Can Hormone Replacement Therapy control the aging process?
It is becoming increasingly difficult to deal with most of the changes that occur within the body. The changes caused in menopause can be particularly difficult for women.
Natural hormone replacement therapy is one treatment which post-menopausal women have to face very often. There are also some types of hormone replacement which can be beneficial for men as they become old. There are some alternatives for hormone replacement therapy which can be used to receive similar results.
What does hormone replacement therapy do?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment for women who have reached or passed menopause. There are a number of chemical changes which occur at menopause which can also cause loss of energy and as well as make one to become very old. HRT works to alter then, thereby preventing a woman from suffering
the accelerations that occurs following menopause.
When a woman reaches menopause her body loses lots of energy and eventually stops in the production of many important hormones, particularly estrogen. The symptoms caused by these changes include hot flashes, sleep disturbance and vaginal dryness. Menopause also raises the risk of some diseases such as heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. Hormone replacement therapy works by replacing estrogen. This reduces the side effects of menopause and the risk of related diseases. Studies have shown that HRT may also help with a number of different conditions that come with age, such as memory loss, colorectal cancer, diabetes, incontinence, migraine problems, urinary tract infections, teeth and eye problems.
Are there any risks with HRT?
Experts usually agree that hormone replacement therapy can be taken for up to five years with .The benefits are normally considered to be greater than the potential risks. One common
side effect is the possibility of blood clotting. When a woman is exposed to greater amounts of estrogen, the greater are her chances of developing breast cancer. Other possible side effects include the development of asthma, gallstones, or problems with the uterus. There are also a number of conditions which should not be mixed with hormone replacement therapy. This includes high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, blood clots, seizures, breast cancer, migraine headaches, gallbladder disease, and cancer.
The types of hormone replacement therapy
Natural hormone replacement therapy is also known as bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. This type of therapy does not cause any of side effects which can result from synthetic HRT. Natural HRT uses chemicals similar to the hormones produced by your body which are extracted from soy and yams. These chemicals are put through processes to convert them into substances similar to naturally secreted hormones. There are
different types of hormone replacement therapy which can help to treat the effects of age and improve longevity in both men and women.
Estrogen replacement therapy
This was the first type of HRT to be used. It is used with older women to relieve the symptoms of menopause and to help patients continue to feel young and feminine. Estrogen can be given orally or through injections, or through vaginal suppositories or pellets. It should be continued for at least five years following menopause. The average cost is around $30 a month .
Testosterone replacement therapy
This is mainly used to increase sexual drive and encourage psychological well being. Testosterone can be taken through injections, pellets, patches, lozenges, gels and creams. The side effects include the prostate cancers, the decrease of cholesterol and an increase of blood viscosity. The pellet form usually costs around $250 for each treatment.
Human growth hormone (HGH)
It is available in a
number of different forms. It is only effective as an injection and must be prescribed by a doctor. Human growth hormone is not yet approved by the FDA as a general anti aging treatment, though it is commonly used for underdeveloped adolescents and AIDS patients suffering from wasting. This costs around $15,000 a year.
Melatonin
This controls the fluctuation of all body's hormone levels, which affects of the body's functions. This hormone decreases with age, and melatonin replacement therapy may help to prevent aging. Only the synthetic form of melatonin should be taken, since the natural or animal form can contain viruses or other contaminants. It is available as a pill or a cream, and costs around $10 dollars for a 100 day supply.
Who is hormone replacement therapy right for?
The different types of hormone replacement therapy are designed to treat a variety of effects, and not every treatment will work for every person. Estrogen and progesterone replacement
therapies are for women who have reached menopause and who have defective ovarian development or function and whose ovaries need to be removed. Testosterone therapy can be used to increase sex drive in both men and women. Growth hormone and melatonin replacement therapy can both help to delay aging and promote longevity in men and women. Melatonin can also be used to help in maintaining a normal sleep pattern.
It is important to remember that any type of hormone replacement therapy can be a drastic step. The best alternatives for hormone replacement therapy are a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercises. Natural hormone replacement therapy should only be considered if your symptoms are extensive or cannot be treated through other methods.
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