From premenstrual discomforts and moodiness to menopausal symptoms, there are many conditions that have their root in hormone imbalance. Other conditions include hot flashes, loss of libido, lack of arousal and lubrication, estrogen dominance, irregular or heavy painful periods and vaginal dryness. Many hormone-related conditions respond very well to a program of hormone balancing which may include bioidentical hormone therapy.
Taking sleeping pills, antidepressants, nerve pills and other drugs to simply address the symptoms may be missing the underlying cause of the problems. Using hormones which are not identical to those normally produced in the human body does not make sense as a first line therapy. The first step though, is to find out if there is a hormonal explanation to your unique situation
Why get testing? Finding out that your hormone levels are abnormal may empower you to take action towards solving the deficiency or imbalance. Without this information what will you do? While it is reasonable to start therapy based on symptoms alone, many patients and providers find testing very useful, and in some cases, very enlightening.
Why test saliva? Just because your primary care physician, gynecologist or other medical practitioner may not understand the validity and utility of saliva testing, that does not prove that saliva testing is not and ideal method for assessing your hormone status. The truth is, years of use and hundreds of articles have been published supporting the use of salivary testing of hormones. Saliva testing reveals only the free and available fraction of circulating hormones. In fact, it can show how well you are absorbing bioidentical hormone supplements like estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, and even DHEA. It is convenient and needle free. You can collect on the correct day of your cycle and you can collect the 4 Cortisol levels during one day to assess your adrenal gland.
Saliva testing can be done at home, on the exact day of your cycle that is suggested. You can perform a 4 sample test through out the day to asses your cortisol level pattern. There is no needle involved! What a terrific concept.
How will I get the results?
Your results will be e-mailed and also sent via regular mail to you. Then you can set up an appointment to discuss these results in an educational format; one on one with an expert in bioidentical hormone therapy and in gynecology.
What do I do with the results?
This is entirely up to you. You can use them to track your progress as you begin a program of hormone balancing. Others will bring the results to their physician for guidance on starting hormone supplementation. After discussing the results with our medical staff, you may have a better idea of which direct you may wish to take. We are accepting new clients and are willing to work with you. If you are in the Atlanta area you are invited to become a patient of the practice. We are a full service gynecology practice and specialize in the leading edge approaches to may common and several not-so-common problems.
If you are not in the area or would like only consultation with us, we can arrange for that as well. Consultations are available by phone. Read the additional information for this valuable option.
Men too?
Male hormone imbalance has been recognized as a true health risk. Don’t hesitate to do a basic hormone panel of the hormones or add the adrenal stress evaluation for a complete picture that may explain your symptoms and lead you towards an effective treatment plan.
Test Kits
Test kits are mailed out to you with instructions and a box to return the samples to the laboratory. Results are available in 2 weeks or less. Order a Saliva Test Kit Here
Expert Phone Coaching
What are you going to do with these results? Find out what they mean to you and receive guidance with a one-on-one phone consultation. See our guide to scheduling the phone call for more information.
How are hormone problems treated?
Several habits that you have may be contributing to a hormone imbalance. It may be the way you eat, or sleep or how you handle stress. Your other medications may be causing a disruption. Some household products, cosmetics, food additives and many other environmental factors may be adding to the problem.
There are several targeted dietary changes you can easily make and several vitamins, minerals and other simple supplements that may encourage a healthy production, function and metabolism of your hormones.
Bioidentical hormone may be suggested and also supplements that support the function of hormone in your body. There are estrogenic herbal supplements as well as herbs that have been noted for their progesterone-like effects. There are also several herbs that are traditionally know to enhance a testosterone effect and actually some that may reduce the effects of having too much testosterone.
You’ve always wanted to know if your hormones were in balance… Too much, too little…Why won’t your doctor order tests for you? Saliva testing answers many questions and often confirms what you have always suspected… A hormonal reason for the way you feel. It then gives you better ideas of how to address your symptoms.
Trouble sleeping, anxiety, mood swings, premenstrual bloating? Maybe your best treatment is not sleeping pills, antidepressants and water pills… It seemed to make sense at first, but are your really Ambien, Prozac and Lasix deficient? Maybe you suffer from estrogen dominance! Too much estrogen and not enough progesterone can cause many of the most common symptoms that afflict millions of people everyday.
Once a hormone imbalance such as estrogen dominance is identified by the symptoms and supported by hormone levels (best done on day.21 of the menstrual cycle). Women who have had a hysterectomy and still have ovaries may need to do two-sample collection 14 days apart to be sure to get a sample during the two weeks when progesterone levels should peak.
