Hormone Optimization in Evanston, IL

Understanding Hormonal Imbalances

All your hormones work together to regulate a number of functions, such as energy, metabolism, mood, memory, libido, reproduction, response to stress, and more. When your body is producing too much or too little of its necessary hormones, they become imbalanced and can cause further issues. Understanding the cause of this imbalance can assist in finding an appropriate treatment.

1. Aging: Our hormone levels slowly start to decline at age 30. By the age of 50, hormone production declines by 50% causing symptoms such as lower energy, weight gain, poor sleep, changes in mood and lower libido.

   Women experience significant hormone changes during menopause, when estrogen and progesterone levels dramatically decline, causing symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. Men experience andropause, which is the gradual decline of testosterone levels. Symptoms of andropause may include reduced sexual desire and activity, hot flashes, and decreased energy.

2. Chronic Stress: Stress is one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalances. Your hormonal system is regulated by your pituitary gland located in the brain. When you’re under a lot of stress, your body produces cortisol, the stress hormone. This affects the production of other essential hormones because all of your body reserves are used to make cortisol. Even when you’re younger, you can feel symptoms of “aging” due to stress. A hormonal imbalance can occur at any age.
3. Poor Diet and Nutritional Deficiencies: Diets high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and foods such as processed meats can negatively impact endocrine and reproductive health. Deficiencies in key nutrients, such as iodine, zinc, and iron, can cause hormonal imbalances. A diet high in processed foods can also lead to chronic inflammation, affecting certain hormones, such as cortisol and growth hormones.
4. Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary lifestyles, inadequate sleep, and consuming too much alcohol or caffeine negatively impact hormones. Physical activity can reduce insulin levels and increase the effectiveness of nutrients and hormone signals. Inadequate sleep is linked to many hormonal imbalances, such as insulin, cortisol, and leptin, which regulate body weight and energy.
5. Medical Conditions and Medications: Certain medical conditions and medications are linked to hormone imbalances. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, and diabetes are a few conditions. Medications such as birth control pills and steroids can also cause imbalances.
6. Environmental Toxins: Have you heard about certain chemicals being called hormone disrupters? There are at least 1,000 man-made chemicals in the world that are known to cause hormonal imbalances. Examples include triclosan, which used to be added to antimicrobial soap, atrazine, an herbicide, and dioxins, released into the air from waste burning and wildfires.

Unfortunately, many of these causes occur simultaneously and are cumulative. Office jobs in front of a computer have led to an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and the hustle and bustle of the everyday world providing continuous stressors. We take a thorough approach at Melioria Integrative Medicine to diagnose and addressing your imbalances, ensuring that you receive the most complete and comprehensive care for your needs.

Why Does Hormone Optimization Matter?

Hormonal balance is an unseen player in holistic wellness. When our hormone levels are optimized, our body can perform at its best, which leads to more energy, focus, and a better mood. Hormone optimization can improve:

• Physical health: Weight management, regulated sleep cycles, increased energy and stamina
• Mental health: Improved mood, leading to reduced risk of depression, anxiety, and irritability
• Cognitive health: Improved memory, focus, and concentration
• Sexual health: Improve sex drive for men and women

Additionally, balanced hormones reduce the risk of many age-related diseases and conditions. For example, low estrogen levels in both men and women are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack, as well as osteoporosis. BHRT has also been linked with a reduced risk of dementia, diabetes, and frailty.

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

When your hormones are off, so are you. You’ll experience different symptoms that indicate you’re suffering from a deficiency, and those symptoms will present themselves in many different forms.
Some of the most common symptoms of a hormone deficiency include:

• Low Energy/Fatigue
• Poor Sleep
• Mood Swings – Anxiety, Depression, Irritability
• Brain Fog/Lack of Focus
• Weight Gain
• Hot Flashes/Night sweats
• Joint Pain
• Migraines/Headaches
• Decreased Sex Drive/Performance

What Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)?

BHRT is a treatment process that uses artificial hormones to supplement deficiencies that have been used for decades. Bioidentical hormones are derived from plant sources with the same molecular structure as hormones created naturally in the body. At Meliora Integrative Medicine, we use hormone pellets as our primary treatment method when correcting hormone imbalances. Topical creams are offered for patients who want another option. Certain oral bioidentical forms of hormones are also offered when deemed appropriate.

The Benefits of BHRT Over Conventional Therapies

BHRT is a prime example of how modern medicine has evolved to develop lab-created hormones which are chemically identical to the hormones produced in the body. Compared to synthetic hormones, they are safer and more effective. BHRT excels due to the following factors:

• Personalization: BHRT is personalized to your body’s specific hormone levels and symptoms.
• Fewer side effects: Because bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the ones made in the body, they are better tolerated and produce fewer side effects.
• Long-term safety: It is safe to take bioidentical hormones over a longer period. Regular BHRT treatments can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
• Whole-body wellness: BHRT provides whole-body benefits, such as fewer hot flashes and less vaginal dryness, improved sleep, increased energy, improved ability to concentrate, and more.

At Meliora Integrative Medicine, we listen to all of your concerns and can create a treatment plan to help you regain balance.

How Does BHRT Work?

Our primary treatment method uses hormone pellets. Hormone pellets are smaller than a grain of rice and are implanted just below the skin’s surface. They are a superior BHRT treatment method because they deliver a steady stream of hormones to the bloodstream and don’t require any work on the patient’s part.

One of the benefits of pellet therapy is that each pellet is customized with a dose of hormones that meets the needs of the patient’s deficiency. Once you are deemed a candidate, we will schedule an insertion appointment to create a tiny incision on the skin’s surface in an area with fatty tissue like the hip. We will place the tiny pellet inside the skin and then cover the site with a bandage. Post-care instructions will be given.

The pellet will begin balancing your hormones in the weeks following your treatment and works with your body to give your system the right number of hormones when needed. For example, in times of stress or during intense physical activity, the pellet will deliver the necessary number of hormones into your bloodstream to support your body and maintain balance. Most patients need two to three insertion appointments yearly to maintain the most consistent long-term hormones.

Designing Your Treatment Plan

The BHRT treatment process begins with an initial consultation. We’ll meet with you to discuss your symptoms and issues and ask you questions about your current health and history. Then, we’ll confirm your deficiency with comprehensive laboratory testing that includes a full panel of your hormone levels.

Our goal is to customize a unique treatment plan to treat your deficiency. Since men and women suffer from different types of imbalances, we create each treatment plan according to the needs of our patients. Most patients notice improvements in their symptoms within the first few weeks of the treatment process. Depending on the severity of your deficiency, it may take longer to feel the effects of balance.

Who Is a Candidate?

Men and women suffering from one or more of the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance may be good candidates for a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy treatment plan. Though the aging process does affect hormone levels and causes deficiencies in women amid menopause and men in andropause, age is not the sole treatment eligibility factor.

Pregnancy, lifestyle, genetics, and other factors can lead to hormone deficiencies in women and men. Regardless of your age, we can treat you and develop a BHRT plan that improves your health and quality of life.

Why Choose Meliora Integrative Medicine for Your BHRT Needs?

At Meliora Integrative Medicine in Evanston, IL, our patient-first focus helps you discover and address the root problems for diseases and symptoms. Founder Rowena Chua, MD is a Board-Certified Neurologist and completed a two-year Integrative Medicine fellowship with Dr. Andrew Weil. You can ensure that you are in good hands when you visit Dr. Chua for your hormonal concerns.

Balance Your Hormones and Improve Your Health

You don’t have to resign yourself to living a life defined by the symptoms of a hormone imbalance. BHRT is a safe and natural treatment option, and it will not only treat and alleviate your symptoms but improve your health and protect you from age-related diseases. This treatment is an investment in your health and well-being. At Meliora Integrative Medicine, we are here to help you achieve your wellness goals and help you feel your best, no matter your age. Schedule an initial consultation today to learn more about how bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can help you find that balance and live life optimally. Your journey to hormonal wellness begins here.