Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has transformed lives in Urbandale and surrounding areas. As a top hormone center in the region, Thrive Hormone Therapy provides cutting-edge treatment to help patients overcome hormonal imbalances. Read on to learn the basics of HRT, its extensive benefits, common deficiency signs, and why timely treatment is critical.
HRT is a medical treatment involving the administration of hormones when the body cannot produce adequate amounts itself. It typically utilizes forms of estrogen and progesterone for women and testosterone for men.
HRT has the following main goals:
While both men and women can benefit, HRT is commonly used during perimenopause, menopause, and andropause when hormone production begins to wane. Our top Minneapolis area hormone therapy specialists help patients determine if HRT is right for their needs through blood tests and evaluation of lifestyle factors.
Table 1. Core Types of Hormones Used in HRT
| Hormone | Primary Roles |
|---|---|
| Estrogen | Regulates female sexual development and function, menstrual cycle, bone health and more |
| Progesterone | Works with estrogen to control the menstrual cycle, supports pregnancy and embryogenesis |
| Testosterone | Governs male sexual function and physical traits, muscle growth, red blood cell production and more |
A starting point for HRT is testing to uncover hormonal imbalances. Our clinic utilizes advanced diagnostics to check estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA, and more. Based on the results, our functional hormone doctors create customized treatment plans to restore optimal levels.
We also review risk factors like:
Catching deficiencies early and promptly implementing HRT offers significant benefits detailed next.
"I struggled through menopause for years before finally getting treatment. I wish I had gone to Thrive Hormone Therapy sooner to regain my health and quality of life." - Susan Smith, Urbandale, IA
For both genders, balanced hormones are essential to overall well-being. When levels decline, it can negatively impact just about every body system. The effects build over time if imbalances go untreated.
Replacing hormones to achieve equilibrium again offers immense and wide-ranging perks:
Having adequate estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other hormones alleviates issues like:
Table 2 showcases the extensive system-by-system benefits of HRT.
Table 2. The Wide-Ranging Benefits of HRT
| Body System | Positive Effects |
|---|---|
| Brain Function | Heightened cognitive abilities, improved memory and focus, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects |
| Mood | Stabilized emotions, reduced anxiety and depression |
| Sleep | Increased quality and duration of sleep |
| Energy Levels | Greater endurance, stamina and motivation |
| Skin, Hair and Nails | Increased collagen production, skin thickening and hydration; hair regrowth |
| Weight | Healthy fat distribution, decreased abdominal adiposity |
| Cardiovascular System | Reduced risk factors for heart disease |
| Bone Health | Increased bone mineral density protects against osteoporosis |
| Muscle Composition | Increased lean muscle mass and strength |
| Bladder Control | Decreased incidence of urinary incontinence |
| Libido and Sexual Function | Improved arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and intimacy |
Balanced hormones also protect against chronic disease and support longevity. Patients report feeling healthier, more energized and youthful after starting HRT. It can help stave off accelerated aging related to menopause and andropause.
With hormone levels optimized, most patients enjoy better sleep, regulated moods, improved productivity at work, healthy libido and intimacy, and an overall greater joy of living. HRT helps maximize one's potential regardless of age or gender.
The next sections detail what types of practitioners to see for treatment, signs of deficiencies, specific hormones and their roles, and how Thrive Hormone Therapy can help patients explore the benefits of replacement therapy.
Finding properly credentialed hormone doctors is paramount to successful treatment. Primary care physicians may lack specialized training to appropriately diagnose and treat hormonal disorders. So what type of practitioners should oversee HRT?
Our clinic's hormone therapy specialists include physicians and nurse practitioners dually trained in anti-aging medicine. We stay current on the latest research and HRT advancements. Thrive Hormone Therapy also offers an integrated approach to care by partnering with patients' existing doctors.
Detecting deficiencies at their earliest stages gives HRT the best chance to work. Aside from testing and evaluating risk factors, symptoms can also indicate imbalances.
Table 3. Common Symptoms Associated with Low Hormone Levels
| Estrogen Deficiency | Progesterone Deficiency | Testosterone Deficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Hot flashes | Sleep disruptions | Decreased muscle mass |
| Vaginal dryness | Anxiety | Loss of strength |
| Mood changes | Irregular periods | Low libido |
| Memory problems | Infertility | Erectile dysfunction |
| Fatigue | Depression | |
| Urinary incontinence | Irritability | |
| Osteoporosis | Reduced stamina |
Do any of these issues sound familiar? You may be suffering from a fixable deficiency. The good news is HRT can help mitigate related symptoms.
"I thought my sleep troubles, hot flashes, and plummeting sex drive were things I just had to live with. After HRT from Thrive Hormone Therapy, I feel like myself again - rested, calm and frisky!" - Mary Johnson, Minneapolis, IA
Choosing experienced hormone therapy doctors you trust is vital for safe, effective HRT. Thrive Hormone Therapy offers:
Regardless of age or gender, balanced hormones are key to total health. Call today to explore whether HRT is right for your needs!
Hormones act as chemical messengers to regulate bodily processes. Declining levels can cause extensive disruptions. While estrogen, progesterone and testosterone tend to get the most attention, assessing a range of hormones provides the best picture of patients' overall balance.
Here we summarize key hormones, their functions, and suggested tests the Thrive Hormone Therapy runs to uncover imbalances early. Diagnosing deficiencies promptly better positions patients to regain optimal wellness through timely treatment.
The primary female sex hormone responsible for:
Recommended estrogen tests: - Estradiol - Estrone
"Since starting estrogen HRT from Thrive Hormone Therapy, I've had fewer hot flashes, better moods and mental sharpness, healthier skin, and improved intimate relations with my partner." – Sarah Thompson, Urbandale, IA
Progesterone works synergistically with estrogen to control:
Suggested testing:
The dominant male androgen responsible for:
Recommended testosterone tests:
"I was written off as just 'getting older' by doctors unaware of low hormone conditions in men. Restoring testosterone changed everything - I have my ambition and strength back and feel like myself again thanks to the pros at Thrive Hormone Therapy." – Michael Davis, Golden Valley, IA
Here are other key hormones we evaluate for imbalances:
DHEA is a precursor of estrogen and testosterone made in the adrenal gland. It supports:
Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 influence:
Suggested thyroid labs: - TSH - Free T3 (fT3) - Free T4 (fT4) - Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies
The "sleep hormone" made by the brain's pineal gland influences:
IGF-1 has growth-promoting effects on:
Testing these additional hormones uncovers otherwise hard-to-identify deficiencies amenable to HRT. Our specialized Thrive Hormone Therapy clinicians can interpret all results to get to the root hormonal causes of patients' symptoms and craft targeted treatment plans.
"I struggled with multiple vague symptoms for ages that mainstream doctors chalked up getting older. It wasn't until detecting deficiencies in lesser-checked hormones like DHEA and IGF-1 that I found real answers and relief through Thrive Hormone Therapy's comprehensive HRT." – Jessica Wilson, Minneapolis, IA
Beyond customizing hormone types and doses, Thrive Hormone Therapy provides access to the most modern, convenient therapies including:
Applied to the skin in gel, spray, patch and cream forms. Benefits include:
Administered under the tongue as tablets or drops that dissolve directly into the bloodstream. Advantages include:
Tiny bioidentical hormone pellets are inserted under the hip skin and steadily release hormones for months. Perks involve:
These innovations provide excellent alternatives to traditionally prescribed oral HRT. We educate patients on the nuances of each method to find what's optimal based on health profiles and lifestyle factors. Many appreciate the discretion and ease of transdermal and sublingual options.
"Having my customized bioidentical hormone pellets implanted every few months frees me from remembering to take pills or apply gels daily. I get steady relief from hot flashes and can fully focus on enjoying life again thanks to Thrive Hormone Therapy's innovative solutions!" – Linda Davis, Edina, IA
As a top hormone center serving the Twin Cities, Thrive Hormone Therapy provides:
We're proud to restore quality of life for many area residents through individualized therapy. Call today for a consultation.
While testosterone deficiency gets most of the attention regarding men's health, falling estrogen levels that accompany aging can significantly impact men too. Plus suboptimal levels of other androgens, thyroid hormones and IGF-1 also cause troubling issues amenable to HRT.
This section details how balancing men's hormones with replacement therapy enhances multiple aspects of wellness beyond the commonly discussed sexual symptoms of low testosterone. Detecting often overlooked deficiencies through comprehensive testing allows Thrive Hormone Therapy's skilled clinicians to create more targeted, effective treatment plans to help men regain optimal functioning.
HRT alleviates common psychological issues stemming from hormonal decline like:
By enhancing key neurotransmitters, balanced hormones lift mood, focus, motivation and enjoyment of life.
Table 4. Hormonal Influences on Male Mental Health
| Hormone | Psychological Effects |
|---|---|
| Testosterone | Elevates confidence and competitiveness |
| Estrogen | Regulates anxiety, emotional processing |
| Thyroid (T3) | Boosts serotonin, supports cognitive flexibility |
| DHEA | Buffers stress response |
In particular, estrogen seems very influential over men's mental health despite misconceptions it's exclusively a female hormone. Thrive Hormone Therapy tests men's estrogen levels and can supplement low ones to help stabilize moods, emotional regulation and stress resilience.
HRT also optimizes men's sexual health including:
As men age, falling testosterone detrimentally effects all these parameters. But lesser checked hormones like thyroid, estradiol and DHEA also affect sexual functioning. Comprehensively testing and replacing deficiencies restores intimate satisfaction and virility.
Balancing hormones also protects men against developing:
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of optimized HRT preserve men's health.
