Dealing with Hormonal Imbalance

When we hear the word “hormone,” it usually carries a negative connotation. People typically associate hormones with menopausal women and the difficulties they may suffer.

Hormones are incredible chemical messengers in our body that affect our brain, heart, bones, muscles  and reproductive organs and are an essential part of the workings of every cell in the human body.  Hormones work best when balanced.

According to Dr. Mary Jane "MJ" Torres, owner and head doctor of The Zen Institute Medical Spa, hormonal changes can affect any one, male, female, young and old.  

"Most people associate it with menopausal women. But this is not true. You can be deficient even if you are as young as 30 years old.  And it’s not only women, even men can suffer from hormonal deficiency, "she said. 

She added that common problems among males like baldness, flabby muscles, slow recovery from strenuous physical activity or low sexual libido, can actually be caused by hormonal imbalance. Several factors can affect the body's ability to produce hormones. Unhealthy lifestyle associated with stress and poor diet can hamper the body's chemical balance. 

To replenish the hormones back to its normal state Dr. MJ recommends Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy, also known as BHRT. 

Available at Zen Institute Medical Spa, bioidentical hormones are made from plant extracts yet possess the same chemical structure as human hormones.  "It is exactly the same as the hormones that our body  produces that is why it is called bioidentical" she explained. Taken in supplement form, the therapy is uniquely tailored depending on the patient's hormonal requirement. Several tests are administered including blood screening and saliva testing to determine the root cause of the problem.  

"We ask them to answer a self-test to determine if their hormonal level is below normal. Patients are also asked to indicate any form of discomfort like fatigue, sleeping problems, thinning hair, sagging cheeks or whatever is bothering them," she said. 

Dr. MJ emphasized that the test results are crucial to the success of the therapy. "All the treatments at Zen Medical Spa are evidence-based and backed up by science. Patients need to go through several tests before they begin their BHRT therapy," she said. 

"The sad part is that people just as accept it as part of aging, not knowing that it can be treated. If you get tired easily, that's a hormonal problem and it can be cured with BHRT. For males suffering from thinning hair, it can be addressed immediately so they don't have to worry about going bald. They do not have to live with the problem. There is a cure," she said. 

According Dr. MJ BHRT is also beneficial to those leading active lives, and require an extra amount of physical energy. "The therapy is tailor fit according to your body needs. It's for anyone who wants to feel young and vibrant at any age," she said. 

The Zen Institute is located at 69 Scout Rallos St., Tomas Morato, Quezon City (02-441-1712/02-412-2528); Ground Floor, Bonifacio Technology Center, 31st St., Corner 2nd Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig (02-856-2027). For more information about The Zen Institute, visit www.thezeninstitute.com and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ZenMedicalSpa