Do You Have Any of the Following Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance or Deficiency?
Fatigue
Decreased energy
Decreased libido
Mood changes or Irritability
Increased or New Onset Anxiety
Increased or New Onset Depression
Frequent Bladder Infections (UTIs)
Hair Loss
Orgasm changes
Difficulty Sleeping
Hot Flashes or Night Sweats
Weight Gain
Joint pain
Decreased Bone Density (bone loss)
Memory Problems
Concentration Problems
Fertility Problems
Women: vaginal dryness, decreased lubrication, vaginal itching, pain or discomfort with intercourse, menstrual cycle changes
Men: erection changes
Hormone replacement therapy involves a type of medication that contains hormones. It can include female hormones, specifically estrogen, or male hormones, such as testosterone. Some types of hormone therapy include a combination of estrogen and progesterone. Another hormone used in hormone replacement therapy is human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), which is a hormone the female body produces during pregnancy.
As expected, different hormones will be used for various reasons.
Some people naturally have lower levels of hormones, while others experience a shift in hormones due to age or lifestyle events, such as menopause. Other individuals may undergo surgery that then affects their hormone production. No matter the cause of the unbalanced hormones, the side effects can be significant such as painful symptoms, increased disease risk, or infertility. Hormone replacement therapy helps return the amount of hormones in the body to a normal level, correcting these issues.
How hormone replacement therapy is completed will depend on the type of hormone replacement and the method chosen. There are many available forms of hormone replacement therapy, including a pill, injection, gel, patch, vaginal cream, or slow-releasing suppository placed within the vagina.
Estrogen Therapy
There are two main types of estrogen therapy. The best choice for you often depends on what symptoms you are experiencing.Systemic Hormone Therapy
This type of hormone replacement therapy often contains a higher dose of estrogen. It can come in the form of a pill, ring, skin patch, cream, gel, or spray. This type of therapy is absorbed throughout the entire body, so it can be used to treat any of the common menopausal symptoms.Low-Dose Vaginal Products
As the name suggests, these products contain a lower dose than systemic hormone therapy products. That is because these products, which often come in the form of a tablet, cream, or ring, are often used to only treat vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause.Unless you have had your uterus removed, estrogen therapy typically contains a combination of estrogen and progesterone/progestin. This is because estrogen alone can stimulate the growth of the uterus lining, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer. Progesterone balances estrogen and reduces that risk.
Testosterone Therapy
Testosterone therapy is typically completed through an injection or gel.HCG Therapy
HCG therapy is commonly administered through an injection. The shot is injected under the skin or into the muscle.Treatment Frequency
There are also different treatment timeframes. For example, someone who experiences painful menopause symptoms may only receive treatment once a month. In most cases, the goal is to receive the benefit needed while limiting the amount of hormone utilized.
Menopausal Women
Hormone replacement therapy helps treat the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal discomfort.Hormone replacement therapy may also help those who are going through early menopause. This may happen because of a surgical removal of the ovaries before the age of 45, or if you stopped having periods before the age of 45. This may also occur if you lose the normal function of your ovaries before the age of 40. When these situations occur, your body is not receiving as much estrogen as women who go through a typical period of menopause.
The above situations may also increase your risk of certain health conditions, including heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, stroke, and mood changes. Hormone replacement therapy can help combat the increased risk of these conditions.
Post-Menopausal Women
After menopause, many women may be at an increased risk of osteoporosis. To prevent bone breaks and fractures, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended to strengthen the bones.Men With Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism is a medical condition in which the testicles do not produce enough testosterone. Testosterone therapy can help return testosterone levels to normal for those with hypogonadism, which primarily helps to increase libido.Fertility Issues
Both men and women experiencing fertility issues can receive hCG therapy to increase their likelihood of getting pregnant. For women, hCG encourages egg production, while hCG increases sperm count for men.
What options for HRT are there?
Options include creams, gels, patches, injections, oral medications, and pellets. We discuss all the options available and give you the patient the information to make an informed decision that will best fit your personal and financial needs.
Is HRT covered by insurance?
Many of the medical treatment options are covered by insurance and some are not. We believe in educating patients on their options so they can make informed decisions that will meet their needs.
How do I get started on HRT?
Before beginning therapy, we send you to the lab of your choice for a simple blood test to draw your blood and establish a baseline measurement of your hormone levels and other measurements that might affect your hormones. If you have insurance most labs are covered but you must check with your individual plan for actual coverage determination. If you are uninsured, we work closely with a local lab that has great rates for self-pay individuals.
How often do I have to repeat lab tests?
Every 3 to 4 months depending on the HRT method chosen to meet your needs.
What are the side effects of HRT?
Beneficial side effects include but are not limited to improvement with energy, libido, mood, anxiety/depression, sleep, hot flashes/night sweats, memory, concentration/mental clarity, muscle mass/strength, joint pain, skin, hair, nails, and bone health. For women there is improvement in symptoms of menopause and vulvovaginal tissue atrophy. For men there is improvement in erectile tissue health.
Potentially negative side effects include but are not limited to sweating, hair growth in all the wrong places or hair loss in all the wrong places, increased red blood cell count (could be positive for individuals that tend to run low), edema, increased body odor, acne, mood changes, and bloating and weight gain.
Talk with your provider about what options may be best for you.
What about cancer?
Hormones do not cause cancer they are the fuel for the fire in some cancers. For women cancer can be estrogen or progesterone dependent and for men testosterone and estrogen dependent. However, there are hormone therapy options even for patients with a history of cancer.
The same can be said for the sugar, chemicals, and hormone disruptors that people are exposed to every day in the food they eat and the products they use daily. These products don’t cause the cancer, but again are the fuel for the fire.
Consult with a medical provider to determine options that may be best for you.
Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy safer?
Bioidentical hormones are derived from plants and considered to be closer to our own naturally occurring hormones. However, this does not mean it is safer or better than synthetic commercial hormone products. The goal is to maintain patients within safe ranges of these hormones no matter the type of therapy.
Dr. Mel offers a range of options so patients can determine the best options to meet their needs.
How long will it take for me to feel better?
Many people live years to decades with hormonal imbalances and deficiencies. The time it takes will vary on an individual basis but most people will begin to feel the benefits within a few months. What did you think it would be easy and instant gratification? Believe me I wish I had that but I don’t.
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