When a female has three of these symptoms or more it is time for her to get her hormones evaluated

Look at this list and count how many you have:

Insomnia/restless sleep ~ heavy periods ~ menstrual cramps ~ irregular periods ~ vaginal dryness or burning ~ hot flashes ~ night sweats or unexplained sweating during the day ~ decreased vaginal or clitoral sensations ~ no interest or a decreased interest in sex ~ anxiety ~ irritability about little things ~ short fuse ~ anger ~ rage ~ mood swings – up and/or down ~ PMS ~ poor concentration ~ decrease in memory ~ depression ~ lower optimism ~ fatigue ~ dry skin or decreased skin tone ~ migraine headaches ~ urinary frequency ~ discomfort and/or incontinence ~ weight gain or unexplainable weight loss ~ and presence of uterine fibroids

More than three?  See your medical provider and ask for the tests at the bottom of this page.  If your provider is not familiar with these tests, find one that is.

There is help available for these symptoms. 

Heavy periods, PMS for the week before your period, or irritability that lasts all month long, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, menstrual cramps are all common complaints and for that reason you could call them normal, but they aren’t desirable.  They indicate an imbalance. There are simple and effective and safe answers to counterbalance these symptoms. 

Blood Tests that are often included in the first evaluation for hormonal issues:

• Serum Estradiol (Estradiol and Progesterone are often drawn in the luteal phase of menstrual cycle if your are still menstruating.  If you are post-menopausal or on hormonal contraceptives labs can be drawn anytime of the month.  If you have a 28 or 30 day cycle, draw on day 20 or 21 of cycle. The first day of your period is counted as day one.)
• Serum Progesterone
• Free Testosterone
• Total Testosterone
• SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin)
• DHEA-S
• TSH Thyroid stimulating Hormone
• Free T4
• Free T3
• Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D) Of note, Vitamin D would be classified as a hormone if discovered today due to its hormonal like actions in the body)
• Ferritin (Iron stores)