Have you felt lately like you’re not yourself anymore? Do you feel like something is off with your life, even though you can’t precisely put your finger on what’s wrong? If you’re feeling physically, emotionally, or mentally different, there is a chance that your sex hormone levels are imbalanced. If that’s the case, you may benefit significantly from hormone therapy at Innovative Medicine in Lafayette, IN. Here’s what you need to know about how it works.
How Does Hormone Therapy Work?
Hormone therapy works by restoring balance to your sex hormone levels. This is accomplished by supplementing the sex hormones that your body is not currently producing enough of. Among the hormones that can be supplemented with hormone therapy (HT) are:
- Testosterone
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- DHEA (used to produce estrogen or testosterone)
Other hormones that can be supplemented include human growth hormone, GHRP-6, and melatonin. Blood tests are required to determine which hormone levels are insufficient and need to be supplemented. There are other ways to test hormone levels besides drawing blood, but blood tests are, by far, the most accurate and reliable way of testing hormone levels.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?
The only way to determine whether you are a good candidate for HT is to come in for an evaluation. However, there are signs that your hormone levels may be imbalanced.
You Are No Longer Interested in Sex
If your libido is significantly lower than it was in the past, there is a good chance that your sex hormone levels are imbalanced. Typically, when men notice a significant drop in libido, they are not producing enough testosterone. Women who find themselves suddenly disinterested in sex usually have low estrogen levels. However, a test is still required to confirm which hormones are insufficient.
You Are Gaining a Lot of Weight
There is also a very good chance that your sex hormone levels are imbalanced if you are gaining a significant amount of weight. Your sex hormones affect just about every facet of your life, including your energy levels, appetite, and mood. You may find that you are gaining weight because you no longer have the energy to exercise like you used to be able to, but you still have the same appetite.
People also gain a significant amount of weight when their sex hormone levels are imbalanced because they find their appetite increasing significantly. Also, it is not uncommon for people going through andropause or menopause to gain weight because they start emotionally eating. They may feel frustrated with mood swings and turn to sugary or fatty foods and drinks for comfort.
You Are Unable to Get Restful Sleep
Insomnia is another common cause of weight gain and a side effect of andropause and menopause. This is because the more tired you are, the less capable you are of resisting the temptation of unhealthy foods and beverages.
It is not uncommon for people to turn to calorie-laden foods and beverages for an energy pick-me-up when they can’t get a quality night of sleep. Even worse, a lack of sleep can lead to a lack of physical activity. If you are struggling to sleep and increase your weight by 5% in a month, schedule an appointment to have your sex hormone levels tested right away.
You Are Experiencing Mood Swings
Yet another sign that you may be a good candidate for hormone therapy is mood swings. Your sex hormones help you regulate your emotions. Therefore, when your hormones are imbalanced, you may find your anxiety shooting through the roof. Similarly, you may find that you develop a major depressive disorder, are unable to do anything at all, or only feel able to do the basics. Restoring your hormone levels can help you keep your mood balanced.
You Are Forgetful
Cognitive decline is another common side effect of imbalanced sex hormones. If you find that you suddenly can never remember where you put your keys, wallet, or cell phone, you may need to supplement one or more of your sex hormones. The reason why you can never find your belongings is that your ability to form short-term memories is impaired. In other words, you don’t forget where you put your things. You never formed the memory in the first place.
Another common side effect of imbalanced sex hormones is a loss of long-term memories. For instance, you may forget what year you got married, or you may forget that Thanksgiving is the last Thursday of November. Note, it is extremely important that you have your sex hormone levels tested if you start to forget things you have remembered for decades. Long-term memory loss can also be a sign of dementia and other diseases.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Hormone therapy helps you restore your physical, mental, and emotional health by supplementing hormones that your body produces in insufficient quantities. Among the hormones that can be replaced during HT include testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone. Blood tests will identify which hormones are insufficient and need to be supplemented. Schedule an appointment at Innovative Medicine in Lafayette, IN today to learn more.
