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 abrupt change that a lot of women have. Also, researchers 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.
Hormonal levels over time
Testosterone is generally understood to be the male hormone, but obviously, you have various 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 typically have a significant drop in hormone levels fairly suddenly. Men, however, may experience a gradual decline in hormones over a period of years. You may not notice symptoms until your hormone levels have been changing for a long time.
Bodily functions affected by changing hormone levels
Your endocrine system regulates your hormone levels. Hormones work as messengers, traveling through your body to your organs, delivering instructions on what procedures need to be performed 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
Most male hormone imbalances fall into one of four kinds:
New research
Current studies have indicated an association 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 both hormones lowered the negative effects of lack of sleep on the individuals' 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 possibly the development of Type 2 diabetes. The results highlight the importance of being treated for hormonal 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 conduct a physical exam. The only way to measure your hormone levels is with a blood test.
A hormone screening evaluates the level of a number of hormones, and based on the results, along with the results of your physical exam, an evaluation of your symptoms, as well as his assessment of your medical history, Dr. Stengler develops a treatment strategy tailored to your particular needs.
He may suggest lifestyle changes, such as adjustments to your diet and exercise plan, in addition to 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, 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 San Marcos, California, please visit our website at MarkStengler.com or give us a call at (760) 274-2377
