The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce hormones to regulate essential body functions. Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA and others are vital for physical and mental health. However, hormone deficiencies or imbalances often develop with age or due to medical conditions. This causes unpleasant signs and symptoms that reduce quality of life. Fortunately there are effective medical treatments available - namely hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
There are several reasons why hormones become imbalanced, including:
Treating the underlying cause, whenever possible, is the first step to restoring hormone deficiences. But most people also need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve symptoms.
Low hormone levels cause wide-ranging signs and symptoms such as:
The symptoms can be different for each hormone deficiency. Diagnostic blood tests helps identify where the imbalance is originating.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) restores hormones to adequate levels to resolve deficiency symptoms. It can bring relief from issues that severely impact quality of life.
HRT typically involves taking hormones in pill form, using skin patches and gels, pellets implanted under the skin or injections. The therapy replaces the exact hormones that the body lacks due to aging, menopause or medical conditions. Treatment regimens are tailored to each patient's unique needs and hormone profile.
For women, HRT often includes estrogen and/or progesterone. For men, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is commonly used. Thyroid and adrenal hormones may also be prescribed.
Hormone replacement therapy benefits both physical and mental health in many ways, such as:
Patients often report feeling like themselves again after starting HRT - with more energy, better moods and an improved body composition.
There are some health risks associated with long-term use of hormone replacement therapy. However, risks have been blown out of proportion by problematic studies in years past.
HRT risks depend on:
Younger, healthy patients starting HRT under age 60 have very minimal risks. Oral hormones may increase risk of blood clots and stroke, but transdermal patches and gels are considered quite safe.
Careful clinical monitoring helps mitigate potential risks for older patients or those with certain medical disorders. Regular lab testing ensures hormones stay in optimal ranges - not too high or low.
For the majority of patients, the benefits of restoring hormone balance far outweigh the minimal risks - especially when improving quality of life and ability to function.
Many people develop hormone deficiencies and imbalances over time, causing unpleasant signs and symptoms that disrupt quality of life.
Low testosterone affects at least 15 million men in America. Levels start dropping after age 30, falling about 1% per year. Low testosterone causes symptoms like low libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) effectively relieves low testosterone symptoms.
The average woman enters menopause around age 51. Menopause causes estrogen levels to significantly decline, triggering symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, irregular periods, trouble sleeping, weight gain, thinning hair, mood changes and loss of sex drive. Supplemental estrogen and progesterone provides immense relief.
Thyroid disorders are widespread, impacting 20 million Americans. An underactive thyroid causes fatigue, weight gain, dry skin and hair loss. Too much thyroid hormone leads to anxiety, insomnia and rapid heartbeat. Restoring optimal thyroid levels stabilizes metabolism and energy levels.
Adrenal fatigue from chronic stress is extremely common. This causes low DHEA and cortisol resulting in constant exhaustion despite adequate rest. DHEA supplementation helps normalize cortisol rhythms to restore energy.
The following patients can greatly benefit from hormone testing and possible HRT:
“width=50%”| Menopausal women with hot flashes, night sweats and other menopause symptoms Healthy aging men with erectile dysfunction and low testosterone signs Individuals with low libido and sexual health issues Middle age adults or seniors suffering from exhaustion, fatigue, lack of energy and stamina People struggling with stubborn weight gain and belly fat despite diet and exercise Those experiencing anxiety, depression, mood swings and mental fuzziness Adults with thinning hair, drying skin, and other signs of aging People recovering from injury or illness who need accelerated healing and strength gains Athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to boost performance, endurance and body composition |
The decision to start hormone replacement therapy is a personal one that patients should make with their healthcare provider. Blood tests help reveal individual hormone levels and patterns of imbalance. Providers then customize treatment plans targeting the deficient hormones.
HRT is appropriate for both men and women whose labs show low hormone levels coupled with moderate to severe deficiency symptoms that impact quality of life. Relief from symptoms is often profound after starting treatment. Those with existing medical conditions may need more careful monitoring during therapy.
TRT and HRT should not be used solely for anti-aging benefits or athletic performance enhancement - therapy should be aimed at relieving symptoms and medical indications from confirmed hormonal deficiencies and imbalances. Responsible hormone restoration from qualified medical professionals allows patients to enjoy life with more energy, better cognition and an overall sense of vitality.
There are several delivery methods and options for administering hormone replacement and testosterone therapy. The right protocol depends on patient preferences, tolerance of side effects, existing medical conditions and desired convenience/lifestyle factors.
Pills - Oral tablets are commonly used but they must pass through the digestive tract and liver. This can increase side effects in some cases. Oral estrogen and testosterone are available.
Patches & Gels - Transdermal systems deliver hormones through skin directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the liver. Patches require weekly or bi-weekly application, while gels are applied daily. These methods reduce side effects.
Injections - Direct injections into the muscle are an easy and inexpensive option. Drawbacks are hormone peaks/valleys between doses. Testosterone, estrogen and DHEA injections are readily available.
Pellets - Tiny hormone pellets are implanted under the skin every 3-6 months, providing consistent daily hormone release. Pellets require a brief medical procedure but provide exceptional convenience once implanted.
Creams - Topical hormone creams can be easily applied to the skin daily but absorption can be inconsistent. Mainly used for vaginal dryness and vulvar atrophy symptoms in postmenopausal women.
There are also choices related to customizing therapy:
Close provider collaboration helps identify the optimal protocol - medications, doses and delivery methods - for each unique patient situation. Follow up bloodwork and symptom assessments allows for continual feedback-driven fine-tuning as needed over time.
The typical process for a patient to begin HRT is straight-forward:
The initial phase involves more frequent doctor visits, then patients shift to twice a year follow ups once optimized. Convenient telemedicine options facilitate accessible high quality care.
Hormone therapy can help transgender individuals align their physical characteristics with their gender identity. Surprisingly, clinical studies have found that hormone treatment in transgender teens was associated with improvements in psychological functioning over time, countering assumptions that hormonal interventions are inherently risky for adolescents.
Residents searching for “hrt near me” can trust the innovative professionals at Harmony Hormone Center clinic for science-based hormone therapy guided by extensive training and clinical expertise. We offer cutting edge therapies to identified hormonal deficiencies and imbalances at our welcoming Wasco area clinic.
As leaders in advanced hormone replacement protocols and precision testing methods, Harmony Hormone Centerempowers patients to take control and improve wellbeing. We've supported thousands of men and women to overcome unpleasant signs and symptoms associated with menopause and andropause (age-related testosterone decline in men). Our exceptional patient outcomes speak for themselves.
Utlizing proven bioidentical hormones coupled with highly individualized treatment plans yields superior safety and efficacy. We focus on restoring optimal balance specifically matched to each patient's physiology and lifestyle - not arbitrarily pumping people full of hormones! Ongoing fine-tuning adaptations and careful monitoring ensures continued success long-term without complacency.
Our close-knit community fosters authentic patient-provider relationships. We forge true partnerships with patients based on trust, transparency and commitment to health. Every personalized care plan aligns with unique needs, preferences and health goals.
We aim to make the therapy process as smooth, stress-free and downright enjoyable as possible! Patient education and regular communication ensures everyone understands what’s happening each step of the way. We accept most major insurance plans or flexible self-pay options.
Regardless of age or sex, reclaiming your vim, vigor and vitality lies within reach through Harmony Hormone Center customized protocols. Our proven track record of efficacious treatment plans helps patients consistently attain hormone homeostasis and sustain elevated function for years on end. We invite you to become part of our ever-growing family of raving fans!
In addition to cutting edge hormone replacement therapy, Harmony Hormone Center offers:
We aim to provide comprehensive support - medically and lifestyle-wise - empowering patients to actualize their peak potential. Everything stems from the foundational work of optimizing hormone balance. But optimal wellness encompasses body, mind and spirit. Our team gladly assists with ancillary factors amplifying total health wherever appropriate for interested patients.
Our effective protocols consistently yield outstanding HRT results enabling people to thrive socially, physically and emotionally. With highly attentive patient-centered care, we get to the root causes of hormone issues and teach smart management strategies for sustaining ideal balance longer term.
Alongside advanced hormone therapy, certain lifestyle measures can amplify a patient’s overall sense of wellbeing during treatment. Here are tips for residents of the Wasco area looking to optimize health while undergoing HRT:
Eating a nutritious whole foods diet rich in plants, high quality proteins and healthy fats provides the raw materials for our endocrine system to produce optimal levels of hormones. Some key aspects include:
Quality over quantity is what matters most with nutrition while undergoing HRT for best results. Nutrient density trumps counting calories!
Regular exercise provides enormous synergistic benefits alongside hormone therapy including:
Aim for a mixture of flexibility training, cardio training and resistance training three to five times weekly. Even simple walking, swimming or bodyweight training suffices!
Chronic stress raises cortisol which can disrupt optimal testosterone and estrogen balance. Counteract the pressures of everyday life with helpful stress relief practices like:
The above establishments aim to complement hormone optimization protocols with self-care activities reducing stress while providing healthy nourishment options. Therapeutic services facilitate injury healing, supple joint mobility, mental clarity and blissful rejuvenation!
Investing time and energy into restorative practices amplifies treatment success. Health goes beyond the physical - be sure to nurture every dimension through this exciting journey of transformation via expert hormone therapy guidance. We equip patients with the tools; embodying positive lifestyle habits allows one to flourish!