Myths and Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormones play a significant role in many bodily functions and processes. Unfortunately, as we get older, our hormone levels decline, leaving us with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Sometimes, hormone levels decrease due to illnesses or other underlying causes.

Fortunately, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help. But despite its usefulness, many people don’t understand how HRT works. As a result, a lot of misunderstandings have come up surrounding its use — misunderstandings that may prevent some people from considering it as a therapy.

At beYOU bioidenticals, our team offers bioidentical HRT for women and men, replenishing hormones and improving health and quality of life. Here, we dispel some myths about HRT that could keep you from learning more about this innovative treatment.

Myth 1: HRT is only for people in their 50s and older

While the decline in estrogen and progesterone production is relatively dramatic, beginning around age 50 for most women, men experience a more gradual decline in testosterone, a decline as early as age 30.

Low testosterone can cause an array of symptoms even during your 30s and 40s, including loss of muscle mass, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, and hair loss. 

Myth 2: HRT is only for menopause

It’s true — HRT can be a game-changing experience for women suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, vaginal dryness and discomfort, and loss of libido. But, as noted in the myth above, HRT’s applications are far broader, and both women and men can benefit.

Hormones influence much more than reproductive health and function. HRT can benefit people with hormone-related symptoms like:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Low bone mass
• Loss of muscle mass
• Bowel-related symptoms
• Sleep problems
• Brain fog or memory problems
• Changes in appetite
• Thinning hair or brittle nails
• Vaginal dryness and discomfort
• Skin health issues, including itchy, dry skin
• Erectile dysfunction
• Depression, anxiety, or moodiness

During your initial visit, we discuss your symptoms and prescribe lab work to measure your hormone levels so we can customize your therapy.

Myth 3: HRT has too many health risks

HRT has been used successfully for decades to help women and men improve their wellness. While some early research found traditional HRT was associated with very slight increases in blood clots and breast cancer, bioidentical HRT has significantly lowered those risks, using synthetic hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones your body makes. 

That means it’s easier for your body to use bioidentical hormones more efficiently and to eliminate them better, avoiding hormone buildup that sometimes occurs with traditional HRT. Regular monitoring throughout your therapy ensures your dose is optimized to reduce the risk of potential side effects even more.

Myth 4: HRT is not customizable

HRT is customizable, from the dose you use to how you administer hormones. That’s one of the aspects of HRT that makes it a good fit for so many people. 

Our team performs lab work, a physical exam, and a review of your medical records to recommend the correct dose and the right product for you. Plus, we offer a variety of options for administration, including pellets and injections. The ability to tailor your therapy to your lifestyle and health supports better outcomes while reducing potential side effects.

Myth 5: Once you start HRT, there is nothing more you need to do

Your health needs and lifestyle change over time. Like any long-term medical therapy, HRT requires ongoing monitoring to ensure your dose remains optimized for your needs. Regular checkups and occasional testing help you get maximum benefits from your therapy, now and in the future. 

Myth 6: It is better to deal with symptoms naturally

Decisions about your health care are your own to make. But if your symptoms are taking a toll on your quality of life, there’s no reason to suffer when HRT treatment can help. We take aspirin for headaches and cough syrup for coughs — HRT is a solution designed for specific issues due to hormonal imbalances, and our team is skilled in ensuring your therapy is just right for you.

HRT can be a good solution for many people, but it’s not always the ideal solution. Before prescribing HRT, our team carefully reviews your symptoms and performs a physical exam, including lab work, to assess your hormone levels. 

To learn more about HRT or to find out if your symptoms are related to hormone fluctuations, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at beYOU bioidenticals in Leawood, Kansas, today.