New-Jersey-Cortisol-SpecialistsThe staff at Healthy Aging Medical Centers in New Jersey can recognize and help women that are experiencing symptoms of aging or age related hormone decline, and they will work to bring the whole woman back into balance. The initial consultation will include a comprehensive review of the woman’s medical history and of all blood work and labs. The Healthy Aging Female program can help women detect imbalances within hormone levels, vitamins, minerals, allergies, and amino acids, which can manifest as several different symptoms. While one of the clinic’s main goals is hormone optimization, other treatment goals can include regulating sleep, reducing stress, improving nutritional and exercise habits, and detoxification. As a part of the Healthy Aging Female Program, the doctor may also recommend genetic testing for weight related issues, cancer, and cardiac health. The all inclusive programs have helped women to prevent disease and reduce existing health concerns.

Several factors can attribute to cortisol fluctuations, and these factors can include the onset of perimenopause and menopause or the taxing of the adrenal glands. Cortisol maintains numerous functions in the body, and the symptoms of an imbalance can reduce the quality of life and adversely affect a woman’s overall health. A Healthy Aging Medical Centers Bioidentical hormones clinician can get women back on the fast track to health by replacing deficient cortisol and helping women prevent further and future imbalances. Cortisol is mostly known as a hormone that counteracts the effects of stress, and it is produced in the adrenal glands. When women experience emotional or physical stress, the body releases cortisol to help counteract the internal inflammation caused from stress. Without cortisol to regulate damage produced from stress, a woman could actually die from the chemical reactions created from stress. Aside from regulating stress, cortisol has several other functions in the human body, and some of these functions can include

  • Managing the Physiological Effects of Stress
  • Improving Immune Function
  • Balancing Blood Sugar
  • Maintaining Weight
  • Reducing Inflammation
  • Assisting Pituitary, Thyroid, and Adrenal Functions
  • Creating Healthy Moods

When chronic stress or aging wear down the adrenal glands, the body may not be able to produce adequate amounts of cortisol, which can cause the body to suffer from a lack of this hormone. For awhile, the body may compensate by stealing the building block for other hormones and changing them into cortisol; however, over time, this creates other issues in the body and does not correct the underlying lack of cortisol production. A lack of cortisol can cause several issues to occur in women that can weigh on their emotional and physical health. Some of the symptoms of low cortisol may include:

Increased Allergies

Women that are going through menopause or perimenopause and that have demanding and stressful lives may notice that they have a wide number of food allergies, skin problems, or allergic rhinitis. Cortisol works with the kidneys and endocrine system to reduce inflammation in the body, and the body’s cells may begin to become hypersensitive to different substances because cortisol cannot lower inflammatory effects in the body. Balancing cortisol levels with a version of cortisol that is exact to what is produced in the body may augment the endocrine system and reduce several different types of allergies and sensitivities.

Low Thyroid Function

Another effect of low cortisol can be reduced thyroid function, which is a common occurrence in women in their 4th, 5th, and 6th decades. Hormones are often interconnected, and because cortisol plays a role in metabolic functions, it works with the thyroid gland to balance many aspects of metabolism. Low cortisol can drag down thyroid function because it works in conjunction with thyroid hormone to increase energy, raise body temperature, and cortisol also helps the body utilize thyroid hormone. A lack of cortisol can lead to reduced effectiveness of the thyroid hormone, reduce energy and heat production, and lead to fatigue, which can force the thyroid to work harder or lead to impaired thyroid function.

Digestive Issues

Because cortisol helps to balance blood sugar, a reduced level of cortisol can lead to increased food cravings and digestive issues. Imbalances in blood sugar due to cortisol fluctuations can cause the body to crave a fast source of sugar, which does not often lead to the consuming of healthy foods. Also, excess levels of stress can put the body into fight or flight mode and release more cortisol, and this triggers the nervous system to slow down intestinal contractions and overall digestive functions to conserve energy.  Balancing hormone levels and reducing stress with a comprehensive women’s health program can help women to replenish cortisol imbalances.

Low Libido

Reduced desire for sexual activity can be another effect of cortisol fluctuations. High levels of cortisol release from stress can lead to a cortisol deficiency, and this can cause the body to tear down the building blocks needed to produce estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which are the male and female primary sex hormones, and convert them into more cortisol in order to help the body better manage the effects of stress.  Because the sex hormones are largely responsible for producing a healthy sex drive, low libido can result from reduced cortisol levels. Balancing hormones with bioidentical hormones can replenish cortisol and the primary sex hormones to help women regain a healthy sex drive and improve overall levels of health and wellness.

Emotional Issues

Because cortisol works to balance blood sugar and moods, women that are suffering from a cortisol imbalance may find themselves feeling more irritable or overwhelmed. A lack of cortisol can lead to intolerances to stress because it works to manage stress related reactions. Also, blood sugar fluctuations may cause dips in energy, increase irritability, and reduce a person’s sense of wellbeing. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can work to balance cortisol and help women even out their moods and blood sugar.

Healthy Aging Medical Centers in New Jersey can help women to overcome the challenges associated with aging or stress related imbalances. The clinic’s concierge medical approach allows women to have an unlimited number of office visits throughout the duration of their first year of treatment. Women can also have full access to their physician through emailing, phone calls, or text messages. The all inclusive Healthy Aging Female Program can allow women to enjoy comprehensive care that does not reflect a one size fits all approach. Healthy Aging Medical Centers customizes treatment plans for women so that they can improve their overall energy, immune function, and quality of life.

Contact Healthy Aging Medical Centers today at 973.435.0433 for a consultation to learn more about stress reduction protocols while reestablishing hormonal balance and regulating cortisol levels.