Walter Schwartz, D.O., board-certified internist and cardiologist, ten years ago started specialized training in the area of male and female menopause, erectile dysfunction, and disease of the thyroid gland.
During the process of fertilization and implantation of the ovum, the body prepares for bringing forth new life. There is a symphony of hormones that work together in providing the best possible environment for proper reproduction. And we see the intricacy of this symphony in every stage of life from conception up until death.
There are ten very important hormones that are on the team to help maintain and regulate our endocrine systems. They are: Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin, and the Human Growth Hormone.
During their 40’s men and women start to notice signs of decreasing levels of these essential hormones that keep our bodies, minds and spirits in top condition. The balance is complex, with each hormone responsible for specific functions that usually act in relation to the others. When one hormone is out of balance or is low all others become affected causing great disharmony in more than just the body.
Hormones are the chemicals that regulate, guide, start, and stop and maintain most of our body’s functions and levels of vitality. Even some hormones related to excessive stress can be the cause of cell death and major disharmony in the body. As we age and become aware of these important chemicals that run out body it is essential that we educate ourselves about what each one does and how they affect us in every area of our lives.
Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, DHEA, Thyroid, Cortisol, Adrenaline, Insulin, Melatonin, and Human Growth Hormone along with oxygen, water and blood seem to be the vital components that make us tick.
With the help of bioidentical hormones lets tick-tock with zest for as long as we can. There is no reason why we as men and women need to suffer the inconvenient and life disturbing symptoms caused by low level of our essential hormones.
1. Conception- Progesterone prepares the uterus wall to accept a fertilized egg and support it during its growth during pregnancy. This hormone also helps prevent contraction, which would cause the pregnancy to abort.
When the ovum is implanted it secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which extends the life of the corpus luteum. This allows for estrogen and progesterone to be continually produced and provides an inviting environment in the endometruim lining. This hCG hormone is seen in the blood and is what is found in the urine to determine pregnancy. The placenta produces a hormone called human placental lactogen, which helps with cell growth of the fetus and the lactation of the breasts. Estrogen helps aid the growth of the breasts and progesterone helps with the lobule-alveolar development.
2. Gestation: This is the period of Inter-uterine development from conception until birth, which lasts 9 months, 37-42 weeks. Estrone (E3) is the form of estrogen most abundant during pregnancy and is produced by the placenta. The pituitary gland enlarges producing oxytocin, which stimulates the muscles of the uterus and lactation. Estrogen affects the metabolism of cortisol during pregnancy and the activity of the adrenal cortex, which is found on top of the kidneys. Kidneys also produce aldosterone, which is responsible for the balance of salt and water. During pregnancy it is more difficult to handle salt and therefore symptoms of adema are common. Relaxin is the hormone that helps the muscles and ligaments relax and stretch as well as the spreading of the pelvis during pregnancy preparing for a baby to move through birth canal. The “fight or flight” hormones affect the level of oxygen sent to the placenta. Consuming caffeine or being under high stress causes the blood vessels to constrict. Feelings of anxiety and fear stimulate adrenaline and noradrenalin, which can affect the natural flow of labor.
3. Birth: The mother and the baby each have specific hormones that are stimulated and released to be in synch and prepare the body to naturally contract. First the placenta releases CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulating the pituitary glands to release ACTH, adrenocorticotropic-hormone, which sends signals to the adrenal cortex to release DHEA-S which is an estrogen precursor, preparing for birth. Estrogen does more than you might realize in the uterus. The smooth muscles create a communication between the gap junctions so that the cells all get in synch and contract together to begin labor. Oxytocin and prostoglandins work together to make the uterus contract. Oxytocin is also secreted by the pituitary gland and the uterus stimulating the contractions and milk production. Milk production is produced from Prolactin in the pituitary gland and is released in the breasts from the chemical oxytocin. There are receptors in the milk that send messages for milk production to be put on pause until the breast has fully emptied.
4. Infancy: Cortisol levels in infancy are extremely important for proper brain development. High levels of cortisol impair proper brain function affecting the intellectual, emotional and behavioral skills for the remainder of ones life. High cortisol levels occur when the child is separated from mother for a period of time, dramatic events and any continual high stress situation where the child feels abandoned, alone or threatened. The experiences during infancy can really shape a person and have a permanent negative effect on brain development and on hormone regulation as an adult related to behavior responding to stress. When there is a chronic elevated cortisol level in children or infants it can produce elevated responses to stressors for the rest of their life. When infants receive consistent and nurturing touch the cortisol levels in the brain are low providing an environment where the brain can develop properly and the infant receives positive doses of oxytocin, known as the bonding chemical. Breast-feeding for the mothers also helps lower their stress hormone level as well.
5. Childhood: The human growth hormone is a very important hormone during the growing years of childhood. Human growth hormone is responsible for more than just height in children. This hormone is naturally produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland and is produced in greater amounts during the night while sleeping. The human growth hormone helps with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins and all cell growth in the body. Children with high Cortisol levels in the blood show lower motor and cognitive test scores.
6. Puberty: In women progesterone is the hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus to accept the fertilized egg and prepare for pregnancy. If the egg is not fertilized progesterone levels drop and the uterine wall, which was preparing for pregnancy breaks down. This allows menstruation to occur as usual. Estrogen is responsible for the growth and development of breasts as well as the color of the pigmentation of the nipples, and the proper development of the vagina and uterus. Estrogens are also the hormones that influence the formation and bone structure.
In women: Estrogen influences the narrower shoulders, broader hips, shorter bones and softer contour of tissue around the muscles and breasts giving women a distinctive form. Estrogen also affects the pitch of the voice, in women the voice box being smaller and hair being finer and more prominent on the head and less on the body than men. Women during this time have a greater amount of estrogen then testosterone.
In men: Estrogen also helps with the development of the male reproductive system, and specific characteristics being a deeper voice, greater amount of body hair, longer and stronger bones, growth and maturation of sperm as well as muscle development. Estrogen also influences the regulation of the heart rate and the function and development of the brain. Men during this time have the greatest amounts of testosterone with low levels of estrogen. Testosterone is responsible for sperm maturation during puberty.
7. Reproduction: After a woman becomes pregnant the hormone progesterone is what allows the glands in the breasts to start producing milk. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for halting the flow of milk after pregnancy. The estrogen found in the ovaries helps to stimulate the pituitary gland, which sends a signal to the brain to release hormones to aid in follicle development. The egg then travels down the fallopian tubes by way of muscular contractions. Estrogen is responsible for safely transporting the egg into the uterus. Estrogens provide the adequate amount of mucosal secretions lining the uterine wall as well as the cervix in the vagina to aid in ease of transport of the sperm.
8. Menopause: Estrogen levels decrease during menopause and ovulation eventually stops. The body goes through some major changes and there are some very irritating symptoms that women experience when their hormones are not regulated or maintained. The main reason is because estrogens play a big part in cell to cell communication and when their isn’t as much estrogen the chemical messages either don’t get sent or the wrong messages get sent. For example the body thinking it is over heating and thus creating perspiration to cool the body down. This symptom is known as night sweats. Testosterone declines by 50% in women during menopause. Women with a lower testosterone level than needed can experience urinary incontinence due to the loss of muscle tone in the bladder. Women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed have greater drops in levels of testosterone affecting sexual desire.
9. Andropause: As men age their testosterone levels decrease and therefore the estrogen levels rise. During andropause men experience symptoms of weight gain, depression, loss of muscle mass, brittle bones, hot flashes, decrease in sexual performance and desire as well as hair loss.
10. Old Age: Estrogen produced in the ovaries helps build and maintain bone and works closely with vitamin D and Calcium. When these estrogen levels drop, bone formation begins to decline and osteoporosis can develop from the weakening of the bones.
Cortisol: Cortisol inhibits lean muscles mass, impairs the immune system and causes the brain and the organs to shrink. It even causes the skin to become thin showing the blood vessels. Cortisol is linked to symptoms of senility.
Human Growth Hormone: This hormone is a protein that is produced in the Pituitary gland, a pea sized gland within the brain and does its work at night after we are asleep sending surges of growth hormone into the blood that travels to the liver where it is converted into insulin. From the liver the insulin called IGF-1 acts as a messenger to initiate our body to grow cells, muscles, organs, bones and it also aids in how the body metabolizes the food we eat.
Human growth hormone drastically drops by the age of 60 and some of the symptoms of HGH deficiency are fatigue, thinning bones, skin that thins, sags and begins to wrinkle, lowered immunity, decrease in libido, stamina and heart function as well as muscle and hair loss. A decrease in HGH also adds to symptoms of depression, anxiety and increased body fat percentage.
When people with low levels of Human Growth Hormone supplement their deficiency they can experience a magnificent full body change. Muscle mass increases, fat seems to melt away, the skin gets thicker and more elastic, bone density increases and you may overall feel a greater sense of vitality and zest for life. For maintaining the youthful luster and healthy, vibrant glow becoming aware or our Human Growth Hormone levels seems to be vital.
Dr. Walter Schwartz has studied with experts in the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement field throughout the United States and Europe. He is a member of The Andropause Society, The International Institute of Sexuality, International Institute for Impotency, The American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, Diplomate of the American Board of Sexology, Member of the American College for the Advancement of Medicine, and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Questions? Please call our Dr. Walter Schwartz, D.O. with The Hormone Therapy Center at 800-775-4902 Ext. 234 to schedule your consultation, discuss your symptoms and decide on a course of treatment for your specific needs.
Congratulations on taking charge of your health and we look forward to meeting you!
