Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

A hormone imbalance or hormone deficiency can occur due to illness, aging or a side effect of a medical condition. Hormone imbalances can cause uncomfortable physical and mental symptoms. Hormone replacement therapy is a treatment that replaces hormones and relieves symptoms of a hormone deficiency or hormone imbalance. At Floyd Valley Healthcare, we offer natural hormone replacement therapy in Le Mars, IA, for men and women. Our hormone replacement options can help you live a healthier, happier life and return to the activities you love.

What Are the Signs of a Hormone Deficiency?

Men and women experience different side effects, and the symptoms you experience may depend on how severe your hormone imbalance is, your age, the cause of the imbalance and your health and lifestyle. Our doctors and team can run tests and determine if you have a hormone deficiency or imbalance.

The most common symptoms of a hormone imbalance in men are:

• Erectile dysfunction and low libido
• Loss of hair and body hair
• Muscle weakness or loss of muscle mass
• Fatigue
• Anger, anxiety and mood swings
• Depression
• Obesity
• Infertility
• Increased body fat (especially around the waist area)
• Reduced mental focus

The most common symptoms of a hormone deficiency in women are:

• Irregular periods
• Weight gain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Dry skin, acne or skin rashes
• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Digestive issues
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Decreased libido

FAQs

We want you to have the most up-to-date information about our medical and health services so you can make an informed decision about your healthcare needs. Read through our FAQs to learn more about hormone replacement therapy.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

HRT is a medical treatment option that replaces hormones in your body when your body does not produce enough of them.

What is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

Natural or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy uses artificial hormones created in a laboratory. These hormones are identical to those created by the human body. They can reduce symptoms of low or unbalanced hormones in men and women.

How is hormone replacement therapy administered?

Hormone replacement therapy can be administered as an oral pill, an implanted pellet, a transdermal patch, a gel or cream, or an injection. Dr. Parmelee frequently uses pellet therapy, which is convenient and delivers a more consistent dosage of hormones to the bloodstream than other methods. The small implanted pellet will release hormones into your bloodstream in a natural way that mimics the way your body naturally releases hormones.

How do I know if I need hormone replacement therapy?

We will run diagnostic tests to evaluate the levels of hormones in your blood. HRT is used to treat hormone imbalances, menopause, low testosterone, and low hormone levels due to illness or health conditions.

What are the side effects of hormone replacement treatments?

The side effects you may experience will depend on your age, lifestyle, health, and the level of hormones you are receiving from your HRT pellet. Common symptoms are headache, breast tenderness, fatigue, weight gain, acne, bloating, cramping, itchy skin, and mood swings.

Is there a “best age” to start hormone replacement therapy?

While there isn’t an ideal age to start HRT, you should begin as soon as you notice symptoms of a hormone imbalance or deficiency. Women should start HRT during perimenopause, and men should start in their early to mid-40s when their testosterone levels start to decline.

Contact Floyd Valley Healthcare to Learn More