Hormone Replacement Weight Loss: Why It’s Harder With Age
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical messengers that are produced in the blood directly which carries tissues and organs of the body to apply their functions. There are numerous types of hormones that act on different facets of bodily functions and processes.
Some of these includes:
- Food items or metabolism
- Growth and development
- Reproductive health, growth, and sexual function
- Maintenance of thirst and body temperature
- Cognitive mood and function
Where Are Hormones Secreted From?
Hormones are secreted from the endocrine glands in the body. The glands are ductless, so hormones are secreted into the bloodstream directly rather than by the way of ducts. Some major endocrine glands in the body are:
- Pineal gland
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid
- Thymus
- Pancreas
- Adrenal glands
- Ovaries
- Testes
These organs secrete hormones in microscopic amounts and it takes very tiny amounts to cause vital changes in the body. Even a very inconsiderable and excess amount of hormone secretion can lead to disease, as can the smallest deficiency in a hormone.
Which Hormones Are Related To Weight Loss?
Hormone imbalance symptoms vary from one individual to another, but for the most part, it’s unchanged. The vital players for hormone therapy weight loss are eight of the following:
DHEA
Metabolism is partly controlled by DHEA and low levels of this hormone can advance weight gain. It decreases fat cravings and prevents fat storage.
Insulin
Insulin plays a role in regulating fat and sugar levels in the body.
Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Where progesterone converts fat into energy, HGH converts it into muscle. It also lowers the amount of body fat deep within the body and under the skin and slows the production of fat.
Estrone
The low levels of a form of estrone, which is a form of estrogen, can cause women to experience sugar cravings difficulties and increases in appetite.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a sex hormone that makes it possible for the body to convert fat stores into usable energy. An imbalance of progesterone can contribute to overeating in women particularly.
Testosterone
Testosterone is another sex hormone produced by both women and men. In the case of weight loss contribution, it slows fat production, especially in the abdomen. Insulin resistance and sugar cravings can be linked to low levels of testosterone.
The above hormones are beneficial for weight management and determining the correct combination for an individual’s needs is a factor that a doctor would consider. A hormone imbalance test could be extremely helpful in determining the accurate course of treatment.
According to a New England Journal of Medicine study published in 2011, “Hormone level changes transpire as a result of weight loss and persist in the body for at least a year, even if the weight is regained.” The hormone levels can create great damage to the ability of weight loss on the body in the future, suggesting that yo-yo dieting can result in long-term hormonal changes.
What Is Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy is a treatment that supplements the body’s natural hormones in both women and men. Women who have experienced a hysterectomy or are undergoing menopause are great candidates for this treatment. BHRT is used to treat the symptoms linked with declining hormone levels such as:
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry skin
- Moodiness
- Anxiety
- Weight gain
HRT utilizes progesterone and estrogen to help alleviate the above symptoms and guard against osteoporosis. In women who have experienced a hysterectomy, estrogen therapy can be utilized by itself. Women who undergo menopause typically receive progesterone and estrogen for the menstrual cycle to continue and be protected against uterine cancer.
What Is The History Of BHRT?
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy became available during the 1940s and started becoming widely used during the 1960s. BHRT’s popularity started declining after 2003 when studies disclosed a relation between BHRT and an increased risk between heart disease and breast cancer. During this challenging time, several doctors stopped prescribing BHRT.
The number of women who received BHRT decreased by 66 percent and has continued to remain low ever since. Due to the previous reasons, there are plenty of health experts who have pinpointed various flaws in the original studies that led to the decrease in BHRT. The women who were studied were in their mid-60’s, which is older than the menopause average age, which normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55.
In addition, several women in the original study were overweight. Therefore, when an individual is overweight, they are at risk of certain health conditions. The newer studies have indicated an increased risk for heart disease once BHRT was started within the 10 years of menopause beginning.
A study managed in Denmark in 2012 disclosed that healthy women who established HRT instantly after menopause were able to benefit from a lower rate of death caused by heart disease and a decreased risk of heart disease.
How Does Hormone Replacement Work?
As women become older, their hormone levels decline gradually as part of the natural aging process. The decline of progesterone and estrogen is a natural process that can produce undesirable symptoms that can put women compromise their quality of life and well-being along with putting their health at risk of serious medical conditions. This therapy provides women with a boost in their hormones to do the following:
- Starve off menopause symptoms
- Resort back to enjoying life and feeling comfortable
- Reduce the risk of serious diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis
How Can BHRT Be Delivered?
BHRT can be delivered in the following forms:
- Tablets
- Gels
- Pellets
- Skin patches
- Creams
- Vaginal rings
There are some forms of BHRT such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be personalized for women to guarantee they receive the precise progesterone and estrogen doses that their bodies need. This helps in reducing the risk of health conditions associated with:
- Breast cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Chronic fatigue
How Do Hormones Affect Weight Loss And Weight Gain?
BHRT can assist in reversing and preventing weight gain by regulating women’s estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a vital role in the following items:
- Bodyweight
- Metabolism
- Insulin production
- Muscle mass
When estrogen levels fall, there can be an interference with the above factors, which, in turn, can cause weight loss and weight gain. Women who undergo BHRT can witness the possibility of the following benefits occurring to prevent weight gain.
- Increased metabolism and energy
- Reduced belly fat
- The ability to maintain muscle mass effectively
Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy: How Can It Help Regulate Weight Or Help Better Manage Or Lose Weight?
Hormone Replacement Therapy has been the topic of discussion over the past few decades. Some clinical trials suggest BHRT presents an increased risk of certain health conditions. Some studies demonstrate this therapy’s effectiveness in alleviating symptoms connected with menopause and reducing the risks of diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis.
Men and women can make life more manageable in terms of experiencing weight loss by balancing hormone levels through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. It takes the correct balance of hormones to destroy many of the negative effects that both women and men see within the body with the age-related decline of hormones.
Through hormone replacement for weight loss therapy, it’s possible to position the ship more effectively and get the weight back under control. When lost hormones are replenished, it can reverse many of the decline effects for individuals effectively. Bioidentical hormone replacement utilizes hormones created with a similar molecular structure as the hormones are produced by the body naturally.
Bioidentical hormone replacement offers an extensive range of benefits that are more effective and presents fewer side effects than other forms of hormone replacement. When hormone replacement is paired with an achievable workout plan and healthy diet, healthy weight loss is supported. Hormone therapy for weight loss can make men’s and women’s lives much simpler.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Right For Me?
BHRT can be ideal if the individual is suffering from moderate to severe menopause symptoms that strongly impact well-being, quality of life, and health. The unpleasant symptoms of menopause can be difficult to live with and manage. However, it can be improved with hormone replacement therapy.
Unpleasant Menopause Symptoms
- Weight gain
- Hot flashes
- Reduced sex drive
- Depression
- Sleep loss
BHRT Is Also Ideal For The Following Individuals:
- Those who aren’t responding to treatments
- Individuals who have lost bone mass
- Women who have had their ovaries removed
- Those who have had a hysterectomy
- Women who have suffered ovary function loss
Even though HRT offers several health benefits for women experiencing menopause, this treatment might not be safe or ideal for each individual. The best course of action is to consult a doctor about the risks of HRT if one experiences the following:
- Gallbladder disease
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Chronic liver disease
- Blood clots
- Being a smoker
- Uterine cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Breast cancer
Get Help At Androgenix Today
To discover if you are a great candidate for hormone replacement therapy, it’s best to get tested at our office in North Palm Beach, FL. We will run tests to determine the root of the problem and create the most effective treatment approach. If hormone replacement therapy is the best route to take, we will provide all the support needed.
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*Unless otherwise stated, individual results may vary depending on many factors not all patients “feel” or achieve the same results.
