Category Archives: Hormones

NAMS Releases New Guidelines for Hormone Therapy 

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) recently released its 2022 Guidelines for Hormone Therapy, an update to its 2017 statement that includes significant additions based on the most current scientific evidence. To provide comprehensive and verified guidelines, NAMS recruited an Advisory Panel of experts in the field to review its 2017 Position Statement, evaluate new literature, assess the evidence, and develop updated recommendations.

The 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement reflects the latest research findings and recommendations, further clarifies the balance of risks and benefits of hormone therapy, and provides guidance on additional aspects of health care management relevant to patients experiencing menopause symptoms.

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Men’s Health Month: What You Need To Know About Low Testosterone

June celebrates National Men’s Health Month, an annual observance that aims to bring awareness to health issues specific to men, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health stigma, and hormone imbalances specific to men. One such condition – which can affect both men and women – is low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism.

Testosterone is responsible for many biologic functions, including the development of bones and muscles, energy metabolism, and sex drive. In males specifically, the hormone regulates hair growth, deepening of the voice, and sperm production.

Low testosterone is a hormonal disorder in which the testes do not produce enough testosterone. It is estimated that between 4 and 5 million men in the United States, or approximately 2 in 100 men, have testosterone deficiency, and its prevalence is substantially higher in older males, with nearly 40% of men aged 45 and older presenting with low levels of the hormone.

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Endocrine Disruptors and Where to Find Them

There are approximately 85,000 man-made chemicals in the world, many of which the general population comes into contact with on a daily basis. However, only about 1% of these compounds have been evaluated for safety despite having a high potential of being noxious to human health.

Mounting evidence points to the harmful nature of a specific and prevalent group of chemicals – endocrine-disrupting chemicals, also known as EDCs. These compounds interfere with the functioning of the endocrine system and have been linked to adverse health effects, including congenital disabilities, tumors, reproductive issues, obesity, and more. Research cited by the Endocrine Society notes that the effects of certain endocrine disruptors can even carry across generations, signaling the need for increased public awareness and cautionary measures to prevent exposure.

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