Introduction: “Why Do So Many People Have Hormone Issues Now?”

If you feel like “everyone” is talking about hormones lately, you’re not wrong. In our St. Louis functional medicine practice, we are seeing more women and men of all ages struggling with:

• Low libido
• Fatigue
• Mood swings
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Brain fog
• Weight gain
• Sleep issues

Underlying many of these symptoms? Sex hormone deficiencies or imbalances.

This blog explores why sex hormone deficiencies are so prevalent today, what they look like in men and women, and what we look for when we evaluate hormone health comprehensively.

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Learn more about our comprehensive hormone evaluations at Sheen Vein Aesthetics & Functional Medicine.

Why Are Sex Hormone Deficiencies Increasing?

Several converging factors:

1. Chronic Stress
   • Suppresses hormone production
   • Disrupts cycles and libido
2. Environmental Toxins / Endocrine Disruptors
   • Plastics, pesticides, personal care products, etc.
   • Mimic or interfere with natural hormones
3. Poor Sleep
   • Reduces testosterone production
   • Alters estrogen and progesterone rhythms
4. Metabolic Dysfunction
   • Insulin resistance and obesity affect hormone conversion and availability
5. Nutrient Deficiencies
   • Inadequate building blocks for hormone synthesis
6. Reduced Physical Activity and Muscle Mass
   • Impacts testosterone and metabolic hormones
7. Earlier and More Intense Chronic Illness
   • Autoimmune conditions, gut issues, and inflammation all influence hormone signaling

Sex Hormone Deficiency in Women

Women can experience low or imbalanced sex hormones at any stage, not just menopause.

Common Patterns:

• Low progesterone (with or without relatively normal estrogen)
• Estrogen fluctuations in perimenopause
• Overall low estrogen post-menopause
• Low androgens (including testosterone and DHEA)

Symptoms May Include:

• Heavy or irregular cycles
• PMS, mood swings, irritability
• Night sweats or hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort
• Low libido
• Brain fog and fatigue
• Sleep disruption

These are not simply “getting older” — they are hormone signals.

Sex Hormone Deficiency in Men

Men frequently present with:

• Low energy
• Reduced morning erections
• Decreased muscle mass
• Increased abdominal fat
• Low mood or irritability
• Reduced stamina and motivation

The combination of chronic stress, poor sleep, increased visceral fat, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals likely contributes to declining testosterone levels in younger and younger men.

The Role of Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Health

Metabolic health and sex hormone health are tightly interwoven.

• In men, increased abdominal fat and insulin resistance are strongly linked to lower testosterone.
• In women, insulin resistance can drive estrogen and androgen imbalance, including PCOS-like patterns or worsened perimenopausal symptoms.

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Read more about the connection between insulin resistance and hormones in our St. Louis practice.

How We Evaluate Sex Hormone Health

A thorough hormone evaluation at Sheen Vein & Functional Medicine often includes looking at:

• Estrogen (and its subtypes when appropriate)
• Progesterone
• Testosterone (total and free)
• DHEA
• Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
• Cortisol patterns
• Thyroid panel
• Metabolic markers (insulin, glucose, lipids)
• Inflammation markers
• Nutritional status

We’re not just asking, “Is your estrogen low?” but, “How is your overall hormone ecosystem functioning?”

How Lifestyle and Environment Shape Hormone Levels

Hormones respond to the world you live in:

• High stress → higher cortisol, lower sex hormone output
• Sedentary lifestyle → less muscle, more insulin resistance
• Environmental toxins → altered hormone receptor signaling
• Ultra-processed diet → inflammation, insulin resistance, nutrient gaps
• Poor sleep → reduced hormone production and repair

This is why hormone evaluation cannot be separated from lifestyle and environmental discussion in a meaningful clinical conversation.

When to Consider a Hormone Evaluation

You might consider a comprehensive hormone workup if you have:

• Persistent low energy
• Unexplained weight gain or body composition changes
• Low libido or sexual dissatisfaction
• Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms impacting life
• Mood changes, brain fog, or sleep issues
• Men’s health concerns such as declining performance, motivation, or recovery

Internal link prompt:
Schedule a hormone assessment at Sheen Vein Aesthetics & Functional Medicine in St. Louis.

Conclusion: Hormone Deficiencies Are Common — But Not Inevitable

Yes, sex hormone deficiencies are more common today. But that doesn’t mean they’re untouchable or purely a function of age.

You deserve clear, respectful, thorough evaluation of your hormone health — not dismissal.

Internal link prompt:
Learn more about how we approach hormone health in the greater St. Louis area.

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