In this new era, science has given us new hopes to start afresh. It has enabled us to live healthier and more dignified lives in many ways. Hormone Replacement Therapy has helped millions of people across the world deal with unpleasant physical and emotional changes, which are a natural consequence of aging.

What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment, which involves the usage of hormones that your body might need to function optimally. For instance, the two female hormones namely estrogen and progesterone are used to supplement the declining levels of the same in women reaching menopause. The procedure involves taking additional small doses of either one or both the female hormones in small doses. For men, HRT is used to battle andropause, where the level of testosterone in a man wanes, therefore the procedure comprises of a replacement of the male hormone.

How Does It Help?

Menopause can be accompanied by various discomforting and troublesome symptoms like hot flashes, severe vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood swings and sleep disturbances. Menopause raises a woman's risk for serious health problems like stroke, osteoporosis and heart disease. Hormone Replacement Therapy has shown promise to prevent these symptoms and also improve other conditions as well, such as vision loss due to aging, Alzheimer's disease, colon cancer, improving cholesterol levels etc.  For men, increased levels of testosterone results in treating erectile dysfunction, increasing libido and lean mass, improving cardiovascular health and other ailments associated with visceral fats.

Should You Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Although it is never too late to replace your hormones, the right age to consider the therapy is between 35 to 55 depending on the symptoms of reduced hormones, which affects your body. However, there are people in their 80's who have benefited with HRT as well. A number of medical trials and successful cases have proved that the therapy works wonders for older people dealing with decreased energy levels, depression, sleep disorders and a number of other conditions due to hormone deficiencies. 

Testosterone is a hormone, which is produced primarily in the testes of a human male. It helps to maintain bone density, sperm production, muscle strength and sex drive too. The levels of this hormone peak during the adolescent years and early stages of adulthood too. However, the level of testosterone gradually declines with age. It is estimated that it decreases 1% every year after the age of 30. In fact, it is believed to occur in 18 percent of 70-year-olds.

With a decline in testosterone levels, men notice physical and emotional changes accompanied with reduced sexual desire and sleep disturbances too. However, physicians across the world are recommending testosterone replacement therapy. It is believed to help improve libido, bone density and body composition.

Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

• Increased energy levels: An increase in lean body mass, which leads to development of muscle will boost energy levels in individuals who undergo the therapy. This would imply increased ability to take up physical activity too.
• Better sex life: There has been a noticeable improvement in the sex lives of individuals who have undergone the therapy. Especially people with an erectile dysfunction have noticed significant improvement upon restoration of the hormone level.
• There is a reduced possibility of osteoporosis due to optimized bone density upon therapy and this reduces the risk of fractures too.
• Most importantly, it improves the basic quality of life. With more energy and a better sex life, the therapy helps improve the lifestyle of men who have dealt with problems due to reduced testosterone.

Learn more about male hormone replacement therapy and see if it is the right option for you.

THOUGH winter weather may earn a few snow days here and there, the lack of sunshine can also dampen one's spirits.

Some people may resort to quick fixes like coffee and sugar to give a temporary burst. But here are three healthier ways to raise your energy level and keep it up.

Tip 1 - GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

Sleep is quite obviously one of the most vital ways to restore an individual's energy level. If a person is overly tired, exhausted or even incoherent, the issue is most likely related to sleep in some way. Lack of sleep is even an important indicator of many health issues, such as depression and multiple sclerosis.

Teenagers on average need 9.5 hours of sleep a night--while a study by the National Sleep Foundation suggests that teens sleep for an average of only 7.4 hours a night.

More information on stress reduction and hormone levels 

A good night's sleep is a hard thing to achieve, but a rewarding one. To do so, one must not sleep with the lights or the television on, as both are too stimulating to the brain, and the television may even cause certain glands within your brain to function improperly.

Read the full article 

Hormones, which supply life-giving nutrients, tend to decline with age. For men, lower hormone levels could lead to fatigue, irritability, and weight gain.  Plus, many men also experience erectile dysfunction and a lowered sex drive during and after middle age.

These symptoms can affect the quality of life for men. But that's just what they are - symptoms of a treatable condition that affects many middle aged men known as andropause.

Andropause is a known cause of hormone deficiency in men. With the advancement of medical science, hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, has turned out to be an answer to issues related to andropause. As the therapy gains popularity, researchers are working hard to ensure maximum benefits of HRT with minimal side effects.

More Information on Andropause Symptoms 

To find out if you have a deficiency of hormones and would benefit from HRT, your doctor should measure the amount of testosterone in your blood. There are different types of HRT available. Based on your doctor's advice and your needs, you can choose the HRT. Bioidentical hormone therapy uses by-product of plant oils, a totally organic material. It will replace the hormones, which your body had lost but are required to function well. Another treatment option for HRT makes use of the male steroid hormone, DHEA. It slows down bone loss, improves the health of your skin, and enhances sexual drive in old men too.

How will HRT help you?

• Increases stamina.

• Noticeable increase in productivity and creativity.

• Improves memory

• Improves sexual drive

• Decreases moodiness and irritability.

You cannot reverse the process of aging. But you can surely control the process. According to research, testosterone replacement therapy can help older men deficient in the hormone reduce their risks of heart disease, diabetes, and unhealthy weight gain or loss. Before you choose to undergo hormone replacement therapy, your doctor will ask you to undergo a number of tests to check your level of testosterone and other important hormones.

If you have decided to go in for HRT, you need to look for a therapy provider, who can tailor the HRT to meet your individual needs and budget. Ensure that your HRT is conducted under the supervision of trained physician.

You can find more information on Hormone Replacement Therapy and other anti aging treatments from the Atlanta Medical Institute.