Hormone development occurs at different stages of our lives, causing major changes to our bodies. And just like the development of hormones, our bodies also experience hormone deficiencies, which may affect the quality of life.
Luckily, we can now take control of our bodies with the benefits of hormone replacement therapy or HRT medications.
HRT improves not just physical health, but our mental health as well. And the best part is that you can seek just the right treatment tailored to your symptoms.
But what is HRT? Who needs it? What are the signs that you may require HRT?
We have answered all these questions in detail in this article. Read on.
Who is Affected by Hormone Imbalances?
Both men and women can experience hormone imbalance because of aging. However, the signs may differ in both. In fact, hormone imbalance is also common in the teenage years.
The hormones that get affected the most by this imbalance are sex hormones - estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. As a result, the changes affect our mood and behaviour. Hormone replacement therapy resolves this issue and helps the body feel normal again.
What is HRT or Hormone Therapy for Women?
Hormone replacement therapy is an effective procedure that restores the balance of hormones in our bodies. And for those wondering how hormone replacement therapy works, here’s a brief explanation.
HRT requires numbing the treatment area and then the placement of a pellet under the skin around the upper hips. This pellet then releases a sexual hormone or a mix of sexual hormones over the next 4-6 months.
Before beginning the therapy, your doctor would need to complete your blood work, do a urinalysis, and discuss your medical history. And after the therapy is done, you must have regular check-ups to continue the proper dosage amount for the body.
What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?
In women, hormone imbalance is very common as they age. The levels of the female sexual hormone estrogen rise and fall throughout life. But when a low level of estrogen is caused because of other factors, you may consider hormone replacement therapy.
Here are the top signs that you need HRT:
1. Extreme Menopause Symptoms
Menopause is something we instantly think of when we talk about age-related hormone deficiencies. This is because hundreds of women experience extreme perimenopause, post-menopause, and menopause symptoms that cause discomfort and disrupt their daily life.
The symptoms include hot flashes, a lower metabolism, mood swings, etc. And all of these can be controlled by HRT. HRT restores the hormone levels so that the negative symptoms can be eliminated and you can go about your daily life.
Note: There are different HRT options. You can consult your doctor to learn about the best HRT for menopause.
2. Hair Loss
Hair loss, as you may have heard, is genetic. But it can also be caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, which is also known as DHT. The imbalance of this hormone jeopardizes the hair follicles.
Stress is another reason for extreme hair loss because the adrenal gland works overtime to produce stress hormones. And because of the adrenal gland working overtime, a major hormone imbalance may sometimes occur.
Hair loss due to menopause is common. The good news is HRT can resolve this issue as well. It restores the hormone imbalance caused due to DHT and stress.
3. Mood Swings
Mood swings are the telltale sign of a hormone deficiency. Though they may be common in women because of the menstrual cycle, you should be concerned if the mood swings become uncontrollable and worse every day. Here are some signs that your mood is being affected by an imbalance in your hormone levels:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Emotional disturbance
HRT can help restore your mood and even reduce these side effects caused by extreme mood swings.
4. Low Libido
Hormones are directly related to sex drive or libido. Therefore, they can also affect your mood and performance in the bedroom.
While men may experience erectile dysfunction because of hormonal imbalance, low levels of estrogen in women may cause vaginal dryness, and hence, pain during sex. HRT can solve this problem to restore pleasure in the bedroom.
5. Lack of Sleep
Sleep and its quality are vital to living a healthy life. A poor sleep cycle or lack of sleep can throw you off and cause disturbances in your everyday life. And often, the reason for a lack of sleep may be an imbalance in hormones.
When deteriorating sleep quality is caused by hormones, you may experience these symptoms:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
All of these symptoms can be reversed with hormone replacement therapy.
Hormonal imbalance can also occur with thyroid disorders in women. And if it happens very early on, it can also make it harder to get pregnant.
So, instead of leading an unhealthy life, consider hormone replacement therapy options based on your symptoms. Make sure to share all the details with your doctor so they can offer the best possible treatment.
Written by Krishma Patel
About the Author
Krishma Patel is the Co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist at MedsNow, an online pharmacy in the UK that provides health and wellness products and treatments along with free online consultations. She is passionate about showcasing the integral function community pharmacies can play in supporting the healthcare system and the NHS by providing patients with high quality, safe and discreet access to healthcare at their convenience. Along with being the co-founder of MedsNow, Krishma is also the Director and the Superintendent Pharmacist of Enimed Ltd., an independent pharmacy group comprising 32 branches.
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