Hormone Therapy – I had this discussion with one of my personal training clients the other day, who told me she wanted to avoid hormone therapy. I’ve also discussed this topic in length with male clients, especially those wanting to increase testosterone – to boost strength, increase sex drive and slow down the aging process.

As this topic has come up frequently with my clients, I thought it would be good to cover Hormone Therapy in much more detail. Hence why I’ve written this article…

As you get older, hormone therapy, once used to protect lasting health, may sound like the utmost anti-aging formula. However, it’s important to consult a doctor who knows your medical history to determine personal qualifications and risks.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Also known as menopausal hormone therapy, HRT aids in the relief of hot flashes, sweating, and other menopausal symptoms. Types of HRT include estrogen, estrogen and progesterone, and testosterone. Individuals who’ve gone through a sex change also use hormone replacement treatments.

Most women will begin experiencing hormonal changes in their late 40s, leading to hot flashes and a host of other problems. The stages of these changes include perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. HRT can help combat the symptoms of these hormonal changes.

Your physician will prescribe the lowest available dosage for treatment of your symptoms, including:

• Pills
• Patches
• Creams/Gels
• Vaginal Rings

Regular use of Hormone Replacement Therapy is decreased until it’s no longer needed.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) for aging males

Primarily produced in the testicles, the testosterone hormone helps to maintain men’s body and facial hair, bone density, sex drive, muscle mass and strength, red blood cells, sperm production, and fat distribution.

With age, the level of your testosterone slowly declines around 1% a year from age 30 to 40. A physician’s assistance is helpful in determining if your drop in testosterone is due to the normal decline with aging or disease.

Doctors may prescribe Testosterone Therapy to improve symptoms and signs of low testosterone in men with hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is a disease which, due to issues with the pituitary gland or the testicles, causes the body to be unable to produce traditional amounts of testosterone. Testosterone prescriptions are available as gels, patches, injections, or pellets.

These signs and symptoms can occur because of lower testosterone:

• Changes in sexual function: Including infertility, fewer spontaneous erections, and reduced sexual desire.
• Emotional changes: Reduced self-confidence or motivation may be caused by low testosterone.
• Insomnia or sleep disturbances.
• Physical changes: Reduced muscle strength, increased body fat, decreased bone density, lack of energy, and less body hair are all possible.

Some of these symptoms can be brought on by a variety of factors and health issues including obstructive sleep apnea, side effects from medication, depression, thyroid issues, and diabetes. Treatment of these issues can cause your testosterone levels to rise without TRT. Blood tests provided by your doctor are the only way to determine a low testosterone level.

Who shouldn’t take TRT or HRT?

If you’re wondering if Testosterone Therapy or Hormone Replacement Therapy is right for you, consult your doctor about the benefits and risks. Your estrogen or testosterone levels will be measured by the doctor multiple times before discussing whether the therapy is a viable option for you.

If you’re at high risk of prostate cancer, have been diagnosed with heart disease, have serious urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate, or had a prior heart attack, meet testosterone therapy with caution.

Keeping risks in mind is important when considering therapies. It’s possible to feel more energetic without the aid of drugs or supplements by:

• Going for a walk.
• Eating healthy snacks with fiber and protein between meals.
• Pacing yourself by spreading out errands and activities throughout your day.

Hormone Replacement Therapy should not be used by women who are or may become pregnant. HRT is also not suitable for women who have a history of severe migraines, blood clots, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure/uncontrolled hypertension, or breast, endometrial, or ovarian cancer.

Alternative ways to alleviate symptoms include:

• Not smoking.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothing.
• Minimizing the intake of alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.
• Regular exercise.
• Resistance Training – to keep muscles strong and stimulated.
• Sleeping in a cool, well-ventilated room.

Hormone therapy isn’t a fountain of youth. There isn’t a guarantee it will restore the sexual function of your youth or reverse the overall effects of aging. To ascertain if hormone therapy is an appropriate treatment solution for you, talk to your physician about your individual health risks and symptoms. If bothersome symptoms continue, go over treatment options with your doctor periodically.