Our hormones perform as chemical messengers that travel through our bodies, regulating our development, behavior, digestion, metabolism, mood, fertility, and other processes. The brain signals our glands to secrete hormones and send them into the bloodstream. Each hormone targets specific receptor cells that respond to the signal. The hormone then binds to the cell and causes a biological response. Some of the most common hormones we treat at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery are:

• DHEA
  Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormone manufactured by your adrenal glands and your brain, then leads the way to the production of testosterone and estrogen. Most people’s DHEA levels begin to decline after age 30. Pharmaceutical-grade DHEA supplements have been shown to help with obesity, depression, adrenal insufficiency, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, and lupus. Some physicians have prescribed DHEA to treat sexual dysfunction in men and women and improve symptoms associated with osteoporosis.

• Estrogen
  Did you know that men need estrogen, too? Estrogen is one of several hormones that women possess in abundance; however, men need it, too. Low estrogen can cause excess belly fat and a decrease in sex drive for men. Men with high levels of estrogen may experience infertility and female characteristics. Low estrogen levels in women can cause hot flashes, problematic sleeping, weakened or no sexual desire, mood swings, osteoporosis, and dry skin. High levels of estrogen in women can result in weight gain, uterine fibroids, loss of sex drive, and feelings of depression or anxiety.

• Melatonin
  When you are healthy and get enough sleep, the hormone melatonin is produced in a rhythmic cycle: more at night and less during the day. The bloodstream carries it to different parts of the body, where receptors pick up the sleep signal. Overall, melatonin levels decline throughout your life, and low levels can make it difficult to sleep. Supplementing with melatonin can get you a better night’s rest.

• Progesterone
  Women with low levels of progesterone have abnormal menstrual cycles and may have trouble conceiving. Women with low progesterone (who do conceive) are at a higher risk for miscarriage or pre-term delivery. What’s more, low progesterone levels can cause estrogen levels to skyrocket, which can decrease sex drive, result in loss of sleep, contribute to weight gain, or cause gallbladder problems.

• Testosterone
  Testosterone is generally considered a male hormone, but it is important for women as well. A low testosterone level in women can affect the libido and muscle strength. Too much testosterone for women may cause irregular periods, body hair, high blood pressure, infertility, and weight gain. Low testosterone levels in men are linked to low energy, depression, low libido, erectile dysfunction, obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

• Thyroid
  Your thyroid hormone plays a much larger role in your health than you may realize as it is a regulator of your metabolism. When you don’t have enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroid), you may feel tired or cold, have a very sluggish metabolism, have constipation, and inexplicable weight gain. An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) can leave you feeling nervous, irritable, unable to properly focus, have trouble sleeping, and encounter an unwanted weight loss.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy is changing the way women are experiencing the aging process — in a positive way. BHRT is responsible for improving the quality of life and health for many women through the supplementation to balance hormones.

• Estrogen
  As one of the most vital hormones in a woman’s body, estrogen levels need to be just right for good health. If not, a woman with low estrogen can have issues with her teeth, vision, heart, colon, bones, reproductive system, central nervous system, and so much more. Postponing treatment for low estrogen will progressively make all symptoms worse as health declines and may even cause premature death.
  Not every woman will have the same symptoms or severity level of the issues. There may be times of the month that mood improves, the pain eases in the joints, and the complexion of the skin looks a little better. However, it is not enough to prevent the life-threatening diseases and conditions that low estrogen can bring. Estrogen naturally fluctuates for women, especially women with a menstrual cycle or in a premenopausal stage of life. In the first week of menses, estrogen may rise enough to elevate some symptoms briefly. However, once estrogen plunges to a below-average level again, a woman’s mood and overall health worsen. Low estrogen can bring on the development of heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, loose skin, tooth and bone loss, and much more.

• Testosterone
  Even though it is a male hormone (an androgen), the production of testosterone is required for women to live happy, healthy lives. Testosterone is produced by a woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands. It is in charge of several components in her mental and physical health. This hormone contributes to libido, bone health, muscle building, mental focus, and clarity. Dr. Shumway will test female patients for low testosterone when they report symptoms, like sleepiness or not sleeping, no interest in sex, depression, lack of focus, moodiness, and problems with putting on muscle mass no matter how much time is spent at the gym — only to put on fat weight. The lack of this hormone can weaken the brain, muscles, heart, bones, and metabolism if it is not renewed. Estrogen also needs testosterone to keep it in check for serotonin production to stabilize moods, to delay rapid muscle atrophy, to prevent early development of osteoporosis or joint pain, and much more.

Dr. Shumway provides men with symptoms of unbalanced hormones a chance to take a more proactive approach to health with BHRT therapy. Testosterone is the number one hormone we treat for men. Starting around the age of 30, men naturally begin to produce less testosterone each year at a rate of 3 – 10%. Given that men will lose some of their testosterone in adulthood, a patient with premature low testosterone in his early 20s or extremely low levels into adulthood will feel the loss of the hormone in more disruptive ways. Symptoms of low T in men can include:

• Weight gain and sluggish metabolism
• Poor quality of sleep or insomnia
• Feeling tired all of the time (even with sleep)
• Moodiness
• Lack of concentration or focus
• Hair loss
• Sexual dysfunction
• No sex drive
• Fertility issues

While there are many ways to supplement a man’s bloodstream with additional testosterone, Dr. Shumway offers BHRT in pellet form. It keeps a constant reserve of testosterone in the body for 4 – 6 months for continuous coverage with no pills to take, injections, or creams to apply on the skin.