As the human body ages, some hormone production remains the same, some decrease, while others increase. Hormone therapy often targets decreased hormones, which include estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone, and melatonin.
The endocrine system is responsible for producing and regulating these hormones. They are essential for specific functions in the body. Decreased melatonin can disrupt sleep patterns while decreased testosterone can reduce muscle mass in the body.
For some people, hormone therapy can help with these functions, although there are some health risks. Keep reading to determine if this treatment is right for you.
Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are different types of hormone therapy depending on the patient’s needs. Most hormone replacement therapies, like nufemme.com, are focused on menopause relief. The condition develops 12 months after a woman’s menstrual cycle ends.
Menopausal women may have systemic hormone therapy or use low-dose vaginal products. Systemic hormone therapy targets many symptoms of menopause, while low-dose vaginal products only address vaginal and urinary symptoms. Hormones may be administered through gels, creams, rings, patches, or sprays.
Men who have conditions that reduce their testosterone production also have hormone replacement options. For men whose testosterone production declines with age, however, doctors are still unsure if the risks outweigh the benefits. Speak to your physician about your options.
What Hormone Therapy Treats
Hormone replacement therapy for menopause treats a variety of symptoms, including:
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Bone thinning
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal itching
- Vaginal burning
- Low sex drive
- Discomfort during sex
- Emotional problems
- Memory issues
Additionally, it can reduce the risk of other diseases like stroke, dementia, and heart disease.
The Health Risks of Hormone Therapy
Whether a hormone therapy uses conventional hormones or bioidentical hormones, the use of artificial hormones carries risks. Hormones synthesized in a lab have undesirable interactions with other receptors in the body, causing an increased risk of conditions like:
- Stroke
- Blood clots
- Breast cancer
- Heart disease
Ironically, hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of these diseases in some patients, while decreasing the risk in others. This depends on the age, current health condition, and medical history of the patient. Patients should not pursue hormone replacement therapy if they have, or have had, a history of:
- Breast cancer
- Heart disease
- Blood clots
- Liver disease
- Estrogen sensitivity
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Estrogen-dependent cancer
Additionally, health risks are higher for women over 60 beginning hormone replacement therapy. Ideally, therapy should commence before the age of 60 or within 10 years of when menopause began. Patients can further reduce their risk by taking the lowest minimum dose, making regular follow-up appointments with their doctor, eating healthy, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and getting plenty of exercise.
Seeking Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy primarily targets menopause in women. For men, there are fewer choices, but speaking to your primary physician can clarify your options. Regardless of gender, there are health risks that a primary physician needs to consider before they can recommend hormone replacement therapy.
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