Healthy and beautiful skin reflects your overall health, both inside and out. As we age, our hormones decline over time and this presents opportunities to restore our hormones and balance. At Hubbell Dermatology & Aesthetics, Jennifer Piker PA-C leads our Wellness Program. She is an experienced age management practitioner who utilized blood and biologic test results to best understand your base health, and then recommends an advanced and unique-to-you treatment regimen to restore your hormone and health balance. Her patients speak highly of their renewed selves and improved energy, weight management and healthier body functions and skin.

Hormones are responsible for regulating most processes within the body. Our hormones play complicated roles within the body, but to simplify them: there are sex hormones, immune hormones, sleep hormones, stress hormones, growth hormones, cardiac associated hormones, digestive hormones, and Vitamin D (yes, this is a hormone).

Changes In Our Hormones Both men and women experience hormonal shifts. Throughout our lives, our hormones are changing day by day. As we age and approach our “golden years”, our hormone levels start to change for the long term.

As women enter menopause, their estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone start to fall. Effects may include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal skin, sleep problems, reduced sex drive, anxiety, irritability, depression, weight gain, muscle aches, fatigue, poor memory focus, night sweats, decreased bone mass, and increased cholesterol. Surgical menopause (women who have had hysterectomies) can experience these symptoms sooner.

Men experience andropause which is the male version of menopause. A man’s testosterone levels start to decline after the age of 35. Effects may include decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, mood changes, decreased muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mass, fatigue, weight gain, insulin resistance, and increased cholesterol.

We cannot forget about the thyroid gland-it is a vitally important hormonal gland. Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid hormones, symptoms may include fatigue, lethargy, sleepiness, depression, cold intolerance, dry skin, weight gain, joint pain, constipation, and elevated cholesterol. If you have low thyroid levels, it is important to optimize these hormones as well. Thyroid imbalance can play a part in many diseases including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes, and female infertility.