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How Did My Hormones Get So Out of Whack?
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate many of your vital bodily functions. There are more than 50 of these essential chemicals that control your metabolism, growth and development, reproductive system, sexual function, mood, and sleep cycles.
Your hormones can "get out of whack," or become imbalanced, when your body makes too little or too much of some of them. Hormonal imbalances are common in women, with research showing that about 80% of them experience a hormonal imbalance at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, you can get your hormones back in whack, or balance, with help from hormone replacement therapy. At Female Health Associates of North Texas, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Jeffery Hantes can help you figure out the cause of your hormone imbalance and help you get back in balance and feel more like yourself again.
Here, Dr. Hantes explains the causes of hormone imbalance and how to treat it.
Hormone imbalance in women: causes and symptoms
Hormones fluctuate throughout a woman's life, most notably during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause. Even slight changes to your hormone levels can cause short-term or long-term problems. Some imbalances impact your health, and others impact your quality of life. Some symptoms or conditions caused by hormone imbalances include:
- Irregular periods
- Acne
- Infertility
- Acne
- Thyroid disease
- Obesity
During menopause, when women's hormones fluctuate and then decline, symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbances
- Weight gain
- Vaginal dryness
- Low libido
- Hair and skin changes
For some women, menopause symptoms and changes are minor, and for others, they can significantly impact their quality of life. Fortunately, treatments are available to help replace and rebalance your hormones so you can minimize and manage problematic symptoms.
Hormone replacement for hormone imbalance
At Female Health Associates of North Texas, Dr. Hantes can determine your hormone levels through an in-office blood test. If results show that your hormone levels are off balance or low, he can work with you to figure out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
Subsequently, together, you and he can figure out the correct dose to help improve your mood, sleep, and sex life, as well as reduce or eliminate hot flashes. Women with a family or personal history of certain health conditions, such as breast cancer or uterine cancer, blood clots, or stroke, shouldn’t take hormone therapy.
If your hormones are out of whack and you want help with feeling like yourself again, call Female Health Associates of North Texas to make an appointment with Dr. Hantes or request one online.