Estrogen & Progesterone

TEstrogen and progesterone are hormones that are produced by a woman’s ovaries.

Estrogen thickens the lining of the uterus, preparing it for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg. Estrogen also influences how the body uses calcium. In addition, estrogen helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood. Estrogen is necessary in keeping the vagina healthy.

As menopause nears, the ovaries reduce most of their production of these hormones. Lowered or fluctuating estrogen levels may cause menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and medical conditions such as osteoporosis.

Hormone therapy is a treatment that is used to supplement the body with either estrogen alone or estrogen and progesterone in combination. When the ovaries no longer produce adequate amounts of these hormones, hormone therapy can be given to supplement the body with adequate levels of estrogen and progesterone. Hormone therapy helps to replenish the estrogen, relieving some of the symptoms of menopause and helping to prevent osteoporosis.

Progesterone is used along with estrogen in women who still have their uterus. In these women, estrogen (if taken without progesterone) increases a woman’s risk for cancer of the endometrium. During a woman’s reproductive years, cells from the endometrium are shed during menstruation. When the endometrium is no longer shed, estrogen can cause an overgrowth of cells in the uterus, a condition that can lead to cancer.

Progesterone reduces the risk of endometrial (uterine) cancer by making the endometrium thin. Women who take progesterone may have monthly bleeding, or no bleeding at all, depending on how the hormone therapy is taken. Monthly bleeding can be lessened and, in some cases, eliminated by taking progesterone and estrogen together continuously. Women who have had a hysterectomy usually do not need to take progesterone. This is important because estrogen taken alone has fewer long-term risks than hormone therapy that uses a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

Hormone Therapy is prescribed to relieve:
– Hot flashes
– Vaginal dryness that can result in painful intercourse
– Other problematic symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and dry, itchy skin
– Reduced risk of developing osteoporosis and reduced risk of bone breakage
– Improvement of mood and overall sense of mental well-being in some women
– Decreased tooth loss
– Lowered risk of colon cancer
– Lowered risk of diabetes
– Improvement in joint pain

hCG

hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone secreted by the placenta during pregnancy. It was originally developed by Dr. A.T.W Simeons to aid clinically obese patients in quickly returning to a safer weight zone to avoid deadly health conditions. Over 40 years of research has led to the concept of the hCG diet. Unlike mainstream diets, the hCG diet refocuses one’s attention to smaller portions, less processed foods, and more structured routines that promote more long-term weight loss. It is not a diet solely for the purpose of losing weight to look good. The hCG protocol will promote healthier living for years to come.
hCG is used in extremely low doses for weight loss. The standard daily dose of the hCG injection is 0.25 mL.

Some of the benefits of hCG include the following:
– Positive effect on mood
– Increased energy levels
– Relief of back pain
– Relief of migraine pain
– More rapid loss of inches

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

While testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, it is also produced in the female by the ovaries. Although the level of testosterone in women is only 10% the level in men, it rapidly decreases during menopause along with estrogen and progesterone. Most women can develop testosterone deficiency during the two to three years preceding menopause, but more commonly during the five years following.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone:
– Loss of Energy
– Decreased Sex Drive
– Fatigue
– Insomnia
– Loss of Muscle Tone
– Weight Gain Despite Exercise

Human Growth Hormone Replacement

Human growth hormone is a hormone that was discovered in 1956. It was originally felt to have as its principle action the regulation of growth in children to cause them to grow. About thirty years ago, it was discovered that adults with deficient hGH compared to their peers have an increased incidence of premature heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, strokes, and osteoporosis.

Human growth hormone (hGH) has been FDA approved for use in adults with hGH deficiency since 1996. hGH is critical for tissue repair, healing, brain functions, physical and mental health, ,muscle growth, bone strength, energy and metabolism.

Some signs and symptoms of human growth hormone deficiency are:
– Decreased bone strength (frequent fractures)
– Depression
– Lack of concentration
– Poor memory

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone is a steroidal hormone manufactured primarily in the adrenal glands. It has a number of beneficial effects, including enhancing your memory and reducing stress-related fatigue. Pregnenolone is the precursor from which nearly all other steroid hormones are made, including DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, and cortisol.

If your adrenal glands are stressed, the pregnenolone levels in your body will lower. There are many causes of this adrenal stress. Some may include:
– Psychological Stress
– Inadequate exercise
– Lack of sleep
– Illness
– Injury
– Inadequate nutrition

Symptoms of adrenal stress include:
– Low body temperature
– Weakness
– Irritability
– Depression
– Poor concentration
– Excess hunger
– Insomnia

Maintaining strong adrenal function is important for optimizing your cortisol level, controlling blood sugar, insulin levels, and overall physical fitness.

Thyroid Replacement/Supplementation

The thyroid and adrenal glands (those producing Cortisol) are the key regulators of the body. If the Thyroid and Cortisol levels are not right, the rest of the body will not function well. This is why these central hormones must be treated along with Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, & Human Growth Hormone.

A “slow” thyroid can cause a range of symptoms, such as
– Cold hands/feet
– Chronic fatigue
– Hair loss/thinning
– Low libido
– Depression
– Weight gain
– Inability to lose weight
– Pale/leathery skin
– Stiff joints
– Mental sluggishness

Because hormones are mutually-dependent, a deficiency of one can create excesses of another, and vice versa, with numerous possibilities for imbalance and unhealthy symptoms. Imbalances of estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol are linked to low thyroid. Many studies have found that Human Growth Hormone levels are very low in hypothyroid patients and when Human Growth Hormone is replaced in these people, the thyroid is usually normalized. Low Testosterone levels are also found in hypothyroid patients (especially men) and Testosterone replacement therapy improves significantly their thyroid function.

Schedule your Anti-Aging consultation with Dr. Daniels today!