It is natural for your hormone levels to drop as you age. This is in addition to the monthly ebb and flow of your hormones. After the age of 30, hormones decrease between 3 and 10 percent per year. By the time you are in your late 40s to early 50s, the decrease may be so significant that it negatively impacts your quality of life. There are a variety of symptoms that may be a sign you need hormone replacement therapy.
Without testing your hormone levels, which is not standard in most physicals, you may not know your hormones are why you aren’t quite feeling like yourself.
In addition, your symptoms are often things you can easily relate to daily stressors. While stress could be a contributing factor, a hormonal imbalance may be exacerbating your symptoms. Bioidentical hormones may help.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
There are two primary types of hormone therapy, traditional and bioidentical. Both are designed to restore your hormones to their ideal levels.
Traditional—these are lab-made pills, patches, and creams formulated from synthetic ingredients. This includes contraceptives, but it also includes replacement hormones.
Bioidentical—these are plant-derived pellets and creams that are chemically identical to those in your body. Creams are applied topically, and pellets are inserted in the hip region under the skin.
*While widely accepted, the FDA has not approved the use of bioidentical hormones and they have not been scientifically proven to be more effective than traditional hormones. The reasoning behind choosing bioidentical options is that your body may respond better (more naturally) to hormones derived from a plant-based source.
Can Both Men and Women Benefit from BHRT?
Yes! We hear a lot about how women’s hormones fluctuate during puberty, while pregnant, and during the stages of menopause—but men’s hormones fluctuate too.
While women go through menopause, when progesterone and estrogen levels decrease, men go through andropause. Andropause is when men’s testosterone levels drop at a level that may be a sign that you need hormone replacement therapy. Just like menopause, andropause comes with a variety of symptoms.
A common misconception is that estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone’s only role in our body is related to reproduction and libido. However, these hormones contribute to a variety of internal processes.
As with many things in life, there is always a tipping point. In this case, a point where the decreased hormones lead to disruptive symptoms. While natural, the decrease puts both men and women at an increased risk for a variety of diseases.
What Are the Signs I Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?
There is no definitive sign or symptom that you need hormone replacement therapy, which is why a hormone test is required. Symptoms will vary from one person to the next and often include a combination of symptoms. Some symptoms will ebb and flow while others will persist or gradually worsen.
FOR WOMEN
In addition to the symptoms below, Healthline finds that decreased estrogen increases the risk of weight gain, obesity, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Your risk of colorectal cancer also increases.
Symptoms of low estrogen and progesterone include:
- Insomnia
- Nights sweats
- Hot flashes
- Increased irritability
- Low energy
- Brain fog
- Decreased muscle strength
- Weight gain around the stomach
- A harder time losing weight
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Decreased libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Anxiety and depression
- Muscle and joint pain
- Decreased immunity
- Insulin resistance
FOR MEN
Healthline also finds that decreased testosterone levels also increase men’s risk for osteoporosis and heart disease. When it comes to men’s andropause symptoms, the ones we talk about most often are related to low libido and difficulty sustaining or maintaining an erection. Before seeking out a Viagra prescription, consider if you have two or more of the symptoms below. While Viagra may be part of the mix, you may also benefit from hormone therapy.
Symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Increased irritability
- Low energy
- Exhaustion/fatigue
- Brain fog
- Weight gain
- Decreased muscle mass
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Loss of muscle mass
- Decreased immunity
- Insulin resistance
- Low libido
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
- Difficulty sustaining and erection
- Do these testimonies from our patients sound anything like how you feel?
How Do I Know If My Hormone Levels Are Low?
As you can see, it is not uncommon to mistake the symptoms above for something else. Particularly if you only have one or two, and because many will ebb and flow throughout the month. Always be mindful of new or evolving symptoms, as they could be a sign you need hormone replacement therapy—or that something else medical is the cause.
The only way to identify if your hormone levels are low is with a test. Hormone levels can be tested with a saliva or blood test. While saliva is sufficient, your medical practitioner may also want to perform other tests that require a blood draw.
What Age Should I Have My Hormones Tested?
There isn’t a definitive age to have your hormones tested, as you may need to test hormone levels well before menopause or andropause.
What is most important is that you go in every year for your annual physical and as-needed exams and that you have medical practitioners that you can talk to and trust. This will ensure that they ask the right questions and select the most relevant tests to personalize your healthcare.
What If I’ve Had a Hysterectomy?
Your ovaries produce and secrete the majority of your body’s estrogen and progesterone. If you had a partial hysterectomy and still have one or both ovaries, your body is likely to generate the same amount of estrogen it would produce until you went into natural menopause. So, you may not be prescribed hormones afterward. Ask your physician how often they suggest having your hormones tested to determine when to consider hormone replacement therapy.
If you had a total or radical hysterectomy, you will likely be prescribed estrogen or estrogen and progesterone. Some physicians only prioritize estrogen, so it’s important to discuss your options.
WHY DON’T MORE PHYSICIANS PRESCRIBE BIOIDENTICAL HORMONES?
While derived from plants, most bioidentical options are not covered by insurance. Even if they are, pellets are the most convenient method as they are implanted under the skin every 3 to 4 months, and pellets are a cash-only option.
Is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy for Everyone?
If you currently have or are at high risk for the following conditions—hormone therapy (both traditional and bioidentical) may not be right for you.
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Heart disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Breast cancer
- Liver disease
- Gallbladder disease
- Low blood pressure
- High triglyceride levels
Ready to Have Your Hormone Levels Tested?
Are you experiencing a sign or two that you might benefit from hormone replacement therapy? If you live in Phoenix, Tempe, or Glendale you can have your hormone levels tested at Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa. If you are married or have a partner, bring them too!
Once your results are in, our nurse practitioner will identify a personalized treatment.
Walk in anytime for a quick hormone test or reach out today with any questions!
*NOTICE*
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