Just like aging, hormonal changes are inevitable. Unfortunately, they often have a way of turning our whole lives upside down. Hormonal changes can impact the way we think, how healthy we are, and even how happy and fulfilled we feel. At Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL, hormone specialist Robert Marshall, MD, offers Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) to men seeking to renew their youthful energy.
Who Is a Good Candidate for BHRT?
Almost anyone experiencing low hormones is a suitable candidate for this form of hormone treatment, as it is most likely to be well-tolerated by the majority of patients. The treatment uses hormones that are structurally identical to those naturally produced in the body. If your hormone levels are low and need treatment, bioidentical hormones can be recognized and utilized by your body in exactly the same way as endogenous hormones.
BHRT for Men
Though men can experience hormonal imbalance at any age, it is mostly closely associated with aging. As men approach middle-age, they begin to produce less testosterone naturally. This can lead to a number of symptoms for which they may wish to seek therapeutic help, as lessened testosterone production can cause decreased energy, strength, and muscle mass. Though it can feel isolating to experience these symptoms, seeking hormone replacement therapy is common, and after treatment many patients end up feeling the best they have in years.
What Are Signs I Might Need Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
If your hormones are out of balance, then there are a variety of different symptoms you may see in your life. Though there are a number of conditions that can cause these individual symptoms, it is always a good idea to speak with an expert about your hormone levels if you are experiencing more than one of these at the same time.
You Have Low Energy Levels
Testosterone plays a role in maintaining energy levels, motivation, and overall vitality. When testosterone levels decline, individuals may experience reduced energy, fatigue, and a decreased desire for physical activity.
You’re Not Feeling Like Yourself
Hormones can influence the production and activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine, which are involved in mood regulation. Testosterone has been found to modulate serotonin and dopamine activity, the endorphins that cause you to feel happy, well, rewarded, and motivated.
Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms such as irritability, low mood, and decreased motivation, as well as having an effect on cognitive function. All these aspects can lead to you feeling that you’re not at your best.
You Are Losing Muscle Mass
Testosterone is an anabolic hormone that stimulates muscle protein synthesis, which is essential for muscle growth and maintenance. When testosterone levels decrease, muscle protein synthesis may be impaired, leading to a reduction in muscle mass and strength.
Low testosterone levels can also increase muscle breakdown, known as muscle catabolism. This imbalance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown can result in a negative muscle protein balance, leading to muscle mass loss over time.
You Are Gaining Weight
Testosterone plays a role in regulating metabolism, specifically by increasing the body’s basal metabolic rate (BMR). When testosterone levels decline, the metabolic rate tends to slow down, leading to reduced calorie burning and potential weight gain.
Testosterone also helps regulate the distribution of fat in the body. When testosterone levels are low, there is a tendency for fat to accumulate more in the abdominal region. This type of fat deposition, known as visceral fat, is associated with an increased risk of various health issues, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Your Hair and Skin Are Changing
Hormone levels can have a significant impact on your hair and skin. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, and it plays a role in the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, including hair growth. Testosterone promotes the growth of facial and body hair in men, and a lack of it can lead to negative effects, such as baldness.
Although estrogen is typically thought of as a female hormone, men also have small amounts of estrogen. Imbalances in estrogen levels can affect hair and skin, as excess estrogen may contribute to hair loss or thinning, as well as changes in skin texture and elasticity.
Your Sex Life Is Having Issues
One of the most unpleasant symptoms of unbalanced hormones is the effect they can have on your sex life. For both men and women, low hormones can lead to decreased libido. Men may also find that they have difficulty maintaining an erection. But if this is you, you don’t have to suffer in silence; BHRT may help you to get that spark back.
What Positive Results Will I See?
As a result of BHRT, men may find that they have:
- More energy
- Reduced body fat
- Increased muscular strength
- Better maintenance of lean body mass
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved mood
- Improved libido
- Boosted sexual performance
When Was This Treatment Invented?
While the concept of using bioidentical hormones has been around for many years, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact date for the invention or introduction of BHRT as a specific treatment approach.
The first uses of bioidentical hormones date back to the 1930s, when scientists began synthesizing hormones in a laboratory to create compounds identical to the hormones found in humans. However, the term “bioidentical hormone replacement therapy” itself is a more recent term that gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and describes the personalized approach to treating hormonal imbalances with replacements that most closely mimic those the body would make naturally.
How Is BHRT Administered?
Bioidentical hormones are available in a variety of forms, including oral medication, injections, and skin patches. These different delivery methods mean that we can help find the treatment option that is best for you. When you come for treatment, Dr. Marshall will work with you to help you find both the treatment method that works for you and the correct dosage for your needs.
How Will I Know Which Hormones I Need?
Before starting any hormone replacement therapy, our experienced and qualified professionals will work with you to test your hormone levels. This will give us your current hormone profile, and we will be able to see which hormone levels are lower than you should be. Firstly, we will talk with you about your health concerns and test to see your hormone levels. After this initial assessment, we will recommend the hormone replacement treatment plan that we believe will help you to feel your best.
When Will I Start To Feel Better?
The time it takes for the treatment to take effect will vary. All patients are different and the rate at which they metabolize the hormones will be different. This will affect how long it takes to feel a difference from your hormone therapy. Additionally, some health concerns are more quickly resolved than others. What is most likely is that you will begin to feel some difference at around three weeks after you start treatment, though some patients see results sooner.
You can rest assured that we will do our utmost to ensure your good health. If you are not seeing positive improvements to your condition, we will consider upping your dosage or perhaps switching to a different form in which to administer the hormones. With your own customized BHRT plan, you can be sure that your treatment will be tailored to your needs and adjusted as treatment progresses.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have Unbalanced Hormones?
The body is immensely complicated and affected by a number of factors, not just your hormone levels. Environment, work, diet, and other lifestyle factors can all have an influence on your overall health. So, if you are having trouble with the symptoms mentioned in this article, and you think that your hormone levels may be the cause, you should consult with a healthcare professional. We will be able to evaluate your symptoms, conduct appropriate testing, and provide personalized guidance and treatment options.
Get in Touch With Us Now To Look and Feel Your Best
Hormones regulate many bodily functions, from your metabolism to your libido. As you age, your body changes and hormone levels decrease, but that does not mean you just have to grin and bear it. BHRT can help you look and feel your best, and get back that old spring in your step. Get in touch with the team at Tru-Male Medical in Oak Brook, IL, today to find out more.
