Addressing Hormone Imbalances 

Have you ever felt extreme fatigue? Experienced mood swings? Feel anxious or irritable? Have a lack of focus? Maybe it was what you had for lunch, or maybe, just maybe, it has to do with your hormones.  

I joined the Bothwell Regional Health Center medical team in March. As a board-certified OB/GYN physician, I provide specialized care in women’s health, with an emphasis on hormone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones. I’m pleased to offer this new service to women and men whose hormones are low or unbalanced.

Hormones are chemical messengers made by the endocrine glands that act to control certain actions of cells and organs. They work in a lock and key fashion. Do we age because we lose our hormones or do we lose our hormones because we age?

Over 1.3 million women enter menopause yearly, and the average age of menopause is 51. Symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, low libido and weight gain may begin up to 15 years earlier. Most women are affected in more ways than they realize. For example, 1 in 7 premenopausal (or perimenopausal) women die from heart disease. For post-menopausal women, that number increases to 1 in 3. For men, low testosterone can be exhibited in low libido, impotence, erectile dysfunction and weight gain.

As you can see, hormone imbalance occurs in men and women at any age. Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 and others affect bone health, memory, cholesterol, breast health and heart disease.

Analysis of hormone deficits begins with hormone testing through blood tests. Once your levels are identified, there are different methods of administration for treatment such as oral pills, patches, sublingual, injections, creams/gels and pellets inserted under the skin periodically in an in-office procedure. Most insurance companies will cover the required lab work and blood testing; however, hormone replacement treatment is not covered by insurance. 

Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT), also known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, involves using hormones that are similar to the ones produced by your own body. BHT can often provide better symptom relief and fewer side effects compared to synthetic hormone therapy.

It is important to recognize the importance of hormones. The first step is evaluation of your hormones and then discuss treatment options that are right for you with a qualified hormone expert such as me that will improve your quality of life. Your hormone health isn’t something you should lose sleep over.

Dr. Donald Peghee, Jr. is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and is accepting new patients at Bothwell OB/GYN Associates. To make an appointment to see him, call the clinic at 660.827.0015 or Centralized Scheduling at 660.829.8888; Dr. Peghee will be offering hormone replacement in the clinic by Aug. 1. When he is not caring for and supporting women through all stages of life, Dr. Peghee enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, watching sports and playing pool.