What's the Big Deal about Hormones? by Dr. Sonja O'Bryan

Hormones are being spoken of more often and openly these days as the Western medical model shifts it’s attention to this somewhat overlooked area of health and wellness more than ever before.   Women, thankfully, are now realizing that hormonal imbalance IS worth investigation and evaluation in their quest to live, look, and feel better.  Today, even Church Women’s Groups are bringing this relevant topic to the forefront as a part of their program subject matter to engage and resource women in a unique way.  This is a great thing to see happening, because hormones can wreak havoc on a woman’s body as she goes through the reproductive years, through the aging process, and as she simply adapts physiologically to life’s stress and unexpected difficulties.  To leave out this critical aspect of health and concern in trying to be relevant to the needs of women would be a tremendous oversight.  I hope this short blog will bring enough insight and interest, even with limited content, to encourage each reader to seek help in this area if personally struggling with suspected hormonal imbalance.

Menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, infertility, miscarriage, polycystic ovaries, and early-aged hysterectomy can describe some of the reasons that a young woman might consider hormones as a contributing problem and then seek helpful restorative therapy.  For those women in other stages of aging; anxiety, insomnia, depression, sexual difficulties, irritability, pelvic floor pain, weight gain, foggy thinking, incontinence, mood swings, hot flashes, rapid aging, high blood pressure, social withdrawal, palpitations, night sweats, and fatigue can definitely be linked to hormonal imbalance as well.  Truly there are some women that seem to have very little trouble with hormone changes as they pass through various stages of aging.  Even then, it is still important to know that hormone balance is now being studied as a benefit in the prevention of diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cancer, heart disease, thyroid disease, and more with compelling results.   Family history alone can be a reason to monitor hormones, especially if there exists a strong family risk for certain diseases.

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Stress also must be considered when discussing the topic of hormones.  The body is designed to release adrenal hormones such as cortisol or DHEA, during heightened states of stress or injury.  This response is intended to address inflammation and increase energy to the body.  Sadly, our culture is moving so fast with the demands of life these days, that adrenal fatigue, a condition linked to altered or diminished stress hormones, is becoming more of a norm and a concern all it’s own.  Women are carrying heavy personal demands as they juggle countless responsibilities and commitments.  Even those women that seem to have it ‘all-together’, could truly be falling apart inside emotionally, mentally, and physically as they deal with stress and lifestyle demands.

Hormones can be connected in so many ways to good health and vitality in women.  Furthermore, it’s probably safe to say that most women, at some point in life, will likely be affected by hormonal imbalance.  If you or someone you care about is trudging along with no answers and no hope in what seems to be a hormone related problem, please take the initiative to connect with a provider that will give you the attention that you deserve….and that this issue needs.

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This article was provided for Refresh Ministry Women by Dr. Sonja O'Bryan, Pharm.D, ABAAHP, who is a Board Certified Healthcare Practitioner Diplomat, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Minister, Professional, Consultant, Author and Speaker. She has been married for over 22 years and has three beautiful children and lives in the Springfield MO area. Sonja received her Bachelors degree from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and her Doctorate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Sonja has 20+ years of experience professionally with practices in Administration, as an Advisory Board Member for various pharmaceutical companies, and has also served as an Adjunct Professor for colleges and universities. Other areas of experience for Dr. Sonja include retail, oncology, long term care/geriatric consulting, and compounding pharmacy. She currently practices at The Custom Compounding Center) Bolivar, MO as a specialized consultant dealing in anti-aging and integrative medicine along with providing Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy for men and women.  She promotes and provides God-made therapies when possible and Man-made therapies only when necessary to help men and women achieve their health and wellness goals. She is a Board Certified member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Sonja is also a licensed minister, and often meshes the spiritual and physical aspects of better living in her presentations with the audience walking away feeling renewed and refreshed mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Her speaking events are known to be extremely relevant to the majority of "issues" that people face in their daily lives and Dr. Sonja enjoys seeing the excitement of renewed vision and hope in the eyes of her listeners as she explains what's going on inside the body with aging.  This is her passion and it's how she lives "On Purpose."  You will clearly see that if you ever get the opportunity to sit in on one of her presentations.  Her goal is that YOU feel better, look better, and live better. 

Dr. Sonja is also founder of "On Purpose Women" a ministry that is dedicated to equipping, educating and encouraging women in all aspects of their life-long journey. Visit http://www.onpurposewomen.com for details.

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