Hormone therapy aims to supplement hormones that become deficient with age or due to medical conditions. Some key aspects:
- Testosterone - Estrogen - Progesterone - Thyroid hormones
- Help alleviate deficiency symptoms - Support energy, mood, sleep, etc. - Protect long-term health in some cases
- Effects and safety depend on the person and protocol - Ongoing monitoring is important - Lifestyle also impacts hormone levels
Detecting hormone deficiencies early on allows for timely treatment.
Symptoms may vary greatly but can include unwanted changes in:
Blood tests, medical histories, and questionnaires help determine if hormone therapy could help.
Results must be carefully compared to standardized reference ranges for the person's age and gender.
Hormone therapy programs should be tailored to the individual.
The specific hormones and doses depend on test results and treatment goals.
Gels, injections, pellets, patches, and compounds provide options.
Follow-up tests help ensure hormones reach optimal levels.
Hormone therapy works best alongside a healthy lifestyle.
Eating nutritious whole foods and staying active supports hormone balance.
Coping with stress through relaxation helps hormone function.
Other medications should be reviewed for potential interactions.
Continued follow-ups to monitor progress are encouraged.
By detecting and addressing hormone deficiencies early, negative long-term effects may potentially be avoided. Those with symptoms or risk factors for hormone deficiencies are encouraged to seek professional medical advice about testing and treatment options from a licensed healthcare provider. Lifestyle improvements should be considered as well for optimal wellbeing.
Hormone therapy can help improve skin thickness and elasticity. A study found that estrogen therapy increased skin collagen content, improved skin moisture and reduced facial wrinkles in postmenopausal women. This skin-enhancing effect was an unexpected benefit of hormone therapy.
