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Does constant exhaustion pervade your daily life? Are you in a never-ending battle with poor libido and stamina problems?
If you’re starting to feel a decline in your physical capabilities, it’s likely the result of hormonal changes in the body.
Hormones are chemical messengers that play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including growth and development, metabolism, and mood.
Hormones are most abundant in our early adult years, then gradually drop around the age of 40. This decline can give rise to a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, and various mood changes.
If the symptoms are causing debilitating effects on your daily life, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a possible treatment to get your health back on track.
But the question then lies: is HRT a solution that’s right for you?
Keep reading to learn more about the potential risks and benefits of this treatment so you can make a more informed decision on its potential fit.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT is, in essence, a treatment option for people who are experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, such as hypogonadism, thyroid disorders, and growth hormone disorders.
While menopausal hormone therapy with women is prevalent, this article about hormone replacement therapy won’t touch upon menopausal symptoms, but rather men’s hormonal problems.
Contrary to its namesake, this treatment doesn’t replace natural hormones that are missing in the male body. Instead, it involves the therapeutic administration of synthetic hormones—notably testosterone—to alleviate the symptomatic effects of hormonal imbalances.
Natural male HRTs like herbal supplementation are often praised; however, they lack credibility as most of them are not recognized by the FDA.
HRT can be taken in various forms, including:
- Pills
- Patches
- Gels
- Injections
The Endocrine Society estimates that approximately 35% of men older than 45 years have low testosterone levels, which can be treated with testosterone therapy, a type of HRT.
While HRT can be a helpful treatment option for many people, not all bodies react well to the administration of this treatment.
If you’re experiencing symptoms related to hormonal imbalances, it may be worth discussing the potential benefits and risks of HRT with your low T healthcare provider.
4 Signs That You May Require Hormone Replacement Therapy
Symptoms of hormone imbalances can look similar to that of many other diseases, so it can be tricky to spot at a glance.
However, if you’re experiencing one or a combination of the symptoms listed below, it might be worth bringing up to a medical professional. Here are these signs in more detail.
1. Low Sex Drive
Are you feeling like your sexual desire has diminished greatly over the past few months? If so, HRT may help restore this debilitating feeling.
A low sex drive, or low libido, is categorized by a noticeable and debilitating inability to feel sexually stimulated, even when exposed to sources of arousal. While there can be many causes of low libido, hormonal imbalances are one major factor.
Men’s primary sex hormone is popularly known as testosterone, and low testosterone levels are commonly attributed to low libido, fatigue, and decreased muscle mass.
However, with proper testosterone replacement therapy, 41.9% of men claimed better libido according to a recent study.
If you’re experiencing low libido and think you might have a hormonal imbalance, it’s important to consult a local hormone specialist about the potential risks and benefits of HRT.
2. Erectile Dysfunction
Besides a massive hit in your sex drive, low hormone levels can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Thyroid hormones and prolactin are two major hormones that play a key role in facilitating sexual function in men. When there are abnormal levels of these hormones in the body, it can have sexual ramifications.
For one, abnormally high levels of prolactin, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, can interfere with testosterone production and drastically reduce one’s sexual satisfaction.
Secondly, low levels of thyroid hormones, known as hypothyroidism, can cause ED and a slew of other sexual problems.
However, these hormonal imbalances can all be mitigated by proper hormone therapy.
Case in point, according to one published survey, testosterone therapy has been shown to improve erectile function and libido.
3. Hair Loss
While most would imagine that genetics are the primary players in influencing hair characteristics and growth, your hormones also have a slice of the action.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the body’s natural-occurring hormones and a derivative of testosterone, influences the degree of hair growth and loss in the body and scalp.
Another hormone that affects your hair growth is cortisol, a stress hormone produced by the adrenal gland.
When you are continuously stressed, the adrenal gland has to work overtime to produce cortisol. A hyperactive adrenal gland can lead to hormonal imbalances, which can further lead to hair thinning and hair loss.
4. Weight Gain
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re unable to shed excess weight following a rigorous exercise regimen and a strict diet. It could be due to unchecked hormonal imbalances in the body.
One hormone that’s a big proponent of weight gain is insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
When blood sugar levels are high, it can damage your blood vessels and cause parts of your body to work inefficiently as a result. Your metabolism also slows down, causing more food to be stored in your fat reserves.
Who Shouldn’t Take Hormone Replacement Therapy
While systemic hormone therapy can resolve a slew of hormone imbalances, it shouldn’t be the go-to treatment for everyone.
Here are some people who shouldn’t take this form of therapy:
- People with liver disease
- People with sleep apnea
- Patients with UTIs
- People with breast cancer
- Patients with blood clots
- People diagnosed with heart failure
Most hormone imbalances can be avoided by following a healthy lifestyle, maintaining weight, exercising regularly, and having sufficient sleep.
Contact a men’s health doctor to discuss the benefits of estrogen therapy for women suffering from menopause symptoms or testosterone therapy for men with health risks regulating their bioidentical hormones.
Overcome Sexual Dysfunction with Medical Support from Orlando’s Top Male Health Clinic
While your hormones perform essential functions and make you more equipped for daily living, they can also wreak havoc if not balanced.
If you want to protect yourself from suffering from hormonal diseases, undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a big help.
That said, it’s not for everyone, especially people with pre-existing health conditions.
It’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of HRT with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Need further assistance? Contact the Orlando male clinic called Premier Men’s Medical Center for consultation and treatment plans for various sexual problems. We are Orlando’s leading men’s clinic providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Low Testosterone therapy, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
