When your hormone levels are off kilter, it can take an enormous toll on your body. Hormones affect every bodily system, and too much or too little hormone can cause unusual activity in the body. It stands to reason that correcting hormone levels is extremely important. There are many options for hormone balancing, depending on the types of hormones in question. 

Hormone Replacement

Hormone replacement therapies are available for many hormones. The hormones may be injected or taken in tablet form. Some are applied via a cream. It is important to look for bioidentical hormones for the best effect. These are custom hormones that are designed with the same genetic material as your body. It makes it more likely that your body will accept them. 

Exercise

Some hormone levels may be stimulated by something as simple as exercise. Ask your doctor about lifestyle changes that could effect your hormone levels. 

Alcohol Reduction

Alcohol may effect how certain hormones are produced in the body. For example, thyroid deficiencies are fairly common in the current population. Drinking a lot of alcohol slows the production of thyroid hormones. This is another modification to discuss with your doctor. 

Diet

Your diet also affects your hormone levels. What you eat directly affects your body's ability to produce hormones, because specific amino acids are needed to make each hormone. The diet modifications you need will depend on the hormone that is missing. 

How Do You Decide on a Course of Action?

You can see for yourself that there are various ways to replace hormones. Do you need medication, or can your symptoms improve with the modification of your diet? That depends on a few things: 

How Much Hormone Is Missing? 

When your body is desperately lacking in a hormone and doesn't have the resources to produce it, a supplement of some sort will be needed. Diet changes can correct small amounts of missing hormone, but supplements are usually needed for more drastic cases. 

How Do You Feel?

If you are suffering from severe consequences as a result of your missing hormones, it makes sense to attack the problem from all angles. Your doctor will likely have you use bioidentical hormones as well as other lifestyle modifications to get you as healthy as possible, as quickly as possible. 

What Are the Risks to You?

Any risks will be considered for you individually. While hormone replacement is generally safe, your doctor, someone from a place like Bayview OB GYN Women's Care Florida, will consider your other medications and your reactions to the therapy to keep you safe.