Recognizing the Symptoms of Hormonal Change
Many people experience hormone changes that affect their lives. Some of the symptoms can greatly impact one's quality of life. Symptoms include night sweats, mood changes, significant changes in sleep, brain fog, libido, urinary symptoms, and weight gain.
When Hormonal Changes Typically Begin
Women can start experiencing hormonal changes as early as their late 30s and men can start to notice loss of energy and changes in libido. Changes in sleep can be one of the earliest signs of perimenopause.
How Estrogen Loss Affects the Body
Concerns with hormonal changes is the loss of estrogen and this can impact many systems in the body such as the cardiovascular system,the neurological system, the metabolic system, the urinary system, and the skeletal system. Estrogen receptors are located in many areas of the body and when the ovaries start to decrease in function, this causes a decrease in estrogen production.
Am I a Candidate for Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Many want to know if they are a candidate. The answer to this is individualized, and everyone interested in hormone replacement therapy should be thoroughly evaluated. Considerations for evaluation is the person's medical history; sometimes lab work can be helpful but is not always diagnostic. Other considerations are the person's symptoms, their lifestyle and their medical history.
When to Seek Evaluation
The patient does not need to wait until they are menopausal to seek medical advice and to be evaluated. It is also better to start medication during perimenopause. Other things considered are how long the patient has been in menopause. Menopause is defined as one full year (12 consecutive months) without a period. Some patients can experience perimenopause for 10 years before they become menopausal. During perimenopause is when most women start to notice symptoms and changes in the body. These symptoms can be treated with hormone replacement therapy if the provider and the patient agree on the treatment process and after a thorough evaluation.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Options
There are many options for hormone replacement therapy. Options include but not limited to Pellets which are inserted using a small incision and heals within a few days and only need to be changed every 3-6 months depending on the sex of the patient and patient's individual symptoms; other options include topical creams, topical gels, oral medication, patches, and injections. This is individualized based on symptoms, the patient's preference, the patient's lifestyle, and medical history.
Schedule a Consultation
Hormonal changes affect everyone differently, and understanding whether hormone replacement therapy is a good fit starts with a personalized evaluation. Patients who are experiencing symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, or age-related hormonal decline are encouraged to schedule a consultation to discuss their medical history, symptoms, and available treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can hormonal changes start?
Women can start experiencing hormonal changes as early as their late 30s, while men can begin to notice a loss of energy and changes in libido. Changes in sleep are often one of the earliest signs of perimenopause.
How is menopause defined?
Menopause is defined as one full year, or 12 consecutive months, without a period. Some patients can experience perimenopause for up to 10 years before reaching menopause.
Do I need to wait until menopause to be evaluated?
No. A patient does not need to wait until they are menopausal to seek medical advice and be evaluated. It is actually better to start medication during perimenopause.
What factors determine if hormone replacement therapy is right for me?
The decision is individualized. Considerations include the patient's medical history, symptoms, and an evaluation of risks versus benefits. Lab work can sometimes be helpful, though it is not always diagnostic.
