What You Need to Know About Estrogen
There are dozens of different hormones in the human body. These so-called “chemical messengers” are responsible for triggering the various processes and rhythms throughout your body over the course of your life, from your circadian rhythm to your hunger levels to a woman’s menstrual cycle. These small little chemicals play a vital role in the way your body functions because of this!
Of the many different types of hormones, one of the most talked-about ones is estrogen. Most people know that it’s a hormone that has to do with the female reproductive system, but how much do you actually know about estrogen beyond that? At Renewed Vitality, we’re the hormone experts, and so we’re giving you a crash course in what you need to know about estrogen!
What is Estrogen?
Estrogen is one of the sex hormones, meaning it’s involved in your sexual and reproductive systems. It’s commonly thought of as a specifically female hormone, but that’s not entirely true! While women have estrogen in much higher levels in their bodies, men have it as well, and not having it can cause problems to their health. While it performs more functions in a woman’s body, estrogen can be found in the endocrine systems of all healthy humans.
What Does Estrogen Do?
Estrogen is a vital component in female sexual maturity. Levels of this hormone begin to rise as a young girl enters puberty, and it causes the changes associated with that point in development, such as breast growth and the start of the period.
In adult women, estrogen plays a major role in the menstrual cycle. Rising levels of the hormone stimulate the ovaries to produce the egg, and the uterus to thicken its lining. Estrogen also works to increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant during the height of her fertile period. It thins out her cervical mucus to make it easier for sperm to enter her uterus, and it keeps the vaginal walls lubricated and elastic to facilitate sex.
Estrogen plays roles in other processes in the body as well, like inflammation, blood sugar cholesterol levels, collagen production, bone density, and mood.
Where is Estrogen Made?
The majority of the estrogen in a woman’s body at any time is produced by her ovaries. A small amount is made by other organs, like the liver or the adrenal glands, but mostly the ovaries serve this function. In men, the amount of estrogen they need is produced in the testes, the male equivalent of the ovaries.
What Happens if You Have Low Estrogen?
Low estrogen can have major effects on the entire body, not just on your reproductive system. However, not every person with low estrogen is undergoing something abnormal. Menopause is a natural process that every woman goes through, and during it, estrogen levels will drop significantly. This is associated with the common symptoms of menopause, like vaginal dryness, mood changes, fatigue, hot flashes, and breast tenderness. It’s also the reason many women suffer from brittle bones and bone density loss as they age– less estrogen means your bones get weaker. Menopause is not the only cause of low estrogen levels. They might also occur with fertility problems, nutritional deficiencies, or conditions like Turner syndrome.
What Happens if You Have High Estrogen?
High estrogen levels can be caused by anything from the medications you’re taking to conditions like fibroids, ovarian tumors, or PCOS. Its symptoms can include decreased sex drive, weight gain, worsening premenstrual symptoms, or irregular or missing periods.
What to Do About Estrogen Imbalances?
An imbalance in your estrogen levels can throw the functions of your entire body out of whack, making it a difficult and upsetting condition to deal with. Luckily, things aren’t completely out of your control! There are lots of treatments available to help you deal with estrogen imbalances, like the bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) available at Renewed Vitality! You can contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your estrogen levels.
Hormone imbalances can happen to both men and women, causing a wide variety of symptoms that can be unpleasant, difficult to deal with, and disruptive to your daily life. If you’re dealing with hormone levels that are too high or too low for one reason or another, you’re not alone! Plenty of people deal with these issues, and there are lots of things you can do to help correct the problem and start feeling better. Some of these tips are specific to male or female hormone levels, while others work for everyone. You can pick and choose the best options for you!
For Women
Avoid Dairy
Dairy products like cream and yogurt might not be beneficial when it comes to female reproductive hormones. Some studies show that there may be a link between consuming these products and lower levels of female fertility. While it hasn’t been proven that dairy products can be directly harmful to your health unless you’re lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy, if you’re struggling with hormone imbalances, trying to limit the amount of dairy you take in might be helpful!
For Men
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Excessive use of alcohol has a long list of negative effects on your health, and hormones are no exception. There’s lots of evidence indicating that high levels of alcohol intake can damage your testosterone levels, resulting in erectile dysfunction, infertility, low muscle mass, and many other problems. Cutting down on how much you drink, or cutting alcohol out entirely if you’re able to, can make a world of difference in how good you feel overall and in your hormonal levels!
For Everyone
Eat a Healthy Diet
What you eat plays an enormous role in your hormone levels. Your food is the fuel and building blocks that you supply to your body to ensure that it can function properly, and in order to make hormones in the proper amounts and have them work the way they’re supposed to, your body needs healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of protein. Looking for ways to incorporate these things into each meal you eat with lean meats, vegetables, leafy greens, legumes, fish, nuts, and other good sources of nutrients will help your hormone levels tremendously, as will reducing your sugar intake!
Exercise Plenty
Exercise can be helpful in cases of hormone imbalances by helping you maintain a healthy weight along with a good diet, but its benefits go far beyond just keeping the number on the scale down! Exercise improves how your body processes insulin, helping you control your appetite in a healthier way, and reduces your risk of diseases like diabetes. Even low-impact exercise like walking, swimming, or yoga can have major health benefits when it comes to your hormones!
Prioritize Sleep
Nothing sends the body into a tailspin like a poor night’s sleep, especially when you regularly don’t sleep long enough or well enough. Sleep deprivation affects your stress hormones, your appetite hormones, your growth hormones, and many of the other vital chemical messengers in your body. Making sleep a priority in your day to day life can help to improve your hormone levels as well as increasing your energy!
Consider HRT
Sometimes, even when you’re making the right lifestyle choices and setting yourself up for success with your hormones, it still isn’t’ enough, and if you’re finding this is the case for you, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, like the kind offered at Renewed Vitality, might be right for you! To learn more, contact us today with your questions. We’ll be happy to help you!
Whether you’re dealing with the symptoms of menopause, a thyroid problem, low estrogen or testosterone, or any other type of hormone imbalance, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, can be one of the best and most effective ways to get you feeling better again! HRT helps to alleviate symptoms that can make day to day life difficult and unpleasant, and get you feeling better again without complicated or confusing medication.
There are a lot of different delivery methods for the hormones in HRT, and each one has its own upsides and drawbacks. If you’re considering starting hormone replacement therapy, knowing the options that are available to you in terms of how the hormones get into your system is a good place to start! Here are some of the main options to be aware of.
Pills
Hormone pills are a very common form of HRT, in large part because they’re familiar to most patients. Not everyone has dealt with a topical patch or cream before, but almost everyone has had to take a daily pill for some reason or another. Although some hormone pills have more complex dosing schedules, most are taken once a day.
Pills are easy and effective as a delivery method for therapeutic hormones, but they do carry some potential side effects, like headaches and nausea. Additionally, if you suffer from liver problems or are at risk of strokes or blood clots, pills may not be the best plan for you, as they can exacerbate these problems.
Patches
Hormone therapy patches stick to your skin with an adhesive and allow the hormones to be absorbed through your skin, where they eventually circulate through the rest of your system. They’re changed periodically, typically once a week, and if you’re the kind of person who frequently forgets to take medication on a daily basis, the patch might be a great option for you! They also work well for people who can’t take pills, for instance, if you have a liver problem.
However, some people aren’t good candidates for hormone patches. Anyone who spends a lot of time out in the sun should avoid this form of treatment, since the heat and light makes them release their doses too quickly, so athletes, outdoor workers, frequent tanners, and those who live in very hot climates should consider other options.
Creams, Sprays, and Gels
Patch treatments aren’t the only way to absorb hormones through your skin. You can also use creams, gels, or sprays, which are all applied to the skin to deliver the hormones. Where on the body you apply them depends on the specific topical treatment you’re using– some need to go on the leg, while some go on the arm, and so on.
Like patches, topical treatments like sprays or creams are a good option for anyone who can’t take oral pills, but you have to be careful using this form of treatment as there is a chance they might rub or wash off before being properly absorbed. Topical treatments should always be applied after a bath or shower, and allowed to fully dry before dressing.
Pellets
At Renewed Vitality, pellet therapy is our preferred method of hormone delivery. While we offer other options so that each of our patients can find the treatment plan that works the best for them, we find this is one of the most effective ways to get the hormones you need circulating in your system!
With pellet therapy, we use a simple and painless outpatient procedure to insert a hormone pellet under your skin, usually in the thigh, hip, or buttock. The pellet releases its hormones slowly without you needing to remember to take a pill, change a patch, or apply a cream, and only needs to be changed about every three to six months. Pellet therapy is safe and natural, and helps to avoid the side effects of other forms of hormone treatment.
At Renewed Vitality, the members of our team are dedicated to helping you find the hormone replacement therapy plan that works for you so that we can get you feeling better as fast as possible! If you’re interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule an appointment today!
It’s May at last, which means a lot of things. Spring is in full swing and the flowers are blooming, school will be wrapping up soon, and Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Moms deserve to be celebrated every day of the year, but taking one day to focus on nothing else is always worth the effort. If you’re a mother yourself, you know just how much your job is equal parts hard and rewarding, so take this opportunity to give yourself a pat on the back! While you’re at it, you can use these ideas to treat yourself this year in honor of Mother’s Day! You’ve earned a little self care and celebration.
Spend Time with Your Mom Friends
Between all of your busy schedules, you probably don’t hang out with your other friends who are mothers as often as any of you would like. Take the excuse of Mother’s Day to spend an afternoon with each other, catching up, trading stories, and enjoying time spent together with your favorite ladies. You can meet up with each other for a pampering mani-pedi, or grab a tasty brunch at a local spot like The Pancake Farm in Ephrata, which boasts unique dishes like stuffed french toast and peach crumb pie pancakes!
Treat Yourself to a Drink
Being a mom can be stressful at times, so indulge in a glass or two of wine– we won’t tell! In Berks County you’re surrounded by fantastic wineries where you can grab a bottle of your favorite, or even spend an afternoon at a tasting or tour if you like! We recommend the Folino Estate in Kutztown, where you can find creative goodies like sangria kits and enjoy a delicious meal alongside your wine at their tasting lounge.
Breathe in a Sweet Scent
Besides being a relaxing and indulgent way to treat yourself, using scents in your daily life can be a great way to experience the beneficial effects of aromatherapy! Relax with soothing lavender, increase your energy with peppermint, or boost your mood with citrus. Colonial Candles in Reading, PA sells plenty of candles and soaps that make the perfect little present to yourself, letting you fill your space with good smells and good vibes this Mother’s Day!
Enjoy Your Old Pastimes
As much as being a mother is a joyous experience, it inevitably means that you will change a lot as a person, and sometimes it can be hard to say goodbye to the woman you used to be. Instead of letting yourself be weighed down by that sadness, use opportunities like the holiday of Mother’s Day to make a little room in your life to celebrate the person you were before you became a mom. For example, if you used to be a movie buff that loved an afternoon at the theater but you just don’t have the time anymore, take yourself out for a little solo date and enjoy your old hobby! Fox Theaters in Wyomissing, PA is a great spot to catch all the latest films, and they have a cocktail bar and available heated reclining seats!
Appreciate Yourself
Last but not least, this Mother’s Day, take a little time to appreciate yourself. You’re amazing! Being a mother is an incredibly difficult and important job, and it’s moms that make the world go around. Raising your children can take up almost all of your time and energy, but you deserve to spend a moment for yourself, being proud of the wonderful person that you are.
Happy Mother’s Day from all of us here at Renewed Vitality! Remember to check in at our blog to hear what else we have to say about women’s health and wellness.
Are you or a loved one feeling especially tired, moody, and hot? Or perhaps struggling with weight gain and insomnia? Especially for women in your forties or fifties, you may be experiencing perimenopause/menopause, a natural transition that marks the end of your reproductive years.
While menopause is a natural part of aging, it can also be a challenging time for many women. To help navigate this transition, below are five mistakes that are all too easy to make during perimenopause/menopause and how to avoid them.
Ignoring Your Symptoms
For many women, a common first mistake is simply ignoring their new symptoms or dismissing them as part of aging. While it is true that menopause is a natural process, it doesn’t mean you have to suffer in silence. Symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and insomnia can have a significant impact on your quality of life. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about your options. There are also many safe and effective treatments available, including our own hormone replacement therapy (HRT) options, at-home lifestyle changes, and more.
Not Getting Enough Exercise
It’s so easy to ignore exercise, but it’s essential to maintaining a healthy body and a high quality of life. Regular exercise helps maintain good health at any age, but it is especially important during perimenopause/menopause. Exercise can help you manage your weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and boost your mood. It can also help you sleep better, which is crucial during this time when insomnia is a common complaint. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming.
Eating a Poor Diet
It’s easy to forget that what you eat can have a significant impact on your health and well-being, even affecting your symptoms during perimenopause/menopause. A diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can contribute to weight gain, inflammation, and other health problems. On the other hand, a diet rich in whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats can help you manage your symptoms, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and feel your best.
Abandoning Sexual Activity
Perimenopause and Menopause symptoms can make previously enjoyable things very challenging for women, particularly when it comes to sexual desire and enjoyment. Hormonal changes during the early stages of perimenopause can have a significant impact on how comfortable and enthusiastic you feel about sex. With so many physical and emotional changes to navigate, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and start to withdraw from your partner as a way of coping with the transition. However, your partner may misinterpret your lack of sexual initiation or enjoyment as a lack of attraction or interest in them, which can create distance and impact their sexual confidence.
To overcome this, the first step is to have an honest conversation about the emotional and physical changes you are experiencing. Explain that it may take longer to become aroused, that dryness can cause pain and discomfort, and that you may not understand your body as well as you used to. Most partners will be sympathetic and understanding, and working together, you can start to rekindle your desire and experiment with different types of natural lubrication to make sex enjoyable, comfortable, and intimate once again.
Neglecting Your Mental Health
Perimenopause/menopause can be a stressful time for many women. You may be dealing with changes in your body, your relationships, and your sense of identity. It is essential to take care of your mental health during this time. Talk to a trusted and licensed mental health professional if you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other emotional issues. Practice stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness meditation, yoga, or deep breathing. Connect with supportive friends and family members and join a menopause support group if you need additional support.
Perimenopause/menopause is a natural transition that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. While it can be a challenging time for many, it is also an opportunity to focus on your health and well-being. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can manage your symptoms, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and feel your best.
Contact Renewed Vitality to learn more about how our hormone therapy treatment options can alleviate perimenopause/menopause symptoms. Our expert team is dedicated to helping you feel like yourself again!
If you’re a man over the age of 40, you may have started to notice some changes in your body and mood that you can’t quite explain. Perhaps you’re feeling more fatigued than usual, or you’re having difficulty sleeping. Maybe your libido has decreased, or you’ve noticed a decline in your muscle mass. These symptoms, among others, can be indicative of a hormonal imbalance, which can be corrected through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But if you’re new to HRT, you may have some questions. That’s where Renewed Vitality, Berks County’s premier HRT facility, comes in. We’ve compiled a list of FAQs to help you better understand how this life-changing treatment option can make you feel healthy and like yourself again.
What is HRT & How Does it Work?
At Renewed Vitality, HRT is a medical treatment that involves supplementing your body’s natural hormones with our bioidentical hormones. These hormones are engineered to be biologically identical to those your body produces. For men, the primary hormones that are targeted in HRT are testosterone and human growth hormone (HGH). You can also supplement your body’s natural hormones with synthetic hormones to restore hormonal balance and alleviate any symptoms of a hormonal imbalance.
Who is a Good Candidate for HRT?
Men who are experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, such as fatigue, decreased libido, difficulty sleeping, and muscle loss, may be good candidates for HRT. Additionally, men who have been diagnosed with low testosterone or growth hormone deficiency may also be good candidates for HRT. However, before undergoing HRT, it’s important to consult with your doctor to ensure that it’s an appropriate treatment option for you.
What are the Benefits of HRT?
HRT can provide quite a few benefits, including increased energy and stamina, improved sleep quality, increased libido and sexual function, increased muscle mass and strength, and decreased body fat. Additionally, HRT has been shown to have cognitive benefits, such as improved memory and concentration. HRT can also help to prevent age-related diseases, such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
What are the Risks Associated With HRT for Men?
Like any medical treatment, there are risks associated with HRT. However, when administered by a qualified medical professional at Renewed Vitality, the risks of HRT are minimal. The most common risks associated with HRT include acne and breast enlargement. However, these risks can be mitigated by monitoring hormone levels and adjusting dosages as needed.
How Long Does it Take to See the Effects of HRT?
The length of time it takes to see the effects of HRT will vary depending on the individual and the type of HRT being administered. Research shows that some men may start to feel the effects of HRT within a few weeks, while others may not notice any changes for several months. It’s important to be patient and to work closely with your medical provider to ensure that you’re getting the most out of your HRT treatment.
Hormone replacement therapy can be a restorative and healthy treatment option for men experiencing symptoms of a hormonal imbalance. With treatment at Renewed Vitality, men can restore hormonal balance in their lives and enjoy increased energy, improved sleep quality, increased libido, and more. If you’re interested in learning more about HRT or exploring whether it’s the right treatment option for you, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is committed to helping everyone improve their quality of life through personalized, effective, and safe HRT treatments.
Hormones are the chemical messengers of the body. They are in charge of sending the signals back and forth across your systems that make all of your natural bodily functions happen, and this means that having your hormones at the right levels is really important! Hormones that are out of balance can end up making life pretty miserable, but luckily, your hormone levels aren’t completely out of your control. There are plenty of lifestyle choices you can make to help get yourself back on track. Here are a few of them!
Get Your Protein
Aside from helping you build strong muscles and keeping you full for longer periods of time, protein is a vital nutrient for the body because it supplies amino acids that your body can’t make by itself. These building blocks are a crucial part of making your hormones in the first place, so make sure you get plenty of healthy protein at each meal– chicken, fish, eggs, and lentils are all good sources of this vital nutrient.
Exercise Regularly
The importance of getting your daily movement in cannot be overstated, especially in this day and age where so many people live sedentary lifestyles. Exercise not only improves your circulation and helps your hormones work more effectively, but it can increase how sensitive your body is to hormones, helping increase their efficacy even more. Regular exercise can also help improve your body’s response to insulin, which is very important for your health.
Improve Your Sleep Quality
With so many sources of stress and distraction, getting a good night’s sleep can seem like a tall order, but it’s worth prioritizing your eight hours every single night. Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep is linked to imbalances in many different hormones, and you can probably notice these effects in yourself whenever you have a stretch of time where you’re sleeping poorly. Practice stress reduction techniques and sleep hygiene to help you get plenty of uninterrupted sleep that will allow your body to go through all of the sleep cycles and restore itself. You’ll thank yourself in the morning, and so will your endocrine system!
Consider HRT
One of the most powerful ways to address hormone imbalances that are disrupting your life is to consider hormone replacement therapy, like the kind offered at Renewed Vitality. Our bioidentical hormones are a safe and effective treatment for many different kinds of imbalances, and can help you to start feeling better. If you’re interested in learning more about HRT as an option, make sure to contact us today and one of our friendly and helpful team members will be happy to assist you.
Every year in March, the country celebrates Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to looking back to appreciate the hard work, struggles, and triumphs of women throughout history, as well as working to make the world of tomorrow a better place to be a woman. Since 1987, the United States has celebrated Women’s History Month, and in 2023 there are so many wonderful ways to celebrate! Here are just a few.
Learn About Amazing Women
History is full of women who did incredible things and lived remarkable lives, and Women’s History Month provides the perfect excuse to learn about some of them! There are women in the history of every field and every walk of life, so whatever your interests are, you’re sure to find something worth doing a little research on. If you’re a computer nerd, consider looking into Ada Lovelace or Grace Hopper. If you love literature, you could read up on Mary Shelley or Alice Walker. At Renewed Vitality, we love taking this opportunity to remember female pioneers in medicine and science, like Elizabeth Blackwell, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, and Rosalind Franklin.
Support Female Artists
Gender biases can make it hard for even the most talented women to make it in the entertainment industry, which makes the month of March a great time to actively seek out books, movies, music, TV shows, and other forms of media that are created by women. Pump up your favorite songs from female singers or check out a movie that was directed by a woman this month. In looking for something new, you might find something you didn’t even know you would love!
Give to Charities That Support Women
Women’s History Month is about celebrating the past and working towards the future in equal measure, so this time of year is a good chance to donate or volunteer for charities that support women. There’s probably a local women’s shelter in your area running food or clothing drives, or you could consider giving to organizations like the Malala Fund, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Encourage Women’s Health
In spite of the many recent advances that have been made in women’s health, there are lots of women out there who are still in the dark about their bodies and their health. Women’s History Month is the time to work towards changing that. If you’re a woman, take this opportunity to be proactive! Schedule your regular checkups with any doctors you see, do your monthly self breast exams, and do your best to take care of your body overall. If you’re not a woman, encourage the women in your life that you love to do these things! Screenings like mammograms and pap smears save lives, and so does promoting general awareness about women’s health issues. Every small step counts!
A big part of women’s health that is often overlooked is hormonal health. If you’re interested in learning more, make sure to continue reading our blog here at Renewed Vitality!
