Hormones are important messengers in your body that help control nearly every aspect of your health, from your mood to your hair.
Sometimes, especially as you age, your hormones need extra support in order to continue functioning the way they need to.
That’s where bioidentical hormone replacement therapy comes in.
What Are Bioidentical Hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are slightly different from those created by your body since they are man-made. These hormones have been designed to be used by your body the same way your body uses its own naturally generated hormones.
How Hormone Therapy Works
Bioidentical hormone therapy helps people with hormonal imbalances or hormonal deficiencies.
Hormones are chemicals in your body that are created by your endocrine glands.
These glands release hormones into your body via your bloodstream, which carries the hormones to the appropriate areas of your body.
Hormones control several bodily functions, including:
- Reproduction
- Growth
- Metabolism
- Sexual function
If your hormones are out of balance, it will not be easy for you to function properly. Hormonal imbalances cause a variety of issues, including weight gain and mood swings. These things affect your everyday life and worsen your overall quality of life.
Taking bioidentical hormones for hormone therapy can help people whose bodies simply aren’t functioning the way they’re supposed to.
Hormone Therapy for Men
It’s natural that as men age, their testosterone levels begin to decline. For some, this causes significant disruption in their overall quality of life.
Testosterone hormone therapy for men can help with the following concerns:
- Reproductive function
- Building and maintaining muscles
- Male sexual development
- Fat distribution
- Maintaining healthy levels of red blood cells
- Maintaining and strengthening bone density
For most men, their testosterone levels begin to decline about 1% every year after the age of 30.
Signs You May Need Hormone Therapy for Men
Some indications you may be a candidate for hormone therapy for men include:
Significant Changes in Your Overall Sexual Function
Changes to sexual function can include decreased libido levels, infertility, or fewer spontaneous erections (such as those you get during sleep).
Negative Physical Changes
Physical changes include decreased bone density, reduced strength and overall muscle bulk, increased body fat, and loss of body hair. Decreased energy levels are another symptom.
Significant Emotional Changes
Emotional changes include decreased motivation, decreased self-confidence, increased sadness, anxiety, or depression, and difficulty concentrating or remembering.
Keep in mind that some of these symptoms could indicate a different underlying medical issue. The best way to know whether you have another medical concern or are a candidate for hormone replacement therapy is to consult with a medical expert.
Hormone Therapy for Women
While testosterone is the primary hormone for men, estrogen and progesterone are the primary sex hormones for women. These sex hormones can significantly affect women’s health because they help control everything from pregnancy to menstruation to menopause and more.
Estrogen
Estrogen is the female sex hormone responsible for physical changes in girls, such as the growth of breasts and pubic and armpit hair and the onset of menstruation.
However, estrogen also plays a larger role in women’s health. It helps control cholesterol and contributes to the health and well-being of your bones, brain, skin, heart, and other important tissues throughout the body.
If you have low estrogen, you could experience some of the following symptoms:
- Decreased libido
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Dry skin
- Irregular or infrequent menstrual periods
- Mood swings
On the opposite end, women who have estrogen levels that are too high can experience:
- Weight gain
- Uterine fibroids
- Fatigue
- Feelings of anxiety and depression
- Worsened premenstrual syndrome symptoms
- Menstrual problems such as heavy bleeding
Keeping estrogen balanced is a key part of women’s health, which is why hormone therapy for women with estrogen imbalances is crucial.
Progesterone
Progesterone is another important female sex hormone that helps prepare the uterus for the possibility of pregnancy.
Women with low progesterone levels often experience symptoms of infertility, abnormal uterine bleeding, and gallbladder issues.
In some cases, low progesterone levels can result in higher estrogen levels, which create some of the issues listed above.
Thyroid Hormones
Women are also susceptible to hypothyroidism, which happens when your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid stimulating hormone.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include the following:
- Thinning hair
- Depression
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Muscle aches
- Puffy face
- Muscle weakness
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Impaired memory
At Agents of Healing, we can help pinpoint the cause of your symptoms with simple blood tests to evaluate your hormone levels and determine which hormone therapy will be most suitable for you.
Supporting Hormone Therapy
If you’re currently receiving hormone therapy or are starting hormone therapy soon, make sure your lifestyle helps support this treatment.
Some good ways to do this include:
Getting Adequate Sleep
Sleep is crucial for your health, so do your best to get a good seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Some ways to encourage regular sleep include getting up and going to bed at the same time every day, avoiding screens at least an hour before bed, and starting a bedtime routine that could include aromatherapy or meditation.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Follow a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and veggies and lean proteins, and drink plenty of water. Avoid highly processed foods and foods high in sodium and sugar.
Exercise
Getting regular physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve your mood, and support your overall hormonal function.
Ready to Explore the Benefits of Hormone Therapy?
For more information on hormone therapy, contact the experienced team at Agents of Healing in Perrysburg, OH.