Hormone Deficiencies, Made Simple: What You Need To Know

You’ve probably felt it. Sleep gets choppy. Mood swings show up. The gym feels harder than it used to. In this video conversation, Dr. Rose explains how hormones change across life, what to test, and safe ways to support balance so you can feel like yourself again. Here’s the plain-English recap.

What hormones actually do

Hormones are chemical messengers that touch almost everything you feel day to day. Sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone affect mood, sleep, libido, and strength. They also interact with thyroid and adrenal hormones, including cortisol and DHEA, which is why shifts can ripple through your whole system.

When changes usually start

For women, perimenopause can start as early as the mid-30s and continue into the 50s. The tough part is the fluctuation. Labs may look “normal” in perimenopause because the problem is the swing, not a flat low number. Menopause is confirmed after 12 months without a period, and blood work then typically shows very low estrogen and progesterone. For men, age-related testosterone decline often shows up on labs in the mid-40s, though some feel it sooner.

Is balancing sex hormones a big anti-aging lever?

Yes. When done safely and tailored to you, hormone support can improve sleep, brain fog, irritability, energy, and weight regulation. Better sleep alone slows “aging” stress on your body.

“My doctor said testing sex hormones isn’t needed.” Now what?

Some conventional guidelines don’t include routine sex hormone testing, so many clinics skip it. At Med Matrix, we get a thorough baseline for estradiol, progesterone, testosterone (total, free, bioavailable), SHBG, DHEA, thyroid markers, and more. We then match numbers with symptoms, since how you feel matters as much as the lab value.

Symptoms vs. labs: which matters more?

Both. Example: if oral progesterone before bed stops 2 a.m. wake-ups and you feel better, we don’t “chase” a higher number just because the lab bump was modest. We use labs to guide and symptoms to confirm.

The gut–hormone link you never hear about

Your gut microbiome includes the estrobolome, microbes that help process used estrogen so your body can clear it. If that system is off, estrogen may not be broken down and eliminated well. Supporting gut health can support hormone balance.

The “deeper” hormone markers that matter

• SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin): If SHBG is high, “free” or usable testosterone may be low even when total looks okay, which can explain low energy, low libido, and poor muscle gains. That’s why we check free and bioavailable testosterone too.
• DHEA: An adrenal hormone and precursor that can convert into testosterone and estrogen. It tends to drop with age and chronic stress. Low DHEA can make it harder to reach optimal sex hormone levels.
• Prolactin: Elevated prolactin can point to a pituitary issue and show up as irregular periods, low libido, or even unexpected lactation. Screening helps rule out bigger problems.

Bioidentical vs. synthetic hormones

Bioidentical hormones match your body’s own molecular structure. Synthetic hormones are similar, not identical. Many women prefer bioidentical options because they more closely mimic natural hormones. At Med Matrix, we typically use oral micronized progesterone and transdermal estradiol (cream or patch), both bioidentical.

Can your OB prescribe a bioidentical estradiol patch? Yes. Estradiol patches are bioidentical, but not all clinicians are trained or willing to dose and monitor them well. “Menopause medicine” takes extra training to do it safely and effectively.

FAQ

1. What is your experience with hormone imbalances and hormones in general?

Dr. Rose treats hormone health across sexes and life stages and views it as part of most visits because hormones affect mood, sleep, libido, and strength.

2. How do hormones affect how we feel, age, and stay strong?

Sex hormones interact with adrenal and thyroid hormones. Imbalances can change mood, sleep, energy, and muscle.

3. When do people usually start experiencing hormone deficiencies or swings?

Women can notice perimenopause shifts as early as 35, with menopause confirmed after 12 months without a period. Men often show testosterone decline on labs in the mid-40s.

4. Is balancing sex hormones the biggest lever for anti-aging?

It’s one of the strongest tools when done right. Better sleep, clearer thinking, and steadier mood reduce body stress.

5. Why do some doctors say not to test sex hormones?

It’s not standard in some guidelines, so many clinics skip it. We still test for a comprehensive baseline and pair it with symptoms over time.

6. What matters more, labs or symptoms, when adjusting HRT?

Both. We treat the person, not just the number. If symptoms improve, we don’t push doses only to “move a lab.”

7. How is gut health connected to sex hormones? What is the estrobolome?

The estrobolome helps metabolize and clear estrogen. If it’s off, estrogen clearance suffers.

8. Why look at SHBG and bioavailable testosterone, not just total?

High SHBG can trap testosterone, so free and bioavailable levels tell you what your body can actually use.

9. What is DHEA and why does it matter?

An adrenal precursor that can convert to testosterone and estrogen; it declines with age and stress.

10. Why test prolactin?

Elevated prolactin can signal pituitary problems and cause cycle issues, low libido, or even lactation when not breastfeeding.

11. What’s the difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormone therapy?

Bioidentical hormones are molecularly identical to yours; synthetics are only similar. We favor bioidentical options like transdermal estradiol and oral progesterone.

12. Can my OB or PCP prescribe a bioidentical estradiol patch?

Yes, but correct dosing and monitoring take extra training, which not everyone offers.