Hormones determine more about your health than you may realize, affecting your metabolism, mood, growth, strength, sexual function, and more. However, our hormones also fluctuate constantly, and they are especially involved with certain periods of life, such as menopause. When reproductive hormones decline, it can result in several uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep disturbances, loss of libido, weight and body composition changes, and thinning hair.
At Vive Aesthetics & Wellness, we offer hormone replacement therapy (HRT) near Moorestown, NJ, to help you gain control over your symptoms and feel comfortable in your body once again. Whether you’re in the throes of menopause, post-menopausal, or perimenopausal, our expert providers will help you find the best solution for your health and wellness.
What is menopause?
Menopause is a period in a woman’s life marking the end of her reproductive years. This typically occurs around the ages of 40 to 60, and during this time, periods stop, hormone levels change, and a woman can no longer become pregnant. There are 3 stages of menopause.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transitional period that leads into menopause. You may notice your periods become irregular, and hormone changes may cause symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes, and more.
Menopause
Medical practitioners define the full menopausal period as 12 months after your last period without any spotting or vaginal bleeding. At this point, your symptoms can be the same, but they may become more intense. It is also not uncommon to experience a change in menopause symptoms.
Post-Menopause
When you are in the post-menopausal period, your levels of estrogen and progesterone continue to gradually but steadily decrease. When it comes to menopause symptoms, you most likely see them become milder or resolve completely. Once you are in a post-menopausal stage, you will be there for the rest of your life.
Men’s Menopause
While men do not undergo the same degree of transition as women do during menopause, they do experience their own mid-life hormone changes during a phase called andropause. The drop in hormones is more gradual; men’s testosterone levels begin decreasing by around 1% each year after the age of 40.
Given its gradual nature, the changes often go unnoticed at first. However, over a third of men over the age of 45 have lower testosterone levels than what may be considered “normal,” which can leave men feeling like watered-down versions of themselves. Some signs of low testosterone levels in men include:
- Lowered sexual desire and activity
- Erectile dysfunction or decreased erections
- Breast tenderness or swelling
- Infertility
- Loss of bone density
- Hot flashes or sweats
- Reduced hair growth
- Decreased muscle mass
- Difficulty concentrating
Fortunately, at Vive Aesthetics & Wellness, we can supplement low testosterone levels as part of our program for HRT near Moorestown, NJ. Your provider can identify specific hormone imbalances and develop a personalized approach to help you address your symptoms and feel your best every day.
The HRT Process
While hormone replacement therapy is customized to your needs, here is what you can expect when you visit our team for treatment.
Consultation
First, you meet with one of our experienced providers to talk about your health history, your symptoms, and your concerns. They ask you detailed questions about your health, including what medications you take, past medical diagnoses, and results from any recent blood work.
If you haven’t had your hormones tested recently, they will request some blood work so they can have an accurate reading on your current hormone levels. Based on all this information, they will determine if HRT near Moorestown can relieve your symptoms. If so, they will work with you to develop your personalized hormone plan.
Treatment
We provide a variety of delivery methods for your hormones, and we can help you determine which one is the best fit for your lifestyle and preferences. It takes at least 3 months to see the full effects of HRT, but your provider will schedule regular check-ins between your consultation and the 3-month mark to continue monitoring your progress.
If your symptoms become worse or you experience uncomfortable side effects, your provider may adjust your treatment plan to better address your needs. Once you find the perfect balance, you and your provider create a consistent, long-term plan to help you experience continued relief from your symptoms.
Results
Our goal at Vive Aesthetics & Wellness is to help you gain control over your menopause and andropause symptoms. Once your hormone levels are balanced, you should feel back to your normal self. At this point during treatment, you and your provider will talk about your goals and long-term solutions based on your needs.
Some patients stay on HRT for years as a long-lasting solution for hormone imbalances, whereas others only use HRT to make the transition into menopause more gentle. No matter what your goals are, your provider works with you to find a safe and effective solution.
Hormones Included in HRT
Treatment looks different for every patient receiving HRT near Moorestown, NJ. Your sex hormones can fluctuate dramatically throughout the various stages of life, and your ideal hormonal balance is unique to you. Because of this, “one-size-fits-all” hormone treatment plans aren’t sufficient, and individualization is key. Here are the hormones we can include in your HRT treatments.
Testosterone
Known as the male sex hormone, testosterone is present in both men and women, though women produce smaller amounts of it. For men, testosterone is responsible for libido, hair growth, and the appearance of masculine traits, like a deep voice and facial hair. However, for both men and women, testosterone provides multiple health benefits like maintaining bone strength, red blood cell production, and mental well-being.
Men produce a consistent amount of testosterone until about the age of 40, and then their testosterone levels begin to gradually decline. In women, testosterone levels fluctuate monthly, peaking around ovulation. Testosterone tends to drop dramatically during menopause, causing symptoms like loss of libido, fatigue, muscle weakness, weight changes, and mood changes.
Men and women suffering from testosterone deficiencies can have their levels restored with HRT near Moorestown, NJ.
Estrogen
As the primary female sex hormone, estrogen is responsible for the growth of female sexual characteristics, such as breasts and hips, and it influences the menstrual cycle. However, men also produce a small amount of estrogen, as it helps with bone density, cardiovascular health, sexual function, and mood regulation in both sexes.
While estrogen levels fluctuate on a monthly basis for women, they tend to maintain a base level. When estrogen levels are too low, it can cause decreased libido, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and mood swings. With HRT near Moorestown, your provider can help restore your base levels of estrogen and ease the symptoms you’re experiencing as a result of an imbalance.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a secondary sex hormone in both men and women, though it appears primarily in women. For men, progesterone helps counterbalance the effects of estrogen, helps support testosterone production, and assists in mood regulation. For women, progesterone plays a vital role in menstruation and pregnancy.
When patients have too little progesterone, it often causes headaches, mood changes, irregular periods, weight gain, and low libido. Since women need progesterone in the early stages of pregnancy, low progesterone increases the risk of infertility and miscarriages.
Common HRT Questions
Since hormones play such a vital role in your health and wellness, we understand that you may have more questions. We’ll cover our most frequently asked questions here, and if you have any additional questions, reach out to our team. We will be able to talk with you and get you the answers you need.
What are the side effects of HRT?
Side effects differ from patient to patient, but the most common side effects we have seen with HRT are:
- Headaches
- Breast pain or tenderness
- Unexpected vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Mood changes, including low mood or depression
- Leg cramps
- Mild rash or itching
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
If you experience any of these side effects, talk with your provider about adjusting your treatment plan to better address your needs. We will gladly work with you to find the ideal balance for your body.
How do I know when to be done with HRT?
When your treatment ends very much depends on your individual needs. Every patient has a different timeline; while it may be a lifelong treatment for some, others only need HRT near Moorestown for a few months or years. You and your provider will develop an initial plan during your consultation, but we can always adjust this plan to evolve with you..
Can I have other treatments while on HRT?
Yes! You and your provider can talk about what treatments would best complement your hormone replacement therapy plan. For example, we may recommend pairing HRT with pelvic floor therapy, as patients struggling with menopause also often struggle with urinary incontinence as well. We also like to pair HRT with vitamin injections and treatments for women’s sexual wellness.
Feel Like Yourself Again
When your hormones are unbalanced, you feel less like yourself. But with HRT near Moorestown, NJ, you can get back to feeling like your old self again. We encourage you to book an appointment with one of our experienced hormone specialists or use our complimentary treatment planning tool to find out if HRT is right for you.
