Decrease in hormones and aging are intimately related
Losing hormones are directly responsible for our aging process. Because this is a natural process, many of the unwanted and treatable effects of aging are too often considered to be “normal’. However, if your hormones are becoming less available before they should be, it could trigger a condition called Adult Hormone Deficiency Syndrome (AHDS).
AHDS is found in both men and women and isn’t tied to just testosterone and estrogen. Your body produces many hormones that serve a variety of functions. Any one of these hormones could be off, and thus affecting your quality of life.
There are some common symptoms associated with AHDS including:
- Decreased sex drive
- An overall feeling of tiredness
- Achy muscles
- A reduction in muscle mass
- An Increase in weight and body fat
- Depression
- Decreased energy and endurance
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to look into hormone replacement therapy.
What are the Advantages of Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), or bio-identical hormone therapy is more than just taking medicine to replace a hormone. It’s an entire system of therapies designed to bring your hormone production equal to the best times of your life.
Hormones don’t work in a vacuum. Each hormone has an effect on the others around it, so when one is off it affects the entire system. The biggest advantage you see from HRT is the return of your finely-tuned system of hormones.
During your testing, we will look at your entire hormone system. We will test for ovarian, adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary hormones. Discovering the hormones in the most need of treatment allows us to cater a system specifically to you, all supervised by our expert medical team.
Other than detailed testing and supervised therapy, the biggest advantage to hormone replacement therapy is the feeling you get of having your life back. You’ll feel more alert and energetic. You may see a decrease in excess fat and an increase in lean muscle mass. Your sex drive will return as well as an overall sense of well-being. Your body will respond too. You could see a decrease in cholesterol and improved bone density as well as a restored immune system.
Decreasing hormone production is a side effect of general aging, but when it’s happening earlier than it should be, or at an increased rate, it can quickly go from “naturally occurring” to “a big problem.” If you’re feeling more tired than you should, or have less of an interest in sex than you want to, it is worth getting tested for AHDS.
Starting hormone replacement therapy could be the difference between living the life your age says and living the life you feel. If you have any questions about what HRT can do for you, call our offices for a consultation today.
