What To Expect During Treatment
If you suspect that you may be experiencing hormone deficiency, the good news is that treatment is incredibly streamlined and designed to fit into every lifestyle, no matter how busy. Once youre approved for treatment, youll have just a few appointments per year to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.
Signs Of Hormone Deficiency In Women
While hormone deficiency can present itself in the early 30s, many women dont notice its full effects until they reach menopause. This hormone-driven bodily change is different for every woman, but an imbalance in the bodys natural hormone levels can make the symptoms much more overwhelming. The process of menopause can be divided into four different stages:
Premenopause
This first stage, which makes up the bulk of a womans life, encompasses the time when normal reproductive functions are active. For most women, this includes a regular period and the ability to become pregnant. Generally, it lasts from a womans first menstrual cycle to her last menstrual cycle. Hormone levels are usually higher during a womans teens and early 20s. As early as the mid-20s to early 30s, hormone levels plateau and eventually decrease.
Perimenopause
This transitional stage between a normal, regular menstrual cycle and the end of a womans reproductive abilities can last 2-10 years. Most women who experience this stage are between 35-50 years old. Hormone levels fluctuate, often causing the hallmark symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and a roller coaster of emotions due to the bodys imbalance. When it progresses naturally, this stage of menopause can take a huge toll on the physical and emotional health of women.
Menopause
Postmenopause
Natural Treatments For Hormonal Dysfunction
Making the 4 Pillars the cornerstone of a healthy life can improve your hormone production and functioning. A few ideas here may help you self-regulate.
Nutrition Get your diet dialed in. Eat organic foods, seek out low-mercury seafood, drink filtered water. Cook in stainless steel, glass, cast iron, or enamel. Avoid non-stick, coated cookware. Consider evidence-based nutritional supplementation based on your physicians recommendation.
Exercise Develop an appropriate movement practice. This will help regulate blood sugar levels and reduce stress.
Sleep Create a dependable, relaxing sleep routine to cue your body that its time to get some rest.
Stress Reduce the emotional stressors youre aware of, and try meditation for those you cant eliminate from your life. Identify and replace environmental pollutants, such as cosmetics and household cleaners, with organic standard versions.
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Questions For Your Doctor
Everyone is different, so you’ll need to work closely with your doctor to figure out if HRT is right for you. Some things to talk about include:
- Is it safe for me to try HRT?
- Is local or systemic HRT a better option for me?
- How long can I safely use it?
- What side effects might I have, and what should I do about them?
- If I choose not to use HRT, what else can I do to help with my symptoms?
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What Causes Low Estrogen
Estrogen is an important hormone that triggers sexual development during puberty and helps to maintain the female reproductive system. It also plays an essential role in other organs such as the heart, blood vessels, brain, urinary tract, breasts, bones, muscles, skin, and hair.
Estrogen levels rise and fall throughout a womans life. This often occurs in sync with a natural process like the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes and fluctuations in estrogen levels are normal. Low estrogen hormone levels usually occur during a natural change like menopause, when the ovaries stop producing eggs and enough estrogen.
The hormone imbalances associated with menopause include low estrogen and low levels of other hormones. For example, around the time of menopause, the bodys ability to make hormones in the ovaries declines, leading to a drop in the bodys testosterone levels. This can lead to you losing muscle mass in addition to the usual symptoms of estrogen deficiency.
Sometimes, hormonal imbalance is the result of conditions like primary ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure. Hormone imbalance can also occur in women with thyroid disorders or those who have undergone chemotherapy. Consistently low estrogen levels at different ages can cause problems such as slowing sexual development or making it harder to get pregnant.
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What Are The Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
For men and women over the age of 35, recurring symptoms of hormone deficiency can disrupt everyday life and are difficult to treat with conventional methods. While hormone levels naturally decrease as we age, the side effects can drain your energy, leaving you feeling frustrated as your life seems to pass you by. Thanks to an innovative hormone replacement therapy treatment proudly offered by Pellecome LLC in Randolph, NJ, you can take back control of your health and vitality.
Diagnosis & Tests For Hormone Replacement Therapy
If you are age 45 and above, your doctor may not test you for signs and symptoms of menopause. Once symptoms occur, your doctor may examine you, take a personal and medical history, and work out lifestyle factors that improve your symptoms.
If you are under age 45, your doctor may perform blood tests to determine your hormone levels. They may also perform ultrasounds and physical exams to find the cause of your hormone deficiency.
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Signs Of Hormone Deficiency In Men
Many male patients who pursue hormone replacement therapy find that, in the beginning, theyre unsure of how to explain their hormone deficiency symptoms. However, men as young as 30 often begin to notice the impact that decreased testosterone levels has on their bodies and lifestyles.
Andropause
While its not as well known, there is a counterpart to menopause in men. This natural process is called andropause and affects the amounts of testosterone produced in the male body. Andropause has a much less defined timeline. Some men experience a sudden, alarming change which can affect their ability to build muscle or lose weight, their bone density, and their sex drive and performance. Most men, however, report a steady decline over a long period of time. This process often begins in their 30s and, going forward, the bodys testosterone production drops 1-2% each year.
For most men, the real side effects of andropause become apparent in their 40s and 50s. They realize that they dont feel the way they used to, and many men report that they feel less confident in themselves. Replenishing the bodys testosterone levels through BHRT pellets can help you feel younger and more full of life no matter how old you are.
Understanding The Benefits And Risks
Recent findings show that although not completely risk-free, HRT remains the most effective solution for helping with symptoms of menopause and is also effective for the prevention of osteoporosis. It may also provide protection against heart disease.
When deciding whether to have hormone replacement therapy , it is also important to understand the risks.
You may have heard about a link between breast cancer and HRT. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence say that HRT is effective and recommend that it should be offered to women with menopausal symptoms.
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Am I An Ideal Candidate
For men and women of all ages, hormone therapy can be an excellent way to improve overall health as well as address specific concerns that are caused by a hormone deficiency. Whether youre noticing symptoms in your early 30s and want to address the issue early or want to reverse the side effects of hormone deficiency in your 60s, treatment can be effective for most patients.
The plant-based, bio-identical hormones used in BHRT are designed to be used by the body to balance hormone levels and encourage healing. Theyre also made to be safe and effective as a treatment option for almost all bodies. Most patients are able to pursue treatment, but you should consult your doctor during your initial consultation to ensure that this treatment is right for you.
Dont Give Testosterone All The Credit
Testosterone gets discussed ad nauseam, but other vital hormones can impact your body and its overall health. These hormones include:
Because all of these hormones work in concert, like a symphony, you need to look beyond just testosterone. You should dive deep with a comprehensive hormone review to determine your individualized needs.
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Who Should Not Have Hormone Replacement Therapy
It is important to note that hormone replacement therapy may not be an appropriate treatment in certain cases. It is vital that you speak with your doctor about any concerns you may have and discuss why this may or may not be the right treatment for you. Hormone replacement therapy can help manage symptoms, but may not be an option if you:
-Believe you may be pregnant
-Have a history of blood clots
-Have liver disease
-Have a history of experiencing vaginal bleeding
-Have a history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer
-Have high blood pressure and/or have had a stroke or heart attack
Since hormone replacement therapy comes in so many different forms, you will also need to discuss the best option for your individual needs and preferences. The type of hormone and the amount will be determined beforehand during an assessment of your symptoms and hormone levels.
Menopause Symptoms And Hrt
Menopause symptoms that may be relieved by HRT include:
- hot flushes and night sweats
- vaginal dryness
- hair loss or abnormal hair growth
- dry and itchy eyes.
Other therapies, including vaginal oestrogen products, antidepressants or other medications, may be used depending on the symptoms and risk factors. Seek advice from your doctor.
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How Is Menopause Diagnosed
Menopause is diagnosed starting with an assessment of a woman’s menstrual cycle history and a history of menopausal symptoms. In general, if a woman is over 45 years and presents with menopausal symptoms such as irregular menstrual periods, hot flashes, sleep problems, and mood changes, she would be considered in perimenopause and no diagnostic testing is needed.
Blood tests that may be indicated include:
For women 40 to 45 years who present with menopausal symptoms, blood tests to check for other conditions may include:
- Human chorionic gonadotropin to rule out possible pregnancy
- Prolactin to rule out hyperprolactinemia
- Thyroid stimulating hormone to rule out hyperthyroidism
Changes In Body Composition
As we age and our hormones change, our body composition also changes. We lose muscle mass and bone density. Our bodies accumulate more fat and redistribute it to new areas.
Our skin also becomes thinner and drier, especially in women. And both men and women can experience hair loss.
If you notice these types of body changes taking place and are experiencing quality of life issues, they could be a sign that you need hormone replacement therapy. Ask your doctor to check your hormone levels and talk about whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
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Signs Hormone Replacement Therapy Will Improve Your Quality Of Life
While the five signs below dont necessarily mean you need hormone replacement therapy, they could indicate that hormone replacement therapy will significantly improve your quality of life.
If you experience any of the following symptoms to a disruptive degree, its a good idea to speak with your doctor.
At What Point Should You Start Hrt
Some women may need to start hormone replacement therapy at an early age to treat symptoms related to conditions like early menopause , abnormal bleeding, infertility, etc.
The most common point in time when women start hormone replacement therapy is around menopause. Menopause is a normal part of the aging process, and most of the symptoms go away on their own. However, if you find you are feeling frustrated or the symptoms are uncomfortable or unbearable, you should see a doctor about starting hormone replacement therapy.
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Why Were Losing Our T
There is a direct relationship between our lifestyle and our testosterone levels. Ive talked extensively about endocrine disruptors and environmental toxins like BPAs, pesticides, and phthalates that affect your testosterone production. These, along with obesity, poor sleep, and dietary deficiencies can negatively impact your testosterone.
A pro-inflammatory diet can severely impact testosterone production. Millions of men also have micronutrient deficiencies, lacking the vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal health. Some studies show that one week of inadequate sleep significantly reduces our testosterone, and the more sleep we lose, the worse it gets. Other reasons include smoking and excess alcohol consumption.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefits
Hormone replacement therapy isnt the only way to get certain hormones in check. Lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, managing your stress, and getting enough sleep can help in some cases.
Faster Results
But lifestyle changes take time to get results. If youre dealing with the side effects of hormone imbalance, you may not want to wait weeks or months to see an improvement when hormone replacement therapy can help you feel better faster.
Overcoming Hormone Hinderances
Another issue is the catch-22 that can come with hormone imbalance. Low testosterone, for example, can hamper building muscle and losing weight. So if youre deficient in testosterone, you might not see great results even from frequent working out. Hormone replacement therapy can give you the boost you need in this area.
The Only Defense Against Menopause
For women, hormone replacement therapy is really the only option to address the declining estrogen and progesterone of menopause. There arent any lifestyle hacks to help women naturally boost their estrogen or progesterone levels.
So if the symptoms of menopause disrupt your quality of life too greatly, it might be a sign that you should consider hormone replacement therapy.
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What Are The Signs That I Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
The two main hormonesestrogen and testosteroneare found in both male and female bodies. However, deficiencies of each hormone have vastly different impacts on men and women. If youre wonderingwhether your symptoms may be related to a lack of hormones, there are some signs that you may be an ideal candidate for hormone therapy.
S Of Hormone Delivery
Pills
This is the most common, and therefore the most studied, form of HRT. Most pills are taken once a day but can be adjusted to the bodys needs. While this was the standard method for quite a while, newer delivery methods are becoming increasingly popular.
Patches
Patches are a convenient form of HRT since they are applied to the skin and remain in place for several days. Patches are often worn on the stomach and are a good option for people who dont like taking oral medications, have stomach problems from pills, or have a difficult time remembering to take their pills. Some research has shown that the risk of blood clotting is smaller with the patch than with pills, but more evidence is needed.
Gels and Creams
Similarly to patches, this form of treatment is through skin absorption. Since they are topical and are delivered through the skin directly into the bloodstream, these are safer for people with cholesterol or liver problems. It is important to make sure these are stored in a safe place away from pets and children.
Pellets
This new generation of treatment has revolutionized HRT. Pellet implants are about the size of a grain of rice and are inserted just under the skin, where they deliver a consistent dose of hormones. The treatment is done in the office and only takes a few minutes.
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What Are The Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance In Women And Men
Signs of hormonal imbalance in females differ compared to males. Most often caused by aging, hormone replacement therapy can provide relief for many symptoms experienced by men and women. For women, the underlying reason for hormone instability usually occurs because of menopause, oophorectomy, early menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency, breast cancer, infertility, and endometrial hyperplasia. Men experience hormone fluctuations because of andropause, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism.
In women, signs may include:
Men may experience symptoms like:
- Unexplainable weight loss
What Are The Signs That Men Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
Some men will continue to produce sufficient amounts of testosterone into their senior years. Other men will experience a noticeable decrease in testosterone somewhere between their thirties and their fifties. The process is different for every man, so there is no specific age or period of a mans life where hes more likely to need testosterone.
Men with low testosterone will often notice changes that impact their mood, the way they look, the composition of their body, and their physical strength.
- Cognitive issues, like lack of mental focus
- Hair thinning or hair loss
- Low energy levels
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Hot Flashes And Night Sweats
Hot flashes and night sweats can occur for about 30 seconds to a few minutes. According to MedicineNet, hot flashes are a characteristic symptom of the menopausal transition in women, but may occasionally result from other medical conditions. About 70% of women will experience hot flashes at some point in the menopausal transition. A physical examination can help determine your hormone levels and what treatment is best.
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