As you age, the balance of hormones in your body begins to change. This is the case for both men and women.
The effects this change in hormone levels has on the body for both sexes can be quite drastic. So, unsurprisingly there is a growing interest in Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). For many men and women, it proves to be an effective way to counter the worst of the negative side effects of changing hormone levels in the body.
Here are some of the signs that you could potentially benefit from hormone therapy. Most of them are experienced by both men and women, although, they often experience them in a slightly different way.
Lower libido and poor sexual performance
A lack of sex drive is a classic sign. So, are problems with the way your body performs during sex. For men that usually means some form of erectile dysfunction and a dropping sperm count. With women, dryness is often the most noticeable issue.
Disturbed sleep and insomnia
Hormones have a significant impact on your ability to both fall and stay asleep. Many women also find that the hot flashes that they experience wake them up several times a night.
Not getting enough good quality sleep has an especially negative effect on the body. It is unable to repair itself effectively, which makes you more vulnerable to developing other health issues.
Loss of muscle and skeletal strength
Men especially will likely notice a loss of muscle mass. They can find it increasingly difficult to put on muscle, even with vigorous exercise.
Women may experience something similar, but, usually, to a lesser extent. For them, loss of skeletal mass and strength is more likely to be the biggest issue. They are, therefore, far more vulnerable to broken bones. Studies like this one demonstrate the hormone therapies can be a good way to counter this serious health issue.
Increased body fat
Both sexes may also notice a tendency to put on more fat. In many cases, even when they exercise more and follow a low-calorie diet, the weight seems to come off more slowly than it used to.
Irritability and depression
Unsurprisingly, given all of the above, a lot of men and women suffer from irritability when the hormone levels in their body change so drastically. It is also not uncommon for them to develop full-blown depression.
Problems concentrating
Hormone changes also have an impact on how efficiently the brain works. It becomes harder to concentrate, which can have a very negative impact on your ability to do your job and look after your family.
Making sure that you get the right type of hormone therapy
If you are interested in using some form of hormone therapy you should talk to a doctor about it. Never seek treatment from someone who is not properly qualified. Or, worse order from the internet and administer it yourself. Everyone reacts differently, so you need to seek help from a professional who can tailor your treatment plan to meet your personal needs.