If you are in a state of confusion around female hormonal health, you are not alone! The trend is moving towards bio-identical hormones and many health care practitioners have begun enthusiastically prescribing them. In addition, now it is possible to purchase bio-identical hormone creams and gels on the internet and at health food stores. Growing numbers of women, fed up with debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, sugar cravings, anxiety, depression, mood swings, hot flashes, low libido, migraines and insomnia are self-prescribing.

The problem with both the older artificial and newer bio-identical hormones is that they are being consumed as supplements. Hormones are magnitudes of potency greater than food supplements and more importantly, they are regulated in the body by a complex biofeedback system. Either too much or too little of a particular hormone can result in similar symptoms!

If you supplement, in time, after being bombarded with excess hormones your body’s cell receptors may actually shut down and no longer respond to hormone supplements. This explains why many women initially experience symptom relief for a period of time, but the symptoms reappear when the hormones receptors become less responsive. In addition, chronic stress has significant adverse effects on our adrenal and thyroid glands and may contribute to hormonal imbalances.

Your detailed symptom history, physical exam and baseline hormone level saliva test results will aid in determining if your hormones are dysregulated. These findings will be used to formulate an appropriate treatment plan tailored to your specific condition. When appropriate, a gentle detoxification program will be prescribed to clear excess hormones. Various adrenal stressors will be identified and eliminated with acupuncture, Energy Medicine, and lifestyle modification. Dr. Gay will guide you back into optimal hormone balance no matter whether you are pre, peri or post menopausal. Bio-identical hormones are prescribed as a last resort in balancing, not the first.