Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy brings hormone levels back to normal, relieving hormone imbalances in men and women. In the coming months, TopCare Family & Wellness Clinic specialists Shem Teya, DNP, FNP-C, and Josephine Mogeni, FNP-C, will be providing hormone replacement therapy in their Garland, Texas, office. Everything you need to feel better, from lab tests to hormones, is available conveniently onsite, so call the office or click online scheduling for help now. 

What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medical treatment to replace lost hormones. Most women start menopause in their early 50s. At that time, the body’s natural supply of estrogen (the main female hormone) sharply plummets. 

For most women, this estrogen drop causes unpleasant symptoms that can make daily life difficult. 

Similarly, men experience andropause, sometimes called male menopause, in which their testosterone levels drop as they start to age. 

Hormone replacement therapy involves supplementing your natural hormones with lab-made ones. Thanks to HRT, you can bring your hormones up to normal levels. 

How can I tell if I need hormone replacement therapy?

Everyone is different, and not everyone necessarily needs HRT. If you’re having new symptoms and suspect you’re starting menopause or andropause, you could be a good candidate for HRT. Some common symptoms of menopause are: 

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings
• Low libido
• Pain during sex
• Depression
• Brain fog
• Weight gain
• Stiff joints

You lose up to 20% of your body’s bone during menopause, which increases the risk of fractures. Studies show that HRT can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and related bone fractures during menopause. 

Men can experience similar symptoms of andropause, such as mood swings, loss of muscle mass, and libido loss. 

These symptoms can be frustrating, scary, and painful, but your transition doesn’t have to be difficult. HRT can make life much easier. 

How does hormone replacement therapy work?

HRT generally falls into two categories. 

Systemic

Systemic HRT involves taking or using products that go into your blood and travel throughout your body. Some of the different types include oral tablets, injections, and pellets implanted in the skin’s fat layer. Systemic HRT can stop symptoms that affect your whole body, like hot flashes, mood swings, and night sweats. 

Local

Local HRT products, like topical creams or vaginal rings, only affect one area. They’re used mainly to reduce vaginal symptoms like dryness. 

The type of HRT you need depends on your symptoms. The TopCare Family & Wellness Clinic team takes the time to listen to your story, understand your needs, and craft a customized HRT plan for you. 

Your HRT plan becomes an important part of your general health care, and the team handles all your needs in one place. Call the TopCare Family & Wellness Clinic office if you have any additional questions or to schedule your appointment online now.