HORMONES: BEYOND SYMPTOMS OF MENO/MANOPAUSE…
Written by Devin Wilson, ND
Hormone therapy is indicated for men and women who experience symptoms of age related hormone deficiency or dysfunction, commonly known as “Manopause” and “Menopause”. Common symptoms of Manopause include erectile dysfunction, low libido, fatigue and low stamina, weight gain, irritability and more. Common symptoms of Menopause include hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, vaginal dryness, low libido, headaches, and fatigue. Unfortunately, patients are largely unaware of how important their hormones are for proper function of the body. bHRT is also indicated for men and women with cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and neurocognitive issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“…prior HRT was associated with a 64% reduction in incidence [of Alzheimer’s Disease]…”
“Early HRT Use Linked to Reduced Risk of Alzheimer's Disease”
“Estrogen deficiency is the major contributing factor to bone loss after menopause”
“Testosterone supplementation reduces heart attack risk in men with heart disease”
“Testosterone deficiency is highly associated with bone loss in men…”
“The use of estrogen and testosterone is effective in preserving bone mineral density and, by extension, reducing risk of osteoporosis”
“A principal investigator of a landmark women’s health study says initial results that linked hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to breast cancer and heart attacks were misleading and distorted for publicity. Others involved in the study claim the findings were merely misunderstood. Fifteen years on, a new consensus about risks and benefits is emerging, but too late for a generation of women who abandoned or avoided HRT due to reported risks”
The Body’s Rise and Fall of Hormone Production: Aging
As we age, our cells age. Just as we gain the abilities to repair, regenerate and produce new cells, hormones, etc., we slowly lose them as we approach the later stages of life. Yes, the aging process is natural and some decline in function is too. However, the rate and extent of this decline that I see in patients is not natural. There are many causes affecting this process but the most relevant questions are, what is your hormone status and what can be done to support your aging process? Whether it is eating a more plant based diet, exercising 20-30 minutes daily, or any other healthy change, consider having your hormones assessed because they affect more than just symptoms.
…There is a time when you can repair and fix things and there is a time when you just have to replace things…
What to do now…
After you’ve read this article and hopefully perused some of the published data, one of the most important things to do is recognize that hormones are a critical component of your body and all the doctors who may have told you hormone therapy is dangerous and causes cancer, have been misinformed. Next, find a doctor who has been trained in bio-identical hormone therapy, who uses blood and urine laboratory testing and that you get along with. This is of course to ensure the most pleasant and clinically significant experience.
Dr. Devin Wilson is a board certified naturopathic doctor who is licensed in Oregon. He specializes specializes in men and women’s health, bio-identical hormone therapy (BHRT), thyroid health, adrenal health, anti-aging/longevity medicine, nutritional intravenous (IV) therapy, ozone therapy, and more. Dr. Wilson has completed advance training in anti-aging therapies and bio-identical hormone therapy from one of the most respected anti-aging groups in the country, the American Academy of Anti-Aging (A4M). In addition, Dr. Wilson previously worked for one of the country’s premier stem cell and anti-aging clinic.