Hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was once used to treat and deal with menopausal symptoms like vaginal discomfort and hot flashes. Male hormone replacement therapy is also there to treat a condition called hypogonadism. The goal of both these treatments is to supplement the essential sex hormones that are present in only deficient concentrations in the body. However, various clinical trial results indicate certain risks and side effects of both treatments.

Hormone therapy – An overview
Hormone therapy is a healthcare treatment that uses hormones. It mainly encompasses

• Hormone replacement therapy for women
  In women who have entered menopause, estrogen levels may fall below normal and cause certain body discomforts. In such cases, the patients are treated with the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

• Androgen replacement therapy for males
  In males with hypogonadism, a condition that causes low production of testosterone, testosterone therapy can reverse the effects. However, certain risks are associated with these procedures. These risks are usually dependent upon the kind of hormone treatment, the individual health problems, and the duration of the therapies. Therefore, there is a need to customize this procedure for each person for the best results. It should be reevaluated frequently to check the associated risks.

Types of estrogen therapy
This procedure focuses on replacing the estrogen that the body has stopped producing after menopause. There are two types of this therapy, which are mentioned below:

• Systemic hormone therapy
  Systemic hormone therapy is used to manage some common symptoms of menopause. The estrogen preparation comes in the form of skin patches, gels, sprays, rings, and creams. These contain the hormone in high amount and is absorbed by the whole body.
• Vaginal products
  The estrogen preparation comes in the form of a cream or ring. These are low-dose vaginal formulations, and hence, only a low amount of estrogen is absorbed by the body. The urinary and vaginal symptoms of menopause are treated with these estrogen products.

Benefits

• Effective in treating hot flashes and night sweats
• Reduces vaginal symptoms of menopause
• Protect against bone thinning

Risks
There are various risks associated with hormone replacement therapy that uses an estrogen-progesterone combination. They are detailed below:

• Heart diseases
• Breast cancer
• Stroke
• Blood clots

It has been found that these risks differ depending on the following factors:

• Age
  If this procedure is started at the age of sixty years or older, women are at a higher risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and stroke. Those who have begun the therapy after ten years from menopause also have higher chances of the conditions. However, the advantages seem to outweigh the risks if this procedure is followed before the age of sixty or within ten years of the onset of menopause.
• Health history of the individual
  The individual’s health and family history also play a significant role in deciding whether this therapy is best for a person.

Side effects
Some side effects associated with this procedure are the following:

• Headaches
• Vaginal bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Abdominal pain or indigestion

When any of the above prevails, there is a need to consult a healthcare provider immediately.

The symptoms and signs of hormone imbalance in women include the following:

• Tension
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Memory loss
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Joint pain
• Decrease muscle mass
• Fatigue
• Lack of motivation and energy

Hormone therapy for men
Hormone therapy for men includes androgen replacement therapy. This involves treatment with testosterone. This androgen hormone is provided in the following forms:

• Intramuscular Testosterone Injections
  Testosterone is intravenously administered into the buttocks’ muscles every two and three weeks.
• Testosterone Patches
  These are to be applied on a rotational basis on the arms, back, abdomen, or buttocks.
• Topical Testosterone Gel
  The gel can be applied on the shoulder, abdomen, or arms daily.

Benefits

• Counter the effects of hypogonadism and non-functioning testicle

Risks
The risks involved are as follows:

• Acne
• Sleep Apnea
• Enlarging of breast
• Fall in sperm count

The signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men are the following:

• Joint pain
• Irritability
• Tension
• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Memory loss
• Insomnia
• Decreased muscle mass

Cost
The cost of hormone therapy depends on the type of procedure the individual wishes to follow on the healthcare provider’s advice and the insurance covered. The prices may vary from $10 every month for the ninety-day supply of estrogen to $500 for a vaginal ring.

The testosterone replacement therapy will cost anywhere between $25 and $70 each month. Since these treatments are long-term commitments, it’s better to get insurance coverage. When faced with any of the hormone imbalance symptoms mentioned in this post, the individual is advised to consult a hormone therapy specialist and follow the instructions.