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 do not have the same kind of sudden shift that a lot of women have. Also, scientists are still learning about how men are affected by hormonal changes.
Dr. Stengler provides various treatments that can help restore your hormone balance, and together 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 widely from individual to individual.
When women experience menopause, they typically have a drastic drop in hormone levels fairly abruptly. Men, however, might experience a slow 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 Impacted by Changing Hormone Levels
Your endocrine system regulates your hormone levels. Hormones function as messengers, traveling through your body to your organs, and delivering instructions on what procedures need to be carried out and when. Hormones are involved in:
A change in your hormone levels can cause a disruption to one, some, or all of those procedures. Particular symptoms that you may experience consist of:
Types 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, 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 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 inadequate sleep and insulin resistance, and potentially the development of Type 2 diabetes. The results highlight the importance of being treated for hormone imbalance.
Treatment
When you suspect you might have a hormone imbalance and come to see Dr. Stengler, he will first ask questions about your medical history and current symptoms and perform a physical exam. The only way to measure your hormone levels is with a blood test.
A hormone screening evaluates the level of a variety of hormones and based on the results, along with the results of your physical exam, an evaluation of your symptoms, and his assessment of your medical history, Dr. Stengler develops a treatment strategy tailored to your specific needs.
He might suggest lifestyle changes, such as changes to your diet and exercise plan, as well as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, supplements, or techniques 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.
