If you are just starting out on bio-identical hormones or you have
been on them for several years, at some point in time you may
want to adjust your dosage. Women’s bodies change all the time
and hormone levels also change. In order to know what you need
to do just follow these simple suggestions.
If your estrogen level is too low you will experience hot flashes
and night sweats. Some women have trouble falling asleep and
also trouble staying asleep. You may experience vaginal symptoms
such as dryness, low sex drive, yeast infections and maybe painful
intercourse. Low estrogen can cause mild depression, foggy
thinking, and memory lapses. Your skin and hair can appear dry
and some women complain of heart palpitations.
If your estrogen level is too high you will experience weight gain
and craving for sweets. Some women have breast symptoms such
as swelling, tenderness or fibroids. High estrogen levels can make
you irritable, nervous with anxiety, experience mood swings, and
feelings of fatigue. High estrogen or progesterone can cause
swelling or water retention.
If your progesterone levels are too low the symptoms are going to
be very similar to excess estrogen. These symptoms include
headache, anxiety, acne, weight gain, mild depression, mood
swings and fuzzy thinking. Your sex drive may be low and you may
experience some joint pain.
If your progesterone levels are too high the symptoms are going
to be very similar to estrogen deficiency. These symptoms include
drowsiness, GI bloating, breast swelling, yeast infections,
headache or mild depression.
If your testosterone level is too low you will experience prolonged
fatigue and blunted motivation. Some women describe these
feelings as not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Low sex
drive and vaginal dryness is associated with low testosterone and
is the number one reason testosterone is prescribed. Some
women with low levels will experience memory problems, muscle
weakness, heart palpitations, bone loss, fibromyalgia, and thin
skin. Sphincter control is associated with testosterone and you
would experience bladder leakage when coughing, sneezing or
laughing.
If your testosterone level is too high you will experience acne,
insomnia, irritability or moodiness. You can also pick up male type
patterns such as deepening of the voice, loss of scalp hair, facial
hair growth or clitoral enlargement. All of these effects are
completely reversible once the dosage has been lowered or you
quit using testosterone supplementation.
