Blog Archive

You can blame the medical community for decades of categorizing mental and physical health issues into two different camps or society for creating a mental health stigma; however, finger-pointing doesn’t change the fact that the mind-body connection was overlooked for way too long. Not at The Riegel Center. Dr. Christopher...

 Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep, especially when it comes to improving their overall health and well-being. Yet, sleep is often the first thing we compromise in our busy lives.  Fortunately, Christopher Riegel, MD, at The Riegel Center in Plano, Texas, specializes in sleep management to regulate your sleep and...

Considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for managing menopausal symptoms is a decision faced by many women. However, there’s a considerable amount of misinformation surrounding this treatment.  At The Riegel Center in Plano, Texas, Christopher Riegel, MD, and his team aim to provide accurate information about BHRT and its potential...

When people hear the phrase “hormone replacement therapy,” they may immediately think of menopause. Men’s bodies and hormone levels also change—perhaps less dramatically, but with significant impacts.  Testosterone is the hormone generally associated with masculinity, but in addition to helping you add muscle and grow a beard, testosterone has an...

Menopause brings lots of changes, and though some can be positive — like not having to worry about pregnancy or birth control — others can be upsetting, taking a toll on your comfort and your quality of life. For many women, a decline in sexual desire can be especially devastating,...

Everyone knows the old saying, “Beauty is only skin deep.” Still, there’s no denying people can make assumptions based on appearance — and how we look can affect how we feel about ourselves. The problem: It’s not always easy to maintain a youthful, vibrant appearance. That’s because as we age,...

A lack of restful, quality sleep makes you tired, sluggish, and irritable the next day. Chronic poor sleep can also multiply your risk of severe health complications, including heart disease and diabetes. Struggling to get a good night’s rest could be due to a hormone imbalance. At The Riegel Center...

Osteoporosis develops when your body no longer produces new bone quickly enough to replace older, weakening bone tissue. Approximately 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, and 80% of them are women. At The Riegel Center in Plano, Texas, Christopher Riegel, MD, offers personalized osteoporosis prevention and treatment...

Do you often feel drained but aren’t sure whether it may just be low motivation? Know that valid medical reasons could explain your low energy levels, and you needn’t blame yourself.  If you experience low energy levels on a regular basis, perhaps making you less productive at work and causing...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

Your hormones control many of your biological functions and even a small dip in your hormone levels can lead to a variety of disruptive symptoms. At The Riegel Center in Plano, Texas, we specialize in the management of age-related hormone imbalances or imbalances that result from underlying medical conditions. Highly...

The relationship between anxiety and hormone levels is complex but certain. Changes in hormones and imbalances can cause anxiety. If you already have anxiety, hormones can make it worse or contribute to spikes.  Throughout his career, Dr. Christopher J. Riegel at the The Riegel Center has studied hormones and how...

If you’re struggling with a low libido, you’re not alone. As many as 1 in 3 women between the ages of 30 and 59 struggle with loss of sex drive, while 1 out of every 20 men report low libido. A low libido can be frustrating for both you and...

Your tummy sags, your breasts droop, and your bladder leaks at the worst possible moments — these are the many expected (and frustrating) changes that follow pregnancy and delivery, but there are some less obvious changes you should be aware of.  One is your new metabolism.  Pregnancy and motherhood put...

Have you ever had one of those days where your thoughts seem cluttered, and focusing on tasks feels nearly impossible? At The Riegel Center located in Plano, Texas, board-certified provider Dr. Christopher J. Riegel talks to many patients who struggle with issues like these. Our patients are often surprised to learn these feelings of...

Hormones. There’s a reason why we talk so much about hormones in boys and girls as they start puberty. Hormones are a big part of what makes people male and female, and they impact many other aspects of whole-body health and wellness as well. Because male and female hormones differ,...

Pregnancy and childbirth are transformative journeys that bring significant changes to your body and mind. Throughout this remarkable process, your endocrine system plays a powerful role in orchestrating various hormonal fluctuations that need to happen for you to have a healthy pregnancy and successful childbirth.  Here at the Riegel Center...

When you’re struggling with hormonal imbalance-related symptoms, relief can seem like a dream that won’t come true. These crucial chemical messengers have a major impact on your physical and emotional well-being. When your hormones are out of whack, it can feel like you’re a stranger in your own body. Fortunately,...

If you're considering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), we want to help you have realistic expectations about what to anticipate— even as soon as one month after treatment. At The Riegel Center in Plano, Texas, Christopher J. Riegel, MD, and our professional team understand the discomfort hormone imbalances can cause. That’s why we...

Over a million women begin menopause every year in the United States, with symptoms that can be both annoying and confusing. Sure, most of us know that menopause can cause hot flashes, but other symptoms are less well-known — and much easier to overlook as a result. Fatigue is one of...

As you age, your bones can start to become more fragile, which puts you at risk for developing osteoporosis – a condition where your bones lose their density. If osteoporosis is left untreated, it can worsen and heighten the possibility of bone fractures. Broken bones – or even the fear...

It’s completely normal to have ebbs and flows with your interest in sex. However, if you start to feel the ebbs are more common than the flows, it’s time to talk to an expert. Low libido — or low sex drive — is incredibly common. In fact, up to 1 in 5...

You’ve been tired lately, so last night, you made an effort to get to bed early. You thought the extra rest would leave you feeling refreshed, but instead, you’re still feeling tired and cranky. And this isn’t the first time this has happened to you either. So what gives? Why...

Anxiety disorders often go unrecognized, yet they are the most common form of mental illness in the United States, with nearly one in five people struggling with some sort of anxiety. Symptoms can be debilitating and keep you from enjoying life and relationships. The good news is that plenty of...

Even though women reach peak bone mass (when your bones are at their thickest and strongest) by age 30, the body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding the skeleton. Eating a balanced diet, getting an adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D, and engaging in weight-bearing exercises helps you maintain...

Everyone knows hormones play a central role in sexual development early in life. But hormones are also deeply involved in the aging process, affecting not only your sexual health and libido, but many other aspects of your health and wellness, too. At The Riegel Center, Christopher Riegel, MD offers bioidentical...

Most people regard their sex lives as personal, and rightly so. There are an endless variety of preferences covering all aspects of sex for both reproduction and enjoyment. The motivation traces back to your libido, the energy of desire created by your body.  It’s normal for the level of libido...

Did you know that you can play a role in keeping your bones protected, strong, and healthy? As you age, you might begin to experience the weakening of your bones, which is a disease called osteoporosis. This condition can increase your risk for fractures and other complications.  At The Riegel...

Identifying anxiety can be challenging. The vast majority of people will go through periods of worry and have days when they feel anxious. That doesn’t mean, however, that they’re living with an anxiety disorder. Instead, anxiety disorders come with a specific set of symptoms. Beyond that, there are several different types...

When your bedroom life becomes lackluster or nonexistent, you wrack your brain trying to figure out why. You begin to wonder if your relationship is on the rocks, or if there’s something physically wrong with you. Sexual problems can stem from a long list of culprits, including excess stress, too...

Everyone goes through periods of sadness. But depression is a different beast altogether — and it doesn’t simply mean that you’re sad. While many people do experience low mood in a depressive episode, clinical depression comes with other symptoms that can impact virtually every part of your life. If you think...

What can be more relaxing than climbing into bed at the end of a long day and watching a few episodes of your favorite Netflix series on your phone, tablet, or the television in your bedroom? A little television before bed has become part of the pre-sleep routine for many...

Hormones are the body’s messenger system, controlling virtually every function you need to live. A natural consequence of aging is the reduced production of certain key hormones, estrogens in women and testosterone in men.  Menopause is a key hormonal event in women, and while male menopause (called andropause) isn’t as...

Your body is amazing. When something isn’t functioning as it should, your body sends you signals. Your thyroid is a small but mighty gland that produces two hormones critical to metabolic function. It is located at the bottom of your neck. These functions turn food into energy, as well as...

Often referred to as the “change of life,” menopause is a normal part of a woman’s aging process. However, the driving force behind menopause is a decline in the production of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Though these hormones play a vital role in managing your menstrual cycle,...

Your sex drive — or libido — naturally has highs and lows throughout your life, and the causes of these fluctuations are complex. Your age, emotional state, physical health, and relationship status all impact how interested you are in sex.  Dr. Christopher J. Riegel not only helps his patients pinpoint...

If you’re struggling with symptoms or conditions related to hormonal imbalances, you may have wondered if hormone replacement therapy can help. But with all of the myths circulating about the safety and efficacy of this treatment, you might wonder if it’s right for you.  At The Riegel Center in Plano,...

Hormone levels can be a big deal at certain points in your life, particularly in adolescence. And, if you’re a woman, during pregnancy and menopause, too. Outside of these events, though, hormones don’t get much thought.  Yet, getting older, experiencing stress, and even your diet can cause changes and fluctuations...

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. When most people think of hormones, they think of puberty. This is when your body ramps up the production of growth hormones and sex hormones. As you reach your 30s and 40s, these same hormones decline, causing many unwanted physical and mental changes. Do...

Our hormones are responsible for more functions in your body than you may realize. When any of these chemical messengers are out of whack, it can wreak havoc on your physical and mental health. At The Riegel Center, hormone specialist Christopher Riegel, MD, understands how bad you can feel when...

The elusive Fountain of Youth has been sought after for centuries. Its healing waters were thought to preserve life and halt the aging process. Beginning with the Greeks in the 5th century B.C., the Fountain of Youth has made its way through history. Many thought they had discovered it with Alexander...

Have you ever been looking for your cell phone and then realized you are talking to your friend on it at that very moment? Have you walked into a room in your home and then can’t remember what you were searching for when you got there? You may think you...

If you are feeling the stress of work deadlines, family obligations, relationship challenges, or health troubles then you are not alone. April is National Stress Awareness month. Everyone feels stress from time to time, but all stress isn’t bad. As a matter of fact, having too little stress in your...

How many times have you heard an emotional woman say that they are “just feeling hormonal”? While it is true that hormones can affect everyone’s moods, it seems to be more significant in women. If you are having difficulty dealing with your moods, a hormonal imbalance may be one of...

Food cravings come in many forms – from the historically odd pregnancy cravings (pickles and ice cream!) to late night snacks, and to chocolate (any time!). They are different than true hunger because cravings are an intense desire to eat a certain food. Cravings are often associated with a person’s...

As hormone specialists, we stress the importance of balanced hormones for your overall health. What many people don’t realize is just how important your hormones are in your day-to-day life. Your hormones essentially affect everything that your body does throughout the day and night. Even the slightest change in one...

With February being American Heart Health month, it’s important we discuss the importance of heart health in women and men. When a woman is going through perimenopause and menopause, her body is experiencing many different changes in her hormone levels. These changes can play a critical role in her heart...

If you are approaching menopause (perimenopause) or going through menopause then there is a good chance you are experiencing night sweats and hot flashes. These annoying reactions to your body’s hormonal changes can impact your energy level and sleep patterns. Some women barely experience symptoms while others experience severe debilitating...

A hormone is a chemical that delivers messages throughout your body through your bloodstream. They are sent to various tissues and organs in your body with signals that tell them what to do. Your hormones are a fundamental part of your body that help regulate your blood pressure, sex drive,...

Menopause is a natural process that women go through in their 40’s or 50’s. It is the natural decline in a woman’s reproductive organs and is the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. The time before menopause is considered perimenopause. This is the time period leading up to menopause when...

As Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, there is more and more talk about sex, love and your hormones. What many don’t know is that they go hand-in-hand. At The Riegel Center our clients frequently ask why their love life isn’t what it used to be; whether it’s not feeling as...

Testosterone in men is the hormone needed for male sexual development and reproductive function. In addition to building muscle mass and maintaining healthy bone density levels. When men hit their 40s, their testosterone levels begin to decrease, and it usually drops a little bit each year after that. Andropause and...

Increased heart rate, rapid breathing, constant worry, and sweating are all common symptoms of an anxiety disorder. According to ADAA, 40 million adults in the United States over the age of 18 suffer from anxiety disorders. It’s pretty common for people to notice an increase in their anxiety during stressful situations like...

Life stressors can make you feel like pulling your hair out –but the stress of losing your hair can’t be solved this way! Interestingly, one of the primary triggers of hair loss is stress. Your lifestyle, hormone changes, what you eat and genetic make-up are other triggers for hair loss....

Seasonal depression and holiday blues occur even during the best of times. With the additional stress of COVID-19, this holiday season may leave many women feeling more worn out. Juggling modified work and school schedules along with the unknown can make playing Santa extra challenging. Plus, engaging in the usual...

Have you ever heard someone say, “Oops, I’m having a senior moment,” as an excuse for being forgetful or making a silly mistake? Turns out, there’s a lot of truth to that comment! The fatigue and mood changes that accompany age-related hormonal changes can affect your mental alertness. Your hormones...

With flu season just around the corner and other viruses going around, it’s important to keep an eye on your health and immune system. During such busy times of the year, it’s always a hassle when you get sick and have to take off work or take off from your...

Being told to “break a leg” may not always mean “good luck” – especially if a small cough or stepping off a small curb causes you to break a bone. Bones are living tissues that need to be constantly repaired due to daily activities. The process of renewal is called...

Sleep plays a very important in your overall physical and mental health. What’s even more important is good sleep. Often, we will fall asleep and end up tossing and turning most of the night and then wake up feeling restless and even more exhausted. It’s important to understand your sleep...

Feeling tired, drained, or exhausted on a daily basis? This might have something to do with your hormone levels. As we start to get older our hormones can begin to become unbalanced. When this happens, we start to experience feelings of sluggishness and fatigue and even loss of sleep. This...

The World Health Organization recognizes the importance of libido, or sex drive, as being a key indicator in your health and quality of life. Sex drive in both men and women is linked to androgen hormones, specifically testosterone. Men have much higher testosterone than women which is why their sex...

“If you just eat less and exercise more you will lose weight – it’s simple math.” How many times have you heard that and argued back that you ARE eating less and you ARE exercising more? While calorie intake contributes to weight loss, it turns out metabolism and hormones play...

Random acne at 40, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, constipation, heavy/painful periods, night sweats; these are just some of the unusual signs for hormonal imbalances in women. Hormonal imbalances can occur when there isn’t enough, or sometimes too much, of a hormone in your bloodstream. Hormones play an essential role in...

In a world where you can order almost anything on-line, The Riegel Center has made it so you can also order your hormones on-line with a virtual consultation with Dr. Riegel. The Riegel Center offers virtual hormone therapy so that you can receive your hormones from almost anywhere in the...

Mood, weight, complexion and energy-levels are all at the mercy of your hormones during pregnancy, puberty, and menopause. However, did you know that your vision can be affected as well? If you’re a woman nearing or at the age of puberty or menopause, or happen to be pregnant, don’t be...

It seems to happen quite often, but don’t worry – the shifting of your hormone levels is completely normal! During menopause, before and after periods, during a pregnancy – these are all completely reasonable times to feel like your hormones are out of whack. However, a hormonal imbalance is also...

I have personal and professional reasons to learn as much as I can about aging healthy. My specialty is hormone replacement and age management medicine. Through my thirty years of middle of the night pages and delivering babies, I developed “delayed sleep latency onset” or my brain turned off REM sleep waiting...

One of my long term patients was in today. She encouraged me to write a post about a product I developed. Usually I don’t tell my patients about my Juvanesse unless they tell me they are having a problem. This patient told me “every woman needs to know.” So here...

Here are some interesting things you may never have thought of. There were some puzzling things for me during my career as an OBGYN. They were curiosities for me. Research in recent years has revealed the answers. I wondered why there are three completely different times in a woman’s life...

For those of you who have heard about HGH, I want to set the record straight. For full disclosure, I make zero money from prescribing HGH and have zero financial interest in others using it. In my expert opinion, both prescribing and using HGH for over ten years, HGH is...

My trek through the world of finding ways to age healthy and share those with my patients has had a few twists and turns. I was on Testosterone and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) from 2006 to 2014, when the FDA made HGH very difficult to get. Despite all adults having muscle wasting...

I have watched as two generations of families have fallen apart, when the kids are in high school or college. I believe I have an answer why this occurs. Most people meet their spouses in high school, college or slightly after. Everything that happens is nature, hardwired into our cells....