Over the past few weeks, we’ve answered several questions pertaining to hormones – what are hormones? what are symptoms of hormone imbalance? how can we test for hormone imbalances?  If you’ve missed any of these articles, you can click here to read them (Article #1, Article #2, Article #3).

This week we will be taking a look at treatment options for hormone imbalance, in particular Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy.  If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hormone imbalance; and if your lab tests confirm that there is, in fact, a hormone imbalance – what do we do to address that?

When we’re trying to tackle a hormone imbalance problem, we will always look at dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques that can help to balance hormones.  It’s amazing how making simple changes here can make such a profound impact on hormones.

We can also recommend supplements to provide nutrients that help our bodies produce more of the hormones we want and to help these hormones function more effectively.  We can also utilize herbal or homeopathic medicines that will help us to directly balance hormones.

In some cases, these treatments may not be enough to correct a hormone imbalance, and this is where Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy can be extremely helpful.  Bio-Identical Hormones are plant-derived hormones that match the exact same structure as the hormones found in our bodies.  This is important because since they are identical in structure, the body will use them efficiently, and there will be less risks of side effects.

Using Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy allows us to correct hormone imbalances for estrogen and progesterone much easier, allowing us to see improvements in hot flashes, night sweats, depression, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, fatigue, poor memory, hair loss, low sex drive, etc. much quicker.  Bio-Identical Hormones are also a preventative treatment allowing greater protection from heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are many different forms and dosages of Bio-Identical Hormones, so we will work closely with the patient and with compounding pharmacists to find the best treatment regimen for each patient.  Bio-Identical Hormones are typically made as a cream and they are rubbed topically on the skin where they are rapidly absorbed.

For many of us, our hormones begin to decline from 40 years of age, so many people 40+ would benefit from this type of therapy.  It’s very important to be evaluated by a highly trained physician (ND or MD) – including in-depth questionnaires, and comprehensive laboratory testing – before creating a personalized treatment plan.

Dr. Michael Morsillo, H.B.Sc., N.D.
Newmarket Naturopathic Doctor
905-898-1844 ext. 135
www.drmorsillo.com
dr.morsillo@gmail.com