Hormones play an important role in overall health; it is quite significant that they remain in proper balance. When the hormones are not aligned, there can be a broad range of different signs and symptoms that can signal a hormonal imbalance. These signs and symptoms that may be experienced will greatly depend on which hormones or glands are not functioning correctly.

The most common hormonal conditions which affect both women and men can produce these signs or symptoms:

• Weight gain
• Weight loss
• Exhaustion
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle stiffness, tenderness, and aching
• Joint swelling, stiffness, and pain
• Bulge of fat that develops between the shoulders
• A decrease or increase in heart rate
• Sweating
• Increased feeling of heat or cold temperatures
• Amplified thirst
• Amplified hunger
• Depression
• Sex drive has decreased
• Irritable, anxious, nervous
• Blurred vision
• Infertility
• Brittle, fine hair, or thinning of the hair
• Dry skin
• Puffy face
• Rounded face
• Pink or purple stretch marks

Hormone therapy can change the balance of hormone levels and use for menopause therapy, anti-aging treatments, or disease management. Hormone therapy is often used to correct hormone imbalances which if not correct can lead to complications and the development of medical conditions.

Hormone therapy is a supplement that was created to provide the body with hormones to promote the proper balance and homeostasis. The primary hormones that are used in hormone therapy is estrogen alone or estrogen mixed with progesterone. Just like with menopause, the ovaries are no longer able to produce sufficient amounts of hormones, which is why hormone therapy can be given as a supplement for the body to reach adequate levels and achieve a proper balance of estrogen and progesterone. This will often relieve some of the symptoms and signs of menopause as well as help to prevent osteoporosis, hormone therapy can help to replenish these levels of estrogen within the body.

Often hormone therapy will be recommended to individuals who are healthy and if they are dealing with the following:

• Moderate to severe hot flashes

Systemic estrogen therapy is one of the most effective treatment options for the relief of menopausal hot flashes and night sweats.

• Symptoms of menopause

Hormone therapy uses estrogen which can help ease the vaginal menopausal symptoms including itching, dryness, burning, and discomfort during intercourse.

• To prevent fractures and bone loss

Systemic estrogen can help to protect against the bone-thinning disease known as osteoporosis. However, doctors that do recommend medications call bisphosphonates to treat osteoporosis; however, hormone therapy can also help if you either cannot tolerate or are not able to see any benefits from other treatments.

• If they are experiencing estrogen deficiency or early menopause

If you have had your ovaries removed surgically before the age of 45, have stopped having periods before the age of 45 due to early menopause or premature menopause, or have lost normal function of your ovaries before the age of 40 due to primary ovarian insufficiency, your body has then been exposed to less estrogen than what is typical to receive of women who experience menopause around the normal timeframe. Hormone therapy is able to decrease the risk of certain health conditions which includes heart disease, dementia, stroke, mood changes, and osteoporosis.

Hormone therapy provides many benefits for women who are going through menopause, many of the most common symptoms of menopause that hormone therapy can treat include:

• Relieving night sweats and hot flashes
• Helps you sleep better at night
• Easing vaginal itching and dryness
• Makes intercourse more enjoyable
• Helps to prevent fractures that can be caused by a thinning bones disease known as osteoporosis
• Lowers your chances of dementia

If you are interested in hormone therapy, contact us today! Call us or book an appointment online, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 490 Post St, Suite 1703, San Francisco CA 94102. We serve clients from San Francisco CA, Oakland CA, Pacifica CA, Brisbane CA, Millbrae CA, and San Francisco Bay Area CA.