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There are numerous reasons why women may struggle to maintain a healthy weight.  Many factors contribute to weight gain such as a poor diet and lack of exercise but 1 in 10 women are affected by a condition called PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.  

 

Often, PCOS goes undiagnosed for an extended period of time as it shares the same symptoms as other women’s health issues.  Women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and are insulin resistant which leads to serious complications.  What should you know so you get diagnosed before your weight exceeds healthy levels?

 

 

Common symptoms include irregular periods, infertility (due to poor ovulation), hair growth, and unusual weight gain.  Often, women will go on a diet plan to reduce calorie intake or increase the frequency of exercise to overcome the weight gain but continue to gain weight.  Additionally, excess hair growth may take place on the face, chest, stomach, and back.

 

The underlying problem in women with PCOS is that it makes it difficult for the body to use insulin.  Insulin difficulties where glucose is not properly absorbed from the bloodstream lead to a condition known as insulin resistance.

 

The production of male hormones increases when insulin levels are high which causes weight gain to happen in the abdominal area since this is triggered by male hormones.  Excessive fat in the abdominal area increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, sleep apnea, and heart disease.  How can you avoid additional health complications?

 

 

Signs of polycystic ovaries in patients can start from the adolescent years to post menopausal depending on the type and severity.  The key is to get diagnosed early through patient symptoms, a vaginal ultrasound, and lab tests.  Specific treatments for each symptom are available through Kristi and Dr. Mac to control your hormones and weight.  If left untreated after a diagnosis, women with PCOS can expect to gain 60 pounds over the next 10 years!

Women strive for a long-term healthy lifestyle which is free from risks that may potentially cause complications in the future.  During a hysterectomy, the uterus is removed which often leads to a decision about removal of other organs such as the ovaries.  Many gynecologists decide to remove the ovaries with a hysterectomy if the woman is younger than 51 to reduce the risk of cancer.  What will influence the extent of your hysterectomy procedure?

 

 

There are several different types of a hysterectomy but frequently the procedure involves an oophorectomy where the ovaries are removed.  The decision to have a hysterectomy is usually due to any of the following reasons: fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, uterine prolapsed, endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and cancer of the uterus, ovaries, or cervix.

 

Ovaries removed during a hysterectomy are believed to reduce the risk for ovarian cancer by 80-90% and breast cancer by 50-60% with no further HRT.  However, hormone levels drastically drop after the ovaries are removed since they are the main producer of estrogen.

 

After a hysterectomy, immediate hormone replacement therapy is vital towards feeling your best as healthy hormone levels are maintained.  Dr. Mac or Kristi guide many women to make a long-term decision in their best interest and retain a healthy lifestyle with hormone replacement therapy.  Will you choose HRT to counteract the hormones you have lost?

 

 

A hysterectomy treats numerous conditions and lowers a woman’s risk for cancer.  With hormone replacement therapy, a woman’s quality of life is greatly improved since hormones affect the body in a variety of ways.  Non-replacement of hormones would increase the aging process and lead to an earlier possibility of dying. Additionally, other chronic conditions may develop that include arteriosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that occurs in 10-15% of women where hormone levels are out of balance.  Women of reproductive age should know the symptoms and what increases their risk of having polycystic ovaries.

 

The cause of PCOS is unknown but if you have a family history of it then you are 40% more likely of developing polycystic ovaries as it appears to be genetic.  The key is to recognize the symptoms early on and get tested so treatment can begin that stops any progress of this debilitating disorder.  Do you know the symptoms to watch for so you avoid the metabolic syndrome?

 

 

There are a variety of signs and symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome that women might notice.  Symptoms are: excess hair growth, irregular menses, diabetes, acne, sleep apnea, mood disorders, cardiovascular disease, and weight gain.  Each woman is affected differently but weight gain typically causes these symptoms to worsen.  Once you recognize these symptoms, what action will you take?

 

Never risk your health or presume your symptoms will improve without treatment.  To get an appropriate diagnosis, Dr. Mac or Kristi will check to see if you have at least 2 of the following: excessive hair growth, irregular ovulation, and enlarged ovaries.  If PCOS is left untreated, the metabolic syndrome often ensues as significant weight gain happens due to insulin resistance, Type II Diabetes, and elevated lipids.  

 

 

Frequently, weight gain has already taken place in several women who are diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome.  Weight loss through High Intensity Interval Training and a low carbohydrate diet helps many patients see an improvement in their health with as little as a 5% weight loss.  Additionally, our medically managed HCG diet plan guides women who are significantly overweight to feeling their best as they lose 15-20 pounds during the first month!

Pain and infertility during a woman’s reproductive years may point to one condition known as endometriosis. Today, over 10 million women in the U.S. alone have endometriosis but remain unaware since it generally takes 8-10 years after symptoms begin before a woman is diagnosed.  Endometriosis is a painful disease where the tissue usually found inside the uterus on the uterine wall is now outside the uterus.  How will you know if you have endometriosis so you receive proper treatment?

 

 

There are many symptoms associated with endometriosis that each woman in their reproductive years should be informed about.  However, this disease is commonly misdiagnosed as some women show no symptoms. Typically, endometriosis causes cramps with menses, fatigue, pelvic pain, infertility, and pain with intercourse.

 

The only way to diagnose endometriosis accurately is to have a laparoscopy performed since there is no blood or urine test to confirm the condition.  The severe pain linked to endometriosis is due to the misplaced tissue that grows outside the uterus.  During a menstrual cycle, blood from the endometrial growths has no way of exiting the body unlike the endometrial tissue lining the uterus.

 

When that happens, it causes inflammation of the surrounding tissue as the blood remains in the body.  As a result, scar tissue and adhesions form around pelvic organs and compress them to the point it interferes in the organ’s function.  Organs responsible for fertility become damaged or blocked during severe endometriosis as 30-40% of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility.

 

 

If a laparoscopy reveals growths, standard treatment is to remove the growth by having laparoscopic excision surgery.  This type of surgery will excise the disease from above and below the surface.  The earlier you get diagnosed, the sooner you become aware of your condition and get the infertility treatment you need to relieve your pain!
 

For some women, feeling older than their age is just a part of life they have learned to accept and contribute to the aging process.  Premature aging in women may occur indirectly as a result of having their ovaries removed during a hysterectomy.  A study shows that 1 in 3 gynecologists do this to reduce a woman’s risk for breast and ovarian cancer.  Yet, removal of the ovaries will cause a hormonal imbalance that can lead a decrease in quality of life.

 

 

A deficiency in hormone levels puts you at a higher risk for other medical issues which are known to deplete your quality of life.  With bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), women enjoy healthy estradiol levels and regain that youthful feeling as hormone levels are kept in balance.  Women also benefit from using bioidentical hormones as they experience no increase in arteriosclerosis, loss of bone density, and other menopausal symptoms.

 

As a matter of fact, menopausal symptoms disappear and women with a family history of Alzheimer’s notice less amyloid deposits in the brain when using the estradiol patch.  Meet with Dr. Mac or Kristi to have your hormone levels measured and start an anti-aging plan in Indianapolis that restores a youthful feeling!

 

 

According to one study, women who decide not to use bioidentical hormones or stop using them tend to experience a return of menopausal symptoms.  These symptoms include hot flashes, weight gain, difficulty sleeping, and a decrease in bone density.  All of these add to that feeling of aging where your daily life seems more difficult than you expect.  With bioidentical HRT, hormones are restored to adequate levels which promote a superior quality of life that helps prevent premature aging.

Acne is typically thought of as an annoyance that most teenagers experience at some point and find relief through standard measures.  Though, a number of women discover these measures of clearing skin problems to be ineffective as they search for a treatment that yields results.

 

Persistent acne may be caused by a female hormonal disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS. Women with polycystic ovaries have higher testosterone levels that cause the sebaceous glands to increase production of an oily substance called sebum.  When that happens, it results in acne of areas which are more sensitive to hormones.

 

 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition where a woman has an imbalance of hormone levels which leads to the growth of ovarian cysts.  The first step in determining if hormones are the cause of your acne is to have hormone levels tested.  The test measures androgens to see if hormone levels are elevated and validate the root cause of acne.

 

There are a variety of symptoms related to polycystic ovarian syndrome but many women that have acne find out they have a hormonal disorder.  During this time, an imbalance of hormones is primarily responsible for acne and oily skin as there is an excessive production of male hormones.  Hormonal treatment typically gives the best result towards clear skin as it blocks the effect that androgens have on oil glands.  Are you ready to live acne-free?

 

 

Acne problems may seem like they never improve no matter how well you practice good hygiene and avoid fatty foods.  Each woman is different but hormonal replacement therapy in Indianapolis from Dr. Mac and Kristi leads to balanced hormone levels where women enjoy much clearer skin.  This form of treatment may be necessary for you to have clear skin as it addresses the core of how acne begins in women with polycystic ovaries.

The HCG diet is an effective way to rapidly lose weight when a low calorie diet is paired with injections of HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin.  Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced during pregnancy by the placenta which is critical to the success of a pregnancy.  This hormone may also be used to treat infertility in women so becoming pregnant while receiving injections on the HCG diet is a greater possibility.

 

 

The decision to start the HCG diet should weigh all the benefits and risks that specifically apply to you.  Women who are wanting to lose weight and have no plans to become pregnant need to take precautionary measures. After all, this hormone increases fertility and staying focused on losing weight is the main goal on a diet.

 

Though, the amount of HCG administered while dieting is limited to small amounts.  Comparatively, dosage amounts for fertility treatment are twice the amount of what doctors use for weight loss on the HCG diet.  Other women may have intentions of becoming pregnant but are too overweight.

 

Often, a body mass index (BMI) over 30 tends to make it more difficult to conceive compared to a healthier BMI of 18.5 to 25.  On the HCG diet, rapid weight loss occurs and a woman’s weight shifts to a healthy range where fertility is no longer an issue.  What if a pregnancy test reads positive while you are on the HCG diet?

 

 

A pregnancy test determines if a woman is pregnant by measuring the presence of HCG in urine or blood. Injections of human chorionic gonadotropin are detectable on a pregnancy test and will indicate a positive result even if you are not pregnant.  Talk with Dr. Mac or Kristi today about an HCG diet in Indianapolis with consideration to pregnancy.
 

Women’s health may vary in many ways through the transition of menopause.  Rapid hormone fluctuations have a troubling effect on some women that causes them to experience new levels of unexplainable emotions.  Other women experience a smoother transition during this time without the emotional "ups and downs".

 

Feelings of intense sadness, irritability, and mood swings can occur around the time of menopause that ultimately have an impact on a woman’s health.  Generally, physical changes are noticed first but your emotional well-being is an important component to your health as well and should always be a concern.

 

 

Some women have a personality of naturally being more emotional at times than others.  When hormones change, it can set off chemical changes in the brain that play a key role in controlling your mood.  If you experience mood swings before menopause then you could be more emotional through the menopausal transition.  Feeling down for a day or two could lead to more frequent feelings of anxiety, sadness, irritability, and even depression if left untreated.

 

Women that have their emotional health under control increase their chances to overcome challenges and recover from stressful situations.  Often, women with a greater emotional well-being maintain a positive outlook through menopause as they avoid negative mood states.  Mild emotional symptoms can be corrected with lifestyle changes by eating a healthy diet, exercising, and reducing stress.  What should you do if your emotional symptoms persist?

 

 

Lifestyle changes may be inadequate when attempting to improve your emotional health.  Ordinarily, hormone replacement therapy is used as an effective treatment of physical symptoms related to menopause but may help relieve emotional symptoms.  Live life to the fullest with a menopause treatment in Indianapolis from Dr. Mac or Kristi to get the relief you deserve.

Hormone replacement therapy is often considered just a concern for women as they deal with the effects of changing hormones associated with menopause.  Yet, more male patients report feeling excessively fatigued, depressed mood, and a loss in their sex drive as they age.

 

Some men think this is simply due to getting older since testosterone levels decline over a long period of time. As a result, it becomes difficult to notice the subtle changes that are happening because of low T.  When should you meet with Dr. Mac or Kristi about a low T treatment in Indianapolis to discuss your testosterone levels getting lower?

 

 

In men, testosterone is a hormone that helps maintain strength, bone density, sex drive, muscle mass, and fat distribution.  A testosterone deficiency can have an adverse effect on a man’s health especially if the total testosterone level is less than 300 nanograms per deciliter.  Often, a majority of men are not aware they have a testosterone deficiency.

 

In fact, studies suggest that 1 in 4 men over the age of 30 have low testosterone levels but only 5% of them reported having any symptoms.  For some men, a slight decrease is overlooked but symptoms may start to appear after numerous years of a 1% decline each year.  If that happens, schedule an appointment to get your testosterone levels checked.

 

 

By now, you know a few of the symptoms related to low testosterone.  All men should be aware of them to prevent unnecessary suffering in the future.  With hormone therapy, routine check-ups ensure testosterone levels remain steady and you enjoy an improved quality of life.  The level of testosterone between men varies but low T has increased in numbers as more men live past the age of 60.

Male menopause is an unfamiliar term for most people as men do not experience a drastic decline in hormones the same way women do.  Male menopause or andropause refers to a gradual decline in testosterone levels as a man ages.  Declining levels of testosterone in men usually start around the age of 40 but are rarely noticeable under the age of 60.  You might be wondering, what are the symptoms of low testosterone?

 

 

Some symptoms may be difficult to notice since the production of testosterone slowly declines over a period of many years.  In a day, total testosterone levels fluctuate with it being lowest in the evening and highest in the morning.  Low testosterone or low T can lead to feelings of fatigue, depression, weakness, and sexual problems.

 

Sexual problems such as infertility, a lower sex drive (decreased libido), and erectile dysfunction can all point back to a low level of testosterone.  These signs may also be caused by another condition and other men may have no symptoms at all.  The only way to properly diagnose low T or male menopause is to have a blood test ordered.  Are you seeking relief from symptoms of male menopause?

 

 

A blood test measures your testosterone level to rule out any medical issues that could be partly responsible for your condition.  A medical condition could be the reason of low testosterone levels and treating this condition might raise your level of testosterone and relieve your symptoms.

 

The normal total testosterone level for an adult male is around 300 to 1,070 nanograms per deciliter with testosterone levels declining 1% per year after the age of 30.  If you are experiencing low testosterone, take back your vitality with a low T treatment in Indianapolis from Dr. Mac or Kristi.