What Happens When You Increase Testosterone?

Many people are living with low levels of testosterone and don’t know it.  This is true for women as well as men.  While considered to be the male hormone, women also need a certain level of testosterone in order to enjoy the best possible health.  Along with knowing how to increase testosterone levels, it pays to recognize what benefits take place as the hormone imbalance is corrected.  Here are some examples.

Your Mood is More Balanced

Hormones play a major role in the way you feel and how you look at your life.  If the body is not currently producing a sufficient amount of testosterone, the possibility of experiencing mild to moderate depression is a real possibility.  Some people will notice they become irritable for no apparent reason, or begin to experience anxiety attacks.

As approaches like Hormone Replacement Therapy are used to bring levels back in a normal range, you will notice that it's easier to feel good about yourself.  Those little things that were getting on your nerves are no longer a big deal.  Instead of dreading the dawn of another day, you begin to look forward to whatever it may bring.

Concentrating is Easier

Once the therapy is underway, you’ll begin to notice that concentrating on tasks at home or at work is not such a chore.  The days of having to read a page a second time to keep up with the plot are over.  From getting more from watching the news to understanding the directions that come with your new smart phone, getting the hang of handling a project will be easier.

Desire Returns

As you work with your doctor to learn how to increase testosterone safety, one of the things you are likely wondering about is your libido.  It is not true that the desire for intimacy has to go away with age.  As you make use of HRT as part of the treatment process, you may find that your spouse or romantic partner is beginning to look quite fetching indeed.  It will be great to feel some of that old excitement returning again.

Your Performance Improves

Gradually getting your testosterone levels back in a reasonable range will not just boost your desire.  You’ll also feel more capable in terms of engaging in sexual activity.  For men who have experienced erectile dysfunction or women who find that they don’t respond the way they used to, balancing the hormones will make time spent with a partner more enjoyable than it has been in a long time.

Fat Goes and Muscle Returns

As you and your doctor decide how to increase testosterone in your case, look forward to losing some of those extra pounds.  Part of the reason is your energy level will pick up and you’ll want to get up and do more.  

Another part has to do with the effects of HRT testosterone on your body.  Augmenting whatever is already being produced makes it easier to build muscle mass.  For men, this means building muscle becomes easier than it has been in some time.  For women, it means the muscles are more toned and respond better when challenged.    

Remember that most of the effects of low testosterone are also associated with other ailments.  Even if you think it might be a long shot, talk with your doctor and arrange for your levels to be tested early in the day.  Depending on the results, you may find that replacement therapy is just what you need to get your life back on track.

Options exist for hormone treatment

There are many reasons that hormone levels in men and women may become imbalanced. Unfortunately, such changes are not isolated to old people. Changes in hormonal levels are seen in people as early as their 30s and occasionally earlier.

For women, the 40s are often when changes in hormones occur. As women age, the ovaries produce less of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. This decrease in hormone production often leads to unpredictable menstrual periods, irritability, anxiety, changes in mood, tension and feeling overwhelmed.

Other hormonal changes that may occur could be related to the thyroid. As your thyroid ages, it can begin to function less effectively and either produce too little or too much of the thyroid hormones. According to Dr. Daniel Einhorn,an endocrinologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, California:

“Thyroid disease, generally, comes in two flavors: over- (hyperthyroidism) and under-active (hypothyroidism). The symptoms of hyperthyroidism — including weight loss, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, irritability, heat intolerance and a constantly ‘wired’ feeling — generally catch women’s attention sooner than those of hypothyroidism. A common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid.

“An under-active thyroid, called hypothyroidism, however, is a whole different story.

“The symptoms are usually mild and non-specific, so it’s easy to attribute them to many other things ... like menopause, for instance,” Einhorn wrote.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, an under-active thyroid can lead to fatigue, brain fog, irregular menstrual periods, weight gain, depression, constantly feeling cold and even hair loss.

A BIOIDENTICAL APPROACH

Bioidentical hormone replacement can be used, specifically for women, to help mitigate the symptoms of general hormonal imbalance in addition to menopause and perimenopause symptoms.

Dr. Charla Blacker, a reproductive endocrinologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit explains, “Unlike conventional hormone therapy that uses synthetic hormones or animal-based hormones that are slightly different from a woman’s own hormones, bioidentical hormones are biochemically the same as those made by the ovaries during a woman’s reproductive years.”

HORMONE THERAPY

Hormone replacement therapies are medications containing female hormones to replace the ones that a woman’s body no longer makes. Typically, hormone replacement therapies consist of a combination of estrogen plus progestin and are made from synthetic hormones or animal-based hormones that are slightly different from a woman’s own hormones. They are commonly available in tablets, transdermally (through the skin); subcutaneously (a long-lasting implant) and vaginally.

Until recently, the combination of estrogen and progestin made up most hormone replacement therapies and was considered to be an effective treatment for menopause. However, side effects of hormone replacement therapy have led many people to seek other options.

Known side effects of hormone replacement therapy include breast cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease. The risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy need to be weighed individually and in conjunction with your doctor.

WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE

In 2002, the Women’s Health Initiative study brought to light concerns about hormone replacement therapy. It was a randomized, controlled clinical trial of hormone replacement therapy and is one of the most definitive, far-reaching clinical trials of post-menopausal women’s health ever undertaken in the U.S.

While the Women’s Health Initiative study has shown that hormone replacement therapy has had life-threatening risks, research is still being conducted on some of the potential benefits. The beneficial effects on colorectal cancer risk and large colon adenomas are still of interest to researchers and the medical community.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement is thought to be effective in helping to regulate hormones without the side effects of the therapies using synthetic ingredients. Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormones are thought to be biochemically the same and have the same molecular structure as those made by the ovaries.

Bioidentical hormone therapy has been supported with sufficient trial data that warrants a look. If you are interested, you can research the web and try speaking to your local pharmacist who may be educated in preparing bioidenticals.

Excerpted from: http://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/21754356-113/vail-daily-column-options-exist-for-hormone-treatment

Are You Experiencing a Sex Hormone Imbalance?

Do you have a sex hormone imbalance? Sex hormones - primarily testosterone, estrogen and progesterone - are vital not just for a healthy sex life but for health in general. Imbalances can affect both sexes and produce a variety of symptoms.

The following symptoms may indicate a sex hormone imbalance: Low libido, insomnia or poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression, memory problems, rapid and persistent weight gain, mood swings, fatigue and persistent headaches. In men, gynecomastia (growing breasts) is a sign of too little testosterone, too much estrogen or both. Contrary to popular belief, both sexes produce (and need) both types of sex hormone, just in different amounts. There are tests that can be done to work out whether you have an imbalance. Imbalances are more common in women over 40 and men over 50, but can happen at any age.

For women, the most common imbalance is between estrogen and progesterone. This can cause cravings (which is why pregnant women get cravings - progesterone increases during pregnancy), mood swings and weight gain. Testosterone imbalances can also affect women. Too much testosterone can cause excessive hair growth, including facial hair. Too little causes weight gain and reduced libido - so, yes, women do sometimes need HRT testosterone to fix bedroom problems.

For men, reduced testosterone levels are the most common problem. This can also result in too much estrogen, which can cause gynecomastia, as well as hair loss, weight gain and irritability. Too little testosterone lowers the sex drive, reduces performance and can cause weight loss, especially muscle loss. HRT testosterone replacement can help with both of these problems.

HRT (hormone replacement therapy) should be considered for menopausal women as well as men, and for anyone experiencing sleep problems or sexual dysfunction. Women who have had their ovaries removed should consider combination therapy, whilst women who have had a hysterectomy often receive estrogen only. While low testosterone is rarely a problem for women, some women may need a very low dose to sustain sexual interest or help stave off cognitive decline.

In men, the reverse is true - the most likely hormone needed is testosterone. Testosterone replacement can reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

If you think you might have a sex hormone imbalance, take our quick assessment to gauge your status and find out if HRT is right for you. It can help you deal with symptoms - even ones you might have had for years and had no idea it had anything to do with your sex hormone levels.