Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT): It is not just for women!
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT): It is not just for women!
by: Steve Nunn
Although most Hormone Replacement therapy patients are women, men also often need hormonal optimization. Menopause is inevitable for women with the eventual cessation of their own hormone production. This occurs either from surgery, or a more gradual process occurring over 4-6 years as their ovaries retire. The process for men is more gradual and insidious. Men tend to lose 1-3% of their testosterone production beginning at age 30. That means by the time a guy is 60, he has potentially lost anywhere from 30-90% of his testosterone. This can have a negative impact on his general health, sense of well being and quality of life.
Testosterone, for either a man or a woman, has an impact on 5 main areas. These include:
- Short term memory
*”Why did I come into this room? What else was I supposed to get at the store?”
- Clear thinking & decision making
*Being able to process information and make clear headed decisions.
- Level moods
*Not having your buttons pushed easily, not feeling anxious, panicky or down for little or no reason.
- Energy
*Energy to get through the day, through workouts and getting results.
*This is desire, not necessarily function. In some cases, erectile function may also be affected, which can have a psychological impact on libido.
Estradiol, the most important female estrogen helps alleviate:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Middle of the night awakening
- Vaginal dryness
- Sometimes helps control urine leaking with sneezing or coughing.
BHRT is safe for both men and women. Estrogen does not cause breast cancer, although it can feed one that is already there. Similarly, testosterone does not cause prostate cancer, but can “feed” an already present prostate cancer. Even having a history of a successfully treated prostate cancer does not permanently disqualify a man from getting testosterone replacement therapy.
Many women, after achieving their own personal hormonal balance and happiness, bring their partners in for consultation. Women are leading the way; the men are then able to regain their hormonal mojo. It is not unusual to hear comments such as: “You saved my relationship/marriage.” When both partners are in hormonal synchrony, many other elements of their relationship fall back into place.
Pellet BHRT is superior to the other forms of BHRT such as creams, gels, lozenges, pills or injections. Pellet BHRT provides a continuous source of hormone lasting anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on the physiology of each individual. Most other methods require daily or weekly dosing with frequent peaks and valleys leading to a hormonal roller coaster.
Contact Tutera Medical to set up your appointment:
480-874-1515
