Hormone Replacement Therapy for Men
Hormone replacement therapy has traditionally been thought of only as a treatment for symptoms of menopause in women. However, hormone therapy is now available to men as well as women.
Like women, men often accept the changes in their bodies, sleep patterns and energy levels as part of the aging process. But, in many cases, these symptoms are caused by male hormone imbalance.
About Male Hormone Imbalance
Male hormone imbalance can affect the testosterone, cortisol and thyroid hormone levels in a man’s body. Hormone imbalance may increase over time as men age, and it is caused by declining hormone levels which can begin at any age.
While age is a common contributing factor, other factors that can cause male hormone imbalance include diet, activity level, stress, injuries, genetics and certain medications.
Symptoms of Male Hormone Imbalance
The symptoms of male hormonal imbalance are not always apparent, and the signs are often misdiagnosed or ignored. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Weight Gain
- Brain Fog
- Decreased Sexual Performance
- Erectile dysfunction
- Inability to Maintain Muscle Mass
- Depression
- Anxiety
Treatment Options
Testosterone replacement therapy is the most effective treatment for low testosterone levels in men. There are various methods available, but the most natural and the most physiologic option is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) using a subcutaneous pellet. Testosterone pellets provide 5-6 months of sustained optimal testosterone levels, unlike injections which can result in widely variable testosterone levels.
BioTE testosterone pellets use testosterone that is chemically identical (bioidentical) to the testosterone that your body produces. Appropriate hormone doses, including thyroid hormone as well as testosterone, are determined individually for each patient using the comprehensive BioTE blood work analysis. Pellets of testosterone are then inserted into the subcutaneous tissue in an office procedure.
In addition to relief from the symptoms listed above, hormone pellet therapy has also been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, metabolic syndrome, Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.
More Information
The only way to know if your symptoms are due to testosterone insufficiency is by getting your hormone levels tested by an experienced hormone therapy consultant.
Dr. Karen Clark of Chapel Hill Gynecology is a board-certified physician who specializes in the management of hormone therapy. For more than 20 years she has helped women find symptom relief and regain their quality of life. And now, after completing additional training, Dr. Clark can do the same for men.
For more information about hormone replacement therapy for men, call (919) 960-2720 to schedule an appointment today.