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HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
FOR MEN AND WOMEN
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What is Bio Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) for Women?
There's a lot of interest in bioidentical — or so-called "natural" — hormone
therapy for menopause symptoms.
Suzanne Somers
has brought bioidentical hormones onto center stage. In her two books and in
media appearances to promote them, she describes how bioidentical hormones
relieved her menopause symptoms. She also makes it clear that she intends to
stay on them for the rest of her life.
Overview
Bioidentical hormones are custom-mixed formulas containing various hormones that
are chemically identical to those naturally made by your body. These
prescription and over-the-counter products are marketed as being tailored to a
woman's individual hormone needs, typically determined through saliva hormone
testing. Manufacturers claim that bioidentical hormones are safer than standard,
FDA-approved hormone therapy.
According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), custom compounds may
provide certain benefits, such as individualized doses and mixtures of products
and forms that aren't available commercially. However, they may also pose risks
to consumers. These compounds haven't been approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) and as a result haven't been tested for purity, potency,
efficacy or safety. These products may even contain unknown contaminants. For
this reason, NAMS does not recommend these custom-mixed products over
well-tested, government-approved commercial products for the majority of women.
Also, bioidentical estrogen and progesterone are available in FDA-approved
hormone therapy products, including: Estradiol, such as Estrace, Climara patch
and Vivelle-Dot patch AND Natural progesterone (Prometrium)
These products come in many different doses and forms. So, you don't need to
turn to unregulated, individually compounded products as your only source of
"natural" hormones.
You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sheta and find out if Bioidentical
Hormone Therapy is right for you.
Testesterone Therapies for Men
Some men are interested in testosterone therapy even if their testosterone
levels are considered normal. Find out whether testosterone therapy could be
helpful for you.
If
you want to remain looking like a young man, you need a steady flow of
testosterone, or androgens, as this hormone is responsible for the normal growth
and development of male sex organs, and the maintenance of secondary sex
characteristics. Without enough of it, you can feel anxious, depressed, become
intellectually muddled, and develop a low sex drive. Also, low levels of
testosterone may result in a decline in muscle mass and strength, and an
increase in upper body and abdominal fat.
A little-known condition called androgen deficiency occurs when bodily tissues
do not have enough exposure to androgens, or testosterone, to function normally.
There is hope -- with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), lower-than-normal
testosterone levels can be regulated and modified.
While young males do not typically suffer from a testosterone deficiency, the
presence of certain medical conditions that hamper the body's ability to produce
testosterone can result in this condition at any age. In fact, approximately one
in 200 men under 60 years of age suffers from androgen deficiency.
The testosterone levels in men usually decrease with age. They gradually begin
to fall from the age of 40 years and decrease by approximately 0.3% per year. It
has been estimated that up to 20% of men over 60 will experience a decline in
androgen production that is significant enough to warrant a diagnosis of
androgen deficiency.
Some controversy still exists over whether or not older men experience what is
known as "andropause," or male menopause, a much more gradual and subtle change
of life than female menopause. The question of whether such naturally decreasing
levels of testosterone should be remedied, or if TRT should simply be reserved
for extreme cases, remains largely unanswered. For now, it is best to assume
that unless your doctor diagnoses you with a deficiency, TRT is not the
solution.
The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing — increase
your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and mental focus, boost your libido, and
improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like
the ultimate anti-aging formula. But health benefits from testosterone therapy
aren't quite so clear-cut.
Men's bodies produce the hormone testosterone in their testes. In
men, testosterone helps maintain:
Testosterone therapy using testosterone replacement medications
may be necessary for men who have very low levels of testosterone (hypogonadism).
Testosterone therapy medications are available as injections, patches and gels.
You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Sheta and find out if Testosterone
Therapy is right for you.
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