Tag: BHRT

What are a woman’s symptoms when she has too low a level of testosterone?

When it comes to regulating how the body functions, there are few substances more important than hormones. They are known as “chemical messengers” that travel throughout the body initiating and controlling pretty much everything that goes on. Insulin controls blood sugar levels and stores glucose so that we have sufficient energy levels when we need them. Thyroid is needed by every cell in the body in order to function properly. Everyone’s favorite, serotonin, is what makes us feel good.

Equally important is testosterone, known as the male sex hormone, although women also have testosterone and insufficient levels can lead to problems. For women, both testosterone and estrogen are produced by the ovaries. Testosterone plays an important role in body growth and maintenance, libido enhancement, and blood cell production, as well as supporting repairs in tissues of the reproductive system. How much testosterone is produced differs based on age and by the time women reach 40, the level is half of what it was when she was 20. Sometimes this can be a problem.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone Levels in Women

What happens when levels of testosterone in women are too low?

While the decrease in testosterone levels in women is natural and perfectly normal, if they reach too low, this can have a significant effect on the quality of life. This is especially true when the drop is from a reason other than normal aging, like loss of the ovaries due to surgery, chemotherapy, substance abuse, disease, certain medications, and even the use of birth control drugs. There is a wide range of symptoms that may indicate low levels of testosterone in women. Some of these include:

• Lack of energy and prolonged listlessness and lethargy
• Overall muscle weakness and loss of muscle tone
• Continual and consistent fatigue without apparent reason
• Inability to sleep through the night
• Low or nonexistent sex drive
• Lack of pleasure or satisfaction with sexual relations
• Weight gain
• Issues with fertility
• Menstrual cycles that are irregular or disappear altogether
• Dryness in the vaginal area
• Loss of bone density
• Leaky bladder

Not surprisingly, one last symptom that needs to be included on that list is depression. It is certainly easy to understand at least some level of depression when dealing with any of those, let alone several. To make things worse, it is not uncommon for low testosterone levels to be considered just a “normal” part of menopause that must simply be expected.

One of the biggest obstacles to effective treatment for women struggling with proper levels of testosterone is the lack of research. Most physicians have little understanding of just how significantly women are affected by low testosterone and, consequently, are often at a loss as to treatment options. Some suggestions that are often considered are:

• Therapy, regular and sex therapy
• Stress management techniques
• Making sure to get a good night’s sleep
• A better diet

While these are good recommendations for most people, it is unlikely that they will adequately address levels of testosterone that are too low. A better course may be to find a healthcare professional familiar with this issue and get the most informed advice possible.

The Southern California Center for Anti-Aging focuses on the practice of advanced, preventive and regenerative medicine. We strongly believe correcting imbalances and deficiencies in nutrition, along with improving fitness and balancing and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, can help with creating the foundation for a healthier and happier life.

To learn more about our programs or if you have questions about any of our services, take advantage of our Free Consultation by filling out our convenient online form below.

Related Content

Los Angeles Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Peptide Therapy Main Page
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Estrogen Replacement Therapy

What are the benefits of glutathione and how does it help with aging?

“Glutathione is the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more, and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer’s disease. I called it the mother of all antioxidants.” Mark Hyman, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Functional Medicine

Most of us may not be able to describe exactly what free radicals are or how they operate, but we have heard so much about them in recent years that we know they can cause damage to our bodies at the cellular level and interfere with DNA. We also know that our best defense against these harmful molecules are antioxidants, and we may be familiar with the better known ones, like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and selenium. But, what some refer to as the “rock star” of antioxidants is a compound that you may have never heard of; glutathione.  
Health professionals recognize the many benefits of antioxidants and glutathione, in particular. Just some of the benefits that are believed to be associated with glutathione include:

• Neutralizes free radicals
• Reduces toxicity of chemicals, pollutants and drugs
• Slows aging processes
• Reduces muscle damage
• Improves recovery time
• Increases strength and endurance
• Aids metabolism in muscle development
• May help prevent or slow the progression of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, hepatitis and others

Does The Body Produce It’s Own Glutathione?

The good news is that the body produces its own glutathione, which consists of the protein-building amino acids, cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Glutathione contains sulfur, which is believed to be at the center of its superpowers. Because sulfur tends to be a sticky substance, as it moves through the body it attracts and hangs on to lots of things that are not good for us. These undesirables include substances like mercury, heavy metals and other damaging toxins. And, the sulfur in glutathione, gathers up free radicals and carries them out before they can accumulate to the point of causing oxidative stress, which is how they wreck such havoc in the cells.

What may be even more impressive about glutathione is that the body not only produces it, but it also recycles it in the liver so that it just keeps on working. Unfortunately, the not so good news is that glutathione is not indestructible. As we age, the production of glutathione begins to decline. Plus, the onslaught of the way we live our lives these days takes a heavy toll on this crucial antioxidant. Besides aging, just some of the things that deplete the body’s supply are:

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Pollution
• Drugs and medications
• Trauma
• Radiation and toxins
• Chemotherapy
• Infections

What happens to the body if the amount of Glutathione is low?

Without a healthy supply of glutathione, the liver becomes unable to keep up with its main job of removing toxins and our cells are vulnerable to the effects of free radicals and other types of infections and damage. There are ways to help the body maintain higher levels of glutathione. These include:

• Diet – eat foods that are high in sulfur and will help boost the body’s production of glutathione, like onions, garlic, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, collards, eggs, nuts, legumes and lean proteins.
• Exercise – try to get at least a moderate amount of exercise on a daily basis
• Sufficient sleep
• Supplements – take those supplements that work with and support glutathione, such as alpha lipoic acid, folate, vitamins B6, B12, C and E, selenium and milk thistle.

The Southern California Center for Anti-Aging focuses on the practice of advanced, preventive and regenerative medicine. We strongly believe correcting imbalances and deficiencies in nutrition, along with improving fitness and balancing and restoring hormones with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, can help with creating the foundation for a healthier and happier life. We use a wide range of advanced testing and analysis, including food allergy testing, to ensure the best results for our clients.

To learn more about our glutathione injections or if you have questions about any of our services, take advantage of our Free Consultation by filling out our convenient online form below.

Related Content

Los Angeles Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Peptide Therapy Main Page
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Science now has an answer for midlife women wondering how long their menopausal heat waves can persist.
The answer: a long time. The typical duration of frequent hot flashes and night sweats is seven years, and for some women, symptoms persist for a dozen years or more, says a study published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.
That’s much longer than the six months to two years long thought typical. It is also longer than the time limits many doctors put on treating the symptoms with hormones.
The findings suggest a need for better, longer-lasting treatments, and they also should reassure some women.  There’s a lot of variability, if you experience symptoms for a long period of time, that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong.

Hot flashes and night sweats can start at any point in that transition. A hot flash is a sudden, intense feeling of warmth, often accompanied by sweating and followed by chills. A night sweat is similar and often disrupts sleep.
Previous research showed that about 80% of U.S. women have at least some hot flashes. The cause is unclear, but it is thought that hormonal changes disrupt the body’s thermostat.
Among those who had frequent episodes, the median duration was 7.4 years, meaning half had symptoms longer and half had them for less time. Some were still having hot flashes after 13 years.
The median was 10.1 years for African-American women, 8.9 years for Hispanic women, 6.5 years for non-Hispanic white women, 5.4 years for women of Chinese descent and 4.8 years for women of Japanese descent.
The reasons for the racial and ethnic differences, seen in several studies, are unknown. Differences in genes, diet, childbearing histories and other factors could be at work.
Lifestyle changes can help with flashes!

• Avoid any hot flash triggers (such as spicy food, alcohol and caffeine).
• Sleep in a cool room.
• Dress in layers that can be removed easily.
• Have a cold drink of water when you fee a hot flash coming on.
• Don’t smoke.
In Dr. Goldstone’s opinion, bioidentical hormones combined with lifestyle changes are the best treatment options of all. Bioidentical hormones have the same structure as hormones in the human body and are made from plants.
Ref:  JAMA Intern Med. Published online February 16, 2015.  doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.8063