Male Hormone Imbalance
If you've ever heard the phrase "male menopause," you perhaps know a little about the hormone imbalances that men can experience with age. However, men do not have the same kind of sudden change that many women have. Also, scientists are still learning about how men are affected by hormone changes.
Dr. Stengler offers various treatments that can help restore your hormone balance, and along with it, provide relief from your symptoms.
Hormone levels over time
Testosterone is generally understood to be the male hormone, but of course, you have many other hormones that support the proper functioning of your body. Normal levels for you may be different than for another man, as it varies largely from individual to individual.
When women experience menopause, they usually have a drastic drop in hormone levels rather suddenly. Men, however, might experience a gradual decline in hormones over a period of years. You may not notice symptoms until your hormonal levels have been changing for a long time.
Bodily functions affected by changing hormone levels
Your endocrine system regulates your hormone levels. Hormones operate as messengers, traveling through your body to your organs, providing instructions on what procedures need to be performed and when. Hormones are involved in:
A change in your hormone levels may cause a disruption to one, some, or all of those processes. Specific symptoms that you might experience consist of:
Kinds of Male Hormone Imbalance
The majority of male hormone imbalances fall into one of four kinds:
New research
Recent studies have pointed to a correlation between lack of sleep and insulin resistance, which is, consequently, related to the development of Type 2 diabetes. In these studies, scientists were investigating the roles of testosterone and cortisol and found that the two hormones reduced the negative effects of lack of sleep on the participants' insulin resistance.
This recent research shows that an imbalance in testosterone and cortisol in men may be a contributing factor to insufficient sleep and insulin resistance, and possibly the development of Type 2 diabetes. The results emphasize the importance of being treated for hormone imbalance.
Treatment
When you suspect you may have a hormone imbalance and come to see Dr. Stengler, he will first ask questions regarding your medical history and current symptoms and also perform a physical exam. The only way to measure your hormone levels is with a blood test.
A hormone screening assesses the level of a variety of hormones and based on the results, combined with the results of your physical exam, an assessment of your symptoms, and his evaluation of your medical history, Dr. Stengler develops a treatment plan tailored to your particular needs.
He may suggest lifestyle adjustments, such as adjustments to your diet and exercise plan, as well as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, supplements, or strategies to help you manage stress in your life.
If you have symptoms that you can not explain but that are interfering with your life, schedule an appointment online or by phone with Dr. Stengler at the Stengler Center for Integrative Medicine. He's happy to provide a consultation and start tailoring a treatment strategy for you.
For further information about Dr. Stengler’s practice and his clinic in La Jolla, California, please visit our website at MarkStengler.com or give us a call at (760) 274-2377
