Male Hormone Imbalance
If you've ever heard the expression "male menopause," you perhaps know a little about the hormone imbalances that men can experience with age. However, men don't have the same kind of sudden shift that a lot of women have. Also, scientists are still learning about how men are affected by hormone changes.
Dr. Stengler provides various treatments that can help restore your hormone balance, and in addition to it, provide relief from your symptoms.
Hormonal levels over time
Testosterone is generally understood to be the male hormone, but of course, you have various other hormones that contribute to the proper functioning of your body. Normal levels for you may be different than for another man, as it varies widely from individual to individual.
When women experience menopause, they usually have a significant drop in hormone levels fairly suddenly. Men, however, may experience a gradual decline in hormones over a period of years. You might not notice symptoms until your hormonal levels have been changing for a long time.
Bodily functions impacted by changing hormone levels
Your endocrine system regulates your hormone levels. Hormones operate as messengers, traveling through your body to your organs, delivering instructions on what procedures need to be carried out and when. Hormones are involved in:
A change in your hormone levels might cause a disruption to one, some, or all of those procedures. Specific symptoms that you may experience consist of:
Kinds of male hormone imbalance
The majority of male hormone imbalances fall into one of four kinds:
New research
Current studies have pointed to a correlation between lack of sleep and insulin resistance, which is, in turn, related to the development of Type 2 diabetes. In these studies, researchers were investigating the roles of testosterone and cortisol and found that the two hormones lowered 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 inadequate sleep and insulin resistance, and potentially the development of Type 2 diabetes. The results highlight the importance of being treated for hormonal imbalance.
Treatment
When you think you may have a hormone imbalance and come to see Dr. Stengler, he will first ask questions about your medical history and current symptoms and also conduct 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, along 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 might recommend lifestyle adjustments, such as changes to your diet and exercise plan, in addition to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, supplements, or techniques to help you manage stress in your life.
If you have symptoms that you can't explain but that are disrupting your life, book 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 customizing a treatment strategy for you.
For further information about Dr. Stengler’s practice and his clinic in Oceanside, California, please visit our website at MarkStengler.com or give us a call at (760) 274-2377
