As we begin to reach middle age, our bodies begin to slow down so to speak. It takes longer to heal from injuries, we need to work out more for the same results, and our bodies just don’t respond like they once did. It’s just a fact of life, right?
That includes weight loss, too. Both men and women have those problem areas that start to turn a little paunchier at a certain age unless we take extra steps to prevent it. And, in fact, we do have to take better care of our bodies as we age.
A big part of those changes is due to the slowing down of hormone production. When in proper balance, hormones help regulate bone density, energy, and how fat is distributed throughout the body among other things.
The loss of hormones doesn’t have to be inevitable, however. With hormone replacement therapy (HRT), we are able to stabilize the hormone levels in both men and women. Hormone therapy has been quite effective at allowing us to be more alert, store less fat, and remain feeling great.
What is HRT?
Originally, custom compounded hormone replacement therapy was medication for women who were menopausal or post-menopausal. The medicine regulated estrogen levels in women to help deal with menopausal symptoms such as bone density loss, hot flashes, and other issues that went along with aging in women.
More recently, HRT is being used to help men regulate their hormone levels by replacing lost testosterone. Lost testosterone affects reproductive health, bone density, the ability to build muscle mass, and more. This therapy is also used for men that have unnaturally low levels of testosterone as well.
Both pill and pellet therapy are considered compounded bioidentical hormones and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This means that the chemical construction of both pellets and pills are identical to what the body produces on its own.
The difference is they are created outside of the body, often from plant tissues. These therapies are also delivered in creams or gels, but pellets and pills offer faster relief so to speak. That’s because they are absorbed into the bloodstream that much faster.
Side Effects
There are some drawbacks to HRT, in both women and men. Common risks that are increased in women via HRT include heart disease, blood clots, breast cancer, and strokes. Many factors come into play, including if the therapy includes estrogen and progesterone or just estrogen, the dosage, and any other pre-existing issues.
Age and when the therapy starts is also a mitigating factor. If therapy starts more than 10 or 20 years before the onset of menopause, or in women over the age of 60, this may increase the risk of those health concerns. Patients can reduce the risk of they start HRT within 10 years before menopause or are under the age of 60.
For men, acne and increased urination are considered minor side effects. More pressing issues include sleep apnea, infertility, and increased red blood cells. This could lead to clots in blood vessels, chest pain, and high blood pressure to name a few. Age doesn’t seem to have an effect on increasing or decreasing risks.
Before starting any hormone therapy, it’s important to talk to your doctor or health care professional for medical advice. Every patient is different, so information is needed for both short and long-term success with any medical procedure. This may include the history of both the patient and their family, recent illnesses, and so on.
Different Delivery
In the past, the most popular delivery form of hormone replacement therapy was in pill form. This pill would be taken orally, and after passing through the digestive system, is absorbed into the body to do its job. The pill works throughout the “journey,” but doesn’t reach full effectiveness until being digested.
The hormone pellet, on the other hand, is embedded in the body at the point of maximum dispersal. Usually placed under the skin near the hip, it releases a steady stream of hormones in a more consistent manner than the pill. It is a relatively simple, harmless, and quick procedure and is gaining traction in the field of hormone therapy.
Work with Experienced Professionals
Interested in learning more about hormone replacement therapy or other ways to lose unwanted weight? Consult with our surgeons at WeightWise today. In addition to non-surgical treatments, such as HRT or metabolic treatments, we also perform many bariatric procedures as well.
What makes our program so successful is a three-prong system. In addition to performing the weight-loss surgery, we also provide dietitians and exercise physiologists to help outline a personalized plan to a healthier lifestyle. Patients in our program achieve the greatest success by embracing all three aspects.
This means not all potential patients are accepted into the program. There are many reasons for this, but the main determining factor is the patient’s ability to stick to our diet plan and consistently work on their physical activity. There are a variety of reasons we offer such detailed plans.
The first of which is making sure not to damage the surgery or cause injury to the patient. Eating or drinking too much before the procedure has properly healed can lead to stomach bloat, abdominal pain, and even injury. The biggest hurdle for many patients is the weeks and months following surgery and the decrease of food intake.
All of this is covered during the first meeting with our surgeons. We want the patient to know everything that is required for our program to make sure we’re a good fit for you. But this is also the time to ask any questions you may have about the program.
For starters, watch our free online seminar to get a better understanding of why we’re so successful. Or feel free to contact us today and set up that first meeting. You’ll find we’re friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about everything that goes into weight-loss surgery.