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Hormone Therapy
Around 80 percent of women in the United States alone suffer from some kind of hormonal imbalance. Men also commonly suffer from hormonal imbalances, and many don’t even know that they have them. In fact, about 39 percent of men ages 45 and older have low testosterone levels. Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can treat this problem.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has proven to be one of the most useful methods. Take a look below and learn more about how to recognize the symptoms of hormonal imbalances and what you can do to address them.
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What is Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has to do with providing the body with the hormones it lacks. When your body isn’t producing enough of the right hormones, an imbalance occurs. This imbalance is what causes a myriad of unwanted symptoms. In addition, long-term hormonal imbalances can actually be quite dangerous for your health.
Whatever the case may be, HRT can make sure that your body has all the hormones it needs to function properly. There are many different forms of hormone replacement therapy, as well as many different HRT delivery methods. Choosing the right type is important as it will help correct whatever hormone you may be deficient in.
What are the Different HRT Delivery Methods?
What you might not know about HRT is that there are several types of delivery methods you can consider.
It is important to consider these different methods to ensure that your treatment is seamless: fits your lifestyle and achieves optimal results during each treatment cycle.
Creams and gels
Creams and gels are a common method of hormone therapy because they are both simple to use and discreet.
However, this delivery method comes with some risks. Hormone creams and gels may transfer from one person to another through contact with the area where the cream was applied. This exposes kids, pets, and partners to the therapy and can impact their health. Creams and gels also require application one to two times daily. If you skip a dose because you run out or forget, you can hinder the effectiveness of the treatment. It can also be difficult to measure each dose and ensure that the exact amount is absorbed into the skin further impacting consistent and effective relief.
Pills
Pills are also a common method of hormone therapy. Pills allow for precise dosing and travel easily. However, much like creams and gels, they can be inconvenient.
Most pills have to be taken at least once a day, depending on the prescription. If you skip a dose, your treatment may be impacted. Furthermore, pills have to compete with the harsh environment of the gut. While most pills are designed to be effectively absorbed as they travel through your GI tract, this delivery method does not offer the consistency achieved by other delivery methods.
Patches
Patches offer the convenience of “set it and forget it,” but a bulky patch is hardly forgettable. Patches may only be placed on certain areas of the body that are not always discreet in certain clothing. Not to mention that patches do not adhere well when coming in contact with water or certain fabrics. If a patch falls partially or completely off, your treatment will be impacted. Steady dosing is difficult with patches as well because the volume of hormone in the patch declines toward the end of the treatment cycle, leading to the return of unwanted symptoms until a new patch is applied.
Injections
Injections are a particularly popular method of testosterone therapy. Injections enter the bloodstream directly and therefore absorption is highly effective. However, injections must be administered every 7 to 10 days. If you skip or delay a dose, your treatment may be impacted. Injections notoriously cause a rollercoaster dosing effect. Most patients that choose injections will experience a surge of hormones in the days after the injection followed by significant declines each day until the next injection. This can make symptom relief short-lived. Injections are also associated with discomfort, inflammation, bruising, bleeding or pain at the injection site.
Pellets
Pellets are the preferred method of hormone replacement therapy and have grown in popularity over the last decade. For most people pellets offer a convenience that is unparalleled. Pellets are placed under the skin during a short medical visit and deliver a steady dose of hormone for 3 to 6 months based on your level cardiac output, gender, and dose. You don’t have to remember to apply a cream, take a pill or hassle with painful injections. This method of delivery also most closely mimics the body’s natural secretion of hormones–delivering timely and steady dosing for optimal function.