Hormones play vital roles in the body, so it is essential to keep them balanced to ensure bodily functions are not interrupted and for disease prevention, especially as we age. Medical conditions, aging, and other issues can affect your hormones and lead to imbalances. When you have a hormonal imbalance, it can affect your overall health and function. Balanced hormones improve your overall health and improve your quality of life. At Alabama Vein & Restoration Medspa, we customize hormone replacement therapy for men and women based on their age and unique needs. Read on to learn about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and how it can benefit you.
What Causes Hormone Imbalance?
Over time, a man or woman’s hormone levels fluctuate several times due to too many or too few hormones. In some instances, hormonal imbalance can be expected, like during pregnancy or puberty. Hormonal imbalances can lead to health conditions that need treatment. There are temporary hormonal imbalances, and others are long-term (chronic). Some hormonal imbalances can negatively impact your health or your quality of life. Hormonal levels can fluctuate unexpectedly, resulting in various unwanted symptoms. The following are some common causes of hormonal imbalances in men and women:
- Age
- Stress
- Underlying health conditions
- Puberty
- Adolescence
- Menopause
- Andropause
- Pregnancy
- Steroid use
- Certain medications
Signs You May Benefit from Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormonal signs and symptoms vary based on the hormones affected, the cause of the hormone abnormality, the severity, and the nature of the problem. Hormonal changes commonly affect androgen and estrogen- the two main sex hormones. For this reason, men and women experience gender-specific hormonal imbalance symptoms. In men, the signs of hormone imbalance may include the following:
- Low libido
- Hair loss
- Sexual dysfunction/erectile dysfunction
- Osteoporosis
- Weight gain
- Brain fog
- Dryer skin
- Decreased energy levels
- Decrease in muscle mass
In Women, the following are the signs of hormonal imbalance:
- Hot flashes
- Brain fog
- Night sweats
- Mood swings
- Pain during intercourse
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Osteoporosis
- Irritability
- Irregular periods/loss of periods
- Increased facial hair
- Thinning hair
- Vaginal dryness
- Low libido
- Difficulty sleeping at night
- Decreased muscle strength
- Dryer skin
- Muscle and joint pain
- Inability to lose weight despite a healthy diet and lifestyle
If you experience these symptoms, you may be suitable for hormone replacement therapy. According to studies, hormone replacement therapy is one of the safest and most effective methods for relief from hormonal imbalances.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Hormone Imbalances
HRT is a tool of integrative medicine that safely and effectively addresses hormonal imbalances in both men and women. Hormones are chemicals that give orders to your system on how to coordinate different functions in your body. They act as messengers throughout your blood and pass signals to organs, tissues, muscles, and skin, informing them what to do and when to do it. Hormones control bodily processes such as reproduction, mood, sexual function, metabolism, growth and development, and homeostasis (the constant internal balance). They are crucial for health and life.
When a hormonal imbalance occurs that is related to your sex, doctors use HRT to solve the problem. Hormone optimization is critical in disease prevention, immune boost, and symptom treatment. It helps prevent hypogonadism, andropause in men, and osteoporosis. Men’s and women’s hormones have key differences, so they require different types of HRT.
Men’s Hormone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone is the primary hormone in men. The hormone is essential in reproduction, bone mass, body hair, and muscle. Andropause is the male version of menopause. On average, testosterone levels begin to drop at 1% after age 30, and various physical symptoms can be associated with low testosterone. Young men can also be affected by low testosterone levels. Hormonal replacement helps boost energy, reverses age-associated changes, and prevents diseases. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, weight loss, and stress management to help your body better regulate hormones. You will be tested for testosterone levels and given an appropriate dose which may come in the form of a patch, gel, or shot. Pellet therapy can also help. The delivery method helps ensure a constant amount of testosterone in your body.
When men begin HRT, their quality of life and overall health significantly improves. They restore their sexual drive, have increased energy levels, improved mental clarity and focus, and are less depressed and anxious.
Women’s Hormone Therapy
Women’s hormonal imbalances begin as early as in their 30s. If health conditions affect hormones, imbalances can start even earlier, causing a host of symptoms, as mentioned earlier. With hormone replacement therapy, low estrogen levels can be replenished and ease these symptoms, including preventing osteoporosis. Your doctor will recommend various products with different dosages depending on the hormones your body requires. There are some risks with hormone replacement therapy which you and your doctor will determine if they outweigh the benefits. If you have moderate to severe menopausal symptoms, bone mass loss, cannot find relief from other treatments, or underwent a hysterectomy before 40 years, you can benefit from HRT.
If you have mild menopausal symptoms at over 45 years, experience early menopause, and have had your ovaries removed, HRT is highly beneficial. This is because a low estrogen level puts you at a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, colon cancer, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, and other health concerns. Discuss with your doctor the risks, benefits, and concerns you may have for a comprehensive treatment plan. Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes, including weight loss, regular exercise, and a healthy, balanced diet to regulate your hormones better.
Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men and Women
Whether you are a man or a woman with mild or severe symptoms affecting your quality of life, you no longer have to live in pain and discomfort. A customized hormone replacement therapy can restore your hormonal balance to give you back control over your life. At Alabama Vein & Restoration Medspa, we want you always to look and feel your best without the disruptive symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Contact us today or book an appointment online for more information on how hormone replacement therapy can benefit men and women.