At any given moment, our bodies are performing an immense number of tasks to keep basic systems working normally and things under control. These tasks include regulating blood sugar, metabolism, sexual characteristics, muscle and bone health. All this is the responsibility of hormones, chemicals produced by your endocrine system — and we produce more than 50 different types.
Often, when hormone changes are discussed, we refer to women dealing with a range of reproductive issues such as pregnancy, birth control, menstrual cycles, and menopause. An option for most of those issues is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). And, believe it or not, HRT is something that men sometimes need. To find out more, let’s examine the role of hormones in men, what hormone replacement therapy treats, and how the process works.
Men in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and South Florida struggling with hormonal problems can get help from Drs. Craig Herman and Steven Kester and their experienced team at Urology Center of Florida.
The primary hormone that we think about when it comes to men is testosterone, the main driver of the development of sexual characteristics during puberty. But, testosterone serves other functions. In puberty, this hormone works to create growth spurts, grow hair, enlarge genitals and the prostate, create sperm production, and increase libido (sex drive). But, it also tells your body to create new blood cells and keeps bones and muscles strong.
Both sexes produce testosterone, and men also have levels of estrogen (the primary sex hormone in women). But these are far from the only hormones that help with so many things we don’t even think about.
While the body contains many hormones, the main issue that leads to HRT use in men is hypogonadism, or low testosterone. While your body naturally produces less testosterone as you age, levels that are too low can cause low blood counts, increased body fat, body hair loss, memory problems, mood changes, and erectile dysfunction. This can result from several factors, including obesity, chromosomal diseases, pituitary disorders, hemochromatosis (unusually high levels of iron in the body), testicular injury, and undescended testicles.
HRT can be done in a few different ways:
It’s important to understand that, as you get older, your body produces less testosterone, so some changes are normal. HRT isn’t designed to replace a natural reduction of hormones; it’s used to manage the symptoms of abnormally low levels.
HRT is not something to be ashamed of, and if you’re showing signs of hypogonadism, you should call or message today to make an appointment with Drs. Herman or Kester and the staff at the Urology Center of Florida.
