Hormones are some of the most important chemicals in your body
Hormones play a critical role in nearly every process within your body. Think of hormones like the chemical carrier pigeon of your bloodstream, carrying important messages to your tissues and organs, telling them to grow, reproduce, express emotions, and more. Each hormone plays a specific role in the body. For example, melatonin tells your body when it’s time to sleep and insulin regulates your blood sugar levels.
Some hormones, like serotonin, melatonin, and adrenaline, are well-known for the processes they support in the body, and other hormones, like aldosterone and progesterone, you’ve probably heard of but may not be sure exactly what they do.
While hormones are crucial for every human being, they play a unique role for women by way of reproductive or sex hormones.
What’s the connection between hormones and menopause?
For women, hormones play an important role in our reproductive systems. Estrogen helps to regulate menstrual cycles and maintain reproductive health, and progesterone ensures an ideal environment for pregnancy. Both of these hormones are active and play slightly different roles in your body as you grow from fetus to fully developed adult.
But, these hormone levels decrease over time, which leads to what is well-known as menopause.
What is hormone replacement therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, often abbreviated HRT, is medication taken to replace estrogen in a woman’s body as production decreases during menopause.
By replacing estrogen and other key hormones, your body can return to its more equalized state, and common symptoms of menopause can be better managed.
HRT can be administered a few different ways, including via pills or supplements, patches, gels or creams, and rings, and a healthcare professional can help you decide which specific type is best for you based on your lifestyle, preferences, and dosage.
How do I know when I need hormone replacement therapy?
The best way to know for sure if hormone replacement therapy is right for you is to discuss your concerns and symptoms with a medical professional who can recommend HRT to you and help you establish the ideal frequency of treatments and dosages.
In general, though, you may be a good fit for HRT if you…
- Suffer from uncomfortable hot flashes or night sweats
- Need to prevent bone fractures or loss of bone density
- Experience other menopausal symptoms, like dryness or discomfort
Most of the time, the first step in deciding whether HRT is right for you is to conduct blood and genetic testing to get a better idea of your existing hormone levels and identify any conditions that may make HRT unsafe.
Here at 10X Health, we can couple the results of our detailed methylated gene test with our comprehensive blood test to give you a full snapshot of not only your current health but your current hormone levels, too. From there, a customized treatment plan can be established that targets your unique needs and goals.
While, for most healthy women, the benefits far outweigh the risks, there are still some scenarios in which HRT may not be the best option, like if you have heart or liver problems or have a history of breast cancer. Make sure your 10X Health team is informed of any health history so they can ensure your safety during treatment.
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Many women dread the day they enter menopause because of the discomfort that can accompany it, but menopause doesn’t need to be uncomfortable, and HRT is a great option to manage symptoms and help you feel your best every day.
If you think HRT may help you better manage the symptoms of menopause and want to learn more, why not start with a comprehensive blood or gene test from 10X Health and let our team create a customized health plan? Learn more today!
