Hormone Replacement Therapy Questions and Answers

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy works differently from traditional hormone replacement therapy in that it uses hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones that our body’s naturally produce. The hormones naturally produced by our bodies control many of our basic bodily functions, so when they start to slow down or are out of balance, it can have a negative impact on our overall health and well-being. Hormones work as the internal communication system in our bodies that coordinates communication between all of the different cells. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses manmade hormones that are derived from plant estrogens and commonly replicated for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone hormones to treat both men and women for a variety of symptoms and conditions. For women, it has been successful in improving moderate to severe symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, memory loss, weight gain and low libido. It has also been shown to help improve the overall well-being and quality of life of patients who have undergone treatment for cancer. There are various forms of bio-identical hormones such as pills, patches, creams, gels and injections. Each form comes with its own list of pros and cons, so it is important to do your research and talk to your doctor about your options for hormone replacement therapy to find out if it is suitable for you.

Hormones are naturally produced by our bodies and control many important aspects of our basic bodily functions. They are also used as an internal communication system for the different cells throughout the body. Natural processes like digestion, growth, appetite and immune function are coordinated by our hormones. They also have an impact on our mood, weight, memory, sleep and libido, among other things. As we age, our hormone production will also change which can cause imbalances in our body. In some cases, hormones increase, while others decrease, and still others don’t change at all. Changes or imbalances in any of the hormones that play a role in the aging process can exacerbate the appearance of the signs of aging such as wrinkles, hair loss and decreased skin volume. Lack of sleep can also be a result of hormonal imbalances which can have further detrimental effects on the skin. In women, collagen production and skin elasticity is impacted by estrogen, which declines as women start to reach menopause. The decrease in collagen production and skin elasticity can cause women to appear to be aging rapidly in the first few years of menopause due to the decline in estrogen production. Progesterone also decreases which can lead to insomnia, brain fog, increased anxiety and increased cortisol, which leads to higher stress levels. The progesterone hormone helps with these symptoms due to its calming effect.

Hormone replacement therapy can be beneficial to both men and women, although the need for hormone replacement therapy can look quite different for each gender. Regardless of gender, hormones help to control many bodily functions such as body temperature, mood, appetite and physical and emotional health. Things like stress, age, dieting, lifestyle and pregnancy, menstruation and menopause in women can cause hormonal imbalances. Hormonal changes can potentially be identified if you are seeing abrupt, unexplained changes to your body that aren’t a result of lifestyle changes. In both genders, hormonal changes can cause symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, decreased libido, depression, muscle loss, joint pain, memory loss, loss of bone density and loss of stamina. For women, symptoms can also include hot flashes, vaginal dryness and lack of skin elasticity. Your doctor can help you determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are the result of a hormone imbalance. We serve patients from Henderson NV, Midway NV, Gibson Springs NV, Paradise Hills NV, and Winchester NV.