Functions of Hormones

The Hormone discussion rages on! Many women find themselves swimming through a sea of information trying to decide if Hormone Replacement is the right thing for them. At Pencol Compounding Pharmacy we want to help our patients to better understand what it is that hormones do – when they can help, and when they can hurt. Imbalanced hormones have an impact on the way women and men think and feel. Here are just a few of the functions of hormones:

Estrogen (Estriol, Estradiol and Estrone)

• Decreases depression, irritability, anxiety and pain sensitivity while Improving mood
• Decreases blood pressure, increases blood low, regulates body temperature and metabolic rate
• Decreases wrinkles
• Increases energy
• Maintains bone density
• Increases HDL
• Helps maintain muscle
• Helps prevent dry eyes and tooth loss
• Helps maintain memory, increases concentration, reasoning and new ideas
• Helps deep sleep
• Increases sexual interest

Progesterone:

• Helps balance estrogen
• Has a natural calming and antidepressant effect
• Normalizes libido
• Builds bone
• Increases scalp hair
• Helps with sleep
• Helps the body use and eliminate fats
• Helps thyroid hormone function
• Lowers high blood pressure and cholesterol
• May protect against breast cancer
• Protects against fibrocystic breast disease and endometrial cancer

Testosterone:

• Acts as an antidepressant
• Increases sense of emotional well-being, self-confidence and motivation
• Increases sexual interest
• Helps maintain memory
• Decreases bone deterioration and excess body fat
• Increases muscle mass, strength and tone

DHEA:

• Increases sense of well being
• Helps you deal with stress
• Decreases cholesterol
• Promotes weight loss
• Helps the body repair itself and maintain healthy tissue
• Increases bone growth
• Increases brain function
• Supports your immune system

Cortisol:

• Improves mood and thoughts
• Influences stress reaction
• Impacts pituitary, thyroid and the adrenal system
• Balances blood sugar
• Builds immune system response
• Improves sleep
• Influences DHEA/insulin ration and testosterone/estrogen ratio
• Affects weight control

Thyroid:

• Body regulator.
• Regulates energy, heat production, growth, tissue repair and development
• Stimulates protein synthesis
• Modulates carbohydrates, protein and fat metabolism, digestion, muscle and nerve action, blood flow, hormone excretion, oxygen utilization and sexual function

If you believe you are having symptoms of hormone imbalance, call to speak with a Pencol Compounding Pharmacist to design a plan of action to help you start feeling better. Speaking with a Pharmacist may help you to know how to speak with your doctor; may give you more information on what you can expect from hormone treatment; may help you to feel hopeful again! How can we be part of your healthcare team and get you back to ‘feeling like your old self’ – and maybe even better?