Utilizing Hormone Therapy for Depression

Depression affects millions of people regardless of age, gender or social status and is often due to some form of hormonal imbalance or deficiency. A natural cause of certain hormonal changes later in life can lead to depression for men as well as women. In such cases, hormone replacement therapy can help. It is important to know how this type of treatment works. Understanding more about hormone therapy will help you and your doctor make an informed decision for you.

Hormone Therapy for Menopause-Related Depression

1. Both men and women naturally experience physiological hormonal changes during middle age that can cause depression. For aging women, menopause can lead to the symptoms of depression.

Estrogen and progestin are hormones that can be used to help aging women cope with symptoms of depression, by restoring a hormonal balance within the brain and body. These hormones can be prescribed by a physician in pill, cream or patch formulations.

Usually, hormone therapy for menopause-related depression is used short-term, in conjunction with an antidepressant such as Prozac (fluoxetine) or Paxil (paroxetine) for maximum effectiveness. 

Testosterone and Depression in Men

2. For aging men, hormone therapy can be beneficial for alleviating depression symptoms. Declining levels of testosterone can cause mood changes and depression in aging men..
   
   Testosterone replacement therapy may help treat the symptoms and physiological causes of depression for men who have naturally declining levels of testosterone. Injections, creams and patches are used to deliver testosterone into the male body, and can improve both mood and energy symptoms of depression.

Using Hormone Therapy and Depression: Other Considerations

3. Aging is the primary natural cause of hormonal imbalance that can lead to depression in men and women. Still, certain illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and AIDS can cause serious depression, and these can be treated effectively with hormones such as testosterone.
   
   Dehydroepiandrosterone, or DHEA, is another potential hormone therapy for depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, clinical trials strongly suggest that this supplement can help with depression symptoms.
   
   As with any depression treatment, hormone therapy is an issue to discuss carefully with your doctor. If depression is not related to a hormonal change or deficiency, more traditional therapy such as antidepressant medication or counseling may prove more effective. Opening a dialogue with your physician about hormone therapy for depression is vital in getting the help you may need.

Hormone Replacement Therapy & Depression

Many of the conditions that we have discussed previously can be easily treated with hormone replacement.
We will examine how this can be done.

It is necessary be aware of the need to treat depression and not to brush it aside.

The onset of depression should not be seen to be a disastrous condition. When the causes are understood better, the individuals can easily have access to remedies and cure for these.

I want to do this! What’s This?

In women, menopause can be and would be a difficult time for many due to a variety of symptoms caused by the changes in hormone levels that occur at this time, such as night sweats and hot flashes. These hormonal changes can also lead to depression.

Significance

1. Hormone replacement therapy involves prescribing oral drugs to women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause in order to alleviate their symptoms and to bring back normalcy in their lives.

Potential

2. Some medical researchers believe that the drugs used in hormone replacement therapy, which contain synthetic hormones, can cause women to become more chemically balanced, decreasing feelings of sadness and depression brought on by menopause.

Positive Trials

3. Both the National Institute of Mental Health and the University of Missouri conducted small, separate studies that consisted of less than 100 female participants who were given hormone replacement therapy. In both of these small studies, women showed a decrease in feelings of sadness and depression.

Negative Trials

4. A much larger study, consisting of more than 16,000 participants, was conducted by the Women’s Health Initiative. In its findings (published in 2003), the Initiative reported that there was no correlation between hormone replacement therapy and the reduction of depression in menopausal women.

Considerations

5. Since the 2003 study, it has been determined that hormone replacement therapy has a number of dangerous side effects, such as breast cancer, blood clots, heart attack and stroke. Because of these side effects, few research scientists view hormone replacement therapy as a viable treatment for any symptom of menopause, including depression.

Exercise to reduce Hormone Imbalance

There are other ways of reducing Hormone Imbalance, we will discuss this here.

Proper use of exercise equipment and physical activity will reduce your risks of developing

      1.  Coronary heart disease and high blood pressure,
2. Hypertension,
3. Colon cancer, breast cancer,
4. Diabetes,
5. Osteoporosis,
6. Fibroids,
7. Psychological well-being,
8. Depression and anxiety

Most doctors recommend that you engage in at least moderate activity for 30-45 minutes on 5 or more days of the week. At the beginning start slowly, don’t push yourself too hard by overdoing it. This applies to both women and men.

Taking a brisk walk, bicycling, using a treadmill, stair climber, strider, some weight lifting, or using any other exercise equipment will improve your health and your attitude towards life.

You are never too old to begin exercising! Here’s what exercise does for you!

• Reduces and prevents the risk of cancer, including breast cancer for women, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Increases and maintains bone density, strengthens your bones and connective tissues, prevents osteoporosis and improves your balance and coordination.
• Makes your muscles burn calories, and therefore reduces body fat. The muscles become more developed and stronger, and you will become firmer.
• Makes respiratory muscles become stronger, especially with aerobic exercises, and gives you higher energy levels.

In short, using exercise equipment improves your physical appearance, makes you feel good about your body by reducing body fat and weight and improves self-esteem and confidence.

• Exercise boosts your immune system and gives you better resistance against disease.
• Fitness will improve your sexual desire and performance, and will improve your sleep quality.
• Women that exercise regularly will not suffer as much from PMS (premenstrual syndrome), depression and anxiety during their menstrual cycle.
• Exercise is a natural appetite suppressant, and it helps you control cravings.
• Exercise provides protection against injury, and it gives you balance and coordination.
• Increases stamina, your body’s ability to use oxygen, increases the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, and it allows you to experience physical and mental rejuvenation.
• Using exercise equipment for women is important for preventing pain and cramps related to fibroids and endometriosis by relaxing your muscles and improving the blood circulation and oxygen to the pelvic area.
• Walking, running on the treadmill, swimming, tennis, using a stair climber, yoga, and stretching are the most beneficial exercises to alleviate the pain you feel with fibroids and endometriosis.
• Using exercise equipment will help you lose a few pounds and excess body fat, which is a source of too much estrogen in the body. If you lose weight, your levels of estrogen will decrease, which helps with “Hormone Balance”.
• To stay fit reduces triglycerides and boosts HDL, which is the good cholesterol, improves blood circulation in all parts of your body and lowers blood pressure.
• For women, women’s fitness improves your mood swings and helps you feel good, and feel younger and happier! In other words, exercise stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins, and it also helps fight mild depression.

You should consider using the stairs in your building rather than using the elevator. If you are watching TV, use your stationary bicycle, treadmill or other exercise equipment while watching television.

The most important change in physical activity most of us can make is to move from being sedentary to incorporating even a moderate degree of activity into our daily routine.

• Exercise is a proven stress reducer, it relieves anxiety, anger, and is a regulator of the body’s metabolism.
• If you stay physically active, your mind will become more active. Exercise will get your blood pumping and your oxygen will start flowing which then activates your mind.
• When you exercise, make sure you increase your water intake. Most people are SERIOUSLY deficient in their consumption of water. When was the last time YOU consumed the recommended amount of 8-10 glasses in one day? ANY day? Not recently, for most people.

Middle Aged Depressions

We have been discussing the various conditions and side effects of depression and hormonal imbalance. We would discuss middle aged depression here.

Many people would suddenly experience a change in their physiological conditions as they progress on in life. They begin to notice some differences in their behavior and in their lifestyle. Many of these changes would lead to depression.

Depression is a condition that is common but sometimes goes unnoticed. I want to do this! What’s This?

Middle-aged men and women commonly experience depression because of life and hormone changes. The symptoms of depression often include feelings of sadness, being overwhelmed, anxiety, and exhaustion.

Women

1. Middle-aged women are more prone to suffer depression. A study done by the National Health Service in England found that women ages 40-55 were most likely to be depressed.

Menopause

2. Menopause is one reason women are more likely to be depressed. The hormonal body change causes insomnia and anxiety as well.

Overworked

3. Middle-aged people can come under depression if they are overworked and overlooked, especially if they keep working but having a fear for job loss because of newer, younger job seekers.

Life

4. Middle-aged people also experience depression at times because they have not done everything they wanted to or thought they would in life.

Diet

5. The British Journal of Psychiatry printed a report done by psychiatrists in France and England that found if middle-aged men and women consumed a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and fish, they were less likely to be depressed.

Ethnicity in the U.S.

6. In the United States, middle-aged white Americans have slightly higher rates than middle-aged African-Americans, but the rates for younger and older adults are approximately the same in both populations.

How To Control Hormonal Imbalance

 Imbalance hormones have been the bane of many without their even knowing its cause. People who gone through great anguish and pains because of the ignorance.

Hormonal imbalances can cause acne, weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, hirsutism and irregular periods, but the good news is that these imbalances can be controlled. In women, polycystic ovarian disease is often responsible for hormonal imbalances, but other conditions, like thyroid disorders and pituitary tumors, also cause hormonal discrepancies. The key is getting a proper diagnosis for your particular hormonal imbalance.

How do we treat this?

1.      Make an appointment to see your general physician if you develop new symptoms out of the blue, such as fatigue, acne, weight gain, excess facial and body hair, depression or irregular periods. Request a full blood workup that will check your TSH, T3 and T4, as well as your cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and iron levels.

2.      Take the medication your doctor prescribes. If your blood test results show you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a hormone replacement pill like levothyroxine should be taken daily. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can be treated with anti-thyroid medication like Tapazole, or radioactive iodine taken by mouth. In extreme cases, thyroid surgery might be required.

3.      Change your diet if you suspect you have polycystic ovarian disease, because this hormonal imbalance is often linked to insulin resistance. Opt for lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains, and avoid refined sugar. Foods like soybeans, fish high in omega 3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon) and flax seed oil can also help regulate hormones.

4.      See a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) if you are female and your symptoms continue. An RE specializes in female hormonal imbalances and can run tests to see if your ovaries are producing the correct amount of hormones. Birth control pills are effective when trying to control symptoms like hirsutism, acne and irregular periods; but if you are trying to conceive, your doctor might put you on medication for insulin resistance like Metformin.

Treatment for Hormonal Depression In Women

Depression has been a major health problem which can have adverse effects on the mental and physical health of people causing them to experience great suffering both emotionally as well as physically.

Studies have shown that depression is more common in women than men. Hormonal imbalances is one factor that may increase the likelihood that a woman will suffer from depression.

Hormonal Changes

1. Women experience hormonal changes throughout their lifetimes. Hormones are affected by puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and by the onset of menopause.

Female Hormones

2. The two female hormones that have the most effect on a woman’s mood are estrogen and progesterone. When these hormones become imbalanced, they may affect serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood.

Types of Depression

3. Types of depression that my affect women are major depression, premenstrual syndrome, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression.

Depression Symptoms

4. Symptoms of depression may include hopelessness, overwhelming sadness, crying, difficulty focusing, trouble making decisions, irritability, restlessness, fatigue, feeling of worthlessness, and disinterest in sex, unexplained body pain and suicidal thoughts.

Treatment

5. Common treatments for depression include therapy and antidepressant medications. Medications and dosages may have to be adjusted several times.

How To Control Hormone Imbalance

Many of the body disorder in both men and women are hormonal related. However, women are more sensitive towards this imbalance.

Hormonal imbalances can cause fatigue, hair loss, acne, weight gain, and irregular periods, but the good news is that these imbalances can be controlled. In women, polycystic ovarian disease is often responsible for hormonal imbalances, but other conditions, like thyroid disorders and pituitary tumors, also cause hormonal discrepancies. The key is getting a proper diagnosis for your particular hormonal imbalance.

1.      Make an appointment to see your general physician if you develop new symptoms out of the blue, such as fatigue, acne, excess facial and body hair, depression or irregular periods. Request a full blood test that will check your T3 and T4, TSH, as well as your cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and iron levels.

2.      Take the medication your doctor prescribes. If your blood test results show you have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), a hormone replacement pill like levothyroxine should be taken daily. An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can be treated with anti-thyroid medication like Tapazole, or radioactive iodine taken by mouth. In extreme cases, thyroid surgery might be required.

3.      Change your diet if you suspect you have polycystic ovarian disease, because this hormonal imbalance is often linked to insulin resistance. Opt for lean proteins, vegetables and whole grains, and avoid refined sugar. Other food like soybeans, fish high in omega 3 fatty acids (e.g. salmon) and flax seed oil can also help regulate hormones.

4.      See a reproductive endocrinologist (RE) if you are female and your symptoms continue. An RE specializes in female hormonal imbalances and can run tests to see if your ovaries are producing the correct amount of hormones. Birth control pills are effective when trying to control symptoms like hirsutism, acne and irregular periods; but if you are trying to conceive, your doctor might put you on medication for insulin resistance like Metformin.