Why would I need hormone replacement therapy?

 

Hormones regulate every part of your body. They activate your immune system, control your digestive, nervous, and reproductive systems, and determine your:

• Mood

• Metabolism

• Heart rate

• Blood pressure

• Blood sugar

• Sex drive

• Hunger and fullness

• Bone strength

• Muscle growth

To maintain optimal health, your body tightly controls the hormone levels in your blood. If any hormone goes above or below the normal range, the resulting hormone imbalance causes physical, emotional, and psychological problems.

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You can develop a hormone imbalance for many reasons, ranging from stress, nutritional deficiencies, and sleep problems to health conditions like thyroid disease and diabetes. The production of some hormones naturally declines as you get older.

 

 

When do women need hormone replacement therapy?

 

Women often need hormone replacement therapy to treat thyroid disorders and other health conditions. However, many women turn to this treatment as they reach menopause.

When estrogen production drops at menopause, women experience a wide range of symptoms:

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Mood swings

• Insomnia

• Urinary incontinence

• Vaginal dryness

• Painful sexual intercourse

• Memory problems

• Depression

• Dry skin

Restoring estrogen to its natural level treats these symptoms and prevents health conditions caused by low estrogen, such as osteoporosis.

 

 

When do men need hormone replacement therapy?

 

Men can develop an imbalance in any hormone due to health problems. But they most often need hormone replacement therapy to treat low testosterone.

Men’s testosterone levels naturally decline by 1-2% every year after they turn 20. Testosterone imbalances cause symptoms such as:

• Loss of sex drive

• Erectile dysfunction

• Muscle loss and weakness

• Loss of body and beard hair

• Difficulty concentrating

• Weight gain

• Insomnia

• Memory loss

• Depression and anxiety

• Difficulty concentrating

Men overcome these symptoms as hormone replacement therapy brings testosterone levels back to normal. 

 

 

What should I expect during hormone replacement therapy?

 

The team at Vista Rejuvenation & Wellness Center uses bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. These safe, natural hormones are made from plant chemicals that are structurally identical to the hormones your body produces.

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Your provider runs blood tests to verify your hormone levels; then your treatment is designed to give you the exact dose of hormones you need. Bioidentical hormones come in the form of gels, creams, pellets, patches, pills, and sprays. Your provider chooses the one that best addresses your condition.