How Do I Know Which Hormone Replacement Therapy Option Is Best for Me?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) began nearly a century ago. It grew especially popular during the 1960s for women entering menopause. It’s now used for both men and women looking to balance their hormones and live healthier lives.

Bretton Powell, MD, and David Zweiback, DO, provide hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for both women and men at our concierge-style practice, Monarch Concierge MD – Hilton Head.

How hormones influence every stage of life

Our bodies contain more than 50 hormones. These essential chemicals provide myriad daily functions. They help:

Transform food and drink into energy

• Regulate blood sugar and blood pressure
• Balance your temperature, fluid, and electrolytes
• Enhance sexual reproduction and pleasure
• Influence mood
• Regulate your sleep cycle

As we age, we lose hormones, resulting in an imbalance that produces many unwanted symptoms, from low sex drive to hot flashes. Our team offers HRT to help you regain what’s been lost and lead a more satisfying life.

The role of female hormones

The main female hormone, estrogen, controls your monthly cycle. Progesterone helps maintain a pregnancy and provides a relaxing influence.

After menopause, loss of progesterone may affect the way you sleep. You may spend less time in rapid eye movement (REM) and wake up tired. Our team can help you balance these hormones and get the rest you need.

Will HRT work for you?

Our team reviews your medical history and current symptoms and performs a thorough physical exam and blood tests to determine your current hormone levels. After reviewing all your information, we customize your HRT to fit your lifestyle and desires.

HRT comes in a range of preparations, including:

• Gels
• Creams
• Injections
• Vaginal rings
• Patches
• Hormonal medication

Your doctor may also utilize a tiny pellet implanted just below your skin that releases the appropriate hormones. 

Estrogen creams, sprays, patches, and gels are absorbed into your bloodstream directly through your skin. They're often a safer alternative to pills, especially for those with liver and cholesterol issues.

Types of hormones

When estrogen levels fall, women may experience vaginal thinning and dryness, plus an increased risk of bacterial and yeast infections. If you’re mainly looking to add lubrication, low-dose suppositories and rings may be the best choice. Since they only affect a small area, they won’t expose your whole body to high doses of estrogen.

A combination of estrogen and progesterone is often advised for women undergoing menopause to help alleviate:

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Night sweats

Estrogen patches may be a less risky option than pills to reduce your more distressing symptoms.

Not just for females

While HRT originally focused on women, it’s now also available for men. Testosterone levels naturally decline as men age, leading to:

• Fatigue
• Decreased muscle mass
• Reduced bone density
• Low libido

Our team offers HRT to raise men’s testosterone levels, counteracting these unwanted symptoms.

Women and testosterone

While testosterone was once considered a male hormone, it actually plays a role in female health, as well. Testosterone production declines as women age, especially during menopause. If you experience a loss of libido, it may be partly due to this decline and benefit from HRT.

The bottom line

HRT offers myriad benefits for both sexes, from increased energy to stronger bones and muscle mass. It also reduces female hot flashes and other unwanted menopausal symptoms.

We customize HRT to suit your particular needs. To learn more, schedule your in-person or telemedicine wellness consultation at Monarch Concierge MD - Hilton Head in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Call us at 843-681-5305 or request an appointment online to get started.