What Are the Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?

The Basics of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Anyone may seek hormone therapy if they struggle with a natural imbalance or need a surplus of hormones to fight a disease like cancer. When doctors talk about hormone replacement treatment, they often refer to female hormone therapy that women use to treat symptoms of menopause.

Menopause causes the ovaries to stop producing two key hormones: estrogen and progesterone. The abrupt halt of hormone production has several side effects, some of which are severe enough to hinder one’s normal routine. A quick search for “hormone replacement therapy clinics near me” is the first step in your journey to feeling better.

Healthcare providers will give you a course of hormone treatments based on your medical history. These treatments provide your body with the hormones it no longer naturally produces to help ease any symptoms you experience.

Treatments also vary among demographics. For instance, premenopausal women often only need testosterone replacement, while fully menopausal women require a combination of testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and well as homeopathic supplements.

Although women are the first demographic to come to mind when considering hormone replacement therapy, men can also benefit from testosterone replacement, especially as they age and experience naturally decreasing testosterone levels.

Signs You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy

The hormones in your body regulate several basic functions, from your body’s temperature and heart rate to sleep cycles and mood. A sudden decrease in your natural supply can lead to a range of symptoms. When is it time to visit a hormone therapy clinic near me?

Below is a breakdown of common warning signs that your body needs better hormones. If you experience any of the following issues, reach out to a clinic offering hormone therapy.

You’re Gaining Weight

Do you eat healthy and stay active during middle age but still find the number on the scale going up? This could all stem from the lack of estrogen your body produces. Your metabolism can slow to the point where it’s hard for your body to burn starches and glucose for energy and instead store them as fat.

Because of these hormonal changes, you may also experience drops in your energy levels. Reaching out to a clinic offering hormone treatment near me can help resolve these issues.

You Experience Mood Swings

Intense mood swings tend to occur during menopause because of the drastic hormonal changes. You might feel like you have no control over your emotions and that these sudden changes in mood disrupt your everyday life. Hormone replacement compensates for the lack of estrogen the body produces to regulate your mood.

You Notice a Loss in Bone Density

When the body stops producing natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone, both men and women may experience a weakening of their bones. It’s common for older women and men with hormone imbalances to lose bone mineral density, which leads to other health problems, including:

●      Arthritis

●      Osteoporosis

●      Increased risk of bone fractures

Replacing depleted hormones can help relieve pain from bone-related diseases and strengthen bones.

Your Hair Starts Thinning

Hair thinning may be due to age and genetics, but a lack of natural hormones can also spur this common problem. If you’re of menopausal age and notice your hair thinning or falling out, seeking “bio-identical hormone replacement therapy near me” should point you in the right direction.

You Have a Low Sex Drive

Women and men may experience a low sex drive because of decreases in the amount of estrogen and testosterone their bodies naturally produce. Men will often have issues with erectile dysfunction, while women struggle with a lower libido and depressive moods, vaginal dryness that impact their relationships.  

You Go Through Early Menopause

Consult a doctor if you stop menstruating before the age of 45 or no longer have function of your ovaries by the age of 40. The premature stop in hormone production could subject you to health conditions like osteoporosis, stroke, and heart disease. Undergoing hormone replacement treatments can decrease the symptoms of early menopause and compensate for your loss of ovarian function.

You Experience Other Menopausal Symptoms

If you’re wondering, “Do I need female hormone therapy near me if I don’t experience any of these warning signs?” know that hormone therapy may still help with other symptoms of menopause, such as insomnia, hot flashes, and vaginal discomfort. These symptoms have a huge impact on your everyday life, but with hormone treatment, you could earn some much-needed relief.

Before Receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy, Consider the Risk Factors

Before going with the first hit that comes up for “HRT near me,” it’s important to understand the risks involved, which any reputable doctor will be happy to review with you.

Research “hormone therapy doctors near me” if you have concerns about these health risks. A physician can assess your risk for each condition based on your health history, age, and the method of hormone replacement you choose. For example, if you have a family history of heart disease or blood clots and are at least ten years removed from the onset of menopause, it poses a greater risk for these complications.

Doctors will develop a treatment plan that prioritizes your health and safety, such as lowering your hormone dosage or using different treatment methods. You should attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your hormone levels and screen for other health conditions.

Forms of Hormone Therapy Near Me

Patients can receive different forms of hormone replacement therapy depending on their symptoms and health history. Before scheduling hormone therapy, it’s important to understand the two types of treatment plans doctors use.

Estradiol Therapy

All women stop producing estrogen when their ovaries start to atrophy during menopause. Because this hormone regulates various bodily functions, a halt in its production can come with severe symptoms. Your doctor may recommend estradiol therapy to replace the amount of hormones your body no longer creates.

Rather than providing estrogen replacement, CT Pain Solutions uses estradiol replacement, which then converts into estrogen in the body, improving a patient’s estrogen levels. In addition to being a safe procedure, this method only takes about five minutes and produces immediate results.

Combination Therapy

In addition to estrogen, the ovaries produce the hormone progesterone. If you’ve never had a hysterectomy, you’ll likely undergo combination therapy to receive both of these critical female hormones. Doctors prescribe this form of hormone therapy when you have a uterus because taking estrogen alone can increase the risk of uterine cancer.

You can receive combination therapy either in a systemic or local form. Systemic methods mean the hormones go directly into your bloodstream so your organs and tissue can absorb them.

For combination therapy, doctors can either set you up on a continuous therapy treatment where you take both hormones each day or a cyclic therapy schedule. This involves taking estrogen every day but only receiving progesterone for a shorter period, often 12 to 15 days out of the month.

Work with your healthcare provider to determine which form of hormone replacement therapy works best for you. Consider your health history and lifestyle when deciding which method to take. For example, if you have a hard time remembering to take pills every day, a vaginal ring or patch might suit you better.

What To Expect From Female Hormone Therapy

How long does it take hormone pellets to work? What is the standard treatment plan length? What should I do if I’m not a suitable candidate for hormone replacement treatment?

It’s normal to have such questions during a transitional period in your life that brings new challenges. Below is a breakdown of the process so you know what to expect before starting treatment.  

Consultation With a Doctor

Before beginning hormone replacement therapy, you’ll have to consult a physician about your symptoms and discuss treatment options. They’ll ask about your medical history since this determines which type of therapy you receive and any risk factors you have.

Ongoing Treatments

The average patient receiving hormone replacement therapy sticks to their treatment plan for up to five years. Your treatment plan depends on the severity of your symptoms, your age, and any risk factors you encounter.

Typically, women require HRT treatment every three to four months, while men require treatment every four to six months.

Routine Follow-Ups

You should notice improvements in your symptoms soon after receiving hormones. You’ll begin treatment with a small dosage and gradually increase the dose to make up for your body’s halt in hormone production.

The follow-up and monitoring process with CT Pain Solutions is more in-depth, consisting of blood tests and a symptom questionnaire.

Alternative Treatments

For patients with too many risk factors, hormone therapists may not recommend this course of treatment for menopause symptoms. Just because hormone therapy may not be suitable for you doesn’t mean you can’t receive alternative treatments. Common medications that doctors prescribe for menopause symptoms include:

●      Antidepressants: These can help with low self-esteem or mood swings as well as hot flashes.

●      Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants: Combat dryness, itching, or other forms of vaginal discomfort with a gentle lubricant.

●      Selective estrogen receptor modulators: These medications can alleviate menopause symptoms like hot flashes and sexual dysfunction.

Continue to work with your doctor and inform them about any side effects you experience from these medications. Physicians can alter your treatment plan if necessary.

Understanding Regular Hormones vs. Bioidentical Hormones

When it comes to hormone replacement therapy, it’s crucial to understand the difference between regular and bioidentical hormones. Traditionally, hormone replacement therapy has used hormones derived from synthetic medications to create replacements that mimic your body’s natural hormones. Unfortunately, some patients have experienced increased cancer risks with this method.

Conversely, bioidentical hormones come from molecules that naturally occur in plants, like yams. Since these plant-based hormones are chemically identical to human ones, they are ideal for hormone replacement therapy.

Contact Connecticut Pain Solutions – Trusted Hormone Therapist Near Me

Consider your search for a “hormone replacement clinic near me” over. If you need effective and affordable hormone replacement therapy, turn to Connecticut Pain Solutions. Our medical team, led by Dr. Igor Turok, provides superior patient care and treats a range of conditions.

Submit our online contact form, and one of our healthcare professionals will get in touch. You can also call our clinic at 203-626-9074 (Wallingford location) or 203-724-9288 (Ridgefield location).

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask about hormone replacement. If you don’t see your issue addressed here, you can always reach out for a consultation to see how one of our treatment options might help.

How Can I Find a Reputable Hormone Clinic Near Me?

Start by asking loved ones who’ve undergone hormone replacement treatment about the clinic they used and whether they’d recommend it. You can also search “hormone clinic near me” or “hormone therapist near me” on the internet and read patient reviews for a better idea of that provider’s level of care.

What Are the Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Possible side effects of female hormone therapy include breast tenderness, irregular vaginal bleeding, and mood swings, plus skin irritation for patients who use a hormone patch as their preferred method of treatment. Side effects usually subside after a few months.

Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?

Yes, hormone replacement therapy is generally safe for menopausal women. Doctors can rule out possible health risks when they receive the patient’s