Hormonal Optimization

Achieving Balance for Better Health

At Soluna Hormonal Health, we specialize in helping women achieve optimal hormonal balance during perimenopause, menopause, and beyond. Hormonal health is the foundation of overall well-being, affecting everything from energy levels and mood to metabolism and sexual health.

Our approach focuses on optimizing key hormones progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and thyroid hormones to restore balance and improve quality of life.

Understanding Key Hormones

Role: Progesterone is essential for regulating menstrual cycles, supporting pregnancy, and balancing the effects of estradiol. It also plays a role in mood stabilization and sleep quality.
Symptoms of Imbalance: Anxiety, insomnia, irregular periods, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
How We Help: Bioidentical progesterone therapy can help alleviate these symptoms, promoting restful sleep, reducing anxiety, and restoring hormonal harmony.

Role: Estradiol is a primary form of estrogen that supports reproductive health, bone density, skin elasticity, and cardiovascular health.
Symptoms of Imbalance: Hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and bone loss.
How We Help: Estradiol replacement therapy can reduce menopausal symptoms, improve bone health, and enhance overall vitality.

Role: Often overlooked in women, testosterone is vital for maintaining muscle mass, energy levels, mood, and sexual health.
Symptoms of Imbalance: Fatigue, low libido, difficulty building muscle, and mood swings.
How We Help: Low-dose testosterone therapy can boost energy, improve sexual function, and enhance physical strength.

Role: Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy production, and body temperature. They are critical for maintaining a healthy weight and overall energy levels.
Symptoms of Imbalance: Fatigue, weight gain, hair thinning, cold intolerance, and brain fog.
How We Help: Medications like levothyroxine or natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) can restore thyroid function, improving energy, metabolism, and mental clarity.

The Role of Hormone Testing in Treatment

At Soluna Hormonal Health, hormone testing is an essential tool for understanding your body’s unique needs and guiding your treatment plan. By evaluating key hormones, such as sex hormones and thyroid hormones, we can identify imbalances that may be contributing to your symptoms.

Why Testing Matters

Personalized Care: Testing helps us tailor treatments to your specific hormonal needs.
Monitoring Progress: Regular testing allows us to track how your body responds to therapy and make necessary adjustments.
Holistic Insight: Combined with your symptoms and medical history, testing provides a comprehensive view of your hormonal health.

Limitations of Testing

While testing is valuable, it’s not the only factor in determining treatment. Hormone levels can fluctuate, and symptoms often provide critical insights that testing alone may not capture. That’s why we take a holistic approach, combining lab results with an in-depth assessment of your symptoms and lifestyle.

Next Steps

If you’re experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance, we’ll guide you through our process, which includes:

How Medications Can Help

At Soluna Hormonal Health, we use evidence-based treatments, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and other medications, to tailor care to your unique needs. Here’s how medications can support hormonal optimization:

Bioidentical Hormones: These are plant-derived hormones that are chemically identical to the ones your body naturally produces. They are used for progesterone, estradiol, and testosterone optimization.
Thyroid Medications: Depending on your thyroid condition, we may recommend synthetic thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine) or natural desiccated thyroid (NDT) for optimal thyroid function.
Custom Compounding: For personalized care, we work with compounding pharmacies to create medications tailored to your specific hormonal needs.

Our approach is holistic, integrating lifestyle changes, nutrition, and supplements alongside medications to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hormonal optimization?

Hormonal optimization is the process of restoring hormone levels to their ideal range to improve overall health and well-being. It focuses on correcting imbalances in sex hormones (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone) and thyroid hormones.

How do I know if I have a hormonal imbalance?

Common signs of hormonal imbalance include fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, hot flashes, low libido, and difficulty sleeping. A comprehensive evaluation, including lab tests, can confirm hormonal imbalances.

Are bioidentical hormones safe?

Yes, bioidentical hormones are generally considered safe when prescribed and monitored by a qualified healthcare provider. They are chemically identical to your body’s natural hormones, making them a more natural option.

Why did hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a bad reputation in the past?

HRT gained a bad reputation due to findings from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study in 2002, which reported an increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke in women using certain types of hormone therapy. However, the study had limitations:

It primarily used synthetic hormones, not bioidentical ones.
Participants were older women who started HRT long after menopause, which may have influenced the results.
Subsequent research has shown that when initiated at the right time (e.g., during perimenopause or early menopause) and with bioidentical hormones, HRT is safe and effective for most women.

Today, HRT is supported by extensive evidence as a beneficial treatment for managing menopausal symptoms, improving quality of life, and protecting bone and cardiovascular health when prescribed appropriately.

How long does it take to see results?

Many patients begin to notice improvements within a few weeks of starting treatment. However, optimal results may take 2-3 months as your body adjusts to the therapy.

How does abdominal weight impact hormonal health?

Abdominal weight can significantly impact hormones by increasing insulin resistance and promoting the production of excess cortisol, both of which can disrupt hormonal balance. This can further contribute to issues like estrogen dominance, inflammation, and metabolic imbalances, creating a cycle that makes weight management more challenging.

Can thyroid issues affect my sex hormones?

Yes, thyroid imbalances can disrupt the production and regulation of sex hormones, leading to symptoms like fatigue, low libido, and mood swings. Addressing thyroid health is a key part of hormonal optimization.

What lifestyle changes support hormonal health?

In addition to medications, we recommend:

Are there side effects to hormone therapy?

Potential side effects are rare when therapy is appropriately managed. However, some patients may experience mild symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, or mood changes, which typically subside as your body adjusts.

How do I get started with hormonal optimization?

Our process begins with a complimentary discovery call, followed by a detailed evaluation session, lab testing, and a personalized treatment plan. Visit our Contact Page to schedule your consultation.