Hormonal & Women's Health

Hormone Imbalance Treatment in Greenville, SC

Hormone imbalance treatment in Greenville, SC. Dr. Hendry identifies and corrects hormonal imbalances in women and men naturally. Call (864) 365-6156.

What Is Hormone Imbalance?

Hormonal imbalance refers to an excess, deficiency, or dysregulation of one or more hormones — the chemical messengers that control virtually every physiological process in the body. Hormones regulate metabolism, sleep, mood, reproduction, immune function, and stress response. Even small imbalances in key hormones produce wide-ranging, sometimes bewildering symptoms that standard medical testing often fails to identify and quantify appropriately.

Common Symptoms

Unexplained weight changes despite consistent diet and exercise
Fatigue, particularly morning fatigue or mid-afternoon energy crashes
Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression
Irregular, painful, heavy, or absent menstrual periods
Low libido and sexual dysfunction
Hair thinning or loss, brittle nails
Skin changes — acne, dryness, or premature aging
Sleep problems and temperature regulation difficulty

Root Causes: A Functional Medicine Perspective

The endocrine system is a finely tuned network where imbalance in one hormone triggers cascading effects across the system. Stress chronically elevates cortisol, which suppresses thyroid conversion (T4→T3), depletes progesterone precursors, and disrupts insulin sensitivity. Insulin resistance drives androgen excess in women and reduces testosterone in men. Thyroid dysfunction impacts sex hormone binding globulin, altering the availability of estrogen and testosterone.

Environmental endocrine disruptors — found in plastics (BPA, phthalates), pesticides, personal care products, and cookware — mimic or block hormone receptor signaling. Gut dysbiosis impairs estrogen metabolism through reduced beta-glucuronidase activity, leading to estrogen recirculation and relative estrogen dominance. Dr. Hendry's comprehensive hormone testing identifies the specific pattern of imbalance unique to each patient.

How We Treat Hormone Imbalance at IHP

Dr. Hendry's functional medicine approach begins with comprehensive testing: sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone, testosterone — total and free), thyroid (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, antibodies), adrenal hormones (cortisol rhythm — four-point testing), metabolic hormones (fasting insulin, HOMA-IR), and DHEA-S. This panel provides a complete hormonal picture that standard annual labs miss entirely.

Treatment is tailored to the specific pattern identified: dietary strategies to support healthy hormone metabolism and elimination, targeted supplementation (DIM, calcium-D-glucarate for estrogen balance; zinc, boron, vitamin D for testosterone support; adaptogens for adrenal function), and acupuncture to regulate the neuroendocrine pathways governing hormone production. Chinese herbal medicine provides time-tested, evidence-backed support for hormone regulation across multiple organ systems simultaneously.

Dr. Hendry's Approach

Dr. Hendry treats hormonal imbalance as a systems problem, not a single-hormone problem. He traces the upstream drivers — stress, gut health, nutrition, environmental exposures — that disrupt hormonal balance, rather than simply replacing deficient hormones without addressing why they became deficient. This root-cause approach leads to more durable hormonal health.

Treatments We Use for Hormone Imbalance

Frequently Asked Questions About Hormone Imbalance

Dr. Hendry's comprehensive hormone panel includes sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone — free and total), thyroid (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO antibodies), adrenal (4-point salivary cortisol), DHEA-S, SHBG, fasting insulin, and metabolic markers. This is far more comprehensive than standard annual lab work.
Yes. Low progesterone, high cortisol, thyroid dysfunction, low testosterone, and estrogen dominance are each independently associated with anxiety and depression. Correcting hormonal imbalances often resolves mood symptoms that haven't responded to antidepressants or anxiolytics.
Hormonal systems recalibrate slowly — typically 3–6 months of consistent treatment before hormones are fully optimized. Many patients notice symptom improvement within 4–8 weeks, with continued improvement over the full treatment course.
Yes, significantly. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in plastics, pesticides, and personal care products mimic estrogen and block androgen receptors. Dr. Hendry provides specific guidance on reducing environmental hormone disruptor exposure as part of the treatment plan.
Absolutely. Low testosterone (hypogonadism) affects millions of men, producing fatigue, low libido, mood changes, muscle loss, and cognitive decline. Elevated estrogen in men — from aromatase activity in adipose tissue — also causes significant symptoms. Dr. Hendry evaluates and treats hormonal imbalance in both men and women.

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