How Do I Know If I Need Hormone Therapy
Dont make the mistake of assuming that low-T levels are something you only have to deal with when youre approaching retirement. In fact, the signs of low testosterone can start showing up as early as your 20s. Since there are plenty of factors that can contribute to issues with testosterone, going off of age alone just doesnt work.
After age 30, testosterone levels decline an average of 1% every year. Thats why many men consider their 40s as the time to start thinking about TRT. But why wait until your symptoms are taking over your life? Instead, take charge of your health and be proactive.
If youre experiencing one or more of the symptoms of low-T, a quick hormone test from a trusted clinic can give you answers.
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Risks And Benefits Of Hormone Therapy: Focus On Cardiac Health
In 2002, the Womens Health Initiative clinical trial was published, causing patients and physicians to question the safety of menopausal hormone therapy.3 Before this study, many patients took hormones in an attempt to improve overall health, prevent future cardiac disease, and treat menopausal symptoms, in part because results of observational studies showed apparent protection from cardiac disease. The WHI study compared a combined oral regimen consisting of conjugated equine estrogen and medroxyprogesterone acetate with placebo, and found that the combined regimen increased the risk of coronary artery disease, breast cancer, stroke, and venous thromboembolism . This large study of approximately 16,000 women also found a decreased risk of colorectal cancer, hip fractures, and total fractures.3
Critics of the 2002 WHI trial believe it is not appropriate to generalize results to all menopausal women, because the population studied may not represent women who typically use hormone therapy. Specifically, the average age of participants was 63 years, more than a decade older than the average age of the menopausal transition , when women are more likely to start hormone therapy.
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The Focal Point Difference
With a team of licensed doctors and experts in mens health, were well-equipped to help you navigate the challenges of decreased testosterone with ease. We offer from onsite blood testing to medication delivered to your doorstep for convenience and confidentiality. Here, youll receive a completely customized treatment plan that addresses your specific goals and symptoms we dont believe in taking a one-size-fits-all approach like many other hormone clinics in Phoenix.
On top of TRT, well help you figure out the best way to target your symptoms: from dietary experts and personal trainers to local pharmacies and laboratories, we have every resource you could possibly need. Youll be consistently monitored to make sure that your treatment is helping you make the progress you want, so you can be completely confident that youll see results and stay safe every step of the way.
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What Are The Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT is a safe and effective treatment for most healthy women with symptoms, who are going through the menopause at the average age in the UK . The risks and benefits of HRT will vary according to your age and any other health problems you may have. Your doctor will be able to discuss any potential risks of HRT to you in detail.
The Best Time To Start Growth Hormone Therapy May Be Right Now
If decreased levels of HGH could be the root cause of aging, then, could growth hormone therapy turn back the clock? In many ways it can! We all know that growing old brings with it a number of issues. All of the many downsides we attribute to growing old, can all be directly related to low levels of HGH.
However, growth hormone therapy can reverse many or all of these symptoms, by returning your HGH to more youthful levels. The many positive benefits of starting growth hormone replacement therapy as soon as you are showing the signs of low growth hormone levels, have been well documented.
Growth hormone replacement therapy can:
- Rejuvenate and invigorate every cell in your body
- Help you burn fat and build lean muscle
- Improve your immune response
- Fight fatigue and give you more energy
- Keep your moods more stable
- Return you to more normal sleep patterns
- Improve sexual performance
While the many positive benefits of starting growth hormone therapy are well documented, it is equally as well known that there are many scammers out there trying to cash in on the benefits of growth hormone therapy.
Do not be fooled by any products you see advertised anywhere that claim to be HGH or contain HGH. The only way to get real growth hormone therapy is with a prescription for growth hormone injection from a doctor. The only way for a doctor to prescribe you HGH, is by testing and following the guidelines as to when to prescribe growth hormone discussed above.
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Do I Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
The signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance can vary between men and women and may be mild to severe. If the side effects of menopause or low T are negatively affecting your life, hormone replacement therapy may be right for you. Choosing to begin treatment is a personal decision and should be discussed with your medical providers.
What If I’m Unsure
If you’re still uncertain or hesitant about what age to start hormone replacement therapy, Dr. Singh and the trusted team at HEALOR Primary Care can answer your questions and guide you on the path to treatment. Whether we see you for an initial gender reaffirmation consultation or as a returning patient, our providers are here to support you. We’re proud to have worked with many transgender people in their personal journeys.
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How Long Does A Person Continue Hormone Therapy
The decision to continue or discontinue hormones is entirely up to the individual. The physical transition process, during which hormones alter the physical characteristics of the body, can take up to five years. After that, many people choose to continue taking hormones in order to maintain the changes that have already occurred. The goal of hormone therapy is to keep the hormones within the normal, physiologic ranges. Around age 50-60 years, hormone levels naturally decline in healthy people and some individuals might discontinue them then or reduce them to a very low dose.
If a person has surgery to remove the testes , the body would no longer produce testosterone. A testosterone blocker would no longer be needed but estrogen would still be needed to maintain feminine characteristics.
If a person has surgery to remove the ovaries , the body would no longer produce estrogen. However, testosterone would still be needed to maintain masculine characteristics.
Do You Require A Letter From A Therapist In Order To Start Hormone Therapy
For adults , a letter from a therapist is not required of every patient. If a patient has a therapist, a letter from that person is very helpful and much appreciated since it helps us assess the patients readiness for hormone therapy.
Prospective patients who do not have a therapist will have a gender assessment by our providers. If we are concerned about a persons readiness for hormone therapy, we will recommend establishing a relationship with a therapist before hormones can be prescribed.
We encourage all of our patients to consider participating in therapy during the gender transition process. Transitioning is a stressful experience as a person negotiates relationships with family members, significant others, and coworkers and learns to live in the world as their affirmed gender. Support during this process is important for everyone and a therapist who specializes in gender is highly recommended. We can suggest qualified therapists.
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Treating Andropause With Hormone Replacement Therapy
The good news is that andropause symptoms of any severity can be relieved by bringing your hormones back into balance using a quality hormone replacement therapy program. Here are some of the key signs of a quality hormone therapy program:
- Consideration of all hormones, including testosterone, estrogen, DHEA, cortisol, and thyroid
- Individualized dosages designed to bring hormones to healthy levels
- Testosterone administered by injection not by gels, pellets, or patches
- Only bio-identical hormones used
- Ongoing hormone testing and monitoring for continued safe and effective treatment
- Diet and exercise recommendations
No matter what age you may be right now, the beneficial effects of properly administered therapy can be felt in as little as 4 to 6 weeks. To get on the path to a reinvigorated and revitalized you, simply contact Renew Man to get started
New You
Is Hormone Therapy Safe
Most experts, including our team, believe that hormone therapy is a safe choice for transgender older teenagers and young adults, but it can have some side effects. Because research in this area is just beginning, its possible that there are other long-term risks we dont yet know.
To monitor for possible side effects, we do frequent blood tests to monitor health and check for:
Possible side effects of feminizing hormone therapy
Possible side effects of masculinizing hormone therapy
- Headaches or migraines
- Higher risk of heart attack, heart disease and stroke
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Counseling Patients About Hormone Therapy And Alternatives For Menopausal Symptoms
D. ASHLEY HILL, MD, Florida Hospital Graduate Medical Education Program, Orlando, Florida
SUSAN R. HILL, MD, Orlando, Florida
Am Fam Physician. 2010 Oct 1 82:801-807.
Patient information: See related handout on treating menopausal symptoms, written by the authors this article.
Menopause is a normal, physiologic transition when a woman stops producing eggs and ovarian function diminishes, sometimes causing bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness. The media attention to recent clinical trials of treatments for menopausal symptoms has provided women with a large amount of information, some of it contradictory. This makes it challenging for patients to understand which treatment options are available, effective, and safe. In the past, physicians typically prescribed hormone therapy for menopause, whereas now they increasingly prescribe medications to treat specific symptoms. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a boxed warning for hormone preparations and, with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists , advises that hormone therapy be prescribed at the lowest effective dosages and for the shortest possible duration.1,2 Dozens of medications, dominated by hormone formulations, are available to treat menopausal symptoms. When counseling menopausal patients, physicians should understand the benefits and risks of hormone therapy and alternative treatments, and the key differences among the various delivery systems.
Contact Us To Learn More
Hormone imbalance can affect women at every stage of their lives. Instead of living with symptoms of hormone deficiency, take back control of your life and consider hormone replacement therapy. Youll find that treatment can be adjusted to fit your needs at every age, and with the help of your doctor, you can continue to experience true balance for years to come. To learn more about this revolutionary treatment, find a Pellecome provider today and schedule an initial consultation today.
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Blocking Oestrogen And Menstruation In Adults
The sex hormone oestrogen can be blocked or suppressed using puberty blockers, as above. For adults, sex hormones are necessary, so continued use of blockers long term without taking testosterone is not advised.If a patient is taking testosterone , they no longer need to take agonists as the testosterone will suppress their natural oestrogen. However, birth control is still necessary. Progesterone based Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives such as Depo provera, Jadelle, or an IUD or IUCD are suitable forms of contraception.
Menopausal Symptoms Usually Ease
This can make a big difference to quality of life in some women:
- HRT works to stop hot flushes and night sweats within a few weeks.
- This means that HRT can:
- Improve symptoms of vaginal dryness.
- Improve discomfort during sexual intercourse as a result of this vaginal dryness.
- Help to reduce recurrent urine infections.
- Improve any increased frequency of passing urine.
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Signs You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is not for everyone, but some people find the treatment provides relief from the symptoms of menopause.
9 Signs that you may need hormone replacement therapy include:
Other conditions caused by hormone deficiency may also benefit from hormone replacement therapy.
Myths And Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy Every Woman Should Know
If youve talked to friends, family, or conducted your own web search you may have ended up with conflicting information regarding hormone replacement. A mixture of information can make it challenging to separate fact from fiction. Read on to get the factual scoop on hormone replacement therapy and discuss it with your doctor. Our experts demolish common myths, so you have the facts to make an informed decision about your health.
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Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women
Hormone replacement therapy is a medication containing estrogen, which replaces the estrogen your body is no longer producing during menopause. There are two primary types of hormone replacement therapy: systemic hormone therapy and low-dose vaginal products.
Systemic hormone therapy can come in the form of a pill, skin patch, ring, gel, cream, or spray. It contains a higher dose of estrogen that is absorbed throughout the body. Low-dose vaginal products, on the other hand, can come in the form of a cream, tablet, or ring. These products offer a lower amount of estrogen, typically used to treat only vaginal or urinary symptoms of menopause.
These hormone replacement therapies are often prescribed along with progesterone to help balance out the estrogen and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. However, its important to understand that there are some risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, including an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Your risk level depends on your age, type of therapy, and health history. So, its important to consult your doctor before starting any hormone replacement therapy.
When Should I Start Hrt
There is some debate about what age to start hormone replacement therapy. Some people start at 16 because many medical professionals agree that the teenage years may be easier to transition through. By starting hormones during adolescence, transgender people can begin making immediate changes.
However, it’s also normal for people to wait until later in life to begin their transition. If you aren’t having difficulties with your assigned gender, then there’s no need to rush into something that may be challenging or painful for you. At our clinic, we believe the best age is based on an individual’s maturity and understanding of the process.
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When May Female Bhrt Be Most Beneficial
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women may help any woman whose hormones are out of balance. However, the most common time women seek bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is when theyre experiencing menopause. There are three stages of menopauseperimenopause, menopause, and post menopause. There are also rare instances regarding women who have never had balanced hormones, often causing excessively uncomfortable menstrual cycles and extreme mood swings. The Biote Method of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women may help address the cause of these issues.
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Forms Of Hormone Therapy
HT comes in different forms. You may need to try different types before finding one that works best for you.
Estrogen comes in:
- Skin patches, applied to the thigh or belly
- Vaginal creams or vaginal tablets to help with dryness and pain with sexual intercourse
Most women who take estrogen and who still have their uterus also need to take progestin. Taking both hormones together lowers the risk of endometrial cancer. Women who have had their uterus removed cannot get endometrial cancer. So, estrogen alone is recommended for them.
Progesterone or progestin comes in:
- Vaginal suppositories
- Intrauterine device or intrauterine system
The type of HT your doctor prescribes may depend on what menopause symptoms you have. For example, pills or patches can treat night sweats. Vaginal rings, creams, or tablets help relieve vaginal dryness.
Discuss the benefits and risks of HT with your provider.
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Types Of Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is made with either one or two types of hormones:
- Estrogen only, which helps reduce night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and urinary discomfort, in addition to bone loss that’s associated with aging, and is recommended for people who have had their uterus removed
- Estrogen with added progesterone, which helps protect against the risk of endometrial cancer in people who still have a uterus
Each is available in different formulas and dosages.
What Are The Risks Of Taking Hormone Therapy
While hormone therapy helps many women get through menopause, the treatment is not risk-free. Known health risks include:
- An increased risk of endometrial cancer .
- Increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
- Increased chance of gallbladder/gallstone problems.
- Increased risk of dementia if hormone therapy is started after midlife. HT started during midlife is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia.
- Increased risk of breast cancer with long-term use.
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