How to Know If Hormone Replacement Therapy is a Good Option for You?

The earliest time that females start experiencing the symptoms of hormone deficiency is in their 30s. Women do not experience the full effects until they undergo menopause, and the bodily changes that occur are different for every female. What is common among many of them, though, is that they undergo four stages of hormone-related bodily changes.

This stage lasts from the first to the last menstrual cycle. This period covers the largest part of a woman’s life, and it is when she has active, ‘normal’ reproductive functions. Hormone levels at this stage are high—females experience a spike in hormone production in her teens, and this climbs steadily in the early 20s. At 30 years old, the levels start to plateau and stabilize.

This is the transitional stage between the regular menstrual cycle and the end of a woman’s reproductive capacity. This can last anywhere from two to ten years, and women who experience it may be anywhere from 35 to 50 years old.

At this stage, hormone levels vary wildly, causing females to experience the classic symptoms of menopause like mood swings and hot flashes. This hormonal imbalance can also affect a woman’s emotional health.

At this stage, the body loses its ability to produce egg cells, and its capacity to generate estrogen and progesterone diminishes. Women undergoing menopause cannot become pregnant anymore, and their monthly periods stop.

Hot flashes and mood swings may increase, and disappear after 12 months. Specialists usually prescribe hormone replacement therapy for women undergoing menopause, particularly women who have moderate to severe symptoms.

At this stage, all the symptoms of menopause will have disappeared. Postmenopausal women may still have hormonal imbalances and can suffer from the rapid decrease in bone density that comes with age. Hormone replacement therapy has shown to be effective in dealing with symptoms of osteoarthritis in older women.

Men as young as 30 years old start to see the impact of decreased levels of testosterone on their bodies and lifestyles. Aside from decreased muscle mass, men who have lower levels of this hormone might experience hair loss, fatigue, brain fog, and problems with their reproductive health. In their 30s, men experience andropause, which is the male equivalent to menopause.

Andropause can manifest as a sudden and alarming change in a man’s ability to build muscle or lose weight. It can also show up as decreased sex drive and performance. For most men, though, the symptoms of andropause happen gradually, and over time, as the body’s ability to produce testosterone drops about one or two percent every year.

HRT can help men restore their normal hormone levels. Aside from righting the hormone-related imbalances mentioned above, HRT can also decrease their risk for osteoporosis, colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, and more.

People can live normally and enjoy their usual levels of physical activity even as they enter their 30s, 40s, and beyond. They can do this through hormone replacement therapy or HRT. Before going for this treatment, it is important to ask your doctor if this is the right option for you.

For an in-depth discussion on hormone replacement therapy and its benefits for you, arrange for a consultation with us at Assure Wellness Group. Our team of healthcare professionals in Chesapeake can help you create a wellness plan that supports your therapy. Contact us today to learn more! We serve patients from Chesapeake VA, Norfolk VA, Portsmouth VA, Alexandria VA, Hybla Valley, Springfield, Jacksonville NC, Half Moon, Piney Green, Surf City NC, Sloop Point, Holly Ridge, and surrounding areas.