Optimal levels of this hormone, when in balance with other sex hormones, create peak sexual function, mood stability, bone strength, and ovarian function. However, if you are suffering from low testosterone levels, your body likely won’t feel at its best. At Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH, we offer hormone therapy as an effective, proven treatment for restoring the body’s hormone health.
When Should You Get Hormone Therapy for Low Testosterone?
Many people mistakenly believe that you have to be of a certain age to start hormone replacement therapy. While age is arguably the most common factor contributing to the development of Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome (TD) or Low Testosterone (Low-T), people of any age can experience hormonal imbalances for a variety of reasons. If you’re wondering when to start receiving hormone treatments for TD or Low-T, talking to the professionals at Premiere Center for Health and Wellness about what you’re experiencing is a good start.
If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms of male sex hormone decline, hormone replacement therapy can alleviate your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and make you feel like yourself again. If you’re curious about starting treatment, we can evaluate your hormonal health and symptoms to create a customized treatment plan just for you. Whether you need a small boost or a complete overhaul, we can help you re-balance and restore your system.
Signs and Symptoms of TD and Low-T
Though this hormone occurs in both males and females, it is known as the primary male androgen. This hormone plays an important role in the body’s functionality, including regulating the libido, maintaining bone mass, distributing fat, retaining muscle mass, and producing sperm and red blood cells. If you’ve begun to experience unpleasant physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that are interfering with your daily life, it may be a sign of hormonal decline. While there are many signs and symptoms that someone suffering from TD or Low-T may experience, the most common symptoms include:
- Low sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction
- Hair loss, including body hair and beard growth
- Fatigue
- Acne
- Weight gain
- Muscle loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Poor memory
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
You may experience one, several, or all of the symptoms listed above; not all symptoms need to be present to diagnose Low-T. Depending on how great your hormonal deficiency is, your symptoms may be mild or severe. If you found yourself relating to the symptoms listed here, we recommend booking a consultation with us. We can perform the vital diagnostics required to give you an accurate picture of your hormonal health and create a treatment plan.
What Causes Hormonal Decline?
Hormonal decline affects roughly 40% of men aged 45 and older. While age is the most common contributing factor, there are other conditions that can cause hormonal imbalances. Pre-existing conditions such as Noonan Syndrome, Kallman Syndrome, and Klinefelter Syndrome can cause male sex hormone deficiencies. Being born intersex can also cause hormonal imbalances. Additionally, the following factors can contribute to hormonal decline:
- Autoimmune disease
- Diabetes
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
- HIV/AIDS
- Testicular injury
- Infections
- Obesity
- Alcohol abuse
- Sleep apnea
- Estrogen excess (from external/environmental sources)
- Hormone disorders, such as pituitary gland disease
- Metabolic disorders, such as hemochromatosis
- Inflammatory conditions, such as sarcoidosis
- Medications such as antidepressants and narcotics
What Happens When Low-T Is Left Untreated?
When left untreated, TD and Low-T can pose serious risks to the body. Adequate levels of male sex hormones are essential to protecting the body from age-related diseases. Untreated deficiencies can greatly increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, heart disease, and other serious age-related medical conditions.
Hormone Optimization Therapy for Low-T
While some people simply accept hormonal decline as a natural consequence of aging, with hormone therapies available, there is no reason to suffer the symptoms of hormonal imbalances. Hormone optimization can alleviate symptoms of hormonal decline, improve your quality of life, and even protect the body from developing age-related diseases. Hormone optimization therapy can restore hormonal balance to the body through the use of bioequivalent hormones.
What Are Bioequivalent Hormones?
Bioequivalent hormones are typically plant-derived hormones that have an identical molecular structure to your body’s natural hormones. You may be more familiar with the term “bioidentical hormones”, but the FDA suggests that the term “bioequivalent” more accurately describes the hormones used for hormone replacement therapies.
Benefits of Hormone Optimization Therapy
There are many benefits associated with receiving hormone optimization therapy. Because the body is designed to operate at its best when the hormones are in balance, this treatment will not only reduce your symptoms but help you to feel like yourself again. The benefits of hormone therapy include:
- Increased libido
- Improved sexual function
- Increased energy levels
- Increased bone density
- Protection against osteoporosis
- Improved mood and emotional stability
- Improved sleep quality
- Healthier skin and hair
- Healthy weight loss
- Increased muscle mass
- Improved physical performance
What Does Treatment Look Like?
Our hormone treatments can be customized to target your specific symptoms and meet your unique needs. We want to help improve your overall health and well-being, not just treat your symptoms. At your initial consultation, we will run diagnostics to assess your hormone levels and give you a blood requisition. Your blood test will need to be drawn in the morning, as that is when testosterone levels peak.
Once we’ve received the results of your blood tests, we’ll be able to create a customized treatment plan for you. Your plan will include an appropriate dosage of hormones to target your needs. We will also take into consideration your lifestyle requirements and preferences when deciding upon an appropriate format for your hormone treatments.
In What Formats Are Bioequivalent Hormones Available?
There are several different methods available for administering bioequivalent hormones. Depending on your lifestyle, schedule, dosage, and preferences, one format may be more suited to you than another. Some people, for example, may prefer an option that can be administered at home, while others may prefer a long-term solution, even if it requires periodic office visits. Pellet therapy is a great long-term option that doesn’t require continual upkeep, while topical treatments can be performed at home, but require daily maintenance. Other options include patches, injections, capsules, gels, and creams.
During your initial consultation, we’ll review your treatment options with you so we can select an appropriate option for your treatment together. It’s important that your treatment plan is a good fit for your lifestyle, as consistent treatment is paramount in rebalancing your hormones. If at any time, you would like to discontinue your chosen treatment method in favor of another format, we would be happy to schedule a follow-up appointment to revise your treatment plan. We encourage you to explore different therapy options until you find a good fit.
When Should You Expect To See Results?
After we’ve determined your treatment needs and selected the format in which you’d like to receive your bioequivalent hormones, we’ll be able to begin your hormone therapy. Your results will vary depending on the severity of your hormonal deficiency. The speed at which you begin to notice results may be impacted by your treatment method; however, our clients typically report feeling noticeable effects within the first three weeks following their first treatment.
As the bioequivalent hormones help your body rebalance its hormone levels, you can expect to see your symptoms lessen and disappear. If TD or Low-T has been a chronic condition in your life, you may experience radical changes to your daily life after beginning hormone optimization therapy. Improved energy levels, increased libido, and a greater ability to build muscle mass and attain your body goals can all contribute to an overall greater sense of well-being.
How To Maintain Your Results
Hormone replacement therapy is not a one-and-done treatment. After you begin treatment, we’ll need to schedule follow-up appointments to re-administer your hormones (depending on your treatment format), monitor your hormone levels, and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. It’s important to us that we ensure your hormones are balanced and on target so you receive the best possible results.
Restore Your Hormonal Balance Today
While hormonal decline is expected with age, you don’t need to accept and adapt to the uncomfortable, disruptive symptoms of hormonal imbalance. With hormone therapy, you can renew your body’s hormonal balance by introducing bioequivalent hormones into your system. To achieve optimal hormone health for women AND men, contact Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH today.