Ageing is a process we can do nothing about. As we pass each year, we become older, and with this ageing some of the systems in the body start to slow down or change. We also begin to look older as our skin – the organ that takes the most wear and tear – also ages. There are treatments for skincare that can help us look younger, such as Botox and dermal fillers.
But we’re not here to talk about those. This article is looking at what happens when the body stops producing hormones in the quantity we are used to. This happens in both men and women, and yet it does so for different reasons. We want to look at what hormones are and the job they do, why they seemingly suddenly reduce in quantity, and a method of treatment that has been proven to help.
We’ll begin with a simple explanation of what hormones are and the role they play in the body. So, hormones – here’s what they do.
Hormones explained
There are many hormones in the human body. Different levels of certain hormones are produced by glands in both women and men. This is because women and men are biologically different and designed for separate purposes. As the woman conceives and carries the young it is easy to see that hormones play a part in the sexual behavior. We’ll look at that in more detail shortly.
In women, there is a dominant hormone known as estrogen. This is produced by the ovaries. In men, the dominant hormone is testosterone. In both sexes, small amounts of each are also produced. Both estrogen and testosterone are more than sex hormones. They also influence the likes of bone density, muscle development, and have an effect on our cognitive performance and mental well-being. Hence, a man or woman deficient in both not only suffers a loss of interest in sex but may well become forgetful among other things.
How do hormones do their job? Think of them as messengers in the form of chemicals, taking instructions from the brain and the nervous system to the organs and other parts of the body. When a man becomes sexually aroused, for example, the hormones will instruct the blood to rush to the penis creating an erection. Now let’s look at why hormone deficiency occurs.
Why does hormone production slow down?
In both men and women hormone deficiency can be caused by age. However, this is less so in men than it is in women. Usually, hormone deficiency in a woman occurs in their mid-40’s when she enters what we know as the menopause. This is inevitable for all women but rare exceptions. In men, hormone deficiency is often put down to the andropause – also known as the male menopause – but this is not inevitable, and very often men suffering from testosterone deficiency may be their own worst enemy. Let’s have a brief look at what causes hormone deficiency in women and men.
For women
Menopause occurs when the female reproduction system reaches the end of its working life. This is when the ovaries stop producing eggs, the woman no longer experiences a period, and estrogen is no longer produced to help things along. Menopause can be an unpleasant experience for some women. We will go through some of the symptoms shortly.
For men
In some men testosterone deficiency is biological and usually occurs in their 50’s. However, in many men it down to certain lifestyle choices (which, we should clarify, will also exaggerate the problem with women.) These include heavy smoking and excess alcohol, plus an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. Certain medications can also bring about andropause, as can some medical conditions. Now we need to move on and look at the symptoms, and why hormone pellet therapy may be your route to a more enjoyable life.
How do I know I need hormone pellet therapy?
When we talk about hormone pellet therapy we are mentioning just one method of hormone replacement therapy or HRT. There are many others, but the pellet method is rapidly becoming the most commonly used one. It involves small incisions in the skin and pellets that contain the replacement hormones so that it can seep into the system slowly over time. You will need more than one treatment and it is not permanent. What are the symptoms you should be looking for? If you are a woman, any of the following can signify the onset of 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
In men, the following symptoms may be experienced:
- 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
It can be seen from the above that both men and women can be badly affected by the loss of hormone production.
Will hormone pellet therapy be successful?
The success of pellet method HRT depends upon the patient. You will have to stop smoking, for example, and cut down on alcohol intake if you want it to be successful. However, it is a routine that has helped many men and women regain their former lives and live more happily.
Are there risks with hormone pellet therapy?
The main risks with this hitherto successful treatment are soreness and perhaps bruising where the incisions are made, and these do not always occur. If you think that hormone pellet therapy is right for you get in touch with a local clinic in Tampa that provides such a service and arrange for a consultation with an expert who will assess you for suitability.
Alicia Saville did her degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. She interested in mental health and well-being.
