experiencing hot flashes. Or perhaps you’ve run up against a wall when it comes to weight loss, and you’re wondering if hormones have something to do with your inability to lose weight. Bioidentical…
Although many people experience different types of mental illness, one of the most serious mental health disorders is depression, which affects nearly one in ten US adults, with the rate being almost twice as high for women as for men. Depression and other mental health disorders can affect thinking, mood, and behavior. Depression, which is…
As bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has become more popular over the past two decades, plenty of assumptions have been made about this treatment option. One of those assumptions is that “bioidentical” means “natural,” while “synthetic” means “made in a lab”. But when discussing bioidentical testosterone vs. synthetic, it’s important to remember the truth: that both…
Hormones fundamentally control the essential functions of your body’s systems. The endocrine system is the body’s collection of hormone-producing glands and, though tiny in size, these glands do everything from regulating your metabolism and allowing you to sleep to initiating labor. However, when you develop a hormonal imbalance―as when you are approaching menopause―your body’s systems…
Jenny had always struggled with difficult periods. She was used to bloating, breast tenderness, cramps, and the constant feeling of irritability that seemed to make her physical pain even worse. But later, as a passionate and dedicated college athlete, Jenny experienced a shocking change. Two weeks out of every month, she lost all desire to…
When you’re seeking hormone replacement therapy to correct a hormonal imbalance, choosing a therapy format that is both safe and effective is essential—but it can also feel overwhelming. Topical gels, intramuscular injections, transdermal patches, pills, and implanted pellets may all have the potential to resolve your symptoms, but which format will leave you feeling your best with the least amount of hassle?
Billie struggled with painful periods throughout her adult years. She felt at the mercy of her monthly cycles, which were irregular, heavy, and came with crippling cramps. At age 23 her doctor finally put a name on her discomfort: endometriosis. But even with an accurate diagnosis, she struggled for years to find the right treatment. Relief only came after her second pregnancy when doctors urged her toward surgery to finally address her painful symptoms; thanks to a radical hysterectomy, Billie’s life changed forever. But while the hysterectomy brought welcome relief from her pain, it also introduced new complications.
If you’re like many people, you lead a high-stress life. Between family obligations and long hours at work, it can seem like you never catch a break. You’re tired. And even if you try your best to take care of yourself, you may find that you simply can’t get back to the way that you felt before life became so overwhelming.
Despite sticking to his tried-and-true jogging and weight lifting routine, Mark noticed that he seemed to be losing muscle mass. Where his triceps once held his skin taut, flabbiness was starting to take over. But the real wake-up call came when he saw an older picture of himself. In the two years since the picture was taken, his pectoral areas had grown substantially—but it was all fat. When increasing his workouts didn’t help, Mark began to wonder if he had a health issue that he wasn’t aware of.
As we age, we’re often left trying to understand what is going on when our bodies start to undergo natural transitions, and the transition to menopause is often one of the most puzzling. Women often understand what to expect from menopause itself, but many aren’t as informed regarding the changes that they undergo in the years leading up to it, also known as perimenopause.
