What are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?
More and more, people are looking to turn back time or revitalize their bodies by getting their hormones back to normal levels. The problem is, it’s not always clear who needs this sort of treatment.
Here are 5 signs to look for that signal you may be ready for it. Be sure to consult a medical professional before taking action on any of the following tips.
1. Extreme Menopause Symptoms
During menopause, hormones such as estrogen fall significantly. This can cause you to feel physically ill and not like yourself.
If this period of your life is hitting you particularly hard, you could benefit from treatment using hormone replacement therapy. Elevating your hormone levels could offset or relieve some of the symptoms you experience.
Doctors generally start with low doses of estrogen, especially if you’ve had surgery. If you go this route, learn as much as you can about your options, first. There are a number of common forms they may administer.
2. Low Sex Drive
It’s not uncommon for women to experience a lower sex drive as they get older. But if yours is noticeably lower, or sex has become physically painful, HRT could be a helpful solution.
Low sex drive is often a side-effect of decreased estrogen levels. It can cause vaginal dryness and a lower sex drive that might be reduced if you’re taking artificial estrogen.
3. Poor Sleep
During menopause, many women struggle to get a good night’s sleep. That’s because normal levels of estrogen typically regulate sleep and help you reach deeper levels that promote rejuvenation.
However, many factors can affect sleep. If the room is too hot, if you’re drinking caffeine too late in the day, or you’re not exercising, these could also be common causes. Be sure your other lifestyle habits are in order before assuming it’s due to your need for HRT.
4. Severe Mood Changes
Low hormone levels can lead to severe mood swings, anxiety, hot flashes, and even depression.
In prolonged cases, hormone replacement therapy could significantly help someone suffering from these mental ailments. Again, this assumes that other lifestyle considerations are being taken care of.
5. Bone Loss
This last one is less noticeable than the others on the list, but it is still prevalent.
Estrogen plays a key role in bone remodeling. When levels drop off, you may start to lose bone strength and density. This puts you at increased risk of fractures and breaks.
A bone density test (also called a DXA) can look at your bones and tell you whether you’re losing bone tissue.
What Are The Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?
So, what are the signs that you need hormone replacement therapy?
The symptoms vary widely. But from extreme symptoms during menopause to chronic poor sleep to bone loss, you can see how a loss of hormones is a big deal for your overall health. Getting HRT could be a great solution that makes a big impact on your life.
Contact us to learn about our services and book an appointment today.