We all know our bodies go through changes as we age. While some of these changes are visible, like the wrinkles on our skin, other age-related changes take place internally.
Although you may not realize it, hormones control nearly everything that happens inside your body. From your sleep patterns to your blood sugar levels, hormones are running the show.
When we are young, our bodies produce the right amount of hormones we need to feel our best. However, as we age, our hormone levels tend to drop, leaving us to suffer the consequences.
Amy Brenner, MD & Associates are leaders in hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Our providers create customized treatment programs to optimize your hormones and help you live a healthier and happier life. Whether you want to lose weight, improve your sexual wellness, or increase your energy levels, HRT in Kenwood, OH, could be the answer.
Interested in getting started right now? Find out if you could benefit from hormone replacement therapy with our HRT quiz!
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are the chemical messengers that tell our bodies what to do. There are over 50 types of hormones, and each is designed to regulate an important body function, including:
- Reproduction and sexual function
- Metabolism
- Sleep
- Mood and emotions
- Blood pressure
- Growth and development
- Body temperature
When it comes to hormones, it only takes a small change to trigger drastic results. If you are struggling with problems related to any of the above processes, a hormone imbalance could be the root of your problem.
What Causes Hormone Imbalances?
Hormone levels naturally fluctuate as you go through different stages of life. Hormonal changes are commonly associated with:
- Puberty
- Menstruation
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Andropause
- Aging
Although it’s natural for hormones to change as you age, there are many other lifestyle and genetic factors that can contribute to imbalanced hormone levels. These can include:
- Elevated levels of stress
- Poor diet and nutrition
- Excessive alcohol or drug use
- Lack of sleep
- Certain medications
- Certain medical conditions
Symptoms of a Hormone Imbalance
So how do you know if you have a hormone imbalance and need HRT in Kenwood, OH? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always clear. Because hormones play so many roles in our bodies, a hormone imbalance can result in a variety of symptoms and look different for every person.
At Amy Brenner, MD & Associates, we commonly see one or more of the following areas suffer when there is a hormone imbalance:
Emotions
Hormones help regulate our emotions. When your hormones are thrown off, it can result in a variety of mood changes, including irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, and more. If you’ve noticed changes in your mood, hormones could be to blame.
Sleep
Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by hormones. Individuals with a hormonal imbalance commonly experience decreased quality of sleep, decreased duration of sleep, or other sleep disturbances (such as insomnia or frequent waking during the night).
Weight
Hormones control many functions that affect our weight, such as metabolism, appetite regulation, digestion, fat distribution, and muscle mass. As a result, a hormone imbalance can cause unexpected weight gain or make it very difficult to lose weight.
Related: Hormone Therapy for Weight Loss: How it Works
Energy
There are a variety of factors that influence your energy level, including hormones. Individuals with a hormone imbalance often have decreased energy levels. On top of this, other symptoms of a hormone imbalance (such as lack of sleep) can drain your energy levels even further.
Sexual Function
When we don’t have proper levels of hormones in our system, it often leads to problems with sexual function. For women, this can include vaginal dryness (leading to pain or discomfort during intercourse), decreased libido, reduced sensitivity, and decreased satisfaction.
Men can experience erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and decreased sperm production (affecting fertility).
Dermatological Health
Hormones affect the health and appearance of our skin and hair. Hormone imbalances can cause very oily or very dry skin, decreased collagen production (seen with fine lines and wrinkles), and hair loss.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
While hormonal changes are a natural part of life, they can have a significant impact on our overall health and well-being. HRT in Kenwood, OH, helps replenish your hormone levels to treat the unwanted side effects described above.
Related: Hormone Therapy in Beckett Ridge
The Process
The first step to getting your hormones back in line is by scheduling a consultation for hormone replacement therapy in Kenwood, OH. During this consultation, you’ll sit down with one of our providers to discuss your medical history, symptoms, and goals for treatment.
If we suspect that your symptoms could be the result of a hormone imbalance, we will order a blood test to give us information on your hormone levels.
HRT Delivery Methods
If we determine you have an imbalance, we will discuss your options for hormone delivery. At Amy Brenner, MD & Associates, we offer nearly all routes of hormone delivery—pellets, injections, creams, and oral medications. The best option for you will depend on your unique needs and lifestyle.
Pellets
One of the most effective ways to deliver HRT is with pellets placed underneath the skin. Your provider will make a very small incision to place the pellets, which release a steady stream of hormones for 3 to 4 months. Pellets can deliver both estrogen and testosterone.
Our Recommendations for Pellets
We typically recommend pellet therapy for female patients, especially those with busy lifestyles. This treatment gives you the hormones you need, without you having to worry about keeping a daily or weekly treatment schedule.
Females naturally have extra adipose tissue that holds pellets in place. While we do have male patients who choose pellet placement, our providers will educate you on the longevity of this delivery method for men. Men typically have less of this fatty tissue and over time, with repeated placement and the development of scar tissue, there is a risk of pellet extrusion. Because of this, our providers generally recommend that males use injections rather than pellets.
Injections
Injections are a high-efficacy delivery method for HRT. Patients administer these injections at home on a once-weekly basis.
Injections are a great way to receive consistent and reliable results. Because the treatment goes directly into your bloodstream, you don’t have to worry about dosing, absorption, or the medication spreading to family and pets (like you would with creams).
Our Recommendations for Injections
Injections are usually our top recommendation for men seeking HRT in Kenwood, OH. These injections are easily incorporated into any lifestyle and offer consistent results.
Creams
We also offer HRT in the form of creams. You can apply these creams to different areas of the body depending on the hormones in your treatment. Creams require more time and compliance to work because patients need to use them every day and spend a couple of minutes rubbing in the cream.
Our Recommendations for Creams
Because there are so many extra variables with creams (how much you absorb will depend on the thickness of your skin, how much you apply, how long you rub in the medication, etc.) the results from creams are often less consistent and less effective.
When using creams, you also have to be very aware of the potential of spreading to family or pets. Because of these reasons, we often recommend pellets or injections as the first choice for patients who need HRT in Kenwood, OH.
Oral
The last form of HRT we offer is via oral medication. This is only available for patients who need progesterone. Your provider will determine if you are a candidate for oral HRT.
What to Expect From HRT in Kenwood, OH
When you come to Amy Brenner, MD & Associates for HRT, we want to make the process as easy as possible. One way we do this is by billing in-network insurance for every part of the HRT process that we can—so you don’t have to worry about financial strain.
There are 4 parts to our HRT process.
Hormone Consultation
During your initial hormone consultation, you will talk to one of our providers about your symptoms and options for HRT in Kenwood, OH. We are able to bill insurance for this visit, if applicable.
Initial Lab Work
Your initial lab work provides us with information on your baseline hormone levels. We will bill insurance for lab work, if applicable (copays/deductibles may apply).
Lab Follow-Up Visits
You’ll get follow-up labs throughout the treatment process to check your hormone levels. Based on these results, we will make adjustments to your dosage if needed. We will bill insurance for these visits, if applicable.
Hormone Management Visit
Every 3 to 4 months, you will meet with your provider to discuss your treatment, care plan, and medications. This is the only part of the process that we are unable to bill insurance for.
Visit Amy Brenner, MD & Associates for HRT in Kenwood, OH
Patients visit us from all over the country for expert, transformative wellness services. We offer a friendly environment and provide the highest-quality treatments and wellness plans to help you feel your best.
Whether you’re looking for weight loss, wellness, aesthetic treatments, or surgical procedures, Amy Brenner, MD & Associates is sure to have what you need.
Conveniently located in Mason, OH, we serve patients from Cincinnati, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Blue Ash, Beckett Ridge, and other surrounding areas.
Get started by using our virtual consultation tool or by scheduling an appointment online.