"Neuroendocrine Workup for Andropause and Menopause"

Presenter: Heather Hydzik, ND
Original Date: April 5 2025

Around age 50 people are at the peak of their lives in a lot of ways, but as our patients they may require a new kind of support at this time. Females reaching menopause need a provider who is well-versed and up to date on how to provide the safest and most effective strategies to address symptoms of hormonal change. Males also experience hormone changes around this time that can contribute to mental/emotional and physical complaints. This shift is referred to as andropause and involves decline in testosterone and other neuroendocrine changes. Neurotransmitters and hormones can both be involved in the same symptom pictures as they affect one another’s secretion and effects, as evidenced by the efficacy of SSRIs prescribed for hot flashes and insomnia as well as the impact of testosterone on symptoms of depression in males. Proper neuroendocrine assessment can help practitioners offer individualized treatment options that are most appropriate based on the patient’s specific imbalances in neurotransmitter levels and hormone metabolism. Therapeutic strategies may include lifestyle changes, amino acid therapy, nutritional interventions, hormone supplementation, and certain pharmaceuticals. Follow up testing of urinary hormones and metabolites can allow providers to enhance the effectiveness, tolerability, and safe detoxification of endogenous hormones. Understand the multifactorial underlying causes of the symptoms of middle age and start treating the whole person so that they can get the most out of the potentially most rewarding time in their lives.

Bio: Dr. Hydzik is a naturopathic physician with a focus in hormone balance, mental health, digestion, and metabolic health. In addition to private practice, Dr. Hydzik is a staff doctor at Doctor’s Data. After earning a bachelor’s in psychology from University of Southern California, she completed a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and certificate of midwifery from National College of Natural Medicine (now NUNM). She completed a residency in naturopathic primary care near Seattle. Dr. Hydzik’s past work includes volunteering at a vaccine clinic, midwifery in Bali, and outreach work at a Chicago non-profit that served houseless individuals with mental illness. She has lectured at numerous conferences including AANP, A4M, IWHIM, WANP’s CONNECT, AzNMA, NHAND, and the Food as Medicine Symposium at NUNM.

NUNM is accredited by the North American Naturopathic Continuing Education Council (NANCEAC). This activity qualifies for 1.25 General, 0.25 Pharmacology (1.5 CEUs Total).