Identifying Hormone Imbalance: Common Signs and Symptoms

The endocrine system describes the network of various hormones that help the human body function on a daily basis. This network, which is made up of a variety of glands and other organs, produces many different types of hormones and attempts to maintain a delicate balance in hormonal levels. Whether hormone levels are lower or higher than usual, a hormonal imbalance can lead to a wide range of symptoms and health conditions that have the potential to negatively impact whole body health for both women and men. To make matters worse, the endocrine system often becomes less stable for men and women as they age. Discover how the endocrine system and hormone levels influence male and female whole body health, and learn about the best ways to address hormonal imbalances.

What are the Most Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance?

Both women and men alike can begin to experience certain symptoms of hormonal imbalance in varying degrees as they age. Vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats, are often the symptoms that are most commonly associated with the low levels of estrogen caused by menopause. Yet, men who struggle with the low levels of testosterone caused by andropause can also experience vasomotor symptoms. These sudden feelings of fluctuating body temperatures and heart palpitations are the direct result of the blood vessels constricting, which is just one cardiovascular condition that can be associated with hormonal imbalance.

When experienced at night, especially when in tandem with night sweats, hot flashes can disrupt sleep patterns. Over time, sleep loss can lead to a host of other health issues and conditions if not addressed properly, including mood swings and chronic stress. Extended periods of stress can also cause high levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol, which can also disrupt the sleep-wake cycle. As is often the case with symptoms associated with hormonal imbalance, these conditions can feed off one another and increase in severity if left unchecked.

Which Other Symptoms Do Andropause and Menopause Have in Common?

Stress

Repeated and extended periods of stress can affect any person, even on the hormonal level. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands during stressful situations. When stressful situations become more routine, the body can overproduce cortisol, leading to mood swings, further increased stress, and a variety of other conditions. This negative feedback loop is something that could potentially have a negative impact on either female or male whole body health.

Increased Body Fat

Unexpected weight gain is another symptom that andropause and menopause have in common. Low estrogen levels in women can lead to an increase in body fat, especially in the belly. In men, excess abdominal fat can often be the result of low testosterone levels. Fatigue, another symptom that andropause and menopause have in common, can also be exacerbated by increased body fat.

Reduced Cardiovascular Function

When struggling with hormonal imbalance, both men and women could also experience a decline in cardiovascular function and even an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Low levels of either estrogen or testosterone could not only lead to this increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but they could also further contribute to adverse cardiovascular conditions by promoting increased body fat.

Bone Loss

The combination of decreased bone density and an increased risk of osteoporosis can also be the result of both low estrogen in women and low testosterone in men. Over time, these conditions can make bones brittle and increase the risk of fractures and other injuries.

Changes to Hair and Skin

Men and women can also both experience changes to their hair and skin as a result of hormonal imbalance. Imbalances of sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone can all lead to accelerated hair loss. These and other hormonal imbalances can also lead to a wide range of skin changes, including dry skin, dark splotches and small skin growths like skin tags.

Reduced Sex Drive

Imbalanced levels of either female or male sex hormones can lead to various forms of sexual dysfunction, including a reduced sex drive. Hormonal imbalances can have devastating effects on sexual health, and these effects have the potential to become more pronounced as sexual desire wanes and becomes less frequent.

How Does Menopause Affect Women?

While both men and women can experience reduced sex drive as a result of hormonal imbalance, their other experiences with sexual dysfunction can vary. Hormonal imbalance can also lead to other conditions that are unique to women. Imbalanced levels of estrogen, progesterone and other hormones can lead to a wide range of conditions and symptoms that include:

Irregular or heavy periods

Hirsutism (excess growth of body hair)

Vaginal dryness

Pain during intercourse and increased risk of vaginal atrophy

How Does Andropause Affect Men?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is probably the most well-known form of male sexual dysfunction. While ED can be the result of a variety of sources, it is a common symptom in men who struggle with andropause and its ensuing low levels of testosterone. In addition to having the potential to cause ED and loss of sex drive, andropause has been known to affect men with a variety of other symptoms and conditions that include:

Decrease in muscle mass

Gynecomastia (increase in the size of male breast tissue)

Best Methods for Addressing Hormonal Imbalance

On the bright side, it is possible to naturally promote hormonal balance by adhering to healthy diet and lifestyle routines. Maintaining a healthy level of body fat can go a long way towards supporting hormonal balance. Unfortunately, andropause and menopause make it increasingly difficult to manage the delicate balance between the body’s various hormones.

When natural methods are no longer effective enough, many women and men address hormonal imbalance with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). There are a wide range of options available in how to administer prescription hormone medications, including creams, gels, capsules, patches, liquid injections and pellet implants.

HRT for Women

HRT has been recognized as an effective method for addressing the hormonal imbalances caused by menopause. Addressing the effects of menopause often involves a combination of estrogen and progesterone in order to promote hormonal balance while reducing the added risk of adverse health effects associated with estrogen-only therapy.

HRT for Men

Men often address the effects of andropause with testosterone HRT. While testosterone can be administered through gels, pellets and patches, it is most commonly prescribed in the form of a liquid to be injected once weekly via needle. This method can effectively deliver testosterone straight to the bloodstream. However, this method can be inconvenient or even painful in some instances.

Discover EVEXIAS Health Solutions for Hormonal Balance

The highly trained specialists at EVEXIAS Health Solutions have been educated on the best integrative therapies and technological advancements for supporting optimal whole body health, including healthy lifestyle guidance, peptide therapy, professional grade nutraceutical products and EvexiPEL bioidentical hormone pellets that have been expertly developed to promote hormonal balance with enhanced comfort and efficacy. Discover the nearest EVEXIAS Health Solutions practitioner today for an accurate hormone level assessment, and start laying the groundwork for optimal whole body health.

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Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss?

Discover the key strategies from leading medical experts to reduce the risk of dangerous side effects or regaining lost weight.

It seems like everyone wants to lose weight. A healthy weight is associated with better health outcomes and can support reduced risk of disease. However, your health profile is about more than how you look in the mirror. A lean physique is a perceived indicator of health—your body composition (ratios of types of fat, muscle, etc.) paints a much clearer picture. That is why the newest weight loss drugs that are helping people lose more weight than ever, faster than ever are causing many to fight for their health.

The use of GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, have gained popularity for their significant weight loss effects. However, experts warn against using these medications as long-term solutions due to potential risks and side effects.

The Benefits of Compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide, both GLP-1 agonists, have shown remarkable weight loss results in clinical trials. These medications mimic the hormone GLP-1, which slows down the passage of food through the stomach, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness and reduced food intake. Terri DeNeui, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, who is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of EVEXIAS Health Solutions, acknowledges their potential but emphasizes that they are not intended for long-term use, “When you choose a weight loss program, it is vital to choose one that teaches you how to reach your weight loss goals while building habits that will sustain that weight loss after you’re off the therapy. No one should be staying on this therapy for more than a few months. In fact, the program should really include three phases: active weight loss, weaning off the therapy, and maintenance support.”

Losing Weight on GLP-1 Agonists

Dr. DeNeui stresses the importance of a robust weight loss program that includes coaching on nutrition and exercise. She says that merely relying on medication without lifestyle changes may result in weight regain once the therapy is discontinued. “Good nutrition and regular exercise are foundational to health. Many people equate ‘healthy’ with ‘thin,’ but it’s more than that. Everyone must nourish their body with nutrient-rich foods and challenge the body in multiple planes of motion on a regular basis to achieve and maintain long-term health—and that’s just the basics. Hormone balance and gut health are essential too.”

As you lose weight, it will be important to select a program that will monitor your body composition. Most practitioners have a body composition scale in their office. Muscle-wasting is among the unwelcome side effects of these weight loss therapies, making body composition monitoring vital. Dr. DeNeui says, “Muscle is the currency of anti-aging. After age 40—especially among women—your workouts should focus on building and sustaining muscle mass. This helps avoid skin-sagging, promotes bone health, and burns calories, and a whole host of other benefits.”

A primary reason GLP-1 agonists lead to muscle wasting is the lack of protein in the diet. Many people on the therapy just don’t feel hungry. On the occasion patients do eat, many skip the protein-rich foods that the body needs for basic function, not to mention muscle maintenance.

Patients should only remain on the therapy for the duration of active weight loss. These therapies are not intended for weight loss maintenance or long-term use. This is why it is so important for patients to learn the habits of maintaining a healthy weight while they are losing weight.

In recent headlines, patients are reporting gastroparesis—also known as stomach paralysis—after extended periods on the therapy. One patient, reported by CNN last week, began taking Ozempic in 2018 and lost 80 pounds. Although she’s maintained her weight loss, she told the reporters, “I’ve almost been off Ozempic for a year, but I’m still not back to my normal.” She is now taking Zofran to control vomiting cycles and seeing a specialist for further diagnosis and treatment.

Weaning Off Peptide Weight Loss Therapy

To avoid potential risks associated with long-term use, the goal should be to wean individuals off semaglutide and tirzepatide once their weight loss goals are achieved. Dr. DeNeui suggests transitioning to a lower dose each week or taking the injections only once every other week while continuing lifestyle changes.

Other peptide therapies may help patients with the transition, but establishing healthy habits throughout all phases of the weight loss are vital to success.

“Everyone wants a ‘magic bullet’ for weight loss and maintenance, but the hard truth is that nutrition and exercise are foundational to success with any product, even those that appear to achieve ‘miracle weight loss’. As we have seen with countless weight loss aids, there are consequences of long-term use,” says Dr. DeNeui.

As you wean off the therapy, your practitioner should continue to engage with your efforts, guiding you through the last phase, which is maintenance of your weight loss without support from the weight loss therapy. Throughout the weight loss journey, patients should be taking essential amino acid supplements along with hydrolyzed collagen powder, not to mention the nutraceuticals that are recommended daily as part of a healthy lifestyle, including a multivitamin, vitamins A, D, and K, as well as magnesium, fish oil, and a probiotic.

“If you are having gut health issues, it will be impossible to lose weight much less maintain it,” Dr. DeNeui emphasizes gut health as part of all her treatment plans. “Healing the gut is an important piece of optimal health. It is another reason that forming habits that support weight loss and health weight maintenance are an important part of every stage in the journey—even when using these therapies.”

Is Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Right for You?

Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide offer substantial weight loss benefits, making them appealing options for those struggling with excess pounds or obesity. However, it is essential to approach use cautiously and remember that these therapies are short-term solutions that require medical supervision. To achieve lasting results, incorporating lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, and regular exercise is paramount. Patients should seek a practitioner that will help them prioritize making balanced nutrition a habit and support incorporating muscle-building exercises into their daily routine, as well looking at gut health and nutraceuticals that are key to optimal health.

By working closely with trained practitioners and integrating expert support, you can safely harness the benefits of compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide while minimizing potential risks, ultimately leading to a healthier and happier life.

Every Body Health & Wellness offers semaglutide, tirzeptide, and other weight loss solutions. Schedule a consultation today at 720-588-3249 or self-schedule at www.EBHWco.com

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Tune in to Mindful Eating

Did you know that mindful eating activates the part of your nervous system that REDUCES STRESS throughout your body? If you’re feeling the effects of stress in your daily life, why not try mindful eating?

Mindful eating gets you in tune with the emotions and sensations you feel when you’re eating. As a result, you’ll change your entire relationship with food, decrease your stress levels, and improve your overall health and well-being.

Discover how to practice mindful eating, beat stress, and improve overall health.

WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice that dates back over 2,000 years. Mindfulness occurs when your mind is fully present and aware of what you’re doing at the moment. When you’re practicing mindfulness, you’re not overwhelmed or overly reactive to what is happening around you.

You’re also in a neutral space and not trying to interpret or judge what you’re feeling in the moment. You can practice mindfulness by taking short pauses in your everyday life and tuning into yourself and your surroundings.

A good way to start is to insert mindfulness practices when you’re sitting, standing, walking, or even when you’re participating in sports.

WHAT IS MINDFUL EATING?

Most of the time, eating is a rushed event. You eat quickly either in your car during the commute to work, or at your desk in front of a computer screen. As a result, you end up mindlessly shoveling food in your mouth, and not paying any attention to your hunger signals.

MINDFUL EATING involves taking the practice of being mindful and aware of your surroundings and applying it to how you eat food. When you eat mindfully, you’ll observe the signals food sends to your body, like how it tastes and how your body feels once you consume it.

It’s important to remember that mindful eating isn’t about perfection, or always forcing yourself to eat the right types of foods. It’s not focused on calorie counting either. Instead, mindful eating is about focusing on your senses and being fully present when you shop, cook, and eat your food. 

BENEFITS OF MINDFUL EATING

By paying attention to how the foods you eat affect your energy and mood, you’ll open yourself up to the many benefits of mindful eating that include:

• Gives you the chance to examine your relationship with food

• Improves your digestion as you eat slower

• You open up to eating different types of food

• You feel more of a connection to where the food you eat comes from

• You appreciate the food you eat in a more thoughtful way

People also tend to lose weight with mindful eating. Mindful eating means you are more aware of your food choices and how food makes you feel overall. You’re also less likely to overeat or binge eat due to emotional reasons. 

MINDFUL EATING AND STRESS REDUCTION

It’s well known that stress AGES YOUR MIND AND BODY by causing conditions like insomnia, depression, obesity, and chronic illnesses.

Since mindful eating makes you aware of your own emotions and feelings in a calmer way, it reduces the overall stress that you’re feeling while you’re eating. It also impacts you in other positive ways as you’re able to naturally apply this mindful behavior to other areas of your life. 

Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone” and when you eat mindfully, you reduce the cortisol levels in your body. The reduction of this stress hormone also lowers your heart rate and blood pressure.

HOW TO EAT MINDFULLY

Mindful eating practices take time to establish, so you’ll need to start slowly and work on them until they become a habit. You’ll need to engage all your senses before you take your first bite of food.

To help you get in touch with your senses, it’s best to follow some basic guidelines when you start out which include:

SIT DOWN AND RELAX

Before you eat, sit down, relax, and unplug. Your first step to unplugging is turning off the television and silencing your phone. You need to create a calm environment to limit any interruptions during mealtime.

TUNE IN

First, take the time to tune into yourself and how you’re sitting. Make sure you are sitting in a comfortable and relaxed state. Look around at the people you’re sharing a meal with and take a moment to appreciate their presence.

Next, tune into your hunger. How hungry are you feeling? Ask yourself if you’re eating because you’re actually hungry, or do you feel bored or anxious?

It’s important to understand your intentions of eating the meal you’re about to eat. Doing this will help you start to tap into the emotions that surface at mealtimes.

OBSERVE YOUR FOOD

Take a moment to observe the food in front of you and appreciate it for what it is. Consider the food on your plate and the ingredients it took to make that food. Pause to acknowledge gratitude for the food in front of you, and for being able to sit and eat it.

Take in how the scent of your food, and how that scent makes you feel. Observe the color and shape of your food, as well as the texture.

FOCUS ON YOUR EATING EXPERIENCE

When you start to eat, make a conscious effort to take smaller bites. Chew your food slowly and concentrate on the flavor and texture of your food. Make a point to identify all the different ingredients you can taste as you’re eating. 

While you’re eating, take notice of how each bite satisfies you and when you start to feel full. Pay attention to how your stomach feels rather than focusing on how much is left on your plate.

PAUSE BETWEEN BITES

Make it a practice to pause between bites of food by putting your utensils down and stopping for a moment to take everything in. Drink small sips of water during this time before you start to eat more.

REDUCE YOUR STRESS WITH MINDFUL EATING TODAY

When you start practicing mindful eating, you’re taking huge steps to reduce the overall stress you’re feeling in your mind and body.  

To better establish a mindful eating program and change how you respond to the stress in your life, reach out to the highly-trained practitioners of the EVEXIAS Health Solutions network. Each providers is trained in helping patient manage the effects of stress and taking steps to reduce the impact long term. Though stress will never go away, the right treatment plan can help you achieve optimal wellness through healthy lifestyle changes and integrative medicine therapies.

CONTACT US TODAY  to help you manage the impact of stress in your life.

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