Hormone Imbalances

Functional Medicine Hormone Doctor in Royal Oak, MI

If you or someone you love has been grappling with chronic symptoms, it can feel like you’re on a never-ending carousel of medications. It’s an exhausting journey where you jump from medication to medication seeking relief. 


But there is another option for care. By balancing your hormones with functional medicine, you can find the relief you’ve been looking for.


Welcome to Elle MD, where we don’t just put a Band-Aid on your symptoms. We dig deep to uncover the root cause, especially when it comes to balancing your hormones. Dr. Erin and Dr. Maricela are eager to meet you and guide you toward healing.


Let’s get started with functional medicine today.

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What Are Hormones and Why Do They Matter?

Hormones are like the body’s messengers, traveling through your bloodstream to tissues and organs, dictating a myriad of functions from metabolism to mood, growth to reproduction. They’re the chemical orchestrators ensuring your body performs in harmony. 


However, when they’re out of balance, it can throw your whole system into disarray, leading to a wide range of health issues that can significantly impact your quality of life. If you live in Royal Oak and have long-term chronic symptoms, then you need to consider your hormones. Understanding hormones is the first step toward reclaiming your health.

Five Common Hormone Imbalances

1. Diabetes


At its core, diabetes revolves around insulin, the hormone responsible for managing your blood sugar levels. When this balance is off, it can lead to both short-term symptoms and long-term complications.


2. Thyroid Disorders


Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy, and overall bodily functions. An imbalance here can mean you’re running either too fast or too slow, affecting everything from your weight to your energy levels.


3. Cortisol Imbalance


Known as the stress hormone, cortisol in excess or deficiency can lead to issues such as weight gain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and a weakened immune system.


4. Low Libido


Hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone play crucial roles in sexual desire and performance. Imbalances can affect your relationship, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

5. Menopause


This natural transition involves significant hormonal changes for women, often leading to symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances. Many women find relief from menopause when they go through a holistic hormone balance program.

Functional Medicine: A Holistic, Personal Approach

At Elle MD, we embrace the philosophy of functional medicine. This means we look at you as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms. Our approach is holistic and personalized, recognizing that each individual’s path to hormone balance is unique.


Functional medicine seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease, and when it comes to hormone imbalances, this approach is particularly effective. It involves a comprehensive evaluation of your overall health picture. From there, we craft a personalized plan that may include nutritional guidance, lifestyle changes, supplements, stress management techniques, and, when necessary, medication.

  • Nutritional Guidance

    In functional medicine, nutritional guidance is a cornerstone for managing hormone imbalances. Usually, the focus is on consuming whole foods that are rich in the nutrients essential for hormone production and regulation, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. But everyone is different, so your plan will vary.


    Patients are advised to avoid processed foods, sugars, and certain fats that can exacerbate hormonal issues. This dietary approach supports the liver and digestive system, crucial for metabolizing hormones and eliminating toxins from the body, thereby influencing hormone balance positively.

  • Lifestyle Changes

    Lifestyle changes are pivotal in functional medicine’s approach to hormone imbalances. This includes regular physical activity, which helps to regulate hormones such as insulin and cortisol, and adequate sleep, which is vital for the production and regulation of many hormones. Reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors, found in certain plastics and personal care products, is also advised. These changes aim to create an environment that supports hormonal balance and reduces the risk of hormone-related health issues.

  • Supplements

    Functional medicine often incorporates the use of specific supplements to address nutrient deficiencies and support hormonal health. These might include vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements known to influence hormone production and function, such as vitamin D, magnesium, omega-3 fatty acids, and adaptogenic herbs that help balance cortisol levels. The choice of supplements is tailored to the individual’s specific needs and is based on a thorough evaluation of their health status and hormone levels.

  • Stress Management Techniques

    Stress is a significant factor affecting hormone imbalance, particularly the production of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Functional medicine employs stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness to help reduce stress levels. By managing stress, individuals can help regulate cortisol levels, thereby influencing other hormones’ balance and overall health.

  • Medication

    When necessary, functional medicine may also incorporate medication into the treatment plan for hormone imbalances. This could include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for those who need additional support in balancing hormones. Unlike conventional hormone replacement therapies, BHRT uses hormones that are chemically identical to those the body naturally produces, aiming for a more natural and personalized approach to hormone balance.


    We consider medication when lifestyle, nutritional, and supplemental interventions are insufficient on their own, and it is always used in conjunction with these other strategies to ensure a holistic approach to health.

Our aim is not just to normalize your hormone levels but to empower you with the knowledge and tools to maintain this balance, ensuring a sustainable return to health and vitality.

Will Adjusting My Hormone Balance Lead to Further Health Issues?

We know that hormones are a hot topic in many conversations today. People in Royal Oak and beyond seek hormone therapies for a number of reasons. Whatever your stance, know that hormones are a natural part of the body’s function. We’re not trying to change your biological makeup; we’re trying to get you back to feeling your best. 


During the course of your program, we will closely monitor symptoms. We will adjust accordingly, and we won’t make snap decisions without first looking at the data.

Join Us at Elle MD in Royal Oak for the Care You Deserve

Embarking on a journey with Elle MD means you’re not just a patient; you’re part of a community dedicated to holistic wellness. We believe everyone deserves to lead a life defined not by their symptoms but by their dreams and aspirations.


With functional medicine, we’re offering not a quick fix but a sustainable path to health. It’s about getting to the core of your hormone imbalances and addressing them in a way that respects your body’s natural processes.


If you’re ready to say goodbye to temporary solutions and step into a world where your health is the priority, Elle MD in Royal Oak is here to guide you. We’re not just healthcare providers; we’re your partners in wellness, committed to helping you achieve the hormonal balance and overall health you’ve been seeking.

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