What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment plan to restore deficient hormone levels in men and women. Hormones are essential in the body’s ability to regulate daily vital functions. Read this blog to learn more about signs and symptoms that may be improved with hormone replacement therapy, symptoms that may be improved with HRT and the overall health benefits of maintaining healthy hormone levels.
Why is Hormone Replacement Therapy Important?
As we age, hormones naturally decrease. Thus, hormone replacement therapy helps raise hormones back to their normal levels. This can help you feel like your best self physically and help protect the function of your organs and other cellular level processes.
What Are The Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Although doctors and specialists use hormone replacement therapy to help women during menopause, men and young women can also benefit from HRT. Men may benefit from testosterone replacement if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Low sex drive
- Inability to to sustain erections
- Less spontaneous erections
- Fatigue
- Higher body fat percentage
- Depression
- Difficult sleeping
- Inability to concentrate
Perimenopausal and Post-menopausal women might benefit from HRT if they are experiencing any of the following progesterone or low estrogen symptoms:
- Frequent headaches
- Hot flashes/Night sweats
- Heart Palpitations
- Period irregularity
- Incontinence
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood swings
- Vaginal dryness
- Memory Lapses/Cognitive Decline
- Weak bones
- Fatigue
Women can also benefit from testosterone and DHEA replacement. Some symptoms overlap with estrogen and progesterone deficiencies but can also include decreased libido and muscle mass. Not all hormone levels decline at once, so women will sometimes only experience symptoms of hormone dominance which is best treated by replacing the hormones that are decreasing.
How is Hormone Replacement Therapy Done?
Women have a few different options to participate in hormone replacement therapy including:
- Topical Creams & Gels
- Sublingual Troches
- Oral Capsules
- Injections
- Subdermal Pellets
- Vaginal Rings
- Skin Patches
- Vaginal Creams
Men have the following HRT delivery options:
- Topical Creams & Gels
- Sublingual Troches
- Oral Capsules
- Injections
- Subdermal Pellets
At Stanley Specialty Pharmacy, we are happy to help you decide which option is best for you. The best option depends mostly on your current hormone levels, but your lifestyle is also an important factor. Contact the pharmacy for more information.
What Are the Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT offers a wide range of health benefits for men and women that can help enrich your life and slow down the body’s aging process. Here are a few of the many ways that men can expect to see HRT impact their day-to-day activities:
- Increased sex drive
- Strengthen bones
- Help reduce fat
- Increased energy
Women can also experience the same benefits of HRT listed for men, as well as:
- Reduced hot flashes
- Reduced vaginal dryness
- Reduced discomfort during sex
- Improved cognitive function
- Improved quality of sleep
How Long Does It Take for Hormone Replacement Therapy to Work?
For best results, you might need to take hormone replacement therapy for at least three months before you notice a lasting impact. The length of the therapy depends on your treatment plan and your specific health goals.
If you’re considering hormone replacement therapy and you live in North Carolina, South Carolina, or Texas, look no further than Stanley Specialty Pharmacy! We would love to work with you and your practitioner to create a custom HRT plan that caters to your needs. Contact the pharmacy today to schedule an appointment!
