Hormone Decline and Common Symptoms


     The physical and mental symptoms of ovarian decline (causing a hormone deficiency) are so varied and bizarre that most physicians are hopelessly puzzled at the recital of symptoms. Women complain of nervousness, irritability, anxiety, apprehension, hot flashes, night sweats, joint pain, depression, heart palpitations, crying spells, weakness, dizziness, headaches – sometimes severe, poor concentration, loss of memory, chronic indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, bladder discomfort, frequent urination, itching of the skin, dryness of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and backache. In some women these symptoms can appear as early as the mid-30's. Frequently menstrual irregularities accompany this decline, but not in every case. It is possible that although women may continue to have regular menstrual cycles, hormonal production is slowing and symptoms will begin to occur. (The Ovarian Stroma has started to decline.)

     In addition, prolonged menopausal neglect and hormone depletion results in loss of bone, and causes the formation of arteriosclerosis and mental deterioration. Though the physical suffering can be truly awful, what is even more tragic is the destruction of the personality. So many women drift into a stupor of indifference. The symptoms women experience can range from mild to very severe. Even when there are minimal symptoms noticed, the changes of aging are occurring in your body. These changes can lead to cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, general debility, cancers, memory loss, and other brain dysfunctions.

     Doctors worldwide hear the symptoms listed on the “Hormonal Symptom/Relief Checklist”, from patients every day. A few women experience all of them. Usually a perimenopausal or menopausal woman will have several. These symptoms will markedly lessen or disappear completely with natural human hormone replacement. Bone mineral density is maintained or can be regained if already lost. Your good (HDL) cholesterol goes up, the bad (LDL) cholesterol goes down. Body fat lessens. Muscle strength increases and energy level noticeably increases.

     In addition, so many mental symptoms are alleviated. Word recall and memory are improved. The relationship-destroying symptoms of irritability, mood swings, and depression are very frequently stopped. When you read the symptom list, try not to evaluate why you have a symptom, just mark the symptom if you have it.

     I use the checklist for three reasons:

1. When a patient sees the checklist, she frequently cries. She immediately realizes that she isn't alone with her symptoms and asks, "How could you have a checklist that describes all of my symptoms when I just met you?"

2. The list also implies that there is hope. Why would I have a list of symptoms if nothing could be done to alleviate them?

3. It is human nature to forget how bad we felt after we feel well again. The list is an objective reminder of the symptoms that were present before starting the natural human hormone therapy. Frequently, when looking back on the symptom list after just six weeks into therapy, a woman will say, "Oh, I forgot I had that symptom."

 

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