Tag Archives: Endocrine gland

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

December 25, 2014

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)The estrogen hormone plays crucial roles in the life of a woman. Among other things this hormone is responsible for the maintenance of human skin. They improve collagen content and quality, increase skin thickness and improve blood supply to the skin, maintaining good moods in women. Estrogen has effects on other hormones too as it increases cortisol and Sex hormone binding globulin. Estrogens increase melanin and pheomelanin and reduce eumelanin.

The known basic roles of estrogen hormones in women is that it promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs and keeps the vagina moisturized, elastic and well supplied with blood. Moisturized vagina is safe for sex as it will not allow for bruises that may be a source of pain during sex. This hormone also makes the vagina elastic hence making it able to accommodate a good size of penis during intercourse without pain.  When this hormone declines all its functions will become unattended to making sex a rare practice for those in post menopause.

Despites its benefits, after menopause the ovaries of women stops producing certain hormones and this lead to lower levels of these hormones in the body. The hormones; progesterone, estrogen and testosterone plays certain crucial roles in the body of a woman.

The decline in the levels of this hormone leads to low sex drive among other problems. The person loses interest in sex and sexual intercourse becomes a once in a while indulgence as opposed to a regular activity that it was before menopause.

Low Estrogen Symptoms

Low estrogen levels are low moments for every woman. During this time women will suffer varied symptoms that lasts for varied length of time however few women will be able to know that they are suffering the symptoms as a result of decline in the levels of estrogen hormone. It is advisable that every woman should have her levels of estrogen hormone checked frequently to shun the chances of being debilitated by these symptoms. Symptoms of low estrogen hormones include the following

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Loss of libido
  • Mood swings
  • Hot flashes
  • Night sweats
  • Anxiety
  • Thinning hair
  • Weight gain
  • Arthritis
  • Difficulty concentrating

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) 

During menopause the production of estrogen hormones stops but the need for estrogen hormone still stands therefore the need to supplement this crucial hormone sets in, besides with low levels of this hormone women suffer such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis among other conditions. Going for estrogen replacement therapy may help fight against the symptoms of menopause in women.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy has helped many women to win fight against post menopause symptoms. Here are some benefits of Estrogen Replacement Therapy.

  • Help prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis by slowing bone loss and promoting some increase in bone density.
  • Reduce the risk of dental problems, such as tooth loss and gum disease.
  • Maintain the lining of the vagina, reducing irritation.
  • Reduce the frequency and severity of hot flashes.
  • Improve moodiness and sleep problems related to hormone changes.
  • Increase skin collagen levels, which decline as estrogen levels decline. Collagen is responsible for the stretch in skin and muscle.

Risks associated with ERT

Despite its many benefits there are also risks associated with ERT. These risks may include;

  • Vaginal discharge.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Weight gain.
  • Breast tenderness.
  • Spots on skin may appear
  • In rare cases, an increased growth of preexisting uterine fibroids or a worsening of endometriosis.

Natural Estrogen Replacement

There are some risks associated with ERT, however the good news is that both diet and the right supplements provide some of the safest and most effective hormone balancing remedies. One of the favorite and best-researched foods for menopausal symptoms is flaxseed. Flaxseeds offer a high content of essential fatty acids and large quantities of a natural hormone-balancing substance known as lignins. Lignins are very potent anti-cancer agents for cancers that are hormone sensitive and extensive studies on both colon and breast cancer show that as little as 2 tablespoons per day is highly effective in reducing tumor growth. The best news of all: Lignins possess both anti-estrogen and estrogenic properties. With regard to menopausal symptoms, they are as effective as traditional HRT in lessening hot flashes and sweating. Grind up a couple of tablespoons a day and put it in your smoothie, yogurt, or cereal. You’ve then got one of the best sources for health, healing, and taking charge of your menopausal symptoms naturally.

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT)

Another nature given remedy for low estrogen symptoms is the evening primrose oil, which is a source of GLA, an essential fatty acid has been found to be mostly helpful for getting rid of cramping, irritability, headaches, and water retention that are so common with PMS. But its benefits don’t just stop with PMS. It can also be used in a natural hormone replacement therapy in menopause. It works to suppress hot flashes and triggers the production of serotonin, the feel good hormone in the brain. Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and plain old dry skin are marvelously helped with evening primrose oil and other GLA-containing botanicals. It is one of the most potent inner and outer menopausal and skin care treatments known.

Dr. Dalal Akoury of AWAREmed wellness and resource center is an expert in integrative treatment and has helped many women fight menopause symptoms naturally. If you’re struggling with menopause or dealing with low estrogen symptoms like hot flashes, joint pain and depression, estrogen hormone replacement therapy (ERT) may be the answer. Please call (843) 213-1480 to contact her.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

 

Related articles
Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Dangers of Testosterone Treatment for Men Without Estrogen

September 2, 2014

Testosterone Treatment for Men without Estrogen Blockade Is Dangerous

Testosterone Treatment for MenHormones are the body’s messengers that are made by the Endocrine glands and they flow through the bloodstream to the organs and tissues. The hormones affect bodily functions and so are important in the entire human body. Our bodies function well when hormonal balance is achieved, the entire body becomes healthier and you can be cancer free as well as enjoy a life free from other diseases that are caused by hormonal imbalance. However the body may experience hormonal fluctuations naturally. This is because as we grow some hormones become more dominant. So hormonal fluctuation naturally happen during certain stages in life like puberty, pregnancy and menopause in women. In men also the levels of hormones fluctuate naturally with age which is quite normal.

Androgen which are the male sex hormones are responsible for many functions especially testosterone which is the major male hormone. One of the greatest functions of this hormone is its sexual functions. When it is available in low levels then the person should go for testosterone treatment in order to function well sexually among other benefits associated with optimum levels of testosterone hormones in the body of a man.

Natural fluctuations in hormones may not be so dangerous to our health but when hormonal imbalance is caused by environmental factors such as toxins in the air we breathe or in the foods we eat, our lifestyle begin to beckon cancer. So it is wise to prevent the causes of hormonal imbalance that are within our control so as to be free from cancer and other diseases associated with hormonal imbalance.

Many researchers have linked hormonal imbalance to cancers. Prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer and cancer of the ovary are attributed to the dominance of estrogen hormone. This hormone is present in our environment. It is found in our foods especially in commercial poultry, household plastics may contain estrogen compounds as well as the pesticides we use in our crops. The dominance of estrogen hormones has left us at risk of cancer.

Testosterone therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy involves supplementation of testosterone inform of injections, pellets, patches or gel in order to treat conditions in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone. It is also available in IV forms. Just like the estrogen replacement therapy in women, this ought to be done by an expert as the dosage is important for better results and to mitigate on the side effects. This therefore cannot be done without the help of an expert. This therapy has been found to be effective in fighting hypogonadism. It is also good in improves energy levels, perfect body mass, sex functions and muscle strength among other benefits.

Testosterone therapy has very many benefits to the body but if it is done without blocking estrogen it may lead to estrogen dominance in the males which increases cancer risk.

Testosterone Treatment for MenEstrogen dominance– cancer has been linked to estrogen dominance in the body. In a case where estrogen is excessively higher than the testosterone hormones in the body the hormonal environment in the body becomes conducive for the growth of cancer cells. Just like Estrogen hormones dominance in women is known to cause breast cancer it also puts men at high risk of prostate cancer and other types of cancer.

An imbalance between the testosterone and estrogen hormones is a major cause of cancer. The level of testosterone is always lowered during old age as the production of this hormone becomes slowed. When production of this hormone is reduced, the body will have high estrogen hormones hence exposing men to cancer. Though not known to many, men also have estrogen in their bodies but not as much as women. A key approach to cancer prevention is in ensuring a balance between the estrogen and testosterone hormone is achieved.

Artificial hormone xenoestrogen adds the estrogen activities in our bodies. We get this hormone in commercial dairy products that are from animals injected with growth hormones and it acts as estrogen in our bodies. It is also available in pesticides used to spray crops and unfortunately they end up in our bodies. When introduced in the body they inhabit fatty tissues like the breast tissues and hence favor growth of cancerous cells in the breast. This hormone is more poisonous than natural ‘estrogen dominance’ and it also poisons the DNA, unfortunately xenoestrogen cannot be easily removed from the body.

Using estrogen Blockers to reduce cancer risk in men

In men the levels of estrogen should be low as they do not have many functions as in the women. Generally they are low but it is good to note that estrogen is a byproduct of testosterone conversion in men therefore increasing the levels of testosterone in the body without blocking estrogen can lead to higher than recommended levels of hormones in the body. When estrogens are higher than normal it indicates that the testosterone levels are lower than required. At this point it is advisable to use estrogen blockers even as you are undergoing testosterone replacement therapy to lower the levels of estrogen hormones that is already high failure to which there will be estrogen dominance in you and this is known to beckon cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors can be used since aromatase is the enzymes that convert testosterone to estrogen hormone and this will lead to rise in estrogen hormone levels in men. When this hormone is blocked then the testosterone levels will increase as estrogen levels decrease and this will help in avoiding estrogen dominance.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has also helped many people regain their sex appetite and add more fun their sexual life. She founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center which is home to many people seeking health breakthrough. Call on her now and learn more on how to enhance your sexual health.

Testosterone Treatment for Men without Estrogen Blockade Is Dangerous

Related articles

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

Insulin Resistance

August 17, 2014

Insulin resistance increases cancer risk

Insulin ResistanceInsulin is a crucial hormone in the body. Hormones are the body’s messengers that are made by the Endocrine glands. The hormones flow through the bloodstream to the organs and tissues where they help in accomplishing some bodily processes. The hormones are very important in the entire body of humans as they affect most bodily functions. The hormones will give us good health when there functions are at optimum. In case they do not function well a person may get some diseases and the major cause of hormonal dysfunction is hormonal imbalance. In case the balance between crucial hormones is not achieved disease like cancer will be knocking on the doors of your immunity. The changes in hormone dominance may occur naturally. This is because as we are growing production of some hormones is halted leading to some hormones being dominant. This can be addressed by help of an integrative cancer doctors as dominance of certain hormones increases your risk to cancer. However these fluctuations in levels of hormones may be induced by environmental factors such as the pathogens in the environments and the heavy metals that may remain in the vegetables we eat as a result of harmful herbicides used. Hormones play a great role in cancer etiology and therefore levels of some hormones like insulin should be monitored to avoid levels that may increase cancer risk.

Insulin Hormone Resistance

The blood sugar level is controlled by insulin hormone. It is responsible for transporting food that is converted into simple sugar (glucose) and transports it to the cells where it is broken down through oxidation to release energy. At times our bodies may have more sugar than what the insulin hormone can transport. This will lead to insulin resistance and eventually will cause obesity and diabetes. The connection between insulin resistance and cancer is that, when there is plethora of carbohydrates that cannot be broken down, they are store as fats. Excess body fats increase the levels of estrogen hormones, estrogen dominance leads to higher risk of breast cancer.

Insulin resistance is a situation is a condition when the body organs become resistant to insulin’s ability to transport the glucose into the cells. This condition is common after taking a meal that is high in carbohydrates. When there is insulin resistance and the glucose is not transported into the cells, the pancreas will react by producing more insulin hormones which leads to high hormonal levels in the blood. The pancreas may compensate for insulin resistance for some time but this won’t last long, therefore when the pancreas becomes overwhelmed and stops producing more hormones the insulin level in the blood will drop therefore leading to high sugar levels in the blood this increases cancer risk. Researchers have opined that insulin hormone resistance may be caused by obesity.

Insulin hormone inhibits growth and it increases when we eat more processed foods, carbohydrates and sweets. When this hormone is in high levels it increases the Insulin growth factor (IGF) which triggers the growth of cancer cells. There is a research that was done by Vanderbilt University in 2004, the findings of this research proved that increased growth factor and insulin resistance increased the risk of breast cancer in women. Women who have high levels of insulin resistance and increased growth factor are highly at risk of getting breast cancer. Another doctor, Dr. Pamela Goodwin while working at Mt. Sinai Hospital observed that most of the women who had breast cancer had high Insulin growth factor.

Insulin can also increase the sensitivity of cells towards other growth factors. Cancer is a disease that is rather complex and multifactorial but all types of cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth and cell division. They are also resistant to programmed death also known as mitosis. Growth factors have been shown to be critical to cancer development and growth.  Researchers have shown that people who have higher levels of insulin growth factors are at increased risk of cancers such as the colon, breast and prostate cancer than those who have lower levels of Insulin growth factors.

Insulin resistance affects the ability of the insulin to transport the glucose into the cells but it does not affect the growth promoting abilities of the insulin hormone. The glucose transporting ability is the only thing affected. This therefore means that in a case of insulin resistance the high levels of circulating insulin hormones may increase risk to cancer in a person. The pancreases ability to supply high levels of hormones during insulin resistance may help in avoiding diabetes but are worst to cancer as higher levels of circulating hormones increases cancer risk.

Insulin ResistanceDifferent organs breast differently to high insulin levels in circulation .some organs become more vulnerable to the adverse effects of insulin hormone while others are not as vulnerable. The most vulnerable organ is the colon. Researchers have shown that colon has risk factors similar to diabetes. Factors that increase colon cancer risk include obesity, extra fat along the waistline, and lack of exercise, refined foods and diets that are high in saturated fats.

Dr. Dalal Akoury (MD) is an experienced integrative cancer doctor that has helped many cancer patients in their fight against the disease. She has worked hard not only in treating the disease but also in availing informational support to cancer patients at Awaremed which has become a place called home for many cancer patients. Call on her now and get help on cancer.

Insulin resistance increases cancer risk

Related articles

Facebooktwitterpinterestlinkedin

  • Recent Posts

  • Blog Categories