Estrogen, progesterone and testosterone are key players in the maintenance of circulation, nerve transmission and cell division, so an imbalance of these hormones can easily lead to changes in sexual response. Declining estrogen levels common to the menopausal years can dampen nerve impulses during sex, making us less sensitive to vibration and touch. And since estrogens increase blood flow to sexually sensitive areas, decreased levels can slow or diminish the arousal response. Imbalances of estrogen and testosterone can cause dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue making intercourse uncomfortable or downright painful-an effect that does absolutely nothing for libido.

 Key to a normal sex drive is the right balance of estrogen to progesterone. An excess blocks thyroid function which inhibits libido. A balance stabilizes mood and supports thyroid function which enhances libido. Significantly, progesterone is also a precursor to estrogen and testosterone so we need it in steady supply for optimal sexual pleasure. Testosterone and DHEA also have a major impact on sex drive. Levels gradually decline in the years leading to menopause and can drop dramatically with hysterectomy, chemotherapy, surgery and radiation.

 If you have a low libido and have lost interest in sex, saliva testing to measure levels of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA-s can establish probable cause and a rationale for correcting the imbalance.

 All About Natural (Bio-identical) Hormones Natural or “Bio-Identical” Hormones

(BHRT) are synthesized from natural plant substances to be identical in structure and function to those our bodies produced naturally before menopause. When hormone production starts to drop below normal levels in the years leading up to menopause, natural hormones are the best and safest way for women to supplement.

When hormone balance is restored and maintained using natural bio-identical hormones, there are far fewer side effects, symptoms and cancers as observed with synthetic HRT. Following natural physiology as closely as possible makes sense, because in a sense, natural hormones have undergone safety trials as long as humans have walked the earth.

 What is Progesterone and Why Do We Need It?

Progesterone can be thought of as a hormonal balancer, particularly when it comes to the estrogens. Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. It is the precursor, or substance from which most of the other steroid hormones are derived, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone. Progesterone has a remarkable repertoire of important jobs from normalizing blood sugar levels and facilitating thyroid hormone action to regulating menstrual cycles and maintaining a healthy
pregnancy. The survival of the embryo in the womb absolutely depends on this vital hormone.

Progesterone also has natural calming and diuretic properties, and it enhances the positive effects of estrogen, while preventing the problems associated with estrogen dominance. Unopposed estrogen can build to unsafe tissue levels that can lead to a strong risk for breast cancer and reproductive cancers. While estrogen levels drop only 40-60%, at menopause progesterone levels may drop to near zero in some women, resulting in estrogen dominance and the array of symptoms that go with it. Supplementation of natural bio-identical progesterone has been shown to restore hormonal balance, especially during perimenopause and menopause.

Hormone Balance and Osteoporosis

Saliva testing can easily test for imbalances in each of the major hormones that have an impact upon bone health-particularly, testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, estrogen and progesterone. Bone is a hormonally sensitive tissue that is affected by age-related decline in production of these hormones. Many studies show as they age, both men and women begin to lose bone as the androgens-testosterone and DHEA-s in particular-start to fall off. And when these hormones are low and cortisol is high, bone loss increases at an even more rapid pace.

We know that too much stress raises cortisol output, interfering with calcium absorption and bone-building activity, while at the same time stepping up the activity of bone destroying cells. We also know that cigarette smoking, alcohol intake and a lack of physical activity are associated with bone loss. 

Estrogen Dominance and Low Thyroid: Weight Gain and Depression

More than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with thyroid disease, but interestingly, women are at greatest risk, developing thyroid problems seven times more often than men. Thyroid hormone regulates metabolic rate, so low levels tend to cause unwanted weight gain, depression, low energy and cold intolerance. Excess thyroid causes higher energy levels, a feeling of being too warm all the time and weight loss.

But it’s hypothyroidism or low thyroid that is most common in women during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years; in fact, some 26% of women in or near menopause are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Estrogen dominence is when estrogen is not counterbalanced with progesterone, the estrogen buildup blocks thyroid hormone creating hypothyroidism. Saliva hormone tests show that women who are estrogen dominant often have menopausal symptoms intertwined with low thyroid symptoms.

The most common are weight gain or being unable to lose weight and depression. Cold intolerance, thinning hair, sleep disturbance, fatigue, mood swings and low sex drive are also associated with low thyroid. If you are suffering from these symptoms, estrogen dominance may be a factor that can be identified through saliva testing.

Blood spot testing of the full Thyroid Panel (TSH, fT3, fT4, TPO) is recommended as a follow-up to estrogen dominance with low thyroid symptoms.

Depression and Mood Swings

Many women experience mood swings and depression as their hormones begin to fluctuate erratically in the perimenopausal years and then decline to even lower levels at menopause. Unfortunately, far too many women are put on antidepressants when in fact, natural hormone supplementation to smooth out the roller coaster of waxing and waning hormones during these year may be all they need.

All of the sex hormones, especially progesterone, estrogens and androgens have a potent effect upon state of mind, mood, and memory. So when they are out of balance (too high, too low, or up and down) as is not uncommon in mid-life, the effects can range from less than desirable to devastating. Estrogen, the hormone that surges to highest levels in the fi rst half of the menstrual cycle, has been shown to increase mood-enhancing beta-endorphins in menopausal women as well as in women who are still cycling. It is also known to boost serotonin and acetylcholine-the neurohormones associated with positive mood and memory. So a lack of estrogen can bring on tearfulness and anxiety. But an excess can also affect our mental state by holding sway over progesterone in the waning reproductive years. That’s because as we age, we ovulate less frequently and when we do not ovulate, we do not produce progesterone. In this way we lose the inherent calming and mood-stabilizing effects of progesterone.

We also lose its balancing power upon estrogen which then builds up, blocks thyroid action leading to low thyroid, and with it, depression. The androgens, testosterone and DHEA also play an important role in mental outlook and vitality. So it’s not surprising that many women find they are in much better spirits once they are put on natural hormone therapy.

 Hormone Balancing is Vital after a Hysterectomy

As the removal of the ovaries shuts down all hormone production, forcing a woman into menopause overnight. One of the immediate consequences of the surgery is depression, which can be more safely alleviated by restoring hormone balance than by taking Prozac. Saliva testing to identify hormone imbalances linked to depression can serve as a basis for restoring balance, and with it a positive outlook on life.

Hormone Imbalance and Hysterectomy A hysterectomy, with surgical removal of the uterus and/or the ovaries, results in a dramatic drop in hormone production. Overnight the main source of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone dries up, with dramatic short and long-term consequences. Among these: decreased bone and muscle mass, heart palpitations, vaginal dryness, reduced sex drive and depression. Most women go into instant, surgically-induced menopause following a hysterectomy and are usually placed on estrogen, unbalanced by adequate progesterone. In this case it doesn’t take long for supplemented estrogen levels to lead to “estrogen dominance”. Long-term, too much estrogen can lead to low thyroid, fibroids and endometriosis, the latter two, ironically, constituting common cause for hysterectomy!

Identifying estrogen dominance through saliva hormone testing and taking steps to correct the imbalance can prevent conditions leading to hysterectomy in the first place. Saliva testing is also important post- hysterectomy to pinpoint the extent of resulting hormonal deficiencies.

Hormone Imbalance and Insulin Resistance

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that is responsible for carrying glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream into the cells where it is converted into fuel for body functions.

Good health and energy depends upon the body’s ability to make and use just the right amount of insulin to keep our blood sugar at optimal levels and our metabolism working normally. Every cell of the body has receptor sites that allow insulin to open the door of the cell so that glucose can enter and go to work.

If the body builds up a surplus of glucose, usually from high caloric intake of sugar and carbohydrates that are not burned up through regular exercise, the cells become overloaded and cannot accept more blood sugar. The door is closed. The cells have in effect become resistant to insulin’s attempt to provide them with more glucose. In this scenario, blood levels of insulin and glucose reach and remain at unnaturally high levels, leading to obesity, high blood fats and a heightened risk for diabetes.

Blood spot testing of Fasting Insulin levels (using a nearly painless finger stick) to collect a few drops of blood, can detect excess insulin in the blood stream to provide an early warning system for prevention of insulin resistance and diabetes.

Candidates for Fasting Insulin testing in blood spot include: individuals with known/suspected hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, family history of diabetes, overweight or obese, women with irregular menses, scalp hair loss, increased facial/body hair, polycystic ovary syndrome, individuals with symptoms of anxiety, palpitations, fatigue, profuse sweating, irritability, weakness, shakiness, dizziness, food and sugar cravings and central obesity. Early detection of insulin resistance through blood spot testing is the key to prevention of harmful changes in the body, leading to diabetes.