Bio-Identical Hormones for Men

Do men require hormone replacement therapy and if so, should they choose bio-identical hormones? Women experiencing menopause have been using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for years to relieve their symptoms. The newest type of HRT uses bioidentical hormones. As the name implies, these hormones are the exact chemical makeup of the hormones that the body produces. They are made from plant-based substances rather than synthetic substances made in a lab.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is also available for men. Men’s hormones become depleted as they age, just as women’s do. This loss, however, is more gradual and by the age of 50, the normal man’s testosterone levels will probably decrease by 20% from what they were at age 30. Men also are more apt to put up with the symptoms that come with the loss of testosterone more often than women are when they reach menopause. They have a tendency to think that the symptoms don’t warrant a visit to the doctor. Another thing that keeps men away is that this condition is often referred to as “male menopause” or andropause. The term often makes men not want to admit their symptoms because of the stigma of menopause for women.

The truth is that andropause carries with it many of the same symptoms of menopause. Just some of the signs of a testosterone deficiency are:

• Loss of libido
• Weight gain
• Loss of muscle
• Irritability
• Depression
• Erectile dysfunction

Men can even have hot flashes and night sweats. An imbalance in hormones can also lead to persistent health issues and serious diseases.

Grumpy Old Men Need More Testosterone

In older men, low testosterone  levels can be associated with moodiness, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. Studies of men who were given hormone replacement therapy showed reduced levels of cholesterol and significant weight loss. Unlike hormone replacement for women, testosterone replacement has not been connected to any greater risk for heart disease or other issues.

A man considering the use of bioidentical hormones to boost his testosterone levels should see his doctor and explain what symptoms he is having. The best way for the doctor to determine if hormone replacement therapy is a solution is to do tests to determine the amount of testosterone in the blood. This can be done by testing the saliva, urine, or blood. Once on the therapy, hormone levels should be regularly tested.

Bioidentical hormones are somewhat new, but the FDA has approved 20 different hormones.