All About Hormones: Testosterone, Estrogen & Progesterone
Your Complete Guide to Bioidentical Pellet Therapy for Women
Cordial Medical Spa – Mundelein, IL
Hormones influence everything — energy, weight, mood, sleep, libido, mental clarity, bone density, and aging.
When women transition through their 30s, 40s, and 50s, the natural decline of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen (estradiol) can lead to a wide range of symptoms that feel confusing and disruptive.
At Cordial Medical Spa, we specialize in restoring hormonal balance through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) with pellet therapy, the most reliable, steady, and natural-feeling method of hormone delivery.
This guide explains each hormone in depth — what it does, why it declines, how symptoms appear, and how pellet therapy can help you feel like yourself again.
ESTRADIOL (E2): The Core Hormone of Feminine Comfort & Vitality
Estradiol (E2) is the primary estrogen in women, and it plays a profound role in how women feel — physically, emotionally, and mentally. As women enter perimenopause and menopause, estradiol levels drop dramatically, creating many of the hallmark symptoms women struggle with.
What Estradiol Does
Regulates body temperature (hot flashes, night sweats)
Maintains vaginal moisture & sexual comfort
Supports brain function, memory, focus
Preserves bone density and prevents fractures
Keeps skin hydrated, youthful, and elastic
Supports metabolism and cholesterol balance
Stabilizes mood and emotional well-being
Symptoms of Low Estrogen
Hot flashes, night sweats
Vaginal dryness or painful intercourse
Recurrent UTIs
Mood swings or irritability
Brain fog
Dry, thinning skin
Sleep difficulties
Decreased libido
Bone loss
Many women describe low estrogen as “my body changed overnight.”
Why Estrogen Matters in Menopause
Declining estrogen affects:
Bone health
Heart health
Brain clarity
Skin and collagen
Sexual comfort
Metabolic stability
Restoring estrogen helps women feel physically calm, emotionally grounded, and mentally sharp.
Estrogen Pellets
Estrogen can be delivered safely and effectively through pellets, offering:
Consistent symptom relief
No daily creams or patches
Stable mood and energy
Improved sleep
Healthier hair and skin
Better cognitive clarity
Estrogen Lab Testing
We may check:
Estradiol
Progesterone
Testosterone
SHBG
Thyroid panel
Vitamin D
Estrogen treatment is guided by symptoms + lab markers.
PROGESTERONE: The Essential “Calming Hormone” for Women
While estrogen and testosterone often get the spotlight, progesterone is the hormone that helps women sleep deeply, feel calm, and stay emotionally balanced. It is usually the first hormone to decline, often 10–15 years before menopause.
What Progesterone Does
Improves sleep quality
Calms anxiety through GABA pathways
Regulates menstrual cycles
Supports fertility
Protects bone density
Supports thyroid function
Reduces estrogen dominance symptoms (PMS, breast tenderness, heavy periods)
Helps maintain metabolic stability
Symptoms of Low Progesterone
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Anxiety, irritability, “wired but tired” feeling
Worsening PMS
Heavy or irregular periods
Night sweats or hot flashes
Migraines
Bloating and midsection weight gain
Feeling overwhelmed
Difficulty concentrating
Many women say low progesterone feels like “I’m not myself.”
Why Progesterone Matters
Low progesterone + normal estrogen = estrogen dominance, which leads to:
Mood swings
Breast tenderness
Bloating
Heavy periods
Anxiety
Sleep disruption
Balancing progesterone restores emotional calm and improves sleep dramatically.
Why Progesterone Isn’t a Pellet
Progesterone does not release predictably in pellet form.
Instead, women take oral bioidentical micronized progesterone at night, which naturally induces calm and supports sleep.
Benefits of oral progesterone:
Deep, restorative sleep
Reduced night sweats
Calmer mood
Uterine protection with estrogen therapy
Better appetite and weight control
Progesterone & Weight Balance
Healthy progesterone levels:
Reduce cortisol spikes
Improve insulin sensitivity
Minimize bloating
Support exercise recovery
Combined with testosterone, progesterone enhances results from Emsculpt, Vanquish, Exilis, and weight-loss injections.
Progesterone Lab Testing
We may check:
Progesterone
Estradiol
Testosterone
SHBG
Thyroid panel
Cortisol
For menopausal women, we base dosing on symptoms more than cycle timing.
TESTOSTERONE: The Hormone of Drive, Confidence & Metabolic Strength
Although widely known as a male hormone, testosterone is critical for women’s libido, metabolism, muscle tone, confidence, mood, and cognitive clarity. Women produce testosterone in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and its decline can begin as early as the mid-30s.
What Testosterone Does for Women
Enhances libido & orgasm intensity
Boosts energy and stamina
Supports lean muscle and metabolism
Improves bone density
Sharpens focus and mental clarity
Increases motivation and confidence
Improves mood & emotional resilience
Supports healthy weight management
Enhances exercise performance & recovery
Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low libido
Fatigue and decreased stamina
Brain fog
Mood irritability
Loss of muscle tone
Weight gain
Slower recovery after exercise
Hair thinning
Decreased confidence
Many women describe low testosterone as, “I lost my spark.”
Why Testosterone Matters in Menopause
Testosterone supports areas that estrogen cannot:
Libido & sexual function
Muscle building & fat burning
Confidence & assertiveness
Cognitive sharpness
Bone strength
Metabolic health
Testosterone Pellets
Testosterone works extremely well in pellet form, offering:
Stable, predictable hormone release
No messy creams or daily dosing
Long-lasting (3–4 months) symptom control
Enhanced libido, energy, and mood
Stronger muscle tone and improved metabolism
Testosterone & Weight Management
Balanced testosterone:
Increases lean muscle
Boosts metabolic rate
Reduces fat mass
Enhances workout efficiency
Improves insulin sensitivity
When combined with progesterone and estradiol, testosterone dramatically improves body composition results.
Testosterone Lab Testing
We may check:
Total testosterone
Free testosterone
SHBG
Estradiol
Progesterone
Thyroid markers
Metabolic labs
Dosing is based on symptoms + labs + personalized goals.
Why Pellet Therapy Works so Well
Pellet therapy provides:
Smooth, steady hormone release
No daily dosing
No roller-coaster highs and lows
Natural bioidentical hormones
Better symptom control
Emotional stability
Long-lasting effects (3–6 months)
Procedure
Detailed in-office visit with a medical doctor
Local anesthetic
Tiny incision, no stitches
Resume daily activity immediately
Avoid heavy glute workouts for 72 hours
Hormones & Weight Wellness
Optimized hormones:
Improve insulin sensitivity
Increase metabolic rate
Enhance muscle development
Improve sleep (which affects weight)
Reduce cortisol activation
They also boost the results of:
Emsculpt
Vanquish ME
Exilis
Medical weight-loss injections
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will I feel better?
Women often feel improvements in 1–3 weeks, with full benefits at 6–8 weeks.
How long do pellets last?
Estrogen/testosterone pellets typically last 3–4 months for women.
Do I still need progesterone if I’m taking estrogen?
Yes — progesterone is essential for uterine protection and emotional balance.
Are bioidentical hormones safe?
Yes. They are structurally identical to natural hormones and have been used safely for decades.
Will hormone therapy help with weight?
Yes — hormones strongly influence metabolism, sleep, and muscle mass.
**Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Restore Your Energy • Improve Your Mood • Boost Your Metabolism**
At Cordial Medical Spa (Mundelein, IL), we specialize in bioidentical hormone optimization for men and women using physician-guided pellet therapy.
📞 Call to Schedule Your Hormone Consultation: (847) 990-0510
✨ Start your journey to balanced hormones and a healthier, stronger you.
