Hormone replacement therapy has been around for decades – treating both women and men whose bodies no longer manufacture crucial chemical messengers in the needed amount.
Substances such as growth hormone, testosterone, progesterone, estrogen, and more can decline or run out due to a number of causes, including the following:
Hormone replacement therapy meaning.
- Aging
- Illness
- Injury
- Cancer
- Tumors
- Medication
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Genetics
- Environmental
- Lifestyle
Hormone levels fluctuate during the course of an individual’s life. Puberty tends to increase some of these chemicals, which then level off in one’s twenties before starting to decline during the thirties or forties. Menopause and andropause (male version) are other times that frequently signal hormonal change and imbalance.
There is no set way that people will experience these changes. Those who are the most physically active tend to put off some of the adverse effects longer than their couch-potato counterparts. Exercise is an excellent stimulator of many hormones, as is proper nutrition, reduced stress, and the right amount of sleep.
People who seem to be aging early in life are likely experiencing a hormonal decline at a younger age. The sooner they receive hormone replacement therapy, using real HGH the better their bodies will respond to the treatments.
HRT Definition
HRT is defined as the use of bioidentical or synthetic hormones to make up for what the body no longer produces. In most instances, natural bioidentical hormones are the best choice for treatment. Many synthetic hormones carry a higher risk of adverse side effects.
What is the difference between various types of synthetic and bioidentical hormones?
The first difference is how the pharmaceutical companies manufacture these products. Natural hormones that are identical to the body’s own chemicals typically contain plant-based ingredients. In their “natural” state they cannot be trademarked or licensed. A drug company invests quite a bit of money into the creation and testing of a new medication and therefore wants to be able to sell it for a specified time without copies being placed on the market. This is understandable as they need to recoup their investment. In order to make money on their hormones, pharmaceutical companies synthesize them in some proprietary way so that they are slightly different from the naturally occurring chemical in the body, but after conversion in the bloodstream they can be used for the same essential functions.
This is not the situation with bioidentical hormones that come from plant-based products as in the case of progesterone synthesized from wild yams or soy. The natural hormone produced is called progesterone, and it is identical to the same hormone made in the body. Progestin, the synthetic version, may start out with the same plant base, but undergoes a synthetic alteration in the manufacturing process. This is one case where progestin use has been shown to have an increased risk of harmful side effects for some women during menopause, whereas progesterone is safe to use.
HRT by Different Hormones
The type of HRT that a person receives is based on what hormone or hormones are deficient in the body. Blood analysis measures these various levels to allow the doctor to prescribe the proper treatment. Giving a person the wrong medication will not bring about the desired results, and could cause unwanted side effects. Doctor prescribed hormone replacement therapy is safe when it follows blood analysis and physical examination.
Each of the different types of hormones used in today’s method of HRT has a purpose:
HGH (human growth hormone) replenishes growth hormone levels when the body no longer produces enough of this vital chemical, also called somatotropin. HGH is by injection only (other forms are not real HGH), and patients inject themselves at home once a day.
TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) restores balance to testosterone levels when Low T is the diagnosis. Both males and females can have Low T, but the treatment options vary. Men typically receive testosterone cypionate injections, although other forms of injections, skin patches, gels, and oral pellets that adhere to the gum are possible, though not as highly recommended. Women receive testosterone cream compounded for their dosage needs.
Progesterone therapy use to treat a deficiency in progesterone levels is extremely safe, and has the least risk of all treatments. Some people can use progesterone to aid in testosterone replacement, depending on the results of the blood tests. This is not the same as synthetic progestin, and should not be confused for treatment purposes.
Estrogen therapy has many forms, including estrone, estradiol, and estriol. It can be prescribed alone or with another hormone therapy as needed. Creams, skin patches, injections, oral tablets, and other preparations are available, and vaginal estrogen can help when the only symptoms have to do with urinary concerns or vaginal dryness.
Contact a doctor who specializes in hormone replacement therapy to discuss your personal needs and situation. This will provide the highest degree of efficacy and safety from hormone treatment.
