Thinking about it ?
If you’re a man considering hormone therapy, you already know things can get a bit confusing. Trying to figure out exactly what it is, what it will do for you and even if you need it can be difficult. However, it’s not impossible. Perhaps you are experiencing some rather unpleasant signs of aging as a man and have heard of this thing called hormone replacement therapy for men. While predominantly thought of as being a female issue, as men age they also can need help with their hormones. You see, as men age, they lose testosterone. In fact, they lose about 10% per decade. This means that by the time a man reaches 50 years of age, he will have only about half of the testosterone he had as a teen.
The symptoms
This can cause tons of issues. Men can expect to experience things like loss of libido, weight gain, insomnia and the list goes on. Most of us have already heard of hormone replacement therapy for women. However, not so much have we heard much on the topic of hormone replacement therapy for men. Be worried not, it does exist and it can help many men feel younger and have a much better quality of life. It’s no surprise that it’s not common for men to automatically think of hormone therapy. Lots of men will chalk up their worrisome symptoms to stress, or lack of sleep or something of the sort. There is a stereotype that hormone replacement therapy for women is the only that exists.
It’s not just for ladies
Thankfully, there is hormone replacement therapy for women and men, both. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain such, or loss of muscle mass may want to consider hormone therapy. It’s very easy to see if this is something that is right for you. You can talk to your doctor about it. Be sure to try and tell your doctor all the symptoms you are experiencing. It sometimes helps to make a list before you see the doctor so you can go over each symptom without worry of forgetting something. Be honest and express all your questions and concerns.
Where to begin
Of course, there will be some lab tests needed to see if you’re a good candidate for this type of therapy. You’ll need to get a physical examination and go over not only your medical history, but also those of your family to the best of your ability. Also, be sure to let your doctor know of any and all medications you are taking. That goes for prescription, over the counter and even health supplements such as vitamins. The more information you give to your doctor, the more your doctor will be able to help you.
Custom plan
Every person is unique, and therefore, every plan will be unique to that individual person. In other words, when you get this kind for therapy, what you are getting is truly custom made just for you. If it is found that you are in fact a viable candidate for such therapy, your doctor can get you started. Once you begin you will need to have follow-up up visits to monitor your progress and address any concerns you may have. In case you’re wondering, not all insurance covers this type of a thing, unfortunately. On the other side, they may happily cover it. You’ll never know if you don’t inquire about it.
Make an informed decision
Ultimately, of course the decision is up to you. You know your body better than anyone. Only you know exactly how you feel and if that warrants receiving therapy or not. The best thing to do if you are interested in this is to simply ask about it. If you so happen to not be a good candidate for it, perhaps the doctor can give you other ways to help manage your symptoms. Regardless on what you decide, at least you will have answers to your questions.
