Estrogen

A hormone secreted primarily by the ovaries and the adrenal glands and stored in fat cells from puberty until menopause. It is responsible for multiple functions throughout the body, making the extreme fluctuations in a woman’s estrogen level through her childbearing years and the perimenopausal period (months to years before menopause). It is also responsible for the dramatic decrease in estrogen levels at menopause, the cause of most symptoms and detrimental health effects women suffer from. Estrogen protects against heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and memory disorders. It also protects against vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence, and UTIs. Adequate estrogen provides adequate temperature regulation (prevents hot flashes and night sweats), mood stability, and increased libido. Optimized estrogen levels have the ability to:

• Increase metabolism
• Improve insulin sensitivity
• Prevent muscular damage
• Regulate body temperature
• Improve sleep
• Maintain elasticity of arteries
• Increase blood flow
• Decrease plaque in arteries
• Maintains collagen in the skin
• It has a positive effect on cholesterol levels

Progesterone

The ovary is a hormone secreted only with receptor sites in the uterus, breast, vagina, blood vessels, and brain. It is responsible for protection against breast cancer, coronary artery disease, and heart disease. Progesterone works synergistically with estrogen to maintain bone density and reduce plaque build-up in the arteries. It also has an excellent effect on PMS symptoms by decreasing headache, bloating, and irritability. Natural Progesterone can relieve anxiety and act as a natural sleep aid. This hormone is vital to women of all ages. Optimized Progesterone levels have the ability to:

• Balance Estrogen
• Improve sleep
• Reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms
• Protect against breast cancer and endometrial cancer
• Relieve minor inflammation
• Protect against bone degeneration
• Lower cholesterol
• Improve libido

It is essential to differentiate natural progesterone from synthetic progestin (Provera, norethindrone, levenogesterol). The medical community uses these two hormones interchangeably, and they are not. Additional molecules have been added to progestin, resulting in negative symptoms (weight gain, migraines, and mood swings) and detrimental effects (increased risk of breast cancer, coronary artery disease, and diabetes). RWC chooses to use only natural progesterone to treat our patients.

Testosterone

A hormone secreted by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and testes. It is vital to the health and well-being of both men and women. Testosterone is responsible for maintaining muscle mass, strength, and endurance. It also supports collagen levels in the skin, improves healing, and enhances libido. Testosterone protects against excess body fat, cardiovascular disease, joint and bone degeneration, and dementia. Testosterone levels decrease with age, leaving a 40-year-old woman with half the amount of testosterone she had when she was 20. Optimizing testosterone levels can have an impact on almost every central body system. Optimized testosterone levels have the ability to:

• Improve strength and endurance
• Decrease body fat
• Improve lean muscle mass
• Increases sexual performance and desire
• Improve healing
• Maintain memory
• Improve skin tone
• Maintain a positive lipid profile
• Increased sense of emotional well-being
• Maintain bone density

DHEA

DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. It is a precursor to testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. The presence of DHEA results in a shift to an anabolic or protein-building state. DHEA stimulates the immune system and can decrease the risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. DHEA also plays a vital role in enhancing mood and emotional well-being. Optimized levels of DHEA have the ability to:

• Improve well-being
• Decrease risk of chronic disease (cardiovascular disease and diabetes)
• Improve bone density
• Increase energy
• Restore sexual vitality
• Improve memory
• Decrease visceral fat