Estrogen

 

Most people only know estrogen’s relationships to fertility and menstrual cycles.  In actuality, estrogen has over 400 functions in the body.  It is a necessary hormone for both men and women’s health.

 

Functions of Estrogen:

• Increases metabolic rate and thus is important in maintainance of  healthy body weight

• Improves insulin sensitivity and helps with blood sugar regulation

• Regulates body temperature and helps with hot flashes

• Helps prevent muscle damage

• Helps with sleep

• Reduces risk of cataracts and macular degeneration

• Helps maintain health of arteries

• Decreases risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture

• Helps maintain collagen in skin and keep skin beautiful

• May decrease blood pressure

• Decreases LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and increases HDL (“good”) cholesterol

• Helps with memory and concentration

• Increases water content of skin and can help decrease wrinkles

• May improve mood and help with depression and anxiety

• Increases libido and sexual interest

• Reduces inflammatory heart markers

• May help prevent tooth loss

• Aids in neurotransmitter formation and use in brain

 

Signs of Low Estrogen:

• Fatigue

• Hot Flashes or changes in body temperature

• Insomnia

• Excessive bone loss or reduced bone density

• Loss of skin vitality

• Memory and concentration issues

• Elevated blood pressure

• Elevated inflammatory markers and higher problematic cholesterols

• Weight gain

• Depression or anxiety

Dr Faler uses primarily a Biest sublingual delivery system as it has proven the most consistent and reliable, cream is available on request as well.

 

 

Testosterone

 

Testosterone has long been associated with sexual health and muscle development.  Because of the latter, it has received publicity regarding athletic abuse.  Unfortunately this has shed a negative light on a very important hormone.  Testosterone does have an effect on libido and strength, but it is also essential to cardiac function as well as mood.  Testosterone levels begin to fall for men in their 30s and continue a downward trend through the remainder of their life.  It is now known that incidents of heart disease increase with decreasing testosterone levels, leading to higher rates of stroke and heart attacks.

   

Effects of Testosterone:

• Increases sexual interest

• Increases muscle mass and body strength

• Helps with emotional well being

• Helps with erectile function in men

• Helps with memory

• Decreases skin sagging

• Decreases body fat

• Helps maintain bone strength

• Increases some neurotransmitters in brain

• Diminishes effects of aging in heart and brain

• Decreases stiffness in joints and muscles

• Fights early fatigue

• Improves mood and decreases depression

• Helps with intensity of orgasms and recovery time

•  

Symptoms of Low Testosterone:

 

• Muscle wasting

• Low libido

• Sexual dysfunction

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Low self-esteem

• Decreased HDL (“good”) cholesterol

• Dry, thin skin

• Thinning, dry hair

• Drooping eyelids and sagging cheeks

• Elevated anxiety

• Irritability

• Recent MI or stroke

• Decreased memory and risk of dementia

• loss of drive and competitiveness

• Decreased ability to exercise

•  Decreased recovery time from injury

• Increased risk of diabetes and blood sugar issues

• Elevated inflammation
   

Progesterone

 

Progesterone is known primarily for its role in fertility and pregnancy.  Progesterone has many more effects on the processes of the body.  Many doctors prescribe pseudo progesterones called Progestins.  These synthetic hormones are found in many conventional HRT treatments, in most birth control pills and many inter-uterine devices (IUDs).  Unfortunately, the names may sound similar but they are very, very different in their effects.  Bioidentical progesterone, identical in chemical composition to what your body makes, has many effectson the body as a whole.  It is often referred to as the calming hormone because of its powerful neuroendocrine effects. It is often out of balance in people who have imsomnia, anxiety and excess androgens such as testosterone.

 

Functions of Progesterone:

* Helps regulate menstrual cycle

* Helps with fertility and to  maintain pregnancy

* Helps with sleep regulation and insomnia

* Has calming effect on nervous system

* It helps with temperature regulation especially during ovulation

* It reduces muscle spasms and helps with relaxation

* It has anti-inflammatory effects on the body

* Helps balance estrogen and excess androgens

* It normalizes blood clotting

* It helps reduce effects of traumatic brain injuries

* May decrease risk of certain cancers

* It helps with insulin release and pancreatic function

* Can help lower blood pressure

* Helps the gall bladder function and helps the body eliminate fats

* Helps lower cholesterol

* May help with hair loss in women

* Helps stimulate new bone production

* Enhances effects of thyroid hormone

* Improves libido

 Symptoms of low progesterone:

* Increased anxiety

* Increased depression

* Irritability and mood swings

* Insomnia or difficulty with falling asleep

* Body pains and myalgias

* Increased inflammation throughout the body

* Increased bone loss

* Longer and more erractic periods

* Nervousness

* Increased migraine headaches

* Weight gain

* Decreased libido

* Decreased HDL (“good”) cholesterol

Symptoms Seen with Synthetic Progesterones (Progestins):

* Increased appetite

*Weight gain

*Fluid retention

*Irritability

*Depression

*Headaches

*Decreased energy

*Bloating

*Breast Tenderness

*Low libido

*Acne

*Hair loss

*Nausea

*Insomnia

*Increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and decreased HDL (“good”) cholesterol

*May not be as protective of breast tissue

*May counteract estrogens positive effects on neurotransmitters

* Decreases normal production of natural progesterones