Hormone Health & Management
Women of all ages may experience fluctuations in female sex hormone levels caused by inflammation, disease processes, environmental factors, weight gain, toxins, and poor diet and nutrition. If left untreated, hormone imbalances can lead to serious health conditions and poor quality of life.
Many things promote imbalances in hormones, including a diet high in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed food, insulin resistance, hormones in some foods, pharmaceutical drugs, stress, and estrogen-like toxins from pesticides, plastics, and environmental pollution. Other hormones like cortisol and thyroid may influence female hormone balance.
Menopause occurs when you have ceased menstruating for 12 consecutive months, and you are not pregnant or sick. It is a normal, natural part of every woman’s life cycle. Female sex hormone levels naturally decrease as you age. Your ovaries eventually stop releasing eggs, so you will no longer have periods or be able to conceive. Most women go through menopause in their 40s or 50s, but that can vary widely. One study found that half of the women in the U.S. reach menopause by age 52. Some women may go through “the change” earlier if they have had surgery to remove their ovaries, or if they certain treatments for cancer.
Menopause can often feel like an overwhelming and stressful ordeal. There are many symptoms that can be associated with menopause and they most commonly include irregular or skipped menses prior to cessation, sleep disturbance or insomnia, fatigue, mood swings and irritability, increased body fat, vaginal dryness, and decreased sex drive along with vasomotor symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of warmth that spreads over the upper body and is the most commonly reported symptom.
The loss of estrogen with menopause has been tied to many health problems that become more common as women age. These common health problems may include bone loss, cardiovascular disease, poor bladder function, reduced skin elasticity, reduced muscle tone and strength, and joint and muscle aches or pain.
At Willowbend Health and Wellness, we believe in balancing hormones with lifestyle, diet and herbal or botanical therapy and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) when indicated. BHRT is plant-based, natural derived hormones that are identical in molecular structure to your own sex hormones. After a consultation with one of our providers, we will develop a plan that works best for you while addressing other contributing factors. There are multiple forms of BHRT we may recommend including topical, sublingual, pellet, and oral therapy as indicated. The specific hormones and dosages can be customized and may include estrogens, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and others. Past medical history and family history may play a role in what is recommended for you.
