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Bio-Identical Hormones and the Restoration of Natural Balance
The FEM Centre is a women’s health clinic
that focuses on hormone-related problems. These problems are most
evident in premenopausal women, but also may be seen in postmenopausal
women or in cases of postpartum depression or premenstrual syndrome.
The hormonal production of a woman’s
ovaries, thyroid, and adrenal glands are subjected to an age related
decline. The FEM Centre can correct hormonal deficiencies with
“natural” hormone replacement that is guided by your symptoms — not
just hormonal blood levels.
Who benefits?
Hormone replacement, one of
the earliest anti-aging treatments available, may be appropriate for
postmenopausal women who are at risk for degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis (heart
disease), osteoporosis, and Alzheimer's.
Even 10 to 15 years before the onset
of menopause, your ovaries may begin to have fluctuations with a
subsequent decrease in hormonal production. Rollercoaster-like changes
in these hormone levels, which define the premenopausal woman, can lead to
acute debilitating neuro-hormonal withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue,
depression, fuzzy memory, mood swings, weight gain, decreased sex drive,
splitting headaches, insomnia, and hot flashes.
These symptoms can indicate a deficiency in
ovarian hormones long before actual menopause, even though you still
have menstrual flows and apparent normal blood levels.
What can be done?
After carefully evaluating
your needs and medical history, the FEM Centre will incorporate individualized and balanced natural hormonal replacement into
your FEM Centre Wellness Plan.
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone
are sex hormones produced by the ovary. The decline of these hormones
can lead to PMS, premenopausal, and postmenopausal symptoms.
When appropriate natural or plant derived
bio-identical, low-dose estrogen replacement consisting of either 17-β estradiol or the weaker estriol
alone or in combination can be started. In some instances estriol alone is preferred because of it’s
decreased effects on the breasts and uterus—as opposed to the more
potent 17-β estradiol.
At the FEM Centre, we avoid the use of animal
or nonbio-identical hormonal preparations to prevent unpleasant side
effects. Estrogen replacement is able to relieve many of the neuro-hormonal
effects in the pre and postmenopause, as well as preventing certain
degenerative diseases.
Progesterone deficiencies are treated with
natural progesterone capsules or creams. Testosterone is a woman's
hormone that plays an important role in energy levels, sense of
well-being, and sex drive. This vital but often neglected hormone can be
safely administered as a natural oral or gel form.
The thyroid gland regulates your body’s
energy production. It has been estimated that 30 to 40 percent of women
have inadequate thyroid function. Symptoms of mild to moderate
hypothyroidism include lack of energy, mental sluggishness, and many
symptoms attributed to pre and postmenopausal ovarian decline.
At the FEM Centre, your thyroid evaluation is
based on symptoms, the body’s metabolic rate, and blood tests.
Deficient thyroid function is treated with a natural thyroid preparation. Testing the thyroid function of midlife women is extremely
important because of the overlap of symptoms seen in decreased ovarian
hormone production.
The adrenal glands produce hormones that
help regulate the body’s functions such as the defense against stress
and infection. Symptoms of sluggish adrenals include those that are
found with deficient ovaries or thyroid — chronic fatigue, decrease in
mental acuity — as well as allergies, hypoglycemia, and a decrease in
ability to handle stress.
Treatment is based on both your symptoms
and the laboratory tests that evaluate DHEA and cortisol levels. If
indicated, the FEM Centre uses the natural adrenal hormone cortisone
and DHEA to correct mild deficiencies.
In addition, Pregnenolone is a “super
hormone” linked to the functioning of the brain. Replacement is guided
both by symptoms and blood or saliva levels.
Testosterone for Women
Testosterone is usually thought of as the
male sex hormone, but testosterone is also an important hormone in
maintaining physical and emotional well-being in women. Testosterone is
a naturally occurring hormone in a healthy woman’s body. Produced by
the ovaries and the adrenal gland, it plays an important role in female
sexual development and overall health. For that reason, it is not just a
male hormone, but it is an important hormone for both men and women.
Low levels of testosterone can contribute
to a number of symptoms associated with menopause: osteoporosis,
depression/irritability, loss of sexual energy, and diminishing muscle
and skin tone.
Testosterone can have a number of positive
physical, emotional, and anti-aging effects; small amounts of
testosterone can decrease harmful cholesterol, increase sexual energy,
improve skin, contribute to stronger bones and muscles, give greater
endurance, and elevate one’s sense of well-being. By lowering
cholesterol, it can also help to lower your risk of heart disease.
As one ages, important hormones such as
testosterone suffer a significant drop, contributing to a number of
problems that we tend to associate with age, but hormone replacement
therapy can help your body maintain its youthful feminine energy.
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