Hormones are crucial to a number of bodily functions such as metabolism, mood regulation, energy levels and sexuality. However, hormonal levels tend to dip or fluctuate with age and this can cause a variety of symptoms that negatively affect quality of life. This is where Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) comes into play as it aims to restore one’s hormone levels back to normal which means alleviating a wide range of symptoms that occur as a result of having hormonal imbalance so that the person can live a better and fuller life.
It’s one of the best optional solutions that help both women and men maintain harmony and balance within one’s body. Understanding the numerous advantages, as well as its significance, will be a crucial part of the article. At Absolute Urgent Care, we highly value our patients and focus on providing them with the best care possible, which also includes making them aware of the importance of HRT for patients suffering from hormone imbalances
What does HRT entail?
As the name implies, the main goal of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to supplement hormones that are no longer produced in substantial amounts by the body. Despite its strong connection in the context of women, especially during menopause, it can also be of use for men who have insufficient hormone levels.
HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, encompasses a wide range of therapies, which include the following:
Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) – It is used mainly by women undergoing menopause to assist with the symptoms associated with it.
- Intramuscular testosterone – This form of therapy is used on men who have low testosterone levels (hypogonadism), where it helps the user reach levels of testosterone that are normal.
- Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) – This is a more natural method of HRT as it uses hormones chemically identical to those produced by the body.
- Combination therapy – It uses a mix of estrogen, progesterone, and in some cases testosterone to treat a patient with multiple hormonal imbalances.
Hormonal delivery is accomplished through a variety of mechanisms such as pills and tablets, creams and patches, skin implants, grafts, as well as injections.
Women’s Hormone Replacement Therapy Advantages
With the approach of menopause, the body of a woman changes drastically in terms of hormonal environment. At this stage, the levels of estrogen and progesterone start to wane which gives rise to various physical and emotional symptoms. HRT can resolve such issues and benefit women in all stages of their life cycle.
1. Reducing Menopausal Signs
Menopause signifies the cessation of the female childbearing years which usually occurs between the ages of 45 to 55 years. However, age is not the only reason; coupled with body type, as the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, women might suffer signs like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes. HRT helps bring the balance back to the body by providing the hormones that the body so desperately needs. Estrogen replacement treatment, in particular, greatly assists in the elimination of menopausal hot flashes and elevates one’s quality of life during this time.
2. Better Bone Activity
Estrogen is vital in aiding the maintenance of bone density. As women reach old age, the level of estrogen decreases, leaving behind low levels of oestrogen, since older women do not produce enough bone. Being in a low estrogen state increases the chances of women being at risk of developing osteoporosis. HRT has been shown to help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures in postmenopausal women, making it an important therapy for women who wish to maintain the overall health of their bones before and after menopause.
3. Improved Mood and Mental Health
The immediate lifting of anxiety and depression is a strong and pronounced benefit of starting any hormonal therapy. Many women suffer from extreme low mental status due to hormonal changes during menopause. Once the hormones are replaced, HRT has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and relieve some depressive symptoms, which, in turn, has been beneficial for many women who have been emotionally distressed.
4. Increased Sexual Interest and Function
In the case of menopause, women are likely to face vaginal dryness, decreased libido, as well as other discomforts. Lack of libido is crucial to sexual health, meaning that hormones and oestrogen are critical to a woman’s ability to participate in sex and to enjoy sex. Hormonal treatment replacement can help with vaginal dryness, improve genital flow and promote overall sexual health.
5. Enhanced Sleep Quality
Menopause is marked by various sleep problems including insomnia and numerous nocturnal arousals. There are various factors during menopause that are due to fluctuating hormones, i.e., the reduced oestrogen that affects sleep. HRT is crucial to bring about balance in hormone levels and this is useful for sleep improvement and decline in nocturnal disturbances during the night.
The Importance of HRT in Men’s Lives
The majority of prevailing conversations about hormone therapy seem to target women only, however, HRT should also be included in the discussion focused on men, especially older men. One main problem older men experience is the drop in testosterone levels, a condition they refer to as andropause. It is well known that testosterone is the main male sex hormone and thus, a deficiency of the hormone will likely cause a range of symptoms. Opportunities for offering testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT, are meant to address these symptoms and also more.
1. Boost Energy Levels
It can’t be disputed that aging comes with several physical setbacks to the body and among them is fatigue and decreased energy levels. With advanced age, seeking things such as vitality becomes a cause for concern. Luckily, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) seems to be the solution as it helps restore energy as well as improves one’s vitality and body stamina. Those who are opting for TRT undergo frequent body changes as they feel energetic and youthful, hence improving one’s quality of life.
2. Improve Mood
In today’s society, agitated people battling with mood swings is a normal phenomenon and is viewed as a norm. But what most of the population do not understand is such mood swings are likely to be linked with low testosterone levels in the body.
However, those who are agitated, depressed or angry can promote a sense of relief through the use of TRT, as it assists in controlling hormone levels, hence managing moods and restoring mental balance. Several men after beginning TRT felt better as they had more boost to their trust levels and became less aggressive.
3. Improved Muscle Mass and Muscle Strength
It is widely accepted that testosterone preserves muscle mass and strength. With age, there is a gradual decrease in testosterone levels, which may consequently lead to decreased muscle mass and more body fat. Research has shown that testosterone replacement therapy is helpful in rebuilding muscle, decreasing fat as well as getting stronger physically, which aids in living an active and healthy life.
4. Increased Sexual Desire and Improved Sexual Functions
In men, lowered testosterone is connected to lack of or reduced sexual drive. The use of TRT has the effect of enhancing libido, improving erectile dysfunction as well as enhancement of sexual functions. The uptake of normal testosterone levels will boost sexual desire and performance, likewise improved intimacy; this can greatly improve men’s relationships and their general health.
5. Better Bone Health
As much as oestrogen in women, testosterone in males also assists in the maintenance of bone mass. Poor testosterone levels could lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis and having higher chances of suffering fractures. Bone health definitely improves as bone density increases with testosterone replacement; this would reduce the chances of bone-related injuries and lead to better bone health overall.
Is Hormonal Therapy Suitable For You?
Definitely not. It is expected that any professional treating a patient with hormone therapy will first perform an assessment to determine whether the therapy is indeed appropriate for that particular individual. We at Absolute Urgent Care recognise that patient healthcare is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution so we offer consultations with the aim of establishing whether or not HRT is advised in your case.
Your treating physician will take into account the clinical history the patient has, the symptomatology exhibited as well as the general health of the patient before recommending HRT. In the case of females, this will mean analysing the severity of menopausal symptoms and certain aspects of bone health and mental health.
Symptoms
In the case of males, the testosterone level and related symptoms are to be evaluated. Such recurring assessment of patients is critical as it enables us to check if the hormone level is satisfactory and that the hormones are not causing side effects.
Hormonal Treatment or Hormone Replacement Therapy has its benefits and works for both men and women as it takes care of uneven hormonal shifting which causes a ton of health issues. In the case of women, it might be dealing with menopausal symptoms, in men, it may centre around sexual health issues; others can be depression or even osteoporosis. There are a number of benefits which HRT offers to a person, and those looking to deal with hormonal deterioration do have an option.
Here at Absolute Urgent Care, our goal is to ensure patients are in the best state of health and wellness possible. In case you have symptoms that suggest a hormonal imbalance, our staff is ready to assist you in the process of evaluating HRT and finding the most suitable option for your particular situation.
Hormonal health is one of the main areas of health direction and if treated, one can feel the best at any stage of age. If you think it is appropriate for you to consider HRT, feel free to get in touch with an expert in our healthcare team for a consultation. Together, we can assist you in restoring balance and enhancing the quality of your life.
