Our bodies undoubtedly go through changes as we age. These changes can also take place sooner than one may think. Unfortunately, our bodies don’t retain the durability, function, and stamina that we have in our 20s. In fact, by our mid-30s, major changes begin to take place that can have far-reaching effects on nearly every bodily process. Age-related issues can affect both men and women. They can range from metabolism to energy to sexual wellness. If you’ve been feeling not quite like yourself lately and your symptoms can’t be tied to any kind of explicit illness, there is a strong possibility you’re suffering from the effects of hormone imbalance and you may be wondering if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.
What you may be experiencing
There are many symptoms you could be experiencing that you’ve attributed to “just getting older.” Certainly, issues surrounding the libido are a hallmark of advancing in age. Sleep issues are another common problem that begin to become more of an issue with age whether it’s insomnia or persistent early morning waking. You may also be feeling more fatigued and lacking in energy compared to how you used to feel.
Physical symptoms can also be accompanied by many mental ones, especially when it comes to cognition and mood. Memory issues and a diminishing ability to concentrate may arise as you age, to say nothing of risk factors related to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Anxiety and depression, while certainly able to strike at any age, can become more pronounced as one gets older. Other issues you may experience include increased insulin resistance, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and pain related to arthritis.
So, what’s at the root of all this? Your doctor would have to investigate, but certain events that may have occurred in your life can tell the story. While hormone imbalance as we age is normal, the imbalance can be even more pronounced depending on certain factors. For example, if you had any genital surgery such as tubal ligation, vasectomy, or hysterectomy, you are at a higher risk of hormone imbalance. Traumatic injuries such as whiplash, concussion, or injury to the testicles can also cause a hormonal imbalance. If you’re over 30 and have experienced one of these conditions, chances are high you could benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Here is what you need to know about hormones.
How hormones play a part
Hormones are the only system the body uses to heal, repair, and maintain all its structures. As hormone levels decline, you can experience the symptoms listed above and more including weight gain, diminished strength, and premature aging. In women, this hormonal unbalance also plays a role in miscarriages.
Hormones play a role in nearly every aspect of our bodies, down to our moods and food cravings. Not only do our hormones repair us, but they also give us unconscious signals. While hormones like testosterone and estrogen have far-reaching consequences on libido, muscle mass, and reproductive health, there are many other hormones that regulate every aspect of your body. For example, there’s Peptide YY. This hormone, while one that doesn’t get much attention, plays a large role in your weight. That’s because Peptide YY tells us when we’re full. As you eat, your gut releases this hormone into your bloodstream to signal to the brain when it’s time to stop eating. Higher concentrations of this hormone decrease your appetite. Different foods produce different levels of Peptide YY. That’s why you feel hungrier quicker after a carbohydrate-heavy meal compared to one that is protein-based.
Hormones can regulate everything from satiation to cholesterol levels to feelings of anxiety or depression. Hormonal diminishment or imbalance can affect every aspect of your life, which is why hormone replacement therapy may sound like an attractive option to you.
Hormone replacement therapy
It’s important to stress that hormone replacement therapy doesn’t extend someone’s lifespan. It won’t physically make you younger. But, it will help you lead a healthier life.
Restoring hormonal balance can lower indices of poor health that lead to cardiovascular disease, improve cognitive function, restore libido, reduce symptoms of menopause, and much more. Hormone therapy can be delivered via injection or time released pellets placed under the skin. Men may also receive topical testosterone creams.
Conclusion
Hormone replacement therapy may be exactly what you need to counter some of the negative effects that occur due to the hormonal shifts of aging. A hormone imbalance can have many far-reaching symptoms that affect every aspect of your body. If you haven’t been feeling right, book an appointment online with us today. Dr. Morris and the team at The Private Practice will provide you with the testing and treatment options you need so you can feel rejuvenated.
