Why You Should Have Your Hormones Tested

In an episode of her Menopause Mastery podcast, Betty discusses medical gaslighting and the importance of hormone testing.

Betty came across the Instagram of a national organization that promotes women’s hormone management. In one video, their male medical director claimed women’s hormones don’t need to be tested because they change all the time. In his words, looking at the symptoms is enough. That may work for some women but not others. Also, symptoms of progesterone or estrogen deficiency can mimic each other. How is one to know?

Medical Gaslighting

As Betty has been in practice for 18 years, these types of views are unfortunately all too familiar to her. But today, she calls it out for what it is—medical gaslighting. Whether a physician dismisses your symptoms or blames your hormonal problems for a psychological problem, all types of gaslighting are also a form of abuse.

Symptoms of Hormone Changes

As women age, their hormone levels change, and they can experience a range of symptoms, including hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Many women turn to hormone replacement therapy to alleviate these symptoms, but hormone testing is crucial to ensure that the right hormones are prescribed in the correct amounts. Symptom resolution does not always equate to getting enough to keep the body healthy. Testing makes sure you get enough and not too much.

Understanding Hormonal Shifts

Menopause is a natural process that marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. Hormone levels, particularly progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and DHEA, decrease predictably during this time. However, women may experience hormonal changes that are not typical, such as an excess of circulating estrone if they carry extra body weight.

Additionally, some women may have higher levels of testosterone or estrogen throughout their lifetime, and women with polycystic ovarian syndrome have longer cycles and are less predictable. Therefore, hormone testing is necessary to identify specific hormonal imbalances and determine the appropriate treatment.

Why Hormone Testing Is Important

Women’s hormones are metabolized, bio-transformed, and excreted, and their effectiveness and safety depend on genetic uniqueness, environmental toxins, and the gut’s health. Synthetic hormones, such as those used in birth control, have long-lasting effects on the body, and testing can help identify how they are metabolized and excreted.

The Benefits of Urinary Testing

Urinary testing is one of the best ways to assess how hormones are metabolized and excreted. This testing can help identify if a woman is effectively metabolizing hormones or if they are being converted to potentially harmful substances. While urinary testing is not perfect, it is a useful tool that can be used to guide hormone replacement therapy.