Hormone Therapy
What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), or Androgen Replacement Therapy (ART), is a treatment that doctors give to males who have testosterone deficiency and are showing symptoms of hypogonadism. Taking prescription testosterone helps restore the levels of this hormone in the blood, reversing the symptoms of low testosterone. People who take it may notice improvements in alertness, sexual function, energy, mood, and overall well-being.
Who is TRT for and How Does it Work?
Doctors prescribe TRT to males with hypogonadism. To receive a definitive diagnosis, blood tests must show that a person has low testosterone levels, which the American Urological Association notes as being below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). The individual must also have other symptoms, such as fatigue, breast growth, and sexual dysfunction. However, doctors do not usually recommend TRT as the first course of action for low testosterone levels, even for males who show such symptoms. If other conditions or medications cause testosterone levels to drop, doctors usually treat the underlying condition before recommending TRT.
Benefits of TRT
- According to a 2019 study, TRT can improve sexual function, including:
- Libido
- symptoms of erectile dysfunction
- sexual satisfaction
TRT’s also has shown improvement of cognitive function and attention span.
What to Expect
TRT aims to restore a person’s testosterone levels to normal. The individual can expect improvements in their blood testosterone levels within a week, however, symptoms may take longer to improve. A person may also note other benefits, such as an increase in bone density and lean body mass, an improvement in well-being, and a boost to energy and libido. It may take from 4 weeks to several months to see positive changes. Unless caused by medical illness, TRT is typically a lifelong treatment. Once a person starts TRT, their doctor will continually monitor their response to treatment. People need to have routine checkups at least every 6–12 months to assess their blood testosterone levels.
A doctor will also monitor changes in symptoms and side effects at 3 and 6 months after the initial treatment and then annually.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is widely used for treatment of menopausal symptoms, and is considered by many to be the most effective. The aim of HRT, as its name would suggest, is to replace the hormone that the body ceases to produce during the menopause, namely oestrogen.
The symptoms of menopause are due to a decrease in the body’s production of oestrogen and include night sweats, vaginal dryness, headaches, brain fog, insomnia, low mood, reduced sex drive, and the infamous hot flushes!
The Low-Down on Women’s HRT
HRT is available in all shapes and sizes for women, each designed to offer as wide a choice as possible to the menopausal woman. However, there is not only choice in the type and dose of hormones available, there is also choice in how these hormones are introduced to the body – or what doctors call “the route of delivery”. There are three main routes, and each will be appropriate for different women:
- Orally as a tablet
- ‘Transdermal’ (through the skin) in the form of an adhesive patch, or a gel
An implant injected beneath the skin to provide slow release of oestrogen over several months.
For vaginal and bladder symptoms, oestrogen can be taken as a small vaginal tablet, cream or vaginal ring inserted within the vagina to provide very “local” relief.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) replenishes the levels of hormones that your body is producing less and less of. The hormones that are decreasing and cause menopause are estrogen and progesterone. Testosterone also decreases dramatically. HRT can replace the levels of these hormones to combat the symptoms of menopause and prevent the development of long-term diseases that occur due to hormone deficiencies. The goal of HRT is to help your body attain healthy, balanced hormone levels.
Benefits of Women’s HRT
HRT is one way to get your vitality back. By taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) you can restore proper hormone levels using substances that are indistinguishable from what your body would produce on its own. The hormones replaced during HRT are estrogen, testosterone, progesterone.
Yavapai Family Medical offers estrogen in either cream, patch, or pill form. Rest Assured that you can get back to more optimal hormone levels, restore your youthful drive, and address the symptoms that are adversely impacting your life.
Real Results You Can Feel
Many women will start to notice relief from some symptoms within the first couple of weeks. Hot flashes, night sweats, and sleep issues usually get at least some relief early on. These do continue to improve with time. However, for other symptoms such as weight loss and muscle gains, it can take up to 3-months, which is when studies show 80% of women experience full relief. These are general patterns and everyone’s body responds uniquely to any given treatment.
After 12 weeks we will follow up and see how you are doing. At that time the medication dose can be adjusted if you are not seeing the benefits you desire.
What is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy?
Bioidentical hormones, also often referred to as human identical hormones, are sourced from natural substances and designed in the same molecular structure as the hormones naturally produced in the human body. This exact-match structure ensures that when supplemented to treat a hormone imbalance, your systems will function optimally without side effects.
Unlike synthetic hormones, which are chemically-derived, bioidentical hormones attach to your body’s receptors exactly as the hormones naturally produced by your body. Synthetic hormones do not fit into hormone receptors perfectly, which leads to dangerous side effects and ineffective treatment.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is renowned in countless studies and patient testimonials as the safe and effective treatment for hormone imbalance. BHRT supports your health beyond relieving uncomfortable symptoms of menopause or andropause. Research has shown that bioidentical hormones also offer protective benefits that help reduce the risk of diseases related to hormonal changes, such as heart attack, stroke, and certain cancers.
EVEXIAS Health Solutions exclusively uses the highest-quality natural bioidentical hormones from one of the nation’s leading FDA-registered compounding pharmacies in Texas to help patients address the root cause of their symptoms and discover a fuller, healthier way of life.
Less Hassle
Reliable Performance
While convenience is important to patients, successfully alleviating the symptoms of imbalanced hormones is one of the main reasons patients turn to EvexiPEL practitioners for help. Thanks to the integrated approach implemented by EvexiPEL providers, patients can discover the underlying causes of their health concerns and receive a more balanced treatment plan which increases the likelihood of long-lasting positive results for their well being.
Pellets deliver a steady stream of hormones – when the body needs it – mimicking the way the body naturally releases hormones.
While convenience is important to EvexiPEL patients, successfully alleviating the symptoms of imbalanced hormones is one of the main reasons patients turn to EvexiPEL practitioners for help.
FAQ
How much does TRT cost?
TRT costs at Yavapai Family Medical range depending on your need, the mode and frequency of administration, and a person’s insurance coverage.
Does insurance cover TRT?
Yes, but with exceptions. Most insurance companies cover all forms of TRT. However, there may be out-of-pocket costs. Individuals should always confirm coverage with their insurer to avoid any unwanted expenses.
Is Testosterone Replacement Therapy safe?
Although TRT offers benefits to people with low testosterone levels, it can cause many short-term side effects. In the long term, it may also increase the risk of liver and heart conditions.
How long should I stay on TRT?
Treatment length is indefinite unless the low levels are due to an underlying cause that is treatable.
What does TRT do to your body?
Some physical changes that TRT can bring about include increased muscle mass and bone density, and decreased body weight.
Summary
TRT is a common treatment for low testosterone levels, but it may not suit everyone. People who are considering TRT need a prescription and appropriate guidance from Yavapai Family Medical.
Is Women’s HRT Safe?
Estrogen Replacement can add back the estrogen that naturally decreases during menopause. Estrogen has many jobs, but one is mental processing. Estrogen “lubricates the brain.” Taking HRT in menopause may improve memory, concentration, and cognition. Estrogen can also help protect against heart disease, strokes, decrease blood cholesterol, lower the incidence of Alzheimer’s/dementia, improve mood swings, decrease water retention, reduce hot flashes, prevent osteoporosis, and reduces the chance of Type 2 diabetes.
Progesterone Replacement can help many symptoms. Once a woman hits her mid to late 30’s she can enter perimenopause, and progesterone production starts to decline. Once she reaches menopause, circulating progesterone levels are so low, they are similar to levels normally seen in men. Research shows that adding back the progesterone can improve brain function, mood as well as cardiovascular, and nervous system health. Progesterone can protect against uterine and breast cancer, helps fat metabolism, normalize blood sugar, reverse osteoporosis, improve thyroid function and act as a natural antidepressant, and reduce anxiety.
Testosterone Replacement: Although many think of it as a ‘male’ hormone, testosterone is also an important female hormone that plays a critical role in women’s health. Testosterone maintains normal metabolic function, muscle and bone strength, urogenital health, mood, and cognitive function. A deficiency in testosterone can lead to low sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm.
Tiredness, depression, headaches, cognitive problems, osteoporosis, and lean body tissue loss are additional complications from low testosterone. Testosterone levels peak in a woman’s ’20s and start to drop years before perimenopause. By menopause, most women’s levels are half of the peak levels.
Yavapai Family Medical believes everyone should feel as healthy as we possibly can even when it comes to our Vitality. Give us a call if your interested in HRT and we can schedule you a visit to discuss your options further
Treatment
Address
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7750 East Florentine Road, Ste A
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
Contact Us
- (928) 277-1211
- (833) 747-1291
- yfm@yavmedical.com
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