As we age, the body’s hormone production decreases. When this happens, men and women alike begin to suffer from a wide variety of symptoms including menopause, andropause, weight gain, fatigue and decreased libido. This is where hormone replacement therapy can help.
HRT For Women
The female hormones estrogen and progesterone together thicken the lining of the uterus, preparing it for the possible implantation of a fertilized egg. Estrogen also influences how the body uses calcium, an important mineral in the building of bones, helps maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in the blood and keeps the reproductive system healthy.
As menopause nears, the ovaries reduce most of their production of these hormones. Lowered or fluctuating estrogen levels may cause menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, and medical conditions such as osteoporosis. Hormone therapy helps to replenish the estrogen, relieving some of the symptoms of menopause and helping to prevent osteoporosis.
HRT For Men
Though men do not undergo the same dramatic changes that women experience later in life, the amount of testosterone in their blood gradually drops, and by the age of 60, many men have testosterone levels hovering around the low end of normal. Although there is no failure in the sexual or reproductive system, the pituitary gland slows down and fewer cells are available to respond. Some studies suggest that men’s testosterone levels may fall 30-40% from their late 40s to early 70s.
Male hormone-replacement therapy can help men to stay leaner, stronger, happier, and more virile longer if they took supplements to make up for the testosterone that is lost to advancing age. Hormone replacement therapy can also help older men deficient in the testosterone reduce their risks of heart disease and diabetes.
The issue of hormone replacement therapy is a complex one. The treatment has many benefits that extend beyond those mentioned here, so contact us today to schedule an appointment to determine whether HRT can help increase your quality of life.
