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Overview
Women who are entering menopause may experience its hallmark symptoms of night sweats, a diminished or nonexistent sex drive, weight gain or sleep disturbances. These symptoms are attributed to the lower levels of estrogen in women ages 45 to 55, when menopause occurs. In men, after the age of 30, DHEA and testosterone levels tend to decline, which could result in weight gain, lowered libido or inability to have an erection. A natural way for women to replace estrogens is by eating estrogenic foods such as tofu, fennel seeds or rosemary. Both men and women can contact their physician to see if they are a good candidate to receive bio-identical hormones.
Identification
According to a 2004 survey by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), bio-identical hormones are steroids that can include estrogen (as estradiol, estriol or estrone), progesterone, pregnenolone, testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).
Women can be prescribed estrogen, progesterone or even testosterone to reduce symptoms of menopause if their doctors believe it is appropriate for them. Men can take testosterone, DHEA or pregnenlone if their doctors believe it will improve their health. Both men and women must have a physician take blood, saliva, hair analysis or urine tests to determine which hormones are deficient and require supplementation.
Function
Women who experience the discomfort of menopause may use bio-identical hormones or a combination of adjunct therapies, including acupuncture, consuming phytoestrogens and Chinese herbs.For example, tofu contains phytoestrogens that may alleviate some symptoms for menopausal women. Others can take Chinese herbs such as black cohosh, or receive acupuncture treatments. Doctors may recommend bio-identical hormones for men who undergo andropause and have low in testosterone or DHEA levels. Andropause can result in low sex drive or impotence and weight gain and loss of muscular strength.
Significance
NIH halted a five-year health study involving thousands of women taking synthetic estrogen after it was discovered that women using hormone-replacement therapy had an increased risk for heart disease and breast cancer. No subsequent study has been done on bio-identical hormones to date for men or women.
Some doctors prescribe bio-identical hormones to their patients as they believe they will pose less of health risk .
Misconceptions
It is a misconception to believe that all women need estrogen supplementation. It is possible for them to have too much estrogen or even too much testosterone. Only by getting tested by a doctor is it possible to determine if hormone levels are deficient or not. In addition, men may believe that if their sex drive is good, they are not deficient in any hormones. This may also be false: see a doctor.
Considerations
If you have not been tested for the level of your hormones, see your doctor to have this done. The endocrine system may be thrown off track by the decline of any of its hormones. If you don't like giving blood samples, request a saliva test which is still accurate.
