Hormones are specialized chemicals in your body. Humans have more than 50 different kinds of hormones, and they regulate bodily functions like metabolism, digestion, and sexual reproduction.
Your hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout your life. But as you age, prolonged hormone imbalance becomes increasingly common. Hormonal imbalance can trigger a range of unpleasant symptoms, and it can make you feel unlike yourself.
The good news is that you don’t have to accept these symptoms as an inevitable part of aging. Sudha Challa, MD, and our team at Lenox Medical Clinic, located in Chamblee and Johns Creek, Georgia, specialize in hormone replacement therapy with BioTE® pellets.
Read on to learn some of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance and what you can do about it.
Two of the most common hormones that get out of balance are estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen is a primary female hormone, and testosterone is a male hormone. Low levels can cause symptoms like:
Your sex drive, also known as libido, is your interest in having sex. Everyone’s sex drive is unique. It’s normal for your sex drive to change over time, but if you notice a sharp drop in your sex drive, a hormonal imbalance could be to blame.
Along with decreased libido, many women experience physical changes with hormonal imbalance. Vaginal dryness is often uncomfortable, and it can also make sexual intercourse painful. Some women with low sex drive and vaginal dryness also have difficulty getting aroused or reaching orgasm.
Hot flashes are one of the most common symptoms of menopause, the transitional stage in a woman’s life when she’s no longer able to get pregnant. Hormonal changes can cause sudden, intense waves of heat that flush your face and make you sweat. Hot flashes that happen while you’re sleeping are called night sweats, and they can be so intense that they wake you up.
For men, hormonal imbalance is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is a common condition that makes it difficult or impossible to get an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
Hormone imbalance can trigger mood swings in both men and women. You might find yourself feeling angry or irritable for no real reason. Some people feel foggy-headed or have difficulty concentrating. In some cases, hormonal imbalances are linked to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Hormones influence your energy levels, so a hormone imbalance could leave you feeling tired all of the time. Chronic fatigue is intense exhaustion that doesn’t seem to improve with rest or sleep.
A hormonal imbalance can cause chronic fatigue, but that doesn’t mean you’ll sleep better at night. Hormone imbalance is also linked to sleep disturbances, including insomnia. For women, menopausal night sweats can make sleep disturbances even worse.
Your metabolism slows down as you get older, and many people find that maintaining a healthy weight isn’t as easy as it once was. However, a hormone imbalance could also cause weight gain. Hormone-related weight changes are often caused by increasing fat and decreasing muscle mass.
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? If so, it’s time to have a hormone evaluation. Dr. Challa and our team offer comprehensive hormone replacement therapy, and we’re here to help you identify any imbalances that could be affecting your life.
When the symptoms of hormonal imbalance are interfering with your daily routine, hormone replacement therapy with BioTE offers a solution. BioTE pellets are slow-release bioidentical hormones, which are structurally identical to the hormones your body makes naturally.
If you start hormone therapy, we develop a plan with a dosage personalized for you. Hormone pellets are inserted under your skin, releasing a continuous amount of hormones to help reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Dr. Challa monitors your progress and adjusts your treatment plan as needed. Depending on the type of hormones you need, each pellet can last from three to six months.
Schedule a consultation to find out if BioTE hormone therapy is a good option for you. Call the Lenox Medical Clinic office nearest you or request an appointment online now.
