The first step in starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is to schedule an appointment with a doctor or clinic that specializes in HRT, such as Revive Hormone Clinic. During your initial consultation, the doctor will review your medical history, ask about any symptoms you may be experiencing related to hormone imbalances, and discuss your goals for treatment.
Some key things the doctor will cover:
- Your current symptoms and health conditions - Be prepared to share details about any symptoms you may be having that could potentially be related to hormone imbalances, like hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, low libido, erectile dysfunction, mood changes, etc. Your doctor will want to get a complete picture of your current health.
- Family history of health conditions - Let your doctor know if you have a family history of diseases like breast cancer, heart disease, or stroke, as that could impact what hormones and doses are best for you.
- Medications you are taking - Provide a full list of any prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking, as those could interact with hormone medications.
- Lifestyle factors - Important lifestyle details include your diet, exercise routine, smoking status, alcohol intake, stress levels, and sleep patterns. These can all influence hormone balances.
After thoroughly reviewing your medical and health background, your HRT doctor will recommend appropriate lab testing to get a clear baseline of your current hormone levels through blood, saliva, or urine tests. This is a crucial first step because adjusting hormone levels requires knowing exactly where they stand today.
Common hormone levels tested:
- Estrogen - Estrogen deficiency can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, sleep disruptions, bone loss, and more. Too much estrogen raises disease risks.
- Progesterone - Progesterone helps balance estrogen's effects in the body and brain. Low levels are linked to irregular periods, infertility, mood instability, and bone loss.
- Testosterone - Testosterone boosts libido, energy levels, muscle mass, motivation and improves sexual function in both sexes. Excess testosterone has risks.
- DHEA - DHEA improves energy, mood, memory, immune function and bone strength. Declining DHEA increases age-related health declines.
- Thyroid (T3 & T4 levels) - Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism. Low levels cause weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and sensitivity to cold.
Once your doctor has your lab results, they can determine which of your hormones are imbalanced and work with you to create a customized
treatment plan to restore optimal hormone balance unique to your needs, health status, and goals.
Standard hormone therapy options include:
- Bioidentical hormones - Bioidentical hormones have a chemical structure identical to what your body produces naturally. They are derived from plant sources and custom-compounded based on your needs. Brand options provided by Revive Hormone Clinic include Biostrogen, Bioprogesterone, Biotestosterone, and Biodyhea.
- Traditional synthetic hormones - Standard synthetic hormones like Premarin, Provera, Androgel and Synthroid are lab-made and mass-produced. They can be a more affordable option for some patients.
- Compounded hormone therapies - Compounded hormones are customized formulas blended according to each patient's needs. Compounding allows for personalization in hormones, doses, and delivery method.
- Delivery methods - Hormones can be taken or applied via oral tablets, sublingual drops, topical creams, injectable serums, pellets, patches, vaginal rings, or suppositories. Different methods have their own pros and cons.
- Supportive therapies & supplements - Additional therapies like testosterone boosters, DHEA, growth hormone, melatonin, thyroid supplements or adrenal glandulars may further support hormone balance and alleviate symptoms. Dietary and lifestyle changes can also optimize hormonal health.
Starting hormone therapy requires careful consideration of your symptoms, medical history, hormone blood tests, goals, and custom treatment plan. But under an experienced HRT doctor's supervision, balancing your hormones can provide tremendous benefits including improved energy, sleep, mood, cognition, weight management, sexual health, strength,
stamina, resilience to stress, health span and quality of life. The experts at
Revive Hormone Clinic specialize in precision, personalized HRT to help both women and men thrive. Schedule a consultation today to get started on your journey toward optimal hormonal wellbeing.
