Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) Safe? We Answer Your 5 Top Questions
“Is hormone replacement therapy safe” is one of the first questions I hear from many of… Read On
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Rejuvime Medical
4313 Bluebonnet Blvd., Suite B
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Phone: (225) 960-1580
Mo-Th: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fr: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Rejuvime Medical
3440 Division St., Suite G
Metairie, LA 70002
Phone: (504) 252-9579
Mo–Th: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fr: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Rejuvime Medical
2053 Gause Blvd East, Suite 250
Slidell, LA 70461
Phone: (985) 520-6670
Mo-Th: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fr: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Rejuvime Medical
4801 Line Ave, Suite 8
Shreveport, LA 71106
Phone: (318) 408-4080
Mo-Th: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fr: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Rejuvime Medical
435 Corporate Drive, Suite 402
Houma, LA 70360
Phone: (985) 492-7575
Mo-Th: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fr: 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Most people associate testosterone with masculinity and a man’s sex drive. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone, but its benefits go beyond the role it plays in libido. Energy level, strength, and mood are all influenced by a man’s (or a woman’s) testosterone levels. Individuals considering testosterone replacement therapy travel from Lafayette, New Orleans, and Shreveport, LA, to our clinics in Baton Rouge and Metairie for personalized treatment. Even those from Jackson, Gulfport, and Hattiesburg, MS, have made the drive to our clinics for customized care.
Men considering testosterone therapy at Rejuvime Medical may have one or multiple concerns that they want to address. Women who get hormone replacement therapy may also be candidates for testosterone therapy. Increasing testosterone levels under medical supervision can help patients:
Testosterone is much more than its reputation would suggest. Men and women need the proper amount of testosterone to develop and function normally.
The overall cost of your personalized treatment varies depending on your specific needs. However, we offer affordable subscription plans to defray upfront costs and provide additional savings. The average HRT plan at Rejuvime costs $150 per month and includes medications, provider consults, all lab work, other expenses, and more. Read more about the cost of hormone replacement therapy at Rejuvime in our related blog post, How Much Does HRT Cost?
Testosterone is the primary sex hormone in males and plays a number of important roles, such as:
Testosterone production tends to fall with age during andropause. These dwindling levels of testosterone lead to a testosterone deficiency in up to 40% of men.
As a 2008 study of testosterone and aging pointed out, “The symptoms of aging include tiredness, lack of energy, reduced strength, frailty, loss of libido, decreased sexual performance, depression and mood change. Men with hypogonadism [a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough testosterone] experience similar symptoms. This raises the question of whether some symptoms of aging could be due to relative androgen deficiency.”
Supplementing with bioidentical testosterone is a way to replace testosterone lost due to falling production. This can benefit the body by reversing the symptoms mentioned above. Restoring testosterone to optimum levels can decrease fatigue, increase energy and strength, enhance libido and sexual performance, and contribute to mood stability.**
We have several options for helping our patients with their testosterone at Rejuvime Medical.
It’s interesting that testosterone (and estrogen, for that matter) is technically a steroid hormone. Even more interestingly, it is synthesized from cholesterol, which is also a steroid. Many Americans view both cholesterol and steroids with a skeptical eye as if they were dangerous substances. However, biologically, steroids are simply microscopic molecules with a specific structure made of 4 fused rings and various side chains. And cholesterol is a crucial molecule to human and animal cells, which only becomes a problem when too much accumulates in the blood and leads to clogged arteries.
The first steps we take at Rejuvime Medical to determine if you can benefit from testosterone therapy are to discuss your concerns during a consultation and run a blood analysis. This comprehensive blood panel enables us to determine your baseline, what you need to supplement, and how much you need to take.
Blood test results are usually available within a week of your appointment.
Both men and women have naturally occurring testosterone in their bodies, though women have only a fraction of what men have. It’s essential to have the right dose of testosterone for your unique needs, which requires a consultation.
This list reflects some important information to know to prepare for appointments at Rejuvime Medical:
You should begin to see improvements in your symptoms within weeks. Although injections tend to work more quickly than other delivery methods such as pellets or patches, the information below gives you a general idea of what to expect after testosterone replacement therapy begins.
Insulin sensitivity improves.
Interest in sex returns, quality of life increases, inflammation declines, and mood begins to improve.
Sexual performance and satisfaction start to increase but may take up to 6 months.
Fat mass begins to decrease, and lean muscle mass increases. Total cholesterol decreases, with maximum improvement achieved at about 12 months.
Glycemic control and lumbar bone density increase. Bone mass can continue to improve for up to 3 years.
Along with these benefits, you may also experience some side effects from testosterone replacement therapy. Some of the possible side effects include:
It’s important to talk with your hormone specialist and carefully weigh these potential risks and benefits before beginning treatment.
For men experiencing symptoms of low T, testosterone replacement therapy can significantly improve the quality of their lives. It’s important that you discuss your symptoms with a primary care physician to ensure that they’re not linked to an undiagnosed medical condition.
You can continue testosterone replacement therapy for as long as you’re benefiting from it. At Rejuvime Medical, we monitor your symptoms periodically and make adjustments as needed.
There is no specific age at which it’s best to begin testosterone replacement therapy. Even though low T can occur at any age, it typically occurs some time after age 40. Unlike menopause, which involves rapidly declining levels of estrogen, andropause involves the gradual loss of testosterone.
You can effectively boost testosterone naturally by consuming a diet rich in protein, vitamin D, and zinc, exercising regularly, minimizing stress, and getting enough sleep. Men with low T, however, often feel fatigued and have trouble sleeping, which leads to less exercise. Testosterone replacement therapy can effectively treat those and other symptoms of low T.
Do you have more questions about testosterone replacement therapy? Visit our FAQ page.
Our team of medical specialists, including Dr. Jonathan Weiler, certified medical assistants, and nurses, are ready to create a testosterone replacement therapy plan for you. Men from New Orleans and throughout Louisiana travel to one of our 3 locations for Rejuvime Medical’s expertise. Request a consultation using the online form or call us at (225) 960-1580 to schedule an appointment.
Losing your edge at the gym? It could be due to declining hormone levels. Whether you're a man or woman, hormone replacement therapy at Rejuvime Medical can help you regain stamina and strength.
We've created separate e-books for men and women explaining how HRT works and describing the easy, 3-step process that will kick-start your treatment.
Complete this form to download your e-book. You'll receive it via email.