Hormone Health
Hormonal Harmony
Hormones play a pivotal role in orchestrating many of our body’s intricate functions. Yet, hormonal imbalances are a frequent struggle for both men and women at various stages of life.
If you’re confronting mood swings, weight fluctuations, sleep disturbances, or libido changes, you might be grappling with a hormonal imbalances.
Does This Resonate With You?
Do you find your emotions on a rollercoaster, irrespective of your menstrual cycle?
Has your weight been fluctuating without any significant diet or activity changes?
Perhaps you’re experiencing sleep disruptions or a declining interest in intimacy?
Such fluctuations are not just “a part of getting older.” They are signals that your hormonal harmony might be out of tune.
Recognizing Hormonal Imbalances
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances can be vast, but some common indications include:
- Mood swings or heightened emotional sensitivity
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Difficulty in falling asleep or frequent night awakenings
- Reduced libido or sexual dysfunctions
- Brain fog and reduced cognitive performance
- Skin breakouts, especially around the chin, jawline, or cheeks
Traditional View and Treatment
Conventionally, hormonal imbalances are often chalked up to aging, especially for women approaching menopause. The standard line of treatment typically involves hormone replacement therapy (HRT), birth control pills, or other pharmaceutical interventions to “regulate” the hormones.
While these may offer temporary relief for some, they don’t necessarily address the root causes and can come with side effects.
Moreover, the ‘one-size-fits-all’ prescription model doesn’t consider individual differences in hormone metabolism or the intricate dance of various hormones within our body.
The Functional Medicine Approach To Hormone Imbalances
Functional medicine acknowledges that hormonal imbalances can arise from various sources, not just aging.
Factors like chronic stress, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, exposure to environmental toxins (including xenoestrogens), and even gut health can significantly influence hormone production and function.
This comprehensive approach starts by identifying hormonal imbalances through advanced diagnostic tests that map out the complete hormonal profile, not just a select few.
Recognizing that the endocrine system is interconnected, the focus shifts from just “fixing the symptom” to restoring overall balance.
Tailored strategies might involve a mix of dietary recommendations, lifestyle changes, stress management techniques, and specific supplementation to support hormone production and detoxification.
Oftentimes in functional medicine, we see the ability to clear hormones is the problem. When we support the ability to clear hormones, patients see and feel an improvement.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
If appropriate, we may also suggest bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) – a treatment approach that uses bioidentical forms of progesterone, estrogen or testosterone (identical in molecular structure to the hormones produced by your body) to optimize hormone levels so you can reclaim your vitality, energy levels and sex drive.
Because your body can’t tell whether the hormones came from your body or the pharmacy, BHRT is arguably safer than synthetic progesterone and estrogen medications merely mimicking the function of these hormones.
In addition, there are many studies over the last 30 years that have shown BHRT as a safe and effective strategy for treating hormone imbalances – provided that appropriate hormone testing is used to individualize your dose to your specific needs.
Women who have used BHRT have experienced the following benefits:
- Increase in energy & resilience
- Stabilization of mood & improved sleep
- Boost in sexual drive & libido
- Increase in body tone & lean muscle (making weight management easier)
- Reduction in body fat
- Decrease in anxiety
- Maintains higher bone density (which can help prevent osteoporosis later in life)
Schedule Discovery Consult
Do you have questions about hormone optimization therapy? If you’re seeking a deeper understanding and comprehensive approach to your hormonal health, let’s explore a path tailored for you.
Our patient coordinator is on standby, happy to assist and clarify any questions you might have to determine if our comprehensive approach is right for you.
Click here to schedule your free discovery consult or call our office at 714.434.9355.
About Vaughan Vitality Wellness
Pioneering a transformative approach to hormone optimization, Dr. Kristi Vaughan DC, BCN, IFMCP, B.S. at Vaughan Vitality Wellness blends integrative & functional medicine insights with advanced diagnostic tools. We prioritize deciphering and treating the root causes of your symptoms so patients can feel and look their absolute best.
At Vaughn Vitality Wellness, we promise to put you first — by treating you with respect and providing the holistic medical attention you need. Our team excels at discovering the root cause of your medical condition. Our treatment approaches can help prevent disease and, in some cases, reverse illness.