Hormone Replacement Therapy
They say that life begins at 40, and true enough, it’s as if a new life is beginning with all the changes that we experience when we reach middle age. Our hormones, particularly, begin to fluctuate and take a toll on our lives — physically and mentally.
While this is a natural occurrence that comes with the course of life, we can achieve balance and get our health and wellbeing back in check. This is where hormone replacement therapy proves helpful.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
As we age, various hormones in our bodies decrease naturally and fluctuate abnormally. This usually happens during women’s menopause but can also be from reproductive health issues. When this happens, it can cause hormonal imbalances and present changes in our health and wellbeing. This is why middle-aged people often experience symptoms such as fatigue, depression, anxiety, and decreased libido.
Hormone replacement therapy is a functional treatment option that brings balance back to the body by counteracting the fluctuation of hormones and increasing their production. As a result, it supplies the body with hormones and normalizes its production levels, redeeming a person’s quality of life and optimizing their health.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapies
Hormone replacement therapy in Hendersonville, TN can come in various treatment options for both men and women. These include:
- Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) – uses bioidentical hormones from plants to supplement the body’s natural hormone production.
- Pellet Therapy – a type of BHRT where pellets are installed beneath the skin to supply hormones to the body.
- Testosterone Replacement Therapy – a procedure that counteracts the decline of testosterone levels in men.
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy – increases estrogen levels in women’s bodies
- Female Sexual Dysfunction – using methods such as physical therapy, drugs, and supplements to increase testosterone levels in women.
Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormonal imbalance can happen to both middle-aged men and women. There are specific hormonal replacement therapies to suit each gender to alleviate their unique symptoms, redeeming their health, and improving their quality of life.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women
Hormonal imbalances usually happen on the brink of a woman’s menopause stage. At this point, the body stops being able to produce certain hormones, which translates to physical and mental symptoms such as anxiety, depression, decreased metabolism, cold sweats, etc.
- Our hormone replacement therapy procedures for women can help bring hormone levels back to normal and yield the following benefits:
- Alleviate depression and anxiety
- Boost energy and relieve insomnia
- Boost immunity
- Control body weight and weight gain
- Control mood swings
- Decrease hot flashes and night sweats
- Improve brain and cardiovascular function
- Increase physical strength
- Increase sex drive and sexual pleasure
- Reduce vaginal discomfort
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
Men can also experience hormonal imbalance with age, which presents a variety of mental and physical symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy for men can restore essential hormones to the body to alleviate symptoms and improve:
- Energy levels
- Mood
- Muscle development
- Resistance to heart attack and stroke
- Sex drive
When is Hormone Replacement Therapy Recommended?
Hormonal imbalance usually happens when a person reaches middle age, i.e. their 40s. The fluctuation of essential hormones can disrupt how the body functions and affect its natural processes. Because of this, doctors recommend hormone replacement therapy when a person of middle age experiences the following symptoms due to hormonal imbalance:
- Bone loss
- Irritability
- Hot flashes
- Low sex drive
- Mood swings
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort for women
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY FAQS
What is the Safest Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy should be conducted by a medical professional to ensure safety and reduce the risk of possible side effects such as heart disease, breast cancer, blood clots, and stroke. Patients can respond to HRT treatments differently, so it’s important to seek the advice and diagnosis of a doctor.
The safest hormone replacement therapy option is pellet therapy, where plant-derived hormones that are identical to those in the human body are supplied by inserting a pellet under the skin. These pellets provide a continuous supply of hormones to bring balance back and alleviate symptoms.
Do You Gain Weight With Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Because hormone replacement therapy involves supplying the body with the right levels of essential hormones, patients may experience fluctuations in their weight during the first few weeks of therapy. However, most patients report weight loss after hormone levels are restored as an effect of their increased metabolism and energy.
Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Make You Look Younger?
Hormone replacement therapy can stimulate the body’s protein production, which is a mineral that strengthens the skin and hair. Because of these physical changes, HRT can reverse the aging process and reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.