Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy

by Anand Thakkar, MD. ~

Hormone replacement therapy has become a popular treatment in recent years. There are many benefits of hormone replacement therapies, and that’s why we offer it at the Chicago Weight Loss and Wellness Clinic. 

Hormones are important chemical compounds in the body. They help coordinate your tissues for optimal function. 

However, hormone levels can change as men and women age. And this can lead to various disturbances. 

Symptom of hormonal imbalance can include: 

• Depression and low mood
• Hot flashes
• Lack of sexual arousal or libido
• Mood swings
• Irregular or absent periods
• Breast tenderness
• Headaches
• Loss of body hair and less beard growth
• Obesity
• Loss of lean muscle mass
• Feeling tired all the time. 

Fortunately, our hormone replacement therapy addresses any underlying imbalances, restoring normality. 

Traditionally, clinicians used hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women going through menopause. However, our therapies are available to all eligible patients. 

We offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. This treatment emulates the hormones lost over time, replenishing them to optimal levels. 

HRT therapies can come in three forms: oral and topical. Oral administration requires swallowing pills, while topical application usually involves applying hormone creams to certain parts of the body. 

However, neither of these methods are ideal because they can put you on a hormonal roller coaster. After ingestion or application, hormone levels are high. But then they fall again throughout the rest of the day. 

Our pellet-based approach is different. These are tiny custom-compounded therapies that keep hormone levels consistent throughout the day, mimicking your body’s natural hormonal cycles. Since each patient’s hormone replacement needs are different, each receives a different optimization plan. 

Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapies

Here are some of the possible advantages it offers:

It May Lower Risk Of Colorectal Cancer

Evidence suggests that hormone replacement therapy may reduce the risk of bowel cancer. A large prospective study found that women using hormone treatments were less likely to develop the disease. And others found similar results in women taking oral HRT.

It May Reduce Osteoporosis Risk

Osteoporosis is a condition that develops when bones become weaker and more fragile with age. Research, however, finds that hormone replacement therapy may be able to prevent it. 

Studies, for instance, have found that long-term hormone replacement administration may increase bone mineral density. In fact, HRT is the first line of defense for treatment and management of the disease in women under 50. 

Evidence also suggests that patients on HRT have lower fracture risk long-term. Thus, they may be less liable to breaking bones after they have a fall. Interestingly, administration may not need to be long-term to confer benefits. Further research suggests that HRT continues to have a protective effect, even after stopping. 

It May Improve Mood

Changes in hormonal balance can adversely affect mood. Many men and women with low testosterone or estrogen levels experience mood swings and depression. 

However, research strongly indicates that HRT can improve mood and depressive symptoms too. In one study, 94 percent of the participants reported that their HRT was a “life changing event for the better.” 

HRT may also be able to alleviate the low mood that arises from the menopause. Studies indicate that using HRT in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy may help. 

Improvement In Quality Of Life

HRT can improve quality of life for both men and women by boosting mental and physical health. Specific examples include: 

• Being able to take up energetic sports
• Walking or hiking longer distances
• Feeling mentally health when waking and sleeping
• Being able to pursue active hobbies, such as golf 

HRT may also help in the bedroom by:

• Improving libido for both men and women. 
• Assisting vaginal lubrication, reducing discomfort during intercourse. 

Reduction In Vasomotor Symptoms

The word “vasomotor” relates to the dilation and constriction of blood vessels. In healthy human beings, blood vessels expand and contract substantially to accommodate blood flow. However, sometimes they may incorrectly gauge the balance, leading to symptoms. These can include hot flashes, flushes, vulvovaginal atrophy and night sweats. 

Hormone replacement therapy is one of the best treatments for these symptoms. Vasomotor issues typically improve within four weeks of starting treatment. Maximum benefits occur at around three months.

Researchers investigating the effects of HRT on hot flashes find that replacing hormones improves symptoms significantly more than placebo. Improvements could be as high as 87 percent in some cases.

Improvements In Sexual Function

Many studies have also investigated the link between hormone replacement therapy and sexual function. Evidence suggests that it may be able to improve a range of symptoms. These include vaginal dryness and frequent need to urinate. 

HRT appears to change the function of cells near the surface of the body. This alteration enables them to produce more lubricating and tensile compounds, as a result the effect is more youthful function. 

Reduction In Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the US. However, growing evidence suggests that HRT may be able to prevent it. 

For instance, reviews have found that women taking HRT have lower long-term cardiovascular mortality. They also note that taking HRT around the menopause can cut heart disease risk by 50 percent. 

Estrogen appears to have positive effects on cholesterol. It raises HDL (good) cholesterol, and lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol. 

Get Hormone Replacement Therapy

Chicago Weight Loss and Wellness Clinics offer a variety of bioidentical hormone replacement therapies. Both men and women can benefit from hormone replacement therapies. 

The great thing about our approach is that we personalize it. When you come to us, you only receive the hormones that you need to function at your best. 

With our bioidentical HRT, you get the hormones that are chemically the same as those you would make naturally. These replacements are the perfect way to get back to the hormone levels you used to have. Our pellet-based approach keeps hormone levels consistent throughout the day, reducing ups and downs. 

If you would like to discuss bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with us, call today. Alternatively, schedule an appointment at a location nearest to you.

About The Author

Dr. Anand Thakkar is a licensed Internal Medicine physician. He is Board Certified in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. As a member of the teaching faculty for students at Chicago Medical School; he has been featured on ABC, FOX, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes. He is a recognized authority in wellness, fitness & nutrition, weight loss, anti-aging, hormones & metabolic medicine, holistic medicine, lifestyle coaching and women’s & men’s health. His mission is to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves using movement, nutrition, and a whole-body approach to medical care.