Hormonal imbalances are common, and they can be caused by several things, some of which include puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, stress, and aging. Medical conditions that affect any of the glands that make up the endocrine system can also cause a hormone imbalance. Examples of these conditions include hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, tumors, adenomas, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s disease. Radiation therapy to treat certain cancers can also heighten the risk of developing a hormonal imbalance.
The Importance of Hormone Balance: Why Healthy Hormone Levels Matter
Hormones secreted by the many glands that comprise the endocrine system facilitate numerous bodily functions that help sustain life. To appreciate what this all means, we need only look at an article published by Weill Cornell Medicine, a top-ranked medical and graduate school in New York City. It revealed hormones play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, growth and development, fertility, sex drive, metabolism, sleep, and much more. When someone develops a hormonal imbalance of any kind, it can trigger numerous unpleasant symptoms. Some of the more common ones include the following:
- Anxiety
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhea or frequent bowel movements
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Fatigue
- Gynecomastia in men
- High or elevated blood cholesterol levels
- Irregular heartbeat
- Low libido
- Paresthesia affecting the hands and feet
- Unintentional weight gain or weight loss
- Vaginal dryness in women
Understanding Hormone Therapy
Whether you’re a man or woman struggling with a hormonal imbalance, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help. These treatments consist of FDA-approved, injectable hormone replacement medications that help boost low hormone levels in the blood. For men with low testosterone, for example, the most common hormonal imbalance among men, HRT may entail receiving an Androgel, Fortesta, Testim, Vogelxo, or another testosterone replacement injection.
How To Legally Purchase Injections Online
Like any other prescription-based medication, being able to legally purchase testosterone injections online will require being diagnosed with a testosterone deficiency first. To determine whether or not a patient has a testosterone deficiency, a physician will conduct a physical exam, review their medical history, and order blood tests to assess their free and total testosterone levels.
According to the American Urological Association (AUA), testosterone levels measuring below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) are considered low. Healthy testosterone levels, meanwhile, are between 300 and 1,000 ng/dL or 10 to 35 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). If a testosterone deficiency is confirmed, the physician will provide the patient with a prescription for a specific testosterone replacement drug, which they can submit to an online pharmacy to have filled and delivered to them.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
As of the writing of this article, injections and other testosterone replacement treatments are not FDA-approved for use in women. However, there are oral medications, patches, and other treatments that can help them if they are struggling with low estrogen or progesterone levels, both of which are common among menopausal women and are known to trigger an onslaught of unpleasant symptoms. Some of the medications, patches, and other treatments that can help women diagnosed with these hormonal imbalances include the following:
- Activella
- Angeliq
- Climara Pro
- Combipatch
- Minivelle
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy
Autoimmune disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism in men and women. So that everyone is on the same page, hypothyroidism causes the thyroid glands to secrete below-average levels of three thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin. Levothyroxine is an oral medication that physicians often prescribe to individuals with hypothyroidism to help boost their thyroid levels.
HGH Deficiency and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Many men and women struggle with low HGH levels due to aging, underlying health problems, trauma, or medical treatments involving radiation therapy. As a result, many also experience unintentional weight gain, anxiety, depression, and a host of other symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy, which includes the use of injectable hormone replacement drugs, can stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete more HGH levels in the blood. And this, in turn, provides relief from symptoms related to low HGH levels. Examples of these drugs include the following:
- Genotropin
- Humatrope
- Norditropin
- Nutropin
- Saizen
- Sogroya
Health Risks Associated With Hormone Replacement Therapy
While HRT can stimulate an uptick in the production of various hormones that the body needs to function, it is not without some downsides. Studies show HRT involving the use of HGH replacement medications can increase the risks of blood clots, stroke, and even breast cancer in women. In men, the same treatment modality can lead to an increased risk of suffering from gynecomastia, diabetes, and sleep apnea. HRT to combat low testosterone also has some downsides.
Multiple studies show a correlation between testosterone replacement medications and an increased risk of liver and fertility problems in men. HRT to combat low estrogen and progesterone levels in women can also pose some health risks. Available data shows that estrogen and progesterone medications commonly prescribed to boost low estrogen in women can worsen menopausal symptoms and may even increase their chances of developing breast cancer. While the health risks associated with various forms of HRT are scary, the benefits far outweigh those health risks, say most physicians.
Natural and Proven Ways To Treat a Hormonal Imbalance
If you’re concerned about starting an HRT regimen to combat a hormonal imbalance because of the associated health risks, you have other options. Studies show that adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help resolve most hormonal imbalances. Doing so can also improve an individual’s overall health. These healthy lifestyle habits include consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting plenty of sleep each night. Not smoking and finding ways to cope with stress can also help. Taking the following vitamins and supplements can also aid in resolving many hormonal imbalances:
- B vitamins, such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid
- Magnesium
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D
In summary, HGH, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and other hormonal deficiencies can interfere with many bodily functions that not only keep us healthy but also sustain life. Fortunately, there are lifestyle habits we can adopt to help keep our hormone levels balanced. The same applies to prescription medications, vitamins, and supplements.