Spring is here and everything is coming back to life, except you. Feeling sluggish or like you are not enjoying the same things that you used to? These could be signs of a hormonal imbalance. That feeling of being disconnected and unable to fully engage in everyday activities or relationships can be helped. With over 15 years of medical experience, Dr. Melissa (Mel) Irvine, DNP, offers solutions that can have a positive impact on every aspect of your life.
Testosterone is a hormone found in both men and women and is involved in the development of our bones and muscles. Men have greater amounts of it in their bodies and it is associated with the deepening of the voice, hair growth, and male functions such as sperm production and erection.
“The production of hormones can lessen as we age, generally decreasing after 30. However, some may begin to experience it in their 20’s,” said Dr. Mel. “Low testosterone is considered 300ng per deciliter or less and typically presents in men as loss of muscle and bone mass, changes in sex drive and energy levels, sleep disturbance, night sweats, difficulty concentrating, memory impairment, trouble handling stress, mood swings, depression, anxiety, erection changes, weight gain, and hair loss. Women can experience some of the same symptoms in addition to hot flashes, irregular cycles, anemia, pain with intercourse, worsening urinary symptoms, frequent urinary infections, vaginal dryness, orgasm changes, and fatigue. These symptoms in both men and women are related to changes in hormones.”
According to Dr. Mel if a man is symptomatic in what are considered normal ranges, then his testosterone level isn’t normal for him. It is very important to monitor symptoms because often, those needing help will self-medicate with alcohol or other distractions and are often placed on antidepressants or antianxiety medications which are essentially a band aid to the underlying cause of a hormone imbalance.
“Hormones play a role in bodily functions and overall physical and mental health,” said Dr. Mel. “When a hormonal imbalance is left untreated it can contribute to deterioration of health through heart issues, increased risk for stroke, diabetes, obesity, depression, anxiety and other chronic conditions.”
A sexual medicine expert like Dr. Mel can help diagnose low testosterone and manage hormone replacement therapy to improve symptoms and increase quality of life. There are also natural ways to support hormone replacement therapy through diet and exercise.
“Fatty foods and lack of activity can worsen symptoms, while a diet of nutrient-rich foods, including Omega-3’s, can help to support testosterone production, fight obesity, diabetes and heart disease, said Dr. Mel. “There is no one fix for everything. It’s a combination of treatments and a multimodal approach to care that provides the best outcomes. A healthy diet and regular exercise routine also does wonders for mental health!”
A hormonal imbalance will seep into every aspect of your life. Hormone levels begin to decrease for both men and women as part of the aging process, but it is treatable. Dr. Melissa (Mel) Irvine, DNP, can help improve your overall health. Schedule an appointment at drmelirvine.com, or by calling 239-351-5663.
About Dr. Melissa (Mel) Irvine, DNP
Dr. Mel has been in the medical field for over 15 years and is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Brenau Women’s College, in Gainesville, Georgia. She received her Master of Science in Nursing at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and her doctorate degree at Florida Gulf Coast University. Dr. Mel is passionate about empowering and educating women so they can be their own advocates and make the best-informed decisions regarding treatment options and quality of life. As a Sexual Medicine provider, she takes pride in providing high quality personalized care to meet the sexual health needs of both men and women. Her interest in Sexual Medicine took her to San Diego where she completed a preceptorship with the leading Sexual Medicine provider in the U.S., Dr. Irwin Goldstein. She is an avid learner and regularly attends educational trainings and conferences to stay up to date on the latest and most innovative treatment options available.
