Sex Hormones & Dysautonomia - Svetlana Blitshteyn, MD

Dr. Svetlana Blitshteyn discusses the impact of sex hormones on dysautonomia throughout different stages of life such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, highlighting that dysautonomia is more prevalent in women of reproductive age. She explains how hormonal fluctuations can worsen symptoms and details how conditions like POTS are often associated with these hormonal changes, particularly estrogen and progesterone levels, which may influence blood volume and autonomic function. Testosterone supplementation, while controversial, has been observed to help some male patients with dysautonomia. Dr. Blitshteyn underscores the need for individualized hormonal management and advocates for more research, particularly in understanding the nuances of how dysautonomia symptoms intersect with hormonal life stages and conditions like pregnancy and menopause. Finally, she touches on the significance of addressing sexual health and function in patients with chronic illness, a frequently overlooked area in clinical practice.