Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves using medications to supplement hormones when your body is unable to produce adequate amounts on its own. HRT can provide relief from unpleasant symptoms and help prevent future health complications.
Both men and women may benefit from some type of HRT during their lives. Reasons why hormone levels decline and HRT may be advisable include:
There are a few key facts to understand about HRT:
-Works by supplementing your body's natural hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormone, growth hormone, etc. -Comes in many different forms like pills, patches, gels, injections, implants, etc. -Dosages and formulations are customized to your lab results and treatment goals. -Both bioidentical and synthetic hormone options are available. -Requires lab testing to ensure optimal hormone balance is achieved. -Can take some time to find the ideal hormone therapy regimen for your unique needs.
Now let's explore some of the major reasons Crestview residents seek out HRT.
Women make up over half of hormone therapy patients today. There are two main types of treatment that target menopausal women:
Estrogen is the predominant sex hormone in females. As women approach menopause, usually in their late 40s or early 50s, estrogen production from the ovaries declines. Lower estrogen levels cause uncomfortable symptoms including:
Estrogen therapy works to relieve these symptoms by restoring estrogen to healthier levels. Systemic estrogen is available in pill, skin patch, gel, spray, cream, implant, or vaginal insert form. Localized vaginal estrogen also helps treat genitourinary issues effectively.
In women with an intact uterus, estrogen therapy is combined with progestogen to lower the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. This combination HRT comes as one daily pill, patch, or gel. Your clinician will determine the ideal ratio, schedule, and delivery method based on your needs and risk factors.
There are additional potential benefits of HRT to explore beyond symptom relief, including protecting long-term health.
Decades of research show estrogen therapy helps prevent several conditions, including:
By supplementing estrogen levels, combination HRT provides safe, effective relief for menopause symptoms and works to safeguard a woman's future well-being.
Now let's discuss why more and more men are seeking out testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Testosterone is the predominant male sex hormone. But levels peak around age 30, then steadily decline approximately 1% per year. Many men begin noticing unpleasant symptoms of andropause by their 40s-50s as testosterone production drops, including:
Restoring testosterone levels to healthy norms with TRT can alleviate low testosterone symptoms and help men feel more youthful, energetic, and mentally sharp again.
There are several delivery methods to choose from with testosterone replacement to fit your lifestyle, preferences, and goals:
Our experts tailor your TRT regimen based on lab results, symptom evaluation, risk factors, and personal input.
Along with alleviating troublesome low testosterone symptoms, research confirms testosterone therapy offers men broad preventive and protective effects, including:
The positives of testosterone replacement extend far beyond just feeling better day-to-day for men. TRT works to safeguard men's wellbeing long-term.
While testosterone and estrogen therapy are most common, HRT can also involve supplementation of other vital hormones.
The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland controls metabolism via hormones T3 and T4. Low thyroid function causes symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss. Replacing insufficient thyroid hormone restores energy, body temperature regulation, bowel regularity, and more.
The peptide hormone growth hormone (GH) stimulates tissue and bone growth while burning fat. Declining levels due to pituitary gland dysfunction lead to reduced muscle mass, increased body fat, weak bones, tiredness, and cardiovascular issues. GH replacement aims to improve body composition, bone strength, exercise capacity, and cardiac risk factors.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a precursor sex steroid hormone naturally abundant in youth. DHEA levels fall up to 80% with aging, thought to negatively impact immunity, vitality, cognition, mood, sexual health, metabolic factors, and more. DHEA supplementation may help amplify declining levels' benefits.
Note: Dosage and schedules for thyroid, growth, and DHEA therapy must be very carefully determined and monitored for safety.
Now that we've covered who needs HRT and what types are used, let's discuss the all-important start of treatment.
Recent research has found that hormone therapy started early in menopause may provide cognitive benefits for some women. A 2021 study showed that women who began hormone therapy within 6 years of menopause had better verbal memory and recall compared to women further out from their final period.
The first steps with HRT involve thorough testing, evaluation, discussion of goals, custom treatment planning, and securing medications.
Comprehensive lab testing gives us critical data points for developing your individualized therapy regimen by revealing:
After your first labs, our hormone restoration experts analyze the results to identify optimal hormones and dosages to address inadequacies and symptoms.
Next comes an open talk about potential health risks vs benefits with HRT. We want you fully informed on the latest evidence-based medical guidance to collaborate on the best path forward for your needs.
Together we define the goals you want to achieve via hormone replacement, like:
Finally, we prescribe your customized medications and provide clear instructions on proper administration, timing, storage, etc. Most insurance covers hormone testing and replacements. We offer affordable self-pay rates also.
Now let's explore why Vitality Balance Clinic in Crestview is the smart choice for your HRT needs.
When it comes to something as important as your hormone health, you deserve compassionate care from leading experts. At Vitality Balance Clinic our board-certified providers offer:
In addition to outstanding clinical excellence, Vitality Balance Clinic offers a warm, supportive environment focused on your total wellbeing. We strive to make HRT safe, effective, affordable, and life enhancing.
Crestview's mild northern Florida climate with abundant sunshine makes it an ideal location for starting and maintaining hormone therapy. Here's why:
Crestview features a comfortably warm, sunny subtropical climate year-round. Average annual temperatures range from the low 50s Fahrenheit in winter up to the mid 80s during summer. This presents nearly perfect conditions for HRT with:
The area climate facilitates restoring hormones for optimal health and functioning.
Crestview offers excellent resources right in town to support your hormone therapy journey including:
Hormone and health testing labs
Parks and nature trails
Gyms and studios
Healthy dining
Crestview has everything needed for successful testosterone, estrogen, or other hormone therapy close at hand.
Hormone health is foundational for vitality as we age. When diet, lifestyle, and age-related declines cause hormone insufficiencies, replacing them with HRT helps optimize wellbeing.
Remember:
If you're struggling with hormonal imbalance symptoms, contact Vitality Balance Clinic today for a consultation. Our compassionate professionals offer state-of-the-art restorative therapies tailored to your unique needs.
We empower patients with individualized treatment plans aimed at helping them look good, feel good, and age optimally. Discover your best hormonal health and wellbeing by scheduling a visit with Vitality Balance Clinic now.
