Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is the use of bioidentical hormones to supplement your body’s natural supply when you aren’t producing enough on your own for optimal health. Hormones are messenger chemicals that tell other parts of the body how and when to work. They control almost all tasks in the body. Low or imbalanced hormone levels can have widespread effects on your health and feeling of well-being.
In men, BHRT is most commonly used to treat the symptoms of andropause, an age-related decline in male hormone levels sometimes, called testosterone deficiency. Although it is roughly similar to menopause in women, the decrease in hormones and onset of symptoms in men is slower and subtler than it is in women. Low testosterone levels can occur for many reasons, however, and at any age, even as early as the teenage years.
Common Treatment
The most common hormone used in BHRT for men is testosterone. Bioidentical testosterone is different from synthetic testosterone. Bioidentical testosterone is made from plant sources (like soy or yams) and is chemically engineered to have the exact formula as the testosterone your body produces naturally. Bioidentical hormones are designed to perfectly mimic the body’s natural compounds, because even slight deviations from the natural testosterone molecule may affect the way the hormone acts in your system. Bioidentical testosterone enters the body already in a usable state.
BHRT for men can also include DHEA, a precursor of other hormones, and estrogen. Men do need a small amount of estrogen for heart, bone, and brain health.
Benefits & Dosages
Benefits of BHRT for Men
When a man’s hormone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may help relieve a wide array of different symptoms, both physical and emotional. BHRT may alleviate symptoms by treating the cause, not just the symptoms themselves. It has been shown to:
- Increase energy and motivation
- Boost sex drive
- Help with erectile dysfunction
- Reduce fat, build muscle
- Improve sleep
- Reduce irritability
- Stabilize your mood, improve depression and anxiety
- Enhance memory and concentration
- Help prevent prostate problems
- Strengthen your bones to prevent fractures in later years
- Relief hot flashes
- Lower your risk of heart disease
How We Can Help
If you are a man who is experiencing or concerned about any of the symptoms on this page, start a conversation with us. Together, we can decide if this might be a good treatment for you.
SOURCE: https://www.belmarpharmasolutions.com/patients/treatable-conditions/mens-health/bhrt-for-men/