What Is Hormone Therapy Used For?
posted: Jul. 25, 2022.
Could hormone replacement therapy help you?
Brain fog. Low sex drive. Sudden weight gain. Many people don’t realize that these common problems are often a sign that their hormones are out of whack. Hormones don’t typically rebalance themselves, but our Missouri City, TX, family physician Dr. Deirdre McMullen can help improve hormonal imbalances with hormone replacement therapy.
Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances
Hormone fluctuations can happen to men and women of all ages; however, it most often occurs with age. Common symptoms include,
- Heavy or irregular periods
- Osteoporosis
- Vaginal dryness
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Dry skin
- Indigestion
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Decreased sex drive
- Muscle loss or weakness
- Brain fog
- Mood swings
While there are several reasons why someone may experience these symptoms, it’s also essential for our family doctor Dr. McMullen to run a blood test to see what’s going on and whether a hormone imbalance could be to blame.
Uses for Hormone Replacement Therapy
Wondering when our Missouri City, TX, team may recommend hormone therapy for men or women? Here’s what you should know,
HRT for Women
When people think about hormone replacement therapy, they often think about women going through menopause. With the loss of estrogen and progesterone, it’s not uncommon for many women to deal with weight gain, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, hot flashes and other unpleasant symptoms.
Here in Missouri, TX, Dr. McMullen and her medical team can provide menopausal women with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which can alleviate many of these symptoms and even prevent osteoporosis (or reduce its progression in women who already have it). HRT comes in several forms, including a pill, vaginal ring, patch or injection.
HRT for Men
Men can also benefit from hormone replacement therapy, especially as they age and testosterone levels decrease. If a man presents with very low testosterone levels, this could lead to sexual dysfunction, muscle loss, hair loss and osteoporosis.
HRT for men will work the same as it does for women, boosting testosterone levels to reduce symptoms and prevent long-term complications such as loss of bone density.
Want to learn more about hormone therapy and whether it’s right for you? If so, our Missouri City, TX, physician Dr. McMullen can help you decide. To schedule a consultation with our team, call Rocky Creek Family Medicine at (281) 206-0068.