There are many effects on the body as we grow older, and a lot of them are negative. We are complex machines so it is no surprise that components can go wrong or become past their best. Then there are the stresses we put on our bodies by way of our lifestyle choices. Those who drink heavily or smoke, who don’t eat a healthy diet and get little exercise are more prone to certain illnesses and ailments than others.
A good number of health problems in both men and women as they age are influenced by hormonal changes. What are hormones, and why are they important for our well-being? That’s what we are going to tell you first, and then we want to talk about an important treatment method for people with hormonal problems, the hormone pellet therapy. So, what are hormones?
What are Hormones and Why are They Important?
Before we talk about hormone pellet therapy and why it is a welcome treatment for many men and women, we need to explain the job that hormones do around the body. As we used the simile of a complex machine let’s continue with that.The human body has a central nervous system that is effectively the equivalent of the CPU in your computer. The nervous system and the brain control the actions we take with every single minute movement or thought. Hormones are substances created in various glands. They are effectively chemical messengers that travel between organs and the nervous system carrying instructions.
There are two hormones we are mainly concerned with in this article: testosterone, which is the ‘male hormone’ and estrogen which is the ‘female hormone.’ You’ve probably heard of these, and you may well instantly associate them with sex drive and sexual performance. That’s right, as they do have an influence in that area of reproduction and sexual fulfilment. However, there is a lot more to these two hormones than simply sex!
Each has an influence on the development of the reproductive organs in the man or woman. In addition, they both regulate muscle mass and bone density, as well as being important for cognitive function and general well-being. So, what leads to one needing hormone pellet therapy? We’ll get to that now.
Why Might I Need Hormone Pellet Therapy?
You will have heard of hormone replacement in relation to the menopause. This is the time in her life during which a woman’s reproductive organs cease to do their job. She will stop experiencing periods as her ovaries stop working. This is generally in women around the age of 45, and it does involve massive hormonal changes that can have a sudden and notable effect on the way a woman not only feels but behaves. Menopause is caused by the sudden reduction in estrogen production.
In men, there is a similar situation endured by some if not all males at an age of around 50 but sometimes earlier. This is known as andropause and is caused by the testes not producing enough testosterone. Curiously, the symptoms are similar to those experience by women undergoing the menopause. Hormone pellet therapy can be used as a treatment for each. Let’s look at the symptoms you need to look for if you are a man or a woman and think you may be in this situation.
What are the Symptoms of Menopause and Andropause?
When we tell you that you will feel a lot better after undergoing treatment it is perhaps best we outline how you will feel when you enter the menopause or andropause. The following are common symptoms that women experience during menopause:
- Hot Flushes
- Night sweats
- Insomnia
- Dryness and thinning of the skin and particularly the vaginal area
- Diminished sex drive and loss of sensitivity to stimulation
- Hair Loss
- Anxiety
- Forgetfulness that may include an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease
- Depression and other mood changes
While none of the above are significantly dangerous on their own, when combined they can lead to other problems and may also be an indicator the patient is suffering from another ailment such as diabetes.
The following list is that the male symptoms of andropause:
- Low energy levels
- Depression or feeling very low
- Lack of motivation
- Poor self-confidence
- Difficulty concentrating on anything
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
- Putting on weight
- Reduced muscle mass and feelings of physical weakness
- gynecomastia, or development of breasts
- Decreased bone density
- Erectile dysfunction
- Reduced libido
- Infertility
One of the main problems with the andropause is that a loss of sexual performance and general interest in sex can have a disastrous effect on a relationship let alone a man’s self-esteem. Now we get to look at what hormone pellet therapy involves and how it works.
How Does Hormone Pellet Therapy Work?
The procedure involves the insertion of small pellets containing bioidentical hormones – either for women or men – under the skin and usually around the hip area. This will require a small procedure generally carried out under local anaesthetic. The pellets slowly release the replacement hormones into the bloodstream and the effect is a rejuvenated patient. Results will not be instant, and the pellets have a limited lifetime, so they will need replacing once in a while. The life of pellets will depend on the patient, and it is essential that you talk to consultant who will explain the procedure to you in full detail
How Do I Go About Getting Hormone Pellet Therapy?
Hormone pellet therapy is not the answer for every patient – there are other hormone replacement treatments that can be carried out – but if you do notice any of the symptoms we have listed and begin to feel less than your normal self we strongly urge you seek a doctor’s diagnosis as there could be other problems associated. The doctor will, if they see fit, refer you to a consultant at a clinic specializing in hormone pellet therapy where you will be assessed for suitability and if an appropriate candidate the process can begin.
