Men’s and Women’s Hormones
Hormones for Men
As you age, you may notice that you don’t feel like you used to when you were younger. You may notice a loss of energy and a drop off in your sex drive and function. You might gain weight, especially around the middle. You might also notice that your body does not seem to respond to exercise like it used to. You may begin to feel depressed and have poor motivation and drive. It’s also possible that you may feel chronic pain and experience poor healing. If you do notice some of these symptoms, you are not alone. These are just a few of the symptoms men experience as their hormones decline. At StormoHealth, Dr Stormo takes a special interest in the needs of men over 40. Dr. Stormo will work with you to find a nutrition, exercise and hormone optimization strategy that works for you. Read on to learn more about some of the most important hormones for men and how hormone replacement therapy can help you return to feeling good again.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone (though it is also produced in women). Testosterone levels begin to decline at about the age of 30 at a rate of about 1-3% per year. By the age of 75, a man’s testosterone is only 1/5th of what it was in his youth. In particular, free testosterone drops much more than total testosterone. The decline in testosterone is sometimes called andropause. Unlike menopause in women, the decline is very gradual so the onset of symptoms can be subtle.
Symptoms of decline include:
decreased energy
thinning bones and muscles
increased body fat
depression/anxiety
impaired sexual function and desire
fatigue
irritability
aches, pains and stiffness
Studies show that men on testosterone replacement experience:
increased bone density, bone formation and bone minerals.
increased energy
improved sexual function
decreased body fat
increased muscle strength and diameter of muscle fibers.
improved blood glucose.
decreased blood pressure.
increased sexual desire.
increased “good cholesterol” and lower “bad cholesterol” levels
decreased heart disease and diabetes
decreased rates of Alzheimer’s
improved learning and memory
A brief comment on the safety of testosterone replacement in men:
All studies to date show that Testosterone replacement does NOT increase the risk of prostate cancer in men with no history of the disease. There have been two recent studies that have raised concern for a link between testosterone replacement and heart attack or stroke risk. This risk, however, was only found in men who already had significant cardiovascular disease or who were already at very high risk. For men at normal risk, these studies actually support the safety of testosterone replacement in men and join the 20 years worth of data that shows that maintaining testosterone levels is not just safe but even protective against heart attack and stroke.
Thyroid
Thyroid hormone is like the “thermostat” of the human body. It controls (among other things) our metabolism, heart rate and digestion. Thyroid hormone exists in 2 forms and thyroid hormone levels are controlled by an interaction between the thyroid gland and the pituitary in the brain. There are a number of different ways in which thyroid balance can be thrown off and it is therefore important to work with a provider who understand the thyroid and how to manage it. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is found in 4-10 percent of adults.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:
fatigue
cold intolerance
weight gain
constipation
impaired memory
slowed mental processes
depression
nerve entrapment syndromes
impaired coordination
muscle weakness
muscle cramps
menstrual disturbance
infertility
slow heart rate
diastolic hypertension
hoarseness
goiter
fascial edema
DHEA
This is a hormone produced in the cortex of the adrenals. The adrenal cortex breaks down with age and low levels of DHEA is one of the strongest correlates to age related decline. Low DHEA levels may contribute to obesity, diabetes, immune deficiencies, cancer, hypertension and heart disease. Maintaining DHEA levels boost the immune systems, helps fight stress, has anti-cancer effects and can help decrease depression.
Melatonin
Many people have heard about melatonin helping with healthy sleep. Its role does not end there, however. Appropriate melatonin levels have also been shown to help with:
Mood
Immune function
Cancer inhibition (it’s a powerful antioxidant)
Blood pressure
Migraine prevention
It may also guard against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS and rheumatoid arthritis.
Erectile Disfunction
We offer evaluation for ED and access to inexpensive options for treatment as appropriate
Hormones for Women
As you age, you may notice that you don’t feel like you used to when you were younger. You may experience low energy and a decreased sex drive. You may struggle with weight gain, dry skin and limp hair. You will likely suffer from peri-menopause and menopause symptoms, including hot flashes and mood swings. You may even battle with depression, insomnia and chronic pain. If so, you are not alone. These are just a few of the symptoms that women experience as their hormone levels decline. This decline is inevitable. The symptoms, however, are not the same in all women. At StormoHealth, Dr. Stormo specializes in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy for women, working toward optimizing health for women as they age. Dr. Stormo takes an individual approach to each woman’s hormonal health. He advocates for a proactive lifestyle with exercise and optimal nutrition, as well as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy if indicated, to meet personal health goals and/or symptom reduction. Read on the learn more about what various hormones do for a woman’s body and how hormone management may help you return to feeling good again.
Estrogen and Progesterone
Estrogen and Progesterone are the primary female hormones. Produced in a cyclical fashion by the ovaries, estrogen and progesterone are responsible for a woman’s fertility and her menstrual cycles. In their 40’s or 50’s women go through menopause caused by the failure of the ovaries to produce estrogen (primarily) and progesterone (secondarily). This leads to a cessation of monthly menses and also to a variety of symptoms including: hot flashes, irritability, menstrual irregularity, vaginal atrophy and loss of sex drive, loss of energy and mood changes. It is also associated with a loss of bone density, increased risk of cardiovascular events and an increased risk of dementia.
Benefits of HRT:
Studies show that use of bioidential estrogen can help to protect against or reduce the effects of heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, Alzheimer’s Disease, memory loss, menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, urinary tract atrophy, skin atrophy, depression and mood swings. Especially when coupled appropriately with estrogen, progesterone can help support: proper bone density, heart health, lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, support mood stability, sex drive and life satisfaction, protect against breast and uterine cancer, prevent vaginal atrophy, relieve PMS, support good sleep and enhance nearly all of the beneficial effects of estrogen. In addition, multiple recent studies show that balanced, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy does not increase the risk of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer.
Testosterone
Though primarily thought of as a male sex hormone, testosterone is also very important in women. Studies show women receiving testosterone supplementation experience:
Increased sex drive
Increased energy
improved lean muscle
Increased bone density
Improved cardiovascular health
Improved skin
DHEA
This is a hormone produced in the cortex of the adrenals, which is converted into testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. The adrenal cortex breaks down with age and tracking DHEA levels is one of the strongest correlates to age related decline. Low DHEA levels may contribute to obesity, DM, Immune deficiencies, cancer, hypertension and heart disease. Maintaining DHEA levels boost the immune systems, helps fight stress, has anti-cancer effects and can help decrease depression. There are also secondary effects from the testosterone, estrogen and progesterone discussed above.
Thyroid
Thyroid hormone is like the “thermostat” of the human body. It controls (among other things) our metabolism, heart rate and digestion. Thyroid hormone exists in 2 forms, and thyroid hormone levels are controlled by an interaction between the thyroid gland and the pituitary in the brain. There are a number of different ways in which thyroid balance can be thrown off and it is therefore important to work with a provider who understand the thyroid and how to manage it. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is found in 4-10 percent of adults and rates may be higher in older women.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:
fatigue
cold intolerance
weight gain
constipation
impaired memory
slowed mental processes
depression
nerve entrapment syndromes
impaired coordination
muscle weakness
muscle crams
menstrual disturbance
infertility
slow heart rate
diastolic hypertension
hoarseness
goiter
fascial edema
Melatonin
Many people have heard about melatonin helping with healthy sleep. Its role does not end there, however. Appropriate melatonin also been shown to help with:
Mood
Immune function
Cancer inhibition (it’s a powerful antioxidant)
It may also guard against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS and RA.