All women go through menopause, the natural time of life when their menstrual periods stop for good. For some, the side effects of the unsteady drop of hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, can be severe and interfere with their quality of life.

Hormone therapy may be an effective way to rebalance hormones that start to decline in the years leading up to and after reaching menopause.

A drop in hormone levels does not only affect women as they age; men experience lower levels of testosterone due to aging, too. This is often called andropause or low-T.

The time leading up to menopause is known as perimenopause. During this time, women’s hormone levels start to decline, which can cause symptoms like:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Vaginal dryness
• Painful intercourse
• Difficulties concentrating

For men experiencing low-T, symptoms include mood swings, mental health issues, and erectile dysfunction.

By gently rebalancing your hormone levels through therapy at Halper Family Medicine, you can find relief from the symptoms that disrupt your life.

Dr. Halper evaluates your medical history, your family history, and your current health to ensure symptoms aren’t related to other underlying health conditions. If he recommends hormone therapy, Dr. Halper creates a custom therapy plan to outline the type of hormones and the dosages you need to feel better.

Hormones are available in several forms, including:

• Pills
• Gels
• Patches
• Creams
• Pellets

It can take some time to identify the right dosage and delivery method that works best for your body, and Dr. Halper works closely with you to achieve results.

In addition to alleviating menopause-related symptoms, hormone therapy can also reduce a woman’s risk for osteoporosis, the breakdown of bone common in aging women due to the loss of estrogen.

Some men and women may not be good candidates for hormone replacement therapy due to existing health conditions. In some cases, especially in women over 35, hormone therapy can increase their risk for:

• Stroke
• Blood clots
• Heart disease
• Breast cancer

You may not be a candidate for hormone therapy if you smoke, have existing health issues, or if you have a personal or family history of cancer.

If hot flashes or vaginal health issues due to menopause are interfering with your life or if you’re a man experiencing erectile dysfunction or other low-T symptoms, and your self-confidence is suffering, schedule a consultation at Halper Family Medicine. Book an appointment online or by phone to learn more about the benefits of hormone therapy.