Hormones and your health are synonymous. Life in human form is impossible without adequate amounts of an array of these biochemical messengers affecting the function of every cell in your body. With age there is a natural decline in the quantity of these messengers that are directly linked with the aging process. Specific deficiencies bring about specific symptoms. For example deficiency in sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone leads to an array of symptoms and conditions, from night sweats and hot flashes to weight gain, loss of strength, libido, energy and mental clarity, to osteoporosis, headaches, PMS and various breast conditions. In men loss of sex hormones may lead to impotence, loss of strength, stamina, possible increased risk of heart disease and prostate issues. Two other hormone systems that commonly deteriorate with age and with stress include the thyroid hormones and adrenal hormones leading to conditions such as chronic fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, brain fog and weakness.

Conventional medicine might have you believe there is only one option, prescription drugs, most often counterfeit hormones that actually worsen certain problems and add side effects than can be debilitating or even deadly.

In both men and women natural hormone replacement therapy is another option using the same hormones you were created with. Bio-identical hormone therapy has been around for decades in Europe and the United States. It offers an alternative to patients seeking a "natural" approach to HRT and to those patients who have tried conventional therapy and failed. Since these hormones are identical to what the body makes naturally, they tend not to have the side effects associated with the synthetic hormones. As with traditional therapy, bio-identical HRT is available by prescription only and needs to be discussed with your healthcare provider. By educating yourself about the options regarding HRT you can make an informed decision to optimize your health and well being.