Hormone Replacement Therapy

When hormone levels fall below a healthy level, hormone replacement therapy is the treatment needed to restore healthy levels. While you could experience a decline in many hormones, Monica Hoog-Gage, ARNP, CNP, at Muskogee Family Practice, frequently prescribes hormone replacement therapy for the loss of estrogen women face at menopause and age-related low testosterone in men. If you need help with hormone imbalances, call our office today.

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is prescribed when hormones drop below a healthy level. Taking HRT boosts hormones to their natural levels, which alleviates symptoms and reverses or prevents health problems.

Stress, nutritional deficiencies, obesity, and certain health conditions can lead to hormone imbalances. Some hormones, such as insulin, human growth hormone, and thyroid hormones, naturally decline with age.

Of all the age-related hormone changes, the most common are the loss of estrogen at menopause for women and the gradual decline in testosterone for men.

What symptoms indicate I may need hormone replacement therapy?

Hormones regulate every function and system in your body. That means you could have a range of symptoms, depending on which hormone is low.

One of the most common imbalances, low thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), slows your metabolism and causes symptoms such as sensitivity to cold, muscle weakness, joint pain, and weight gain.

However, most people seeking help for hormonal imbalances are struggling with low estrogen and testosterone.

What are the symptoms of low estrogen?

At menopause, women’s ovaries stop producing estrogen, a hormone that regulates the reproductive system and many other bodily functions.

The symptoms caused by low estrogen include:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Mood swings
• Vaginal dryness
• Loss of sex drive
• Pain during intercourse
• Urinary incontinence
• Memory problems
• Dry, aging skin
• Hair loss
• Insomnia
• Weight gain
• Depression

After menopause, women also have a high risk of developing osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones).

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Testosterone levels naturally decline as men age, dropping by up to 2% every year after the age of 30. The symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Low energy
• Declining sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Loss of muscle mass (muscle weakness)
• Loss of body and beard hair
• Weight gain
• Insomnia
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression and anxiety

Unlike the dramatic change women face at menopause, low testosterone symptoms develop gradually.

How does hormone replacement therapy work?

HRT restores your health and energy, reversing or preventing the symptoms and conditions caused by the deficiency.

At Muskogee Family Practice, Monica does a thorough physical exam and runs blood tests to determine your hormone levels. Then, she will prescribe the dose of hormone needed to restore healthy levels. She also routinely checks blood levels to be sure you stay healthy.

Whether you’ve reached menopause or have symptoms signaling low hormones, expert care is available at Muskogee Family Practice. Call the office today.