Hormone Health
Your hormones influence nearly everything: your cycle, your energy, your fertility, even how well you sleep. Our all-women care team at West Des Moines OBGYN helps you understand what your hormones are doing and why, then builds a treatment plan around your body, your symptoms, and your goals.
When you’re dealing with unpredictable periods in your twenties or hot flashes in your fifties, hormone health deserves real answers, not speculation. Visit one of our three central Iowa locations: West Des Moines, Ankeny, and Indianola.
Hormone-Related Conditions We Treat
Hormonal imbalances rarely announce themselves clearly. Fatigue, weight changes, skin issues, and mood swings can each point to a dozen different causes. That’s why we start with a thorough evaluation, which may include bloodwork, a review of your cycle history, and a conversation about what’s changed. Conditions we commonly diagnose and treat include:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS affects how your ovaries release eggs and often involves elevated androgen levels. Irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and difficulty conceiving are common signs. It’s one of the most frequent causes of infertility, and it’s very treatable.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) and PMDD
Cyclical mood changes, bloating, and irritability in the week or two before your period are driven by hormone fluctuations. For some women, symptoms are severe enough to disrupt daily life. There are effective treatment options for both.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Heavy, prolonged, or unpredictable bleeding often traces back to a hormonal cause. So does bleeding between periods or after menopause, which always warrants an evaluation.
Low Libido and Sexual Dysfunction
Changes in estrogen and testosterone can affect desire, arousal, and comfort during intimacy. These concerns are common, they’re medical, and they’re worth bringing up at your next visit.
Thyroid Disorders
Your thyroid sets the pace for your metabolism. When it runs too fast or too slow, you may notice weight changes, fatigue, hair thinning, or menstrual irregularities. Thyroid function also plays a significant role in fertility and pregnancy health.
Hormone-Related Infertility
Ovulation problems account for a substantial share of infertility cases, and most are hormonal at the root. If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, our infertility care team can identify whether a hormonal issue is standing in your way.
Perimenopause and Menopause
The years leading up to menopause bring some of the most noticeable hormonal shifts of your life. Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, vaginal dryness, and mood changes are all tied to declining estrogen. Our menopause care team includes a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner trained in the latest evidence-based treatments.
How Hormones Affect Every Stage of Your Life
Hormones aren’t just a menopause topic or a pregnancy topic. They shape your health continuously, from your first period through your post-menopausal years. Here’s a look at where they show up:
| Area of Life | Key Hormones Involved | How They Affect You | When to Talk to Us |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menstruation | Estrogen, progesterone, FSH, LH | Regulate cycle length, flow, and ovulation timing | Periods that are heavy, painful, irregular, or absent |
| Fertility | FSH, LH, progesterone, thyroid hormones, prolactin | Control egg maturation, ovulation, and implantation | Trying to conceive for 12 months without success (6 months if over 35) |
| Pregnancy | Progesterone, estrogen, hCG, thyroid hormones | Sustain the pregnancy and support fetal development | Preconception planning or concerns during pregnancy |
| Mood & Mental Health | Estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones | Influence serotonin levels, anxiety, and emotional regulation | Mood changes tied to your cycle, postpartum period, or perimenopause |
| Perimenopause & Menopause | Estrogen, progesterone, FSH | Declining levels cause hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal changes | Symptoms interfering with sleep, comfort, or daily life |
| Bone Health | Estrogen, thyroid hormones | Estrogen protects bone density; loss accelerates after menopause | Family history of osteoporosis or entering menopause |
| Sexual Health | Estrogen, testosterone | Affect libido, arousal, vaginal moisture, and comfort | Pain with intimacy, dryness, or changes in desire |
| Sleep & Energy | Progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones | Progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones | Ongoing fatigue or insomnia without a clear cause |
| Weight & Metabolism | Thyroid hormones, cortisol, insulin, estrogen | Set metabolic rate and influence where your body stores fat | Unexplained weight changes despite consistent habits |
| Skin & Hair | Androgens, estrogen, thyroid hormones | Drive acne, hair growth patterns, and hair thinning | Adult acne, excess facial hair, or noticeable hair loss |
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), sometimes called menopausal hormone therapy, replaces the estrogen and progesterone your body stops producing during menopause. For many women, it’s the most effective treatment available for hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal symptoms, and it helps protect against the bone loss that accelerates after menopause.
Is HRT Right for You?
The answer depends on your symptoms, your health history, and your age. Current research supports HRT as a safe, effective option for most healthy women who begin treatment within ten years of menopause or before age 60. Women with certain histories, including some cancers or blood clotting disorders, may need alternative approaches. This is a decision we make together after a careful review of your individual risk factors.
Types of Hormone Therapy We Offer
Systemic Estrogen Therapy
Delivered as a pill, patch, gel, or spray, systemic estrogen treats hot flashes, night sweats, and other whole-body symptoms. If you still have your uterus, we pair estrogen with progesterone to protect the uterine lining. Women who have had a hysterectomy typically take estrogen alone.
Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen
For women whose main concerns are vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, or urinary symptoms, low-dose vaginal creams, tablets, or rings deliver estrogen right where it’s needed with minimal absorption into the bloodstream.
Combination Therapy
Estrogen and progesterone together, available in several forms and dosing schedules. We tailor the combination to your symptoms and preferences.
Beyond Hormone Therapy
HRT isn’t the only tool we have. Depending on your situation, we may also discuss non-hormonal medications, lifestyle strategies, and treatments like MonaLisa Touch laser therapy, which addresses vaginal atrophy without hormones. Learn more about the full range of options on our Menopause Care page.
What to Expect at a Hormone Health Visit
Your first visit starts with a conversation. We’ll talk through your symptoms, your cycle history, your family history, and what you’re hoping to change. From there, we may recommend blood tests to measure specific hormone levels, a pelvic exam, or imaging like an ultrasound.
Once we understand what’s happening, we’ll walk you through your options together. Treatment might mean medication, hormone therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or simply monitoring over time.
Learn More About Hormone Health
Want to keep reading? Our providers regularly share guidance on hormone health-related topics on our blog:
- Signs You’re Starting Menopause
- Understanding and Managing Menopause Symptoms
- Menopause Management and Treatment
- Different Birth Control Options
- Why Annual Well-Woman Exams Are Essential
Browse all menopause articles and gynecology articles for more.
Schedule a Hormone Health Consultation
You don’t have to keep wondering whether what you’re feeling is “normal.” Our all-women team at West Des Moines OB/GYN Associates is ready to listen, evaluate, and help you feel like yourself again. Schedule an appointment at our West Des Moines, Ankeny, or Indianola location, or call us at 515.223.5466.
Contact Us
Need to get in touch before your visit? Use the messaging feature located in the bottom right corner of the page to quickly connect with West Des Moines OBGYN Associates, or give us a call at (515) 223-5466.