WHAT CAN I DO TO BETTER UNDERSTAND MY HORMONES?
Your Path to individual health restoration is a personalized plan. While there are no easy answers, a careful understanding of male and female hormone and biochemical systems can be designed to optimize hormones. Many times, this uncovers underlying conditions which may be impacting your health.
TESTING AND SOLUTIONS
Most men benefit from hormone testing which can give us a detailed understanding of the status of their stress regulation, organ functions and sex hormones. This usually begins with a simple blood test and a urine or saliva test for hormone activity.
Restoring Testosterone
LOW TESTOSTERONE DIRECTLY CONTROLS SEXUAL CAPABILITY
Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their early 30's. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid 40's to mid 50's, some into their late 70's to early 80's. Men should be tested when they begin to show signs of testosterone deficiency such as brain fog, memory loss, mood changes, anxiety, joint pain, insomnia and erectile dysfunction, to name a few. Even men in their 30's can be testosterone deficient and show signs of bone loss, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping and mental decline. Most men need to be tested around 50 years of age, but it is not routinely done. It is never too late to benefit from hormone therapy.
SYMPTOMS OF LOW TESTOSTERONE:
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Lack of energy & generalized fatigue
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Loss of stamina
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Loss of strength and muscle mass
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Problems with memory problems
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Loss of sex drive
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Erectile dysfunction
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (ED)
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized by the inability to attain and maintain a firm erection to engage in sexual activity or intercourse. The root cause of ED varies, but in most cases a hormone imbalance is to blame.
Men who frequently experience high levels of stress can secrete excess cortisol, which can negatively impact testosterone. At high levels, prolactin, a chemical produced by the pituitary gland, can impair the achievement of an erection. Overproduction of prolactin causes a decline in testosterone leading to ED. Hypothyroidism is often correlated with an increased production of prolactin.
Too much estrogen, a condition known as estrogen dominance, can also impair erectile function. Liver disease is one factor that commonly contributes to estrogen dominance. However, estrogen dominance can also occur when testosterone levels drop as a result of aging. The symptoms of estrogen dominance include: weight gain, anxiety, gynecomastia, or loss of muscle mass.
Conditions that cause constriction of the veins, diabetes, and certain blood pressure medications are also associated with ED. Unrestricted blood flow is important to achieving an erection. When an erection occurs, the brain signals the release of nitric oxide. This triggers relaxation of the penis muscles and allows blood to flow into the organ. If nitric oxide is not released or blood flow is restricted due to high levels of plaque in the body, an erection will not occur.
Inadequate levels of testosterone are correlated with more serious issues than just sexual dysfunction. Research has shown that low testosterone can increase risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.
If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, don’t wait to get help. We look forward to helping you develop your health enhancement plan.