What Is Social Anxiety Disorder?

| March 6, 2019
What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? | BodylogicMD

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Following depression and alcoholism, social anxiety disorder is the third most common mental disorder in the United States. It is an exhausting condition that affects the lives of millions of people and their loved ones.

According to the director of the Social Anxiety Institute, Thomas A. Richards, social anxiety is defined as the fear of looking bad in the eyes of other people. This fear can lead to to debilitating feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, as well as as an overwhelming self-consciousness that makes a person more vulnerable to embarrassment and humiliation.

The symptoms of social anxiety disorder include anticipatory anxiety, worry, indecision, depression, fear, embarrassment, feelings of inferiority, and self-blame. It can be diagnosed as a specific social anxiety or as a more generalized social anxiety.

Many people who suffer from social anxiety report feeling fear, anxiousness, and nervousness when speaking in front of groups of people, in crowds, or in social situations that require interaction with strangers or seldom-seen acquaintances. Often, a person who feels anxious in social situations prefers to be alone or only with close family members and friends.

What Are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety?

Those who experience significant social anxiety often suffer from emotional distress in situations that don’t faze most people. Those situations might include:

  • Meeting new people
  • Facing criticism or being teased
  • Finding yourself the center of attention or being observed while you are performing a task
  • Meeting authority figures or other “important people”
  • Being involved in social encounters, especially those that involve strangers
  • Having to speak in front of small or large groups or friendships

People with social anxiety disorder or those with an avoidant personality can suffer from symptoms and behaviors that include:

  • Intense fear of social situations
  • Racing heart
  • Turning red or blushing
  • Excessive sweating
  • Dry throat or mouth
  • Trembling or tingling sensations
  • Difficulty with swallowing
  • Tense or twitching muscles
  • Shyness
  • Negative thoughts
  • Substance abuse

What Causes Social Anxiety Disorder?

There can be many causes for social anxiety disorder. Like many other mental health conditions, social anxiety disorder likely arises from a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors.

Possible causes include genetics, a person’s individual brain structure, and the living or working environment. Numerous factors can contribute to the development of social anxiety disorder, including a family history of the disorder, a negative experience that reinforces the disorder, the natural temperament of the individual, and new demands from life or work.

Can Social Anxiety Be Caused by a Hormonal Imbalance?

Studies have shown that a hormonal imbalance can affect mental processing, disrupting natural reactions to stressors resulting in social anxiety and its intense symptoms of fear.

In humans, the peptide hormone oxytocin and the steroid hormone testosterone play a key role in the development and execution of social-emotional behavior, both in men and women. Depending on the social environment and its cues, these hormones act via (and interact with) neurotransmitters, the chemicals that send messages to various systems in the body and regulate how they react.

Oxytocin reduces background anxiety and appears to make social interaction more rewarding while testosterone makes it easier to enter into uncertain social situations or environments that cause social anxiety and fear in others.

To make matters more complicated, other hormones could contribute to and exacerbate social anxiety and the fear that comes with it. Adrenaline and cortisol, “stress hormones” that are released in situations where you feel out of control, full of fear, or overwhelmed, can increase your social anxiety.

Estrogen may also contribute to social anxiety, which often fluctuates during the natural menstrual cycle and menopause.

An overactive thyroid can produce excess hormones that can cause anxiety and result in uncomfortable physical symptoms such as increased sweating, an increased heart rate and quivering.

What Is the Best Treatment for Social Anxiety?

Research and clinical evidence indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy can help people overcome the intense fear and other debilitating mental conditions of social anxiety disorder.

A successful mental health therapy program for social anxiety disorder must consist of cognitive methods, strategies, and concepts that teach your brain to change. Any treatment program must first acknowledge the problem with a recognition that with the proper attention, anxiety can be alleviated or even eliminated.

Many people fail in dealing with their anxiety because they can’t follow through on a commitment to cognitive-behavioral therapy that can sometimes be repetitious and difficult. A treatment plan also includes techniques to help reduce anxiety and fear and participation in a therapy group where people talk about their anxiety and work together to overcome it.

All of us, despite how mentally strong or resilient we like to think we are, often have to face situations that can be difficult to cope with. Fortunately, there are coping skills and self-help strategies that can be a vital part of day-to-day life and can also help to address acute or chronic social anxiety.

What if Cognitive Therapy Just Isn’t Enough?

For many people, cognitive behavioral therapy is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t address the underlying problem of a hormonal imbalance. You might be making excellent progress working with a mental health professional but still feel the symptoms of social anxiety disorder.

Pre-menopausal women and those in menopause often deal with a variety of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can cause stress, frustration, fear, depression, and anxiety. The hormone imbalance associated with menopause reduces the ability to manage stress and can prevent you from feeling positive about yourself, which can increase social anxiety.

A BodyLogicMD-affiliated physician can help you evaluate your previous and current medical and mental health programs to determine if they are effectively managing your individual physical conditions.

A hormonal imbalance that contributes to social anxiety could have the following indicators:

  • Depressed mood (sometimes shows up as irritability)
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in life (you don’t enjoy things you used to enjoy)
  • Significant change in appetite (either up or down)
  • Abnormal changes in your sleep pattern (too much or too little)
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate, excessive guilt
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate
  • Becoming indecisive or easily overwhelmed
  • Thoughts of death and suicide

Depression and social anxiety are not weaknesses. In fact, it is one of a number of very common mental health disorders with a variety of triggers. Pinpointing the specific factors affecting a person’s mood, physical condition, and willingness to interact with the world, which includes hormones, provides the physician with the key to successful treatment.

In this case, consider consulting with a BodyLogicMD-affiliated physician who has been rigorously trained in how hormones affect the body’s various systems and how they interact with each other.

Can Bioidentical Hormones Help Ameliorate Social Anxiety?

Bioidentical hormones, exact replicas of the hormones that are naturally produced by the body, match the body’s natural hormones molecule by molecule.

BodyLogicMD-affiliated physicians can help determine whether you are experiencing hormonally triggered social anxiety and fear and if bioidentical hormone therapy could help you feel better.

By testing blood, saliva or urine, a BodyLogicMD physician can accurately measure your hormone levels and determine whether hormone therapy is right for you. Bioidentical hormone therapy is one of the options that might be suggested to help you balance your hormone levels, which can lead to decreased anxiety. Working one-on-one with you, your BodyLogicMD physician can also help you design a nutrition plan that might include supplements, and lifestyle changes including exercise and meditation, which can decrease or eliminate the symptoms of anxiety.

What Else Can You Do to Combat Social Anxiety?

 

In addition to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, there are vitamins and supplements that may help deal with the physical, mental, and emotional symptoms of social anxiety.

Fish oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). These fatty acids provide numerous health benefits that could improve your body’s natural ability to ameliorate the symptoms of social anxiety while also helping to maintain cardiovascular health, improve mental health and overall cognitive ability, and can also aid in weight loss.

A mental health professional might also prescribe a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety. SSRIs ease depression by increasing the levels of the hormone serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters that carries signals between brain cells. SSRIs block the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin in the brain, making more serotonin available. Diminished levels of serotonin increase the risk of mental and substance use disorders, which can have a powerful effect on how people interact with their families, their friends, and their communities.

However, SSRIs and other medications often used to treat depression and anxiety can come with serious side effects. In many cases, finding and treating the underlying cause is the best route toward finding true relief.

This is where a physician within the BodyLogicMD network comes in. The physicians within the BodyLogicMD network are highly trained professionals who specialize in restoring health, not just treating symptoms.

Your BodyLogicMD affiliated provider might also recommend a program such as CognitivePro, which is designed to stimulate the brain and improve the cognitive abilities of adults struggling with conditions that contribute to social anxiety including:

  • Brain fog
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory loss
  • Brain fatigue
  • Forgetfulness
  • Decreased clarity of thought

Brain health and body health are inextricably linked. The brain helps you make appropriate decisions that can lead to happiness and health, decisions that can keep you on a vibrant path as you age. Most of us understand how our bodies change as we age and take action to stay healthy but neglect to care for our brains. This is especially ironic because good mental health and an active lifestyle are part and parcel of the same thing. To learn more how your hormones affect your body and brain, and vice versa, contact the BodyLogicMD affiliated physician nearest you today and take your first step toward restoring your health and peace of mind.

The post What Is Social Anxiety Disorder? appeared first on BodyLogicMD Blog.

Hormone Replacement Therapy After Hysterectomy Can Help You Restore Balance

| March 5, 2019

Hormone replacement therapy after hysterectomy can help you protect your emotional and physical health.

Billie struggled with painful periods throughout her adult years. She felt at the mercy of her monthly cycles, which were irregular, heavy, and came with crippling cramps. At age 23 her doctor finally put a name on her discomfort: endometriosis. But even with an accurate diagnosis, she struggled for years to find the right treatment. Relief only came after her second pregnancy when doctors urged her toward surgery to finally address her painful symptoms; thanks to a radical hysterectomy, Billie’s life changed forever. But while the hysterectomy brought welcome relief from her pain, it also introduced new complications.

Like many women, Billie was shocked to experience the changes brought on by surgical menopause. The mood swings, hot flashes, and sleep disturbances made her question her decision to have surgery, and she felt lost as she faced her new reality. Meanwhile, the increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease introduced by hysterectomy began to worry her. So when her doctor suggested hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to address her most uncomfortable symptoms and potentially protect her health, Billie jumped at the chance to make her life normal again.

Hysterectomies are the second most common surgery for women in the United States, following cesarean sections. Not everyone who undergoes this particular gynecological surgery needs hormone replacement therapy but for those who do, HRT can be a powerful and life-altering treatment option. Before deciding whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you, it’s important to understand which organs of your reproductive system were affected by the operation your surgeon performed and how they impact your hormonal health.

Who Needs Hormone Replacement Therapy After a Hysterectomy?

Hysterectomies may be performed for a multitude of reasons. Endometriosis, fibroids, prolapse, and cancer are a few of the most common conditions that are treated, in full or in part, by this surgery. Doctors are able to remove all or part of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding tissues in order to resolve these issues—but only the ovaries have a serious impact on hormone production in the body.

Having your uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, or surrounding tissue removed does not necessarily mean that you need hormone replacement therapy. Women who undergo these operations will stop menstruating (although cramps or PMS may continue for some time after surgery due to ovulation). They will no longer be able to bear children. But their hormone levels may not be impacted like those who undergo oophorectomy (the removal of the ovaries). Still, research has shown that it’s possible for even a hysterectomy which does not include removal of the ovaries to influence ovarian failure.

If your ovaries were removed or compromised as part of a hysterectomy, it’s very likely that your doctor will prescribe hormone replacement therapy to help restore your body’s hormone balance.

Why Hormone Replacement Therapy Helps

Like Billie, many women experience sudden and severe symptoms following the removal or failure of their ovaries. They’re experiencing a condition called surgical or induced menopause—when estrogen plummets to the level seen in women who have already completed natural menopause. For those who do undergo natural menopause, these symptoms appear slowly as the ovaries gradually stop producing hormones, and the transition can be uncomfortable and even unbearable. But women who have surgically induced menopause experience this hormonal change immediately, and often struggle with far more severe symptoms.

Menopause can feel different for different women, and symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other symptoms can last for years following their last period. For young women in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, it’s safe to assume that surgical menopause may have a serious impact on quality of life due to such symptoms. Having your ovaries removed also increases your risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, and dementia, which are serious side effects that can be prevented through additional medical intervention. Fortunately, hormone therapy can help reduce many of these symptoms and risks.

HRT Alleviates Surgically Induced Menopause Symptoms

Hormone replacement therapy has been identified as the most effective treatment for menopause symptoms and is routinely recommended to help women recover hormone balance after hysterectomy. In particular, these medications are effective at relieving the following symptoms:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Vaginal atrophy (dryness, irritation, painful intercourse)
  • Insomnia and other sleep problems
  • Low libido
  • Mood disturbances
  • Urinary tract infections and incontinence
  • Dry skin and hair loss
  • Decreased bone density and increased risk for fractures

A hysterectomy also has the potential to cause troubling feelings of grief or loss for some women, and these emotions can be profoundly difficult to deal with. Hormone replacement therapy often helps alleviate the mood swings that normally occur with menopause, which may make dealing with these emotions easier. HRT may also reduce the uncomfortable and frustrating physical menopause symptoms that can make daily life more difficult.

Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy After Hysterectomy

Because hormone replacement therapy is so effective at relieving symptoms, doctors often prescribe estrogen medications or a combination of estrogen and progesterone/progestin for women to take until the average onset age of menopause (51) unless there is a medical reason not to proceed with treatment. Younger women tend to experience fewer side effects when taking hormone medications than those who begin taking hormones in their later years. Of course, like any pharmaceutical, hormone replacement therapy comes with side effects and risks that you’ll want to discuss with your doctor and monitor closely.

There are many hormone treatments available on the market, but many women prefer to pursue bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)—a plant-based alternative to conventional hormones—in order to treat their symptoms after hysterectomy. BHRT works by administering hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the female body, in a ratio that’s fully customized to your needs. These medications are typically well-tolerated and often provide powerful relief for menopause symptoms.

If you’ve recently had a hysterectomy and you’re struggling with difficult symptoms of surgical menopause, it’s time to consult with an expert hormone health practitioner to achieve balance once again. With the right treatment, you can optimize both your health and your comfort as you enter this new stage of life.

If you want to learn more about bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how this treatment can help after hysterectomy, the BodyLogicMD network is here to help. The practitioners within our network are among the top medical professionals in the country and certified experts in hormone health. With an emphasis on integrative medicine and holistic wellness, your practitioner will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses your symptoms and incorporates nutrition and lifestyle changes that will help preserve your health for the long term. Contact a local practitioner in your area to start the conversation about hormone therapy after hysterectomy, or take the BodyLogicMD Hormone Balance Quiz to learn more about your symptoms and how hormones interact in the post-hysterectomy body.

The post Hormone Replacement Therapy After Hysterectomy Can Help You Restore Balance appeared first on BodyLogicMD Blog.

What Is Adrenal Fatigue and How Can You Recover?

| February 28, 2019

What is adrenal fatigue?

If you’re like many people, you lead a high-stress life. Between family obligations and long hours at work, it can seem like you never catch a break. You’re tired. And even if you try your best to take care of yourself, you may find that you simply can’t get back to the way that you felt before life became so overwhelming.

The medical community is increasingly recognizing that long periods of stress can have a profound impact on the body in the form of adrenal fatigue. While adrenal fatigue isn’t a formal diagnosis, its symptoms and the impact it has on your life can be profoundly disruptive. But there is help available that goes beyond the lifestyle changes you may have already tried and with the right treatment, you may be able to restore tranquility to your body and mind.

The Connection Between Stress and the Adrenal Glands

When we experience acute or chronic stress, our bodies try to compensate in any way it can because, to our bodies, stress indicates that our survival is in danger. More specifically, stress acts as a signal that tells our bodies to perform more effectively in the short term to secure our survival. As a result, our bodies make trade-offs to help us survive in the face of immediate threats. Elevating cortisol levels is one of these trade-offs.

In the presence of stress, our adrenal glands secrete cortisol, a hormone that can inhibit the production of insulin, increase our level of wakefulness, and inhibit the immune system. These effects ensure that the body is ready to fight or to take flight rather than to rest or digest. In the short-term, this can be a useful way of allocating physical resources. In the long term, however, excess cortisol can be harmful.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue

If you have experienced chronic stress, you may also have experienced chronically high levels of cortisol, resulting in a host of uncomfortable symptoms. But even if your stressors are removed, you might not feel better. This could be because when the adrenal glands are taxed beyond their limit for months or years, they may eventually become fatigued and fail to make enough cortisol to serve your needs. As a result, your body can’t regulate blood sugar, sleep, or the immune system as effectively as before.

Adrenal fatigue is characterized by:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Insomnia
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Craving salty or sweet food
  • Feeling cold
  • Fatigue
  • Malaise
  • Brain fog

It’s important to recognize that chronic stress can result from not only emotional stress, but physical stress such as poor nutrition, unaddressed injuries, infectious illnesses, and exposure to toxins or pollutants. Indeed, anyone can develop adrenal fatigue if their body has been under pressure for a long enough period of time.

Regardless of the cause, your adrenal glands may not necessarily recover on their own once they have become fatigued. Fortunately, there is treatment available to help you address your symptoms and begin the recovery process.

Healing From Adrenal Fatigue

If you suspect that you have developed adrenal fatigue or are at high risk of developing adrenal fatigue, you aren’t powerless. While your adrenal fatigue will take time to treat, you can take steps toward healing by seeking out advanced treatment options as soon as possible.

The first step is to reach out to a physician who can thoroughly assess your symptoms and determine if you are experiencing adrenal fatigue. This assessment will likely include a saliva test, as saliva contains trace amounts of cortisol, but your doctor may also draw blood or check the levels of cortisol in your urine. If adrenal fatigue is identified as the cause of your symptoms, you’ll work with the doctor to develop an appropriate treatment strategy. While lifestyle changes will be an essential part of healing, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may help you achieve the best results.

When your exhausted adrenal glands are no longer able to produce enough cortisol, BHRT can supply your body with an appropriate cortisol level. Because bioidentical hormones are chemically indistinguishable from the hormones your body naturally produces and because treatment is tailored to your specific needs, BHRT is typically both effective and well-tolerated, helping you optimize your recovery.

Adrenal fatigue doesn’t happen overnight—it took sustained stress to trigger fatigue and your body will need time to heal. But by combining a healthy lifestyle with BHRT, you’ll be on the right track to feeling your best once again.

BodyLogicMD can help you recover from adrenal fatigue with expert care from a highly-trained practitioner who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and integrative medicine. The practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network are among the top medical professionals in the country and specially certified to help you address your symptoms using the most advanced treatments available. Get started on a customized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and help you reach optimal wellness — contact a local practitioner to schedule your first appointment or take the BodyLogicMD Hormone Balance Quiz today.

The post What Is Adrenal Fatigue and How Can You Recover? appeared first on BodyLogicMD Blog.

Should You Take a Daily Probiotic Supplement?

| February 19, 2019

Should You Take a Daily Probiotic Supplement? | BodyLogicMDPeople everywhere seem to be talking about probiotics and gut health. Your doctor has probably mentioned probiotics, and your local pharmacy most likely sells them. In almost every single wellness blog or magazine, you’re apt to find probiotic praise—and with good reason!

More and more people are turning to holistic health treatment that goes well beyond merely treating symptoms. They don’t want a quick and temporary fix. Instead, they are looking to discover―and cure―the root causes of health problems.

After all, the band-aid approach to healthcare only goes so far. Here at BodyLogicMD, our goal is to ensure that you are able to heal and support your health, including the long-term health of your gut, which is critical to overall well-being and systemic health.

All About Gut Health

First, let’s look at your digestive tract. This system is made up of various organs, including the liver, the gallbladder, the pancreas, and the gastrointestinal tract (which goes from your mouth to your intestines). This system―also called the gut microbiome or gut flora―is where your bacteria live. As you can see, your body is a complex system, and your gut is crucial to your overall health.

Increasingly, scientific evidence points to a link between your gut health and serious issues such as immune-mediated disorders, adrenal fatigue (also known as HPA axis dysfunction), and even mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Consequently, probiotics have become more and more popular.

According to a study in the journal Autoimmune Diseases, the all-powerful gut (or microbiome) can help prevent disease and sickness. This means that what you’re putting into your body has much more to do with your health than you may think. If you take probiotics daily to promote your wellness, you’re generally promoting a healthier you.

Trillions of bacteria live in your gut, if you can believe that! Many are bad . . . but many are beneficial and essential to good health. These good bacteria, which are called probiotics, are protective. They are what your body needs to help balance out the bad.

If the bad bacteria overwhelm the good, they open the way for disease. For example, because they slow down your metabolism, they are thought to be linked to metabolic issues such as heart disease and diabetes.

According to the journal Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, there is good reason to bolster your good bacteria with probiotics. Research has found that probiotics show “therapeutic potential for treating diseases, including several immune response-related diseases.” As a case in point, probiotics may help control the bacteria klebsiella, which has been linked to immune-mediated diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and Crohn’s.

How do good and harmful bacteria become unbalanced? According to Dr. Josh Axe, the top causes of gut flora depletion include “overuse of prescription antibiotics, sugar, GMO foods, inflammatory gluten, emotional stress, medications, alcohol (except for red wine), lack of exercise, over-sanitation, smoking, and poor sleep habits.”

Types of Probiotics

There are three main types of probiotic strains; these are what you’ll typically find in probiotic-rich foods, drinks and supplements. Here are the core probiotics benefits:

  • Lactobacillus is the most common strain. Found in yogurt and fermented foods, it can help improve digestive health (especially in cases of diarrhea), promote vaginal health, support skin health, and more.
  • Bifidobacterium, which is found in some dairy products, can help prevent infections and, according to Healthline, “reduce inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and psoriasis.”
  • Saccharomyces boulardii isn’t technically a bacteria. It’s actually a yeast, but it is considered a probiotic. It can help reduce gastrointestinal problems, skin issues and metabolic issues, along with yeast and urinary infections.

Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus plantarum are useful here, as they boost the body’s defense against harmful bacteria, while L. rhamnosus GG (LGG) and S. boulardii have been shown to be the most beneficial in thwarting antibiotic-related issues.

Antibiotics kill off your good bacteria, which can wreak havoc in your gut. To protect your good bacteria population, you’ll want to supplement with probiotics six hours after ingesting your antibiotics.

Dr. Geoffrey Preidis of Baylor College of Medicine and Houston’s Texas Children’s Hospital says, “The problem is that antibiotics have a lot of collateral damage―they don’t just target that one pathogenic bacterium that they are prescribed to eliminate.” In fact, they can help restore the balance and even eliminate antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). In a 2012 study, it was discovered that probiotics decreased AAD by half.

A word to the wise: According to the National Institutes of Health, “Probiotics are not all alike. For example, if a specific kind of Lactobacillus helps prevent an illness, that doesn’t necessarily mean that another kind of Lactobacillus would have the same effect or that any of the Bifidobacterium probiotics would do the same thing.”

Additionally, you’ll want to know what synbiotics and prebiotics are. Put simply, prebiotics refer to products that help probiotics grow (a.k.a., food for probiotics). Synbiotics are products that contain both probiotics and prebiotics.

Side Effects of Probiotics

Because we’ve only recently begun deciphering the complexities of bacteria, the risks of probiotics are still being evaluated. However, most experts do agree that a healthy individual is typically not harmed by taking probiotics. In fact, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that side effects are rare and mild.

However, the Center does warn people with compromised immune systems to speak with their doctors before using probiotics, as some infections have been reported. Probiotics may also cause tummy aches and bloating (especially if you’re drinking lots of kombucha or apple cider vinegar), so be sure to take the proper dosage and type.

Additionally, some probiotics contain a substance called amines, which are known to cause headaches and trigger allergy-type symptoms.

When Is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

You might think it’s okay to pop a probiotic supplement and head out the door—but not so fast! They’re not exactly like any other dietary supplement.

So, when should you take probiotics?

Because probiotic supplements contain sensitive bacteria, it is optimal to take them with meals. Not only does this help minimize damage to the bacteria from stomach acids, but it also gives the organisms better chances of survival.

However, depending on what type of condition is being treated, the best time to take probiotics (and the best type to take) may differ.

You should know that,  according to GutSpace, some probiotic strains work more long-term and others more short-term. When you take a “live” probiotic, you’re investing in more long-term gut relief. This is a good option when there’s no acute problem and you simply want to keep your gut healthy in general. That’s because live probiotics actually colonize your digestive tract, multiplying the good bacteria and helping balance your gut flora over time.

On the other hand, lyophilized (freeze-dried) probiotics provide quicker, more short-term relief from digestive issues. This might be taken in the case of bathroom issues or post-antibiotic trouble. You might also want to take a probiotic supplement with a digestive enzyme. Enzymes actually are produced by healthy bacteria, helping to aid digestion.

Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as tempeh, apple cider vinegar, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, yogurt and other dairy products, and kimchi. You can also use the supplement Pure Probiotic, which helps protect your intestine and support your immune health.

Talk to your doctor or a BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioner about introducing probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics to your system, especially if you have a hard time managing bathroom regularity issues (like constipation or hard stool) or have been using antibiotics during or after an illness.

In addition to taking probiotics, it’s important to care for your overall health and wellness. Caring for your gut includes eating clean foods, exercising regularly, and managing your stress levels. Of course, the best and most natural way to create good bacteria in the body is through eating a diversity of healthy foods and making healthy lifestyle choices. However, it isn’t a perfect world. At times, the hectic pace of daily life can interfere with consuming a consistently healthy diet or getting the exercise we need―and that’s when taking a professional-grade probiotic can help!

The post Should You Take a Daily Probiotic Supplement? appeared first on BodyLogicMD Blog.

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy? Understanding an Innovative Treatment Option

| February 19, 2019

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and how can it help you?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a powerful therapy made from plant-based hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by the body. BHRT is prescribed to treat a wide variety of hormone-related symptoms in both men and women, including those going through menopause or andropause and who have thyroid disorders or adrenal fatigue. Whether you need support due to natural hormonal transitions or a medical condition, BHRT can be a life-changing therapy that has helped people take control of their health and find a comfortable balance for over 30 years.

The Surprising History of BHRT

Doctors and scientists first started experimenting with hormone-based medications when Edward A. Doisy discovered estrogen in 1929. After Doisy isolated estrogen through urine and blood analysis, scientists went on to discover dozens of other hormones that exist in the human body and began exploring the possibility of using these hormones to address a broad range of hormone-related symptoms. The first of many commercially available hormone medications, Emmenin, was created only five years later to alleviate menstrual cramps and, in time, hormone replacement therapy emerged as the most effective treatment for symptoms of menopause. These initial medications (which we now refer to as conventional hormones) were synthesized chemically or from animal sources.

In 1982, after decades of progress in the hormone medication field, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy emerged when Dr. Jonathan Wright met with a patient to discuss treatment for menopause. She experienced all the uncomfortable signs of reduced estrogen—hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes—and was interested in hormone replacement therapy. However, this patient asked for something unique: she challenged Wright to prescribe hormones that were identical to those produced by her own body and not those of an animal.

Intrigued, Wright partnered with one of the few compounding pharmacists in North America at that time to craft a custom medication. The finished tablet included the three main types of estrogen (estrone, estradiol, and estriol) in a ratio identical to healthy hormone levels of premenopausal women. Since that day, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has changed the future of hormone health, helping countless individuals overcome hormone-related conditions and symptoms.

The Benefits of Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bioidentical hormone medications are as diverse as the patients who take them—which means that the benefits change depending on which hormones are prescribed. Your personal BHRT medication may include any number of hormones in combination, including estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, progesterone, or thyroid hormones. The ratio of hormones prescribed will be determined by a health practitioner after extensive testing of your hormone levels and a thorough evaluation of your symptoms.

Whether you’re taking hormones orally, absorbing them through the skin, or have them implanted subdermally, these hormones are exactly identical to those that are produced naturally by your body.. This means that whether you’re struggling with uncomfortable symptoms of menopause or dealing with hypothyroidism, BHRT can help your body adjust and find balance.

BHRT is often prescribed to provide relief for symptoms such as:

  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Reduced libido
  • Fatigue and low energy
  • Thyroid imbalance
  • Sleep problems
  • Decreased bone density or muscle strength
  • Mood swings
  • Hair loss
  • Weight gain

Since its introduction, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy has risen dramatically in popularity because it is typically both effective and well-tolerated by patients. Many patients have found that they finally feel like themselves again when their hormone-related symptoms are lessened. Their chronic symptoms are alleviated, they get restful sleep, have plenty of energy, and feel more in control of their health. Indeed, patients often report that BHRT improves overall quality of life and it is widely recognized as a powerful treatment option for those who struggle with hormonal issues.

Deciding Whether BHRT Is Right For You

Conventional hormone medications and BHRT are prescribed to address the same concerns, but these treatment options are not identical. Many patients choose to take bioidentical hormones because they come from plants, unlike conventional medications, which can be derived from synthetic or animal sources. Premarin, for instance, is a commonly-prescribed estrogen medication made from pregnant mare’s urine, which creates an ethical dilemma for many women. Furthermore, conventional may be similar to human hormones, but they are not an exact match, which means your body may not react to them as they would your own hormones. In contrast, bioidentical hormones come directly from soy, yams, and other natural plant sources and are chemically and structurally identical to human hormones.

It’s also worth noting that some bioidentical hormone drugs are mass-produced and FDA approved, but BHRT in general is not yet FDA approved due to the fully customizable nature of compounded hormones. So far, no double-blind clinical trials exist comparing BHRT with conventional medications, but bioidentical hormones are believed to be safer and more effective. However, it’s important to remember that, like any pharmaceutical, both conventional hormones and bioidentical hormones come with health risks and side effects. Discuss these matters closely with your doctor to determine if BHRT is right for you.

How to Start Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

If you’re interested in pursuing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, the first step is partnering with an expert practitioner who has significant education and experience in hormone health. This practitioner will design a treatment plan for you and act as a coordinator between you and the compounding pharmacy that creates your custom hormone medication. It’s incredibly important that you trust this person and can rely on their expertise to help you achieve optimal wellness.

To begin, your practitioner will thoroughly evaluate your physical health and the symptoms you experience. They will then take a snapshot assessment of your hormone levels through extensive blood, urine, and/or saliva testing. With all of this information in hand, your practitioner will create a custom hormone prescription that fits your needs and preferences. With close monitoring, you’ll continue taking and adjusting the medication until the perfect hormones and dosage are solidified.

Finding an Expert BHRT Practitioner

The general consensus within the medical community is that, just like with other medications, you should take bioidentical hormones at the lowest dose and the shortest duration possible to achieve symptom relief. As such, the best hormone health practitioners also provide holistic counsel on nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help shape wellness in the long term. We recommend selecting a highly experienced practitioner in integrative medicine and hormone health, such as those within the BodyLogicMD network. With their guidance, you will have the support you need to confidently address your symptoms and move toward better health.

BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioners are experts in integrative medicine and hormone health. Our certified practitioners specialize in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and are among the top medical professionals in the country offering this unique and innovative treatment. If you’re ready to take control of your health, our network of practitioners can help you set meaningful wellness goals and create a treatment plan that’s customized to your individual needs. Contact a local practitioner in your area to start your journey toward optimal health, or take our Hormone Balance Quiz to learn more about how hormones are impacting your everyday life and dive deeper into the benefits that BHRT has to offer.

The post What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy? Understanding an Innovative Treatment Option appeared first on BodyLogicMD Blog.

How To Make Sure You’re Buying High Quality Supplements

| February 13, 2019

Tackling The Fake Supplement Issue

How To Make Sure You’re Buying High Quality Supplements | BodyLogicMD

How To Make Sure You’re Buying High Quality Supplements | BodyLogicMD

When you’re on the search for supplements, you want them to be of the highest quality, you want them to be efficient, and you want them to come from a reliable source.

You also want them to be both cost-effective and professional-grade, ensuring the best results for your health, which means you need to know how to discern professional supplements from those that don’t contain quality ingredients, or worse, contain fillers and harmful ingredients.

First things first: according to the US Food & Drug Administration, supplements include “vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, and enzymes,” and they make take the form of “tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps, powders, and liquids.” This is true with protein, pre-workout supplements, hair growth supplements, protein supplements, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, and weight loss pills.

While the FDA is “not authorized to review dietary supplement products for safety and effectiveness before they are marketed,” they can remove dietary supplements from the market if they are found to be unsafe or if the claims on the products are false or misleading.

Because supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, it’s important to do your research before you purchase or consume supplements.

What Are Fake Supplements?

In 2015, The New York Times reported that several top-selling vitamin and supplement brands at several national retailers “did not contain any of the herbs on their labels.”

Instead, “tests showed that pills labeled medicinal herbs often contained little more than cheap fillers like powdered rice, asparagus and houseplants, and in some cases substances that could be dangerous to those with allergies.” Some supplements were even contaminated, leading to major health issues like hepatitis.

In an FDA Consumer Update, it was said that, “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found nearly 300 fraudulent products—promoted mainly for weight loss, sexual enhancement, and bodybuilding—that contain hidden or deceptively labeled ingredients, such as the active ingredients in FDA-approved drugs or their analogs (closely-related drugs), or other compounds, such as novel synthetic steroids, that do not qualify as dietary ingredients.”

This is why it’s so important to know what you’re up against when searching for quality, professional-grade supplements. Unfortunately, there are whole markets, especially via online retailers, that sell fake supplements. In an industry worth billions, this is a real problem—with real consequences.

To ensure both quality and safety, it’s key that you purchase your vitamins and supplements from trusted sources.

How to Tell if You’re Buying Professional-Grade Supplements

According to Functional Medicine expert Jill Carnahan, MD, you’ll want to search for products citing “Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).” As she states, “Sure, it may be slightly less convenient to get each supplement from a supplier…. but if you’re spending your money on concentrated health products, doesn’t taking the extra few minutes to make sure you’re getting exactly what it says on the bottle seem worth it? When it comes to what you’re putting in your body, we know now more than ever before it’s worth it to be vigilant. This is an important step in taking control of our health and living our best, most fulfilling lives.”

The most reputable manufacturers must comply with strict Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) regulations enforced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manufacturers of high quality supplements also pride themselves on their products being evidence-based by means of human clinical trials published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Why You Should Never Buy Supplements on Amazon or eBay

You should know that not every retailer is trustworthy. Many major retail sites—like Amazon or eBay—offer too-good-to-be-true, budget supplements from hundreds of thousands of less-than-trustworthy sellers.

Just because you find a “professional-grade” product on one of these sites doesn’t mean it’s not counterfeit, and if you purchase from these sites, you run the risk of either paying for fillers or potentially taking something harmful. Make sure you know exactly who is manufacturing your supplements and what sort of quality control promise they make.

Warning Signs for Fraudulent Supplements

Warning Signs for Fraudulent Supplements | BodyLogicMD

Handcuffs and pills. Selective focus

First, you’ll want to avoid shopping simply for the bargain (as we mentioned above). In fact, a bargain should be seen as a red flag! Any trustworthy company using high-quality ingredients cannot manufacture high-end supplements and offer them for very, very cheap. Many supplements on the market offering highly discounted prices run the risk of being counterfeit or offering expired, damaged, or repackaged supplements.

Next, you’ll want to play it safe and use your instincts. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends avoiding “products that are marketed primarily in a foreign language or those that are marketed through mass e-mails,” as well as products with extreme claims like “quick and effective,” “cure-all,” “can treat or cure diseases,” or “totally safe.”

You can also study the ingredient labels and use the internet to look up anything suspicious. The FDA recommends using official government sites like the National Institutes of Health, the FDA, or the USDA for research rather than the seller’s site.

You can check with the FDA to see if any of the ingredients are on their Tainted Products list. You can also check out ConsumerLab.com, which tests products independently and has no affiliations. Reviews are also your friend, but be mindful that reviews can also be counterfeit.

In the end, the US Food and Drug Administration says it’s better to be safe than sorry: “Before making decisions about whether to take a supplement, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you achieve a balance between the foods and nutrients you personally need.”

You can report any side effects or concerns to the Consumer Complaint Coordinator in your area or through the Safety Reporting Portal.

The BodyLogicMD Promise

BoyLogicMD supplements that are properly chosen, obtained from reliable sources, and of professional grade are key when it comes to staying healthy. BodyLogicMD-partnered manufacturers focus on every element: safety, clinical trials, absorption rate, and the origin of the material.

BodyLogicMD only uses products that are of the highest quality and come from leading science-based manufacturers. These manufacturers both meet and exceed advanced safety and quality standards, including the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP). BodyLogicMD also requires that manufacturers pride themselves on their products being evidence-based.

BodyLogicMD-partnered manufacturers never use binders or fillers as these can restrict absorption and bioavailability. In addition to manufacturing products that have the best ingredients, they also ensure that their products come in the best form.

When in doubt, it’s best to ask a healthcare provider with advanced training in the area, such as a physician within the BodyLogicMD network. Supplements can be confusing, and taking the guesswork out of the process can ensure you get supplements that will safely and effectively work to improve your health and quality of life.

 

 

The post How To Make Sure You’re Buying High Quality Supplements appeared first on Bioidentical Hormone Experts.

BHRT: A Natural Treatment for Postmenopause Symptoms

| February 7, 2019

there is treatment for postmenopause symptomsMenopause is a natural phenomenon that women experience as they age. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. As your ovaries cease estrogen production, you’ve likely experienced some of your most significant bodily changes since puberty. Hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, and depression are just the tip of the iceberg for women in the beginning of menopause, and some women deal with these symptoms for years afterward.

Once you’ve gone an entire year without a menstrual cycle, your doctor can officially designate you as postmenopausal—and if you’ve made it this far in your menopause transition, you may be breathing a big sigh of relief. But, unfortunately, while many of your symptoms may ease in the months and years following the cessation of your cycle, you might still experience some of your most troubling symptoms during this period. And, like most women, you gain new and increased risk for more serious conditions related to the aging process.

Thankfully, it is possible to lessen your risk and manage your symptoms with the help of a skilled practitioner who can develop a personalized treatment plan using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Hormone therapy has been identified by the Endocrine Society as the most effective treatment for many symptoms of menopause. For postmenopausal women who are dealing with hormone-related stress and discomfort, this is good news.

Understanding Common Postmenopause Symptoms

The first step in managing your postmenopausal symptoms is understanding what your body is really going through. In the years following your last menstrual cycle, you could experience any or all of the following changes:

  • Increased risk of heart disease
  • Decreased bone density
  • Sexual discomfort
  • Urinary dysfunction
  • Vasomotor symptoms
  • Mood disturbances

These symptoms can be overwhelming, but medical treatments—including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy—can help minimize them or even eliminate them altogether.

Increased risk of heart disease

We know that blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides tend to go up when your body slows production of estrogen. You might find at your annual check-up that high cholesterol is now a concern for you, and you and your doctor may need to monitor your levels through medications or dietary trials. Significantly, these symptoms correlate to an increased risk for heart disease—a leading killer of women worldwide. The good news is that hormone replacement therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. Managing your risk through medical attention and lifestyle changes is both possible and pragmatic.

Decreased bone density

Estrogen stimulates bone growth throughout a woman’s fertile years, and the hormonal changes brought on by menopause can cause significant bone loss. The loss of bone density experienced by women in postmenopause can translate to decreased balance and increased vulnerability to fractures. Hormone therapy can help increase bone mineral density and reduce your risk of fractures, especially when initiated early in the menopause process.

Sexual discomfort

Menopause also causes atrophy in other areas of the female body, which can involve significant changes in the way a woman enjoys sexual activity. If you’re experiencing vaginal bleeding, discomfort, or dryness during sex after menopause, you might be having symptoms of genitourinary atrophy. Estrogen therapy can help ease the discomfort that comes from this thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues—and may help restore libido as well.

Urinary dysfunction

You might notice a weakening in your pelvic floor muscles during postmenopause, which can result in a frustrating—and often embarrassing—difficulty holding your urine. In addition to incontinence, urinary tract infections, increased urgency, and increased frequency are all uncomfortable symptoms that postmenopausal women can experience. Urgency medications, pelvic floor exercises, and other medical interventions may be useful in lessening these symptoms.

Vasomotor Symptoms

For many women, the severity and frequency of hot flashes ease after menopause. However, some experience these vasomotor symptoms for years following the cessation of their cycle. Continued hot flashes, night sweats, and resulting insomnia are all very possible and common postmenopause symptoms. Some women choose to “wait it out” in hopes that these experiences will lessen over time—but when easy and accessible treatment options like BHRT exist, there’s really no reason to suffer alone.

Mood Disturbances

Finally, it’s very possible for women to endure difficult mood and mental health changes during postmenopause. While mood swings can be the result of fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels (and would therefore drop off after menopause occurs), many women struggle with depression and anxiety as a result postmenopausal hormone levels as well. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s possible that hormone therapy can help support psychological stability and emotional tranquility. However, it is important to seek help from a psychiatrist or psychologist first to ensure that you are getting the right help.

Seeking Treatment for Your Postmenopausal Symptoms

Menopause is natural part of the aging process for women, so it makes sense that the ideal treatment option is natural as well. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones that are derived from plants and chemically identical to the hormones made by your own body. As such, BHRT can replenish depleted hormone levels in a way that is typically highly effective, well-tolerated, and customizable.

BHRT starts with a thorough symptom evaluation, medical history questionnaire, and testing of your individual hormone levels to identify an optimal treatment strategy. You’ll work one-on-one with a highly qualified physician to determine a medication, dosage, and format that’s right for you. The best practitioners will also consult with you about which nutrition and lifestyle habits will supplement and support your BHRT for a comprehensive and well-rounded treatment plan that addresses all of your concerns.

No matter what your postmenopause symptoms are, or how long you’ve suffered, it’s time to get your life back. Women who receive BHRT treatment often feel younger, healthier, and more alive than they’ve felt in years when their menopause symptoms ease—they feel like themselves again. With less discomfort and a renewed sense of well-being, postmenopause can be an exciting new stage in life rather than a burden.

BodyLogicMD can help you stay healthy and comfortable in postmenopause with expert care from a highly skilled practitioner who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and integrative medicine. The practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network are among the top medical professionals in the nation and specially trained to help you address hormonal health concerns using the best therapies available. To begin your journey, contact a local practitioner to schedule your first appointment or take the BodyLogicMD Hormonal Balance Quiz today.

The post BHRT: A Natural Treatment for Postmenopause Symptoms appeared first on Bioidentical Hormone Experts.

No, Male Menopause Is Not Just a Midlife Crisis: Your Guide to Andropause

| February 5, 2019

male menopause is different than a midlife crisis

Many men struggle with the way they look and feel as they age. Balding, trouble maintaining a healthy weight, enlarged male breast tissue, and trouble adding muscle mass start to nag you, potentially for the first time. Meanwhile, symptoms like erectile dysfunction, fatigue, low libido, and depression can drastically interfere with your relationships and your sense of self. Often, men often brush these experiences off as inevitable consequences of aging or stress and resign themselves to their new reality. In recent years, however, a growing number of men have become familiar with the term “male menopause” to describe the age-related symptoms that emerge in midlife.

Unfortunately, male menopause is sometimes assumed to be another term for a midlife crisis, and the emotional upheaval men experience at this time is often seen as a simple aversion to aging. But while the symptoms men experience as they transition into middle age may be intimately intertwined with the crisis of identity and confidence that defines a midlife crisis, male menopause is a fundamentally biological process that can cause significant physical and emotional distress rooted in hormonal change. And you don’t have to accept these changes. By gaining a deeper understanding of male menopause—also known as andropause—you can more fully recognize your symptoms for what they are and develop a plan to address them using cutting-edge hormonal therapies.

Identifying the Symptoms of Male Menopause

Male menopause is also known as andropause and is caused by hormonal changes, similar in scope to the menopause experienced by women. Symptoms of these changes may include:

  • Hair loss
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty gaining muscle
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Low libido
  • Gynecomastia
  • Depression
  • Hot flashes
  • Increase in belly fat

Each of these symptoms is linked to naturally decreasing levels of testosterone, which begin to recede in your early 20s. The symptoms themselves, however, typically emerge in midlife. Not all men will experience all of the symptoms of andropause, nor will all men experience symptoms of the same intensity.

Why Male Menopause Can Be Hard to Recognize

While the impact of decreasing testosterone is well-known in the medical community, many men fail to attribute their symptoms to hormonal change due to the environmental stressors and life changes that are so often present in midlife. Kids are getting older and parenting is becoming more complex. Or they may be going off to college, and you are facing an empty nest for the first time. Your career and the responsibilities that come with it may be at their zenith, your relationships with your loved ones may be changing, and your financial burden may be peaking. In other words, life can be stressful in midlife.

This effects of this stress can mimic a multitude of andropause symptoms. You’re tired from being on all the time, subsequently causing fatigue and sexual difficulties like low libido or erectile dysfunction. You may not have time to eat a well-balanced diet and healthy habits like getting exercise start to slip, leading to fat gain and lost muscle mass. And, of course, stress can contribute to mental health disorders such as depression that often go unaddressed.

All of these effects may look the same as the symptoms of andropause from the outside, but their cause is very different; andropause isn’t about having trouble with a stressful life, it’s about your body’s changing hormonal make-up creating new points of stress. Indeed, perceiving that you are changing in an uncomfortable and undesirable way can be deeply distressing and may add to the uncertainty and anxiety of midlife.

Many men are reluctant to talk about their symptoms for fear that their concerns will be trivialized, because they hope they can resolve them with lifestyle changes, or because they believe the symptoms to be inevitable. However, male menopause is it is a persistent hormonal state with known physical and emotional effects, and your hormone levels won’t return to their previous state without intervention. As such, it is critical to recognize the root of your symptoms; without understanding what is causing your distress, you cannot adequately address it.

Taking Control of Your Symptoms

Men owe it to themselves to live to their fullest as they age. Andropause isn’t a just a midlife crisis or the result of your lifestyle choices, it’s a new physiological mode that your body operates. The good news is that there are now more options than ever before to mitigate your symptoms of male menopause and with the help of an experienced practitioner, you can reclaim your quality of life.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can be an ideal way to feel like yourself again. Bioidentical hormones are chemically and structurally identical to the hormones your body produces, which means that they are uniquely compatible with your physiology. By using bioidentical testosterone, BHRT can restore your hormonal balance and help to alleviate the physical and emotional symptoms of andropause.

Male menopause doesn’t have to derail your life and you don’t have to suffer in silence. With the help of our resources here at BodyLogicMD, you can find the treatment that’s right for your body, help you seize each day with vigor and a renewed sense of wellness.

BodyLogicMD can help you transform your life with expert care from a highly-trained practitioner who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and integrative medicine. The practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network are among the top medical professionals in the nation and specially certified to help you address the symptoms of andropause so that you can achieve your health goals. Get started on a customized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and help you reach optimal wellness and virility —contact a local practitioner to schedule your first appointment or take the BodyLogicMD Hormonal Balance Quiz today.

The post No, Male Menopause Is Not Just a Midlife Crisis: Your Guide to Andropause appeared first on Bioidentical Hormone Experts.

Bioidentical Hormones vs. Traditional HRT: Which is Best for You?

| January 31, 2019

bioidentical hormones vs. HRT

Fluctuating hormones can turn your life upside down. If you’re going through menopause or andropause, you’ve probably experienced hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue, or other symptoms that can leave you feeling unstable. And change of life isn’t the only condition caused by fluctuating hormones; conditions such as adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalances can also have a disruptive impact on your physical and emotional well-being. Regardless of the cause, these changes can be uncomfortable and alarming.

If hormone fluctuations have you feeling unsettled, you’re not alone. Everyone goes through hormonal changes and many people experience disruptive hormonal symptoms at some point in their lives. But you don’t have to resign yourself to these effects; both traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can significantly reduce distress and restore well-being. But what’s the difference between them and how can you evaluate which treatment is best for you? By exploring bioidentical hormones vs. HRT, you can gain a better understanding of your options and take control of your health.

Bioidentical Hormones vs HRT: What’s the Difference?

Your body produces its own hormone supply throughout life in order to support a plethora of essential physiological and neurological functions. However, this natural hormone production naturally decreases with age and may be disrupted by a variety of health and lifestyle conditions. Hormone replacement therapy can compensate for these decreases by replenishing the supply of critical hormones. However, not all forms of hormone therapy are alike.

Your natural hormones cannot be replaced with human-derived hormones. As such, traditional HRT has used synthetic and animal-derived hormones that closely mimic their human counterparts and can therefore be used by the body in much the same way. In contrast, the bioidentical hormones used in BHRT are derived from naturally-occurring plant molecules, such as yams and soy, and are chemically identical to human hormones. Because they are an exact match, your body reacts to them as it would your own hormones.

Choosing the Right Treatment

The decision of which type of hormone therapy to use is a very personal choice, and one that you should thoughtfully consider prior to initiating treatment. Currently, most patients take traditional HRT, which is widely available and has been proven to effectively address a broad range of hormonal symptoms by mimicking natural hormone effects. However, traditional HRT does not provide complete symptom relief for all patients and may have unwanted side effects, including bloating, breast tenderness, nausea, stomach cramps, and headaches.

In contrast, evidence suggests that bioidentical hormones may be less likely to cause side effects than their traditional counterparts while providing similar or superior symptom relief. For example, Bruno de Lignières, an endocrinologist at Hôpital Necker’s, writes, “All comparative studies to date conclude that the side effects of synthetic progestins can be minimized or eliminated through the use of natural progesterone.” The reasons for this potential reduction in side effects are not fully understood, but it may be due to improved biocompatibility owing to the exact chemical match between bioidentical hormones and the body’s natural hormones.

Additionally, traditional hormones are typically available only in a limited range of standardized doses. Unfortunately, this may compromise both efficacy and tolerability. For example, a patient may find themselves having to choose between a dose that is too low to provide symptom relief and a dose that addresses symptoms but produces significant side effects. BHRT, on the other hand, can be customized to the needs of each patient based on their unique biomarkers. As such, BHRT is able to provide exactly the amount of hormone each person needs, which may lead to better symptom relief without excess side effects or health risks.

However, while studies on BHRT are compelling, the body of literature is not as extensive or voluminous as that which exists on traditional HRT. Many practitioners in the United States are also not as familiar with BHRT as they are with traditional HRT; although bioidentical hormones have been successfully used in Europe for decades, commercial BHRT was not introduced to the U.S. until 1998. This means that patients must take care to seek out practitioners with the knowledge necessary to create customized BHRT treatment plans based on in-depth understanding of current evidence.

For some, the choice between traditional and bioidentical hormones is also driven by ethical objections to animal-derived hormones. Of particular concern is conjugated equine oestrogen (CEE), like estradiol, which is extracted from horse urine. Those who object to such production methods may prefer bioidenticals in part due to their plant-based origin.

Working With the Right Practitioner

If you want to know more about bioidentical hormones vs. HRT or want to initiate treatment, it’s important to connect with the right practitioner. A highly-trained specialist with in-depth knowledge of both traditional HRT and BHRT will be able to answer any questions you may have and give you insights into your options based on the latest research in the field. The practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network are specially trained in hormone therapies and will help you examine your hormonal symptoms, overall health, and lifestyle to determine a course of action that is right for you. By taking a holistic view of your well-being, these practitioners can help you reduce distress and improve your sense of wellness.

Hormonal changes are inevitable with time, but today you have more options than ever before to address unwanted symptoms. With the right hormone replacement therapy, a thoughtful self-care strategy, and the support of a caring practitioner, you can recapture your quality of life.

BodyLogicMD can help you take control of your health with expert care from a highly-trained practitioner who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and integrative medicine. The practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network are among the top medical professionals in the nation and specially certified to help you address hormonal changes. By taking a comprehensive approach to treatment, practitioners within the BodyLogicMD network will work with you to achieve your health goals and give you the resources you need to thrive. Get started on a customized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and allow you to reach optimal wellness. To begin your journey, contact a local practitioner in the BodyLogicMD network to schedule your first appointment, or take the BodyLogicMD Hormonal Balance Quiz today.

The post Bioidentical Hormones vs. Traditional HRT: Which is Best for You? appeared first on Bioidentical Hormone Experts.

How Bioidentical Progesterone Benefits Women After Menopause

| January 29, 2019

bioidentical progesterone benefits

With the advent of menopause, women may experience a host of symptoms that can have a profound impact on both physical and emotional well-being. To address these symptoms, a growing number of women are turning to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in order to replenish hormone levels and ease discomfort. While estrogen is often the centerpiece of these hormonal therapies, progesterone can also have a significant impact on functionality and quality of life.

During your fertile years, you experience a spike in progesterone each month after ovulation designed to support pregnancy by preparing your uterine lining for implantation of a fertilized egg. However, the role of progesterone goes beyond fertility; it also helps to regulate skin, mood, sleep, thyroid function, and libido. As a result, the steep drop in progesterone you experience during menopause can leave you looking and feeling differently than you’d prefer. Fortunately, bioidentical progesterone can help.

Unlike the synthetic progestin used in traditional hormone therapies, bioidentical progesterone is chemically indistinguishable from the progesterone that the body naturally produces. This means that it is ideal for supporting healthy function and reducing menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep disturbances. Significantly, bioidentical progesterone also benefits women by supporting better brain health, stimulating collagen production, and minimizing the risk of uterine cancer in women using estrogen therapy.

Improving Brain Health

While many of the symptoms of menopause are physical, decreasing progesterone levels can also affect brain health. A growing body of evidence shows that progesterone has a profound impact on the central nervous system, where it plays a critical role in regulating mood, cognition, and neurogenesis. The drop in progesterone that occurs after menopause can, therefore, lead cognitive and emotional changes that some women may find to be unpleasant or unfamiliar.

To defend against these possibilities, you may want to compensate for naturally diminished progesterone levels using BHRT. With the support of bioidentical progesterone, your nerve cells can remain healthy, enhancing mood and cognition. Additionally, researchers have found that progesterone can have neuroprotective effects that may reduce the risk of dementia and improve neurological resilience.

Stimulating Collagen Production

Skin changes such as lines, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity are a natural part of the aging process and begin long before you enter menopause due to a variety of biological phenomena and environmental stressors. After menopause, however, many women experience more drastic changes. This is because progesterone plays a central role in collagen production; with reduced levels of progesterone, your skin can no longer maintain its prior level of elasticity, leading to more wrinkles and lower skin density. Your skin also tends to become thinner and drier.

Bioidentical progesterone therapy can help reverse some of these changes by promoting new collagen production, helping to plump skin, increase elasticity, and reduce wrinkles. For many women, this can be an important part of feeling your best as you age.

Balancing Estrogen to Protect Uterine Health

While bioidentical progesterone has a plethora of benefits for women after menopause, the most important is decreasing the risks associated with estrogen-only therapy, particularly the risk of endometrial cancer. Estrogen therapy is the mainstay of hormone replacement therapy for menopause, addressing a broad range of symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes, diminished libido, and bone loss. However, estrogen therapy can also increase the risk of endometrial cancer.

Fortunately, the risk of endometrial cancer introduced by estrogen therapy can be mitigated by adding progesterone. Thus, bioidentical progesterone benefits women both via its specific chemical mechanisms and by enabling the safe use of estrogen therapy.

Getting the Right Support After Menopause

For women who want to ease symptoms of menopause while protecting their health, bioidentical progesterone can be an essential part of treatment. However, each woman is unique, and the treatment you choose should be guided by your individual needs and preferences. By working with a practitioner who specializes in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, such as those in the BodyLogicMD network, you can develop a customized plan designed specifically for you. With the right support, you can ensure that you feel your best as you enter this new stage in life.

If you are considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioners offer the tailored care you need. Our network is comprised of top medical professionals who specialize in helping patients find wellness through hormonal therapies. By taking an integrative approach to treatment, our practitioners will work with you to achieve your health goals and give you the resources you need to thrive. Get started on a customized treatment plan designed to fit your lifestyle and allow you to reach optimal wellness. To begin your journey, contact a local practitioner within the BodyLogicMD network to schedule your first appointment, or take our Hormonal Balance Quiz today.

The post How Bioidentical Progesterone Benefits Women After Menopause appeared first on Bioidentical Hormone Experts.