Is Hormone Therapy Right For You?

When you think of hormones, many different ones may come to mind. While estrogen in women and testosterone in men are some of the most well-known, there are many endocrine hormones like the ones made in your thyroid and adrenal glands. Imbalances in any of these hormones can have physical and mental effects that keep you from enjoying your life to the fullest. Hormone therapy supplements low hormone levels to keep your body and mind functioning at their best. 

What is Hormone Therapy?

Hormones work by traveling through the body, conveying chemical messages that regulate everything from your sleep/wake cycle to menopause and male-pattern baldness. Hormone therapy is used when your body makes less of the hormone naturally, which can happen due to many factors. Many different systems may be affected, including mood, energy levels, and immune system function. 

You may have heard this treatment referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), although this term is often used for treating women dealing with menopause symptoms. Hormone therapy can benefit individuals of any age and gender if they struggle with low levels of these vital messengers. 

Is Hormone Therapy Right For You?

We determine whether you can benefit from hormone therapy using an advanced test called DUTCH (dry urine total comprehensive hormone). It provides a full measure of all your hormone levels, indicating areas where your levels are low and how low they are. 

You may be a good candidate for hormone therapy if your tests indicate that your hormone levels are low enough to benefit from treatment. If the imbalances are the result of a medical condition, that condition may require treatment first. Ideal candidates have low hormone levels that cause bothersome symptoms or affect their well-being. 

If the DUTCH test determines that you have low hormone levels, your Alamo Ranch Laser Aesthetics team will evaluate your needs and work with a local compounding pharmacy to custom-produce your hormone therapy. Each treatment plan is developed for your unique hormone levels and reevaluated monthly. 

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy Used For?

One of the most common uses of hormone therapy is treating symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Each woman will experience these hormonal changes differently, making a customized treatment plan important. Testosterone therapy is also valuable for men as they age and start to experience issues such as loss of energy and thinning hair. 

Hormone replacement therapy is often used to treat low levels of other hormones, including thyroid hormones. These have a powerful effect on metabolism and energy levels, and chronically low levels are a common cause of low energy, weight gain, and other issues. Other types of hormones are produced by organs such as the adrenal glands, including the “stress hormone” cortisol.

What Results Will I See With Hormone Therapy?

How long it takes you to see results from your hormone therapy depends on the type of imbalance and many other factors. Some people may notice effects within a few weeks, but it may take a few months for others to feel improvements. Results typically improve over time, although we will monitor your progress and adjust treatment as needed. 

Take The Next Step

If you have further questions about hormone therapy, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at Alamo Ranch Laser Aesthetics. Call us at (210) 999-9588 or fill out our online contact form. We look forward to helping you.