Hormone replacement therapy is a common way that medical professionals help their patients deal with the effects of aging. The treatment has been around for generations, and it’s widely available for both men and women at many places, including our Matthews, N.C. healthcare facility.
Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
Depending on various factors, a doctor may prescribe hormone therapy for a patient if the physician determines the person’s hormones are unbalanced. The symptoms that indicate a person’s hormones are unbalanced can manifest in both emotional and physical forms, and they vary between men and women.
Symptoms in Females
Anxiety, unclear thinking, and a down mood are all emotional symptoms of unbalanced hormones in women, although they may also be an indication that something else is wrong. The physical symptoms that a female is suffering from unbalanced hormones include thin or dry skin, low blood pressure, hair loss, excessive facial hair, tender breasts, low sex drive, and difficulty getting pregnant, among others.
Symptoms in Males
The symptoms of unbalanced hormones can be as crippling for men as they are for females. Here are some of the symptoms that indicate a man’s hormones may be unbalanced:
- Lack of energy
- Sleeplessness
- Decreased bone mass and/or density
- Foggy thoughts
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
How Quickly Will Hormone Replacement Therapy Work?
Even patients who have similar symptoms won’t necessarily experience the same hormone imbalances. That’s why the team at Matthews Internal Medicine creates custom hormone replacement therapies for individual patients.
Similarly, not every patient responds to hormone replacement therapy within the same time period. Some people may start to feel better in as little as four weeks while others might experience an improvement in six months or so.
Benefits of HRT
Hormone replacement therapy can be delivered in various forms, such as pills, gels, patches, pellets, sprays, rings, and suppositories. No matter how the therapy is administered, HRT has the potential to yield meaningful results.
Here are some of the benefits this type of treatment can produce:
- Reduced stress levels
- Loss of excess weight
- Improved cognitive function
- Better sleep
- Restored hormonal balance
- Improved mood
- Reduced anxiety
- Protection from bone loss or thinning
- Increased sex drive
- Relief from the symptoms associated with menopause or low testosterone
- Improved sense of well-being
- A return to a healthy, active lifestyle
Is HRT Right for You?
Even with HRT having the potential to yield such laudable results, some patients are reluctant to undergo the treatment or they’re unaware it’s available. While hormone replacement therapy isn’t the right treatment for everyone, it is a safe option for many patients who experience symptoms of a hormone imbalance.
If you’re experiencing any symptoms that indicate your hormones are unbalanced, we encourage you to make an appointment with Matthews Internal Medicine. Our team will carefully evaluate your symptoms and come up with a custom treatment plan that’s designed to restore your health and well-being.
Whether you’re a new patient or an existing one, schedule an appointment so we can help you live your best life today and every day. We look forward to seeing you soon!