If you’re new to the subject of hormone replacement therapy, it may seem a bit complicated. Adjusting someone’s hormone levels may seem complex, but today, it’s a commonplace medical treatment. This therapy is nothing new, and it continues to be a viable healthcare solution. Thus, one of the treatments you can seek for increasing hormone levels is hormone replacement therapy.
However, just because this process can be successful doesn’t mean you should give it a try without any further research. If you want to learn more, you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy. That way, you can balance all the details necessary to make the next step for your health with confidence and clarity.
Treating Hormone Decline
The main benefit of hormone replacement therapy is its ability to treat hormone decline. People don’t exactly have a hormone meter on their bodies, so how do you know when you encounter this problem? One example of this experience is menopause.
Of course, not every person’s experience with menopause is identical. Unfortunately, some experience menopause symptoms so discomforting mentally and physically that it impacts their daily lives too much. These distressing symptoms can be due to the decline of estrogen and progestogen in the human body during menopause. Those suffering from extreme symptoms of menopause shouldn’t have to settle for this experience simply because it’s natural. The good news is that there are treatment options that can provide relief.
As you may guess from the treatment’s name, hormone replacement therapy seeks to replace the reduced hormones to get your body feeling great again. For example, at Anodyne, our hormone replacement therapy clinic uses the bioidentical method for treatment. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy involves hormones that seem identical to what is currently in your body. That way, healthcare experts can easily increase your hormone levels for a better experience.
Next, addressing the pros of hormone replacement therapy requires looking closely at the symptoms it can combat.
Signs of Hormone Imbalance
Menopause isn’t the only situation in which you could benefit from hormone replacement. One of the benefits of the titular treatment is the range of side effects it can help you handle. Although women can turn to hormone replacement therapy for menopause treatment, this procedure is available for all genders. So, how do you know if you should consider this form of therapy? Hormone imbalance can appear in many forms.
These symptoms include headaches, hot flashes, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, memory lapses, and more problems that, on the surface, may not seem like hormone issues. Suffice it to say that headaches can occur for many different reasons. However, hormones are critical to many of our body’s functions. So, if problems occur with our hormones, the ripple effect is quite extensive.
The signals sent by the hormones in our bodies affect our mood, metabolism, growth, and sexual functions. Therefore, a healthcare expert will take a comprehensive look at your current health status and habits to help with the application of hormone replacement therapy. The more the expert knows about your body and your daily life, the more accurately they can determine what the problem is and what the solution should be.
A Natural Imbalance Solution
Today, the healthcare industry has many years of research and studies to explore. Experts learn from the past to use the best methods available to help your current situation. One benefit of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is that it is a natural healthcare solution. It’s easy to assume that when something like this happens to your body, you need an extensive treatment plan for help. Hormone therapy is not an experimental drug or a high-end surgery. Those options are there for those who want them, but you can naturally assist your body when it is experiencing a hormone imbalance.
So, if this process is natural, then where do those replacement hormones come from? These hormones are typically plant-derived, but don’t hesitate to talk with your healthcare provider directly to determine what their service entails.
As you can see from the benefits above, it’s not a surprise that hormone replacement therapy is a suitable solution to hormone imbalance. That said, this guide is about the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy, so what are the cons? Let’s take a look at the safety concerns you should discuss with your healthcare professional beforehand.
Potential Side Effects
As with many healthcare solutions, there are risks that any patient should know about hormone replacement therapy. Working with experts to talk about what’s best for your body is important. That said, you deserve a treatment that you’re most comfortable with, and finding that perfect match requires you to weigh the pros and cons of any option.
A study on the benefits and risks of hormone therapy illustrated the procedure’s side effects when applied over an extensive period of time. Long-term usage of the treatment can increase the risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and breast cancer. It’s understandable if these side effects worry you, but this is where the education and experience of healthcare providers truly come into play. After all, these side effects stem from excessive long-term usage. Next, we’ll look at how the experts can help you make safe decisions for your physical and mental health.
Talking With the Experts
Speaking of the experts, let’s loop back around to another pro regarding hormone therapy, and that’s the fact that the conversation doesn’t have to stop here. Everyone has a unique body, and sometimes, what works for someone may work for you, too. Discovering whether any given process is right for you requires a clear conversation with your healthcare provider. They can let you know risks that are dependent on your body’s condition.
You may even discover that your symptoms are not signs of hormone imbalance and thus can use a different solution altogether. For this reason, it’s helpful to consult someone who can take a comprehensive approach to find a solution. At Anodyne of Las Vegas, our team focuses on integrative medicine to ensure we have a clear picture of your health and habits before narrowing in on the right treatments. Talk with an expert today if you’re ready to explore hormone replacement therapy further so that you can take action as soon as possible.