Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be life-changing for men and women experiencing symptoms associated with andropause or menopause. Still, many people aren’t sure about how to get started on HRT. At Rejuvime Medical, we offer a 3-step process that begins with a consultation with a nurse at any of our 5 locations throughout Louisiana. You don’t even need an appointment.
Understanding what to expect during your treatment helps demystify the path to restoring hormonal balance and enjoying an improved quality of life. In this blog post, we’ll describe the symptoms that can lead men and women to consider HRT and explain what’s involved in starting the treatment process.
Are You a Candidate for HRT?
Hormonal imbalances can cause a range of symptoms that impact the quality of your life. If you wake up feeling listless, notice a decrease in stamina during workouts, have minimal interest in sex, or have difficulty focusing on work, you may be a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy. For men, the cause may be low testosterone levels (low T), while women often experience these symptoms during perimenopause or menopause as estrogen levels suddenly plummet. One of the tools we offer to help determine if you might benefit from HRT is this questionnaire.
Beginning HRT
Even though some people think it’s challenging to navigate the process of starting hormone replacement therapy, we offer a straightforward 3-step approach that begins with a consultation for a $225 fee. You can walk into one of our offices or schedule an appointment.
During this meeting, a nurse describes the services offered by Rejuvime Medical, answers your questions, and performs initial blood work. We schedule a follow-up appointment, where you’ll meet with one of our medical providers. The provider creates a customized treatment plan based on the results of your blood test and your concerns.
The 3rd step is beginning your treatment, either at your home or by visiting our clinic. The medically monitored treatment includes follow-up appointments to adjust dosages if needed.
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Some Common Questions About Starting HRT
Do I need a blood test for HRT?
Blood tests play an essential role in developing a customized HRT treatment plan. The results provide our medical providers with a baseline assessment of hormone levels, which helps determine the appropriate approach for your needs. After you start HRT, regular blood tests enable us to monitor your hormone levels and ensure the treatment is accomplishing the goal of maintaining hormone levels within an optimal range.
Conducting blood work also assures the safety of the therapy. This personalized approach gives you the most benefit from your therapy while minimizing potential side effects.
How do you take HRT?
There are multiple ways to deliver or take HRT. The choice of administration method depends on different factors, including personal preference and the recommendation of your provider. Self-injections, topical creams and patches, and slow-release pellets inserted just below the skin are among the options.
Different delivery methods produce results on various timetables. For example, if your concerns include low libido or reduced energy, testosterone injections produce results within the first 2 days. Creams and pellets, on the other hand, can take longer to produce results. We can adjust dosages for injections more often than pellets, which typically last about 3 months after insertion.
How old do you have to be to get HRT?
People at any age can start hormone replacement therapy if they’re diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance that will respond to treatment. For example, HRT can help someone in their 20s who has low testosterone levels. Testosterone levels typically decline gradually, starting at about age 30, and most male HRT patients are between ages 40 and 70.
Women typically start HRT around the time they start going through menopause (usually ages 45 to 55), but some women may start therapy earlier or later.
Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Right for You?
Not everyone with low testosterone levels or experiencing menopause symptoms needs HRT. But if the symptoms of low T or menopause are interfering with your quality of life, HRT can be a transformative step toward achieving hormone balance and an improved sense of well-being. Rejuvime Medical’s hormone specialists can help determine if you’ll benefit from HRT. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (225) 960-1580 to schedule an appointment. Or visit us at one of our locations in Baton Rouge, Metairie, Shreveport, Slidell, or Houma, LA.
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