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Hormone Therapy

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Our body’s ability to naturally produce hormones may lessen or diminish as we age. For many, this is a natural occurrence. But for others, it may result from a condition that affects hormone production.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps replenish and replace the deficiency of hormones. Many people rely on HRT to live a comfortable and dignified life.

The inability to produce hormones may reduce the quality of life and cause debilitating symptoms.

In This Page

What Are the Signs That You Need Hormone Replacement Therapy?

We may not feel how our hormones help us with energy production, bone strength, and more. It is not until we produce less hormones that we feel the effects.

Low production of hormones can lead to burdensome symptoms such as fatigue, dry skin, weakened bones, hot flashes, and more.

Here are a few of the more prevalent symptoms we see:

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Low Libido

Reduced estrogen and testosterone levels can reduce the sex drive in women and men.

For women, this may lead to vaginal dryness and cause sex to be more painful.

For men, this may lead to erectile dysfunction and the inability to have sex.

Mood Swings

Low hormone production can lead to difficulties with mood, such as depression, irritability, reduced attention, and even dementia.

Discomforts such as hot flashes can lead to instability in mood.

Trouble Sleeping

Low testosterone can cause fatigue and insomnia. It is quite a predicament to be tired and unable to sleep.

Low estrogen may also lead to difficulty sleeping in women. Increased body temperature and other irritable symptoms may make sleeping difficult.

Hormone replacement therapy helps millions of women with menopausal issues, fertility difficulties, and other hormonal imbalances.

Estrogen is actually 3 distinct but related hormones that circulate throughout a woman’s body. The level of each hormone is dependent on where the woman is in her menstrual cycle.
  • Estrone (E1), is 10 to 20% of circulating estrogens. It is the primary estrogen produced after menopause.
  • Estradiol (E2), is 10-30% of circulating estrogens. This is produced by the ovaries and is the predominant estrogen produced before menopause.
  • Estriol (E3), is 60 to 80% of circulating estrogens.

Ensuring your HRT cycle properly replenishes these estrogen hormones without creating an imbalance is essential.

By age 75, men will have only two-thirds of their testosterone levels at 25. This only gets worse with age.

Some men may also experience low testosterone levels at an earlier age.

Symptoms of low testosterone levels include:
  • Low sperm counts
  • Prostate problems
  • Slow wound healing

Proper laboratory testing must be done to properly diagnose the condition. When testosterone is replenished to normal physiologic levels for younger men, the patient may experience many positive benefits. This includes increased:
  • Libido
  • Muscle mass
  • Energy
  • Bone mass
  • And more

Hormone Therapy Treatment Options

Estrogens, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone have been widely used and clinically accepted internationally since the 1940s. They are taken as both manufactured products and compounded preparations.

Though there are dozens of commercially available HRT products, there is a need for individualized compounded preparations.

Compounding allows us to prepare the exact dosedosage form, and route of administration necessary for the best results. This also allows for careful titration of the medication.

Here are a few frequently used dosage forms or HRT:

Hormone Delivery Vehicles

Transdermal Creams

These creams deliver hormones through the skin. They go directly into the bloodstream and underlying tissue.

These creams are best applied to areas where our skin is the thinnest, such as the inner thighs and arms.

Rapid Dissolve Tablets

Not many compounding pharmacies make rapid dissolve tablets (RDTs). These small tablets dissolve within seconds in the mouth.

This is perfect for patients who are not able to swallow pills. They are better tasting and avoid the stomach, going into the bloodstream directly from the mouth.

Troches

These are also small tablets that dissolve in the mouth. They dissolve slower than RDTs and are similar to cough drops in size and consistency. Our lab compounds them to contain the exact amount of hormones required for the patient.

This method also bypasses the stomach and goes directly into the bloodstream.

Other Hormones We Work With

Estrogen and testosterone are often brought up when talking about HRT, but other hormones may be beneficial for patients as well.

Progesterone

This hormone is released by the ovaries and can affect menstrual cycles. Progesterone is often used to reset or restart periods in women.

Additionally, progesterone is used alongside estrogen in HRT to reduce side effects.

Without progesterone, estrogen may increase the risk of uterine cancer. This hormone may also help with the side effects of menopause.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

More studies are needed to understand the use of DHEA. It is naturally produced in the adrenal gland and can help boost the production of testosterone and estrogen.

DHEA is often used as an anti-aging supplement, though results for such claims are mixed.

Pregnenolone

This hormone is called a “pro-hormone” because it is a building block to produce other hormones. Pregnenolone helps produce estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and other hormones.

It also works as an anti-aging supplement with mixed results in studies.

Chrysin

This is a plant-based hormone that can be used inside the body. Chrysin is often used to promote testosterone production.

Because of this, it can be recommended for someone trying to build muscle. It can also be used for conditions such as anxiety and gout.

Choose ClearSpring Pharmacy for Your Hormone Replacement Needs

Some patients may not find success with commercially available hormone replacement drugs. ClearSpring Pharmacy compounds your hormone medications to fit your individual needs. Our experienced pharmacists offer counseling with all prescriptions.

We carry ZRT laboratory kits so patients can send saliva samples for testing. Our pharmacists review lab results to help patients understand their HRT process.

Please feel free to call us at our Littleton or Denver locations. You can also reach out by completing the form on this page.

If you don’t like calls, then send us a text!
Littleton: 303-707-1500
Cherry Creek: 303-333-2010

Connect with us on our social media platforms. We offer prompt responses within one business day!