5 Surprising Facts About Hormone Replacement Therapy –

Most people associate hormone problems with menopause. And, while a woman’s estrogen production does typically decline during her change of life, hormones issues can affect a woman or man’s health and quality of life at any age!

In this article Oakland County board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali shares 5 facts about hormones that may surprise you – and reveals what you can do about hormone issues at any age.

#1. Estrogen Is Not Just A Female Hormone

Most people know that estrogen maintains the reproductive system, including fertility and ovulation – and that estrogen governs female characteristics, such as breast development.

But, a specific type of estrogen – called Estradiol – is essential in men for sex drive, erections, and sperm production (fertility).

And, while testosterone levels decrease in men with age, estrogen levels usually increase. And abnormally high estrogen levels in men can put them at risk for conditions like diabetes and certain forms of cancer.

#2. Testosterone Is Not Just A Male Hormone

We all associate testosterone with virility in men. But a woman’s ovaries also produce small but very necessary amounts of testosterone.

A testosterone deficiency in women can cause low sex drive, weight gain, and mood swings. Low testosterone over a long period of time may also cause more serious health problems such as heart disease, memory loss, and low bone density.

And too much testosterone in women can result in facial hair, excess body hair, hair loss/balding, acne, and more.

#3. Hormones Increase Bone Density

While hormone fluctuations are usually associated with sexual issues or mood changes, many people do not realize that hormones are necessary to prevent bone loss.

About 10 million people in the United States have osteoporosis, many without knowing it. And another 34 million are at risk for developing this silent killer. In fact, an estimated one out of every two women over age 50 will suffer a broken bone in their lifetime that is osteoporosis related.

Estrogen replacement therapy can help conserve bone mass and prevent osteoporosis-related fractures in post-menopausal women.

#4. Hormone Imbalance Can Cause Weight Gain

The thyroid produces hormones which regulate how the body uses and stores energy – a function known as “metabolism.” So, when thyroid hormone levels are out of balance, the body does not effectively “burn” energy … and unwanted weight gain accumulates.

According to the American Thyroid Association, up to 10 pounds of unwanted body weight gain may be attributable to a thyroid deficiency or “hypothyroidism”. Rebalancing your thyroid hormones can be an excellent first step to shedding stubborn weight gain that isn’t responding to diet or exercise.

#5. Hormone Imbalance Can Cause Hair Loss

Hormones are the most common cause of hair loss for both males and females. In both men and women the specific hormone responsible for hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (“DHT”), which is a hormone that your body makes as a byproduct of testosterone.

DHT causes hair loss by miniaturizing hair follicles, causing the hairs to fall out and not be replaced as they normally would. This type of hormone based hair loss is called androgenic alopecia – sometimes referred to as “male pattern baldness” or “female-pattern hair loss”. This is the most serious form of hair loss because, the hair that you lose is often gone permanently.

Fortunately, a simple blood test examining your hormone levels will help determine if a hormone imbalance could be causing or contributing to your hair loss. And hormone replacement therapy can be an excellent tool in your arsenal to help stop “shedding” and re-grow thicker and healthier hair.

Hormone Replacement Therapy – Oakland County

These Five Fast Facts about hormone imbalance are really just the “tip of the iceberg” when it comes to how hormones influence men and women’s health and wellbeing! Hormones also affect mood, heart health, skin aging, sex drive, sexual performance, and much, much more.

Hormone Replacement Therapy may be the fast, natural and effective solution to helping you lose weight, stop hair loss, increase energy, improve your sex life and get your overall quality of life back!

If you live in the greater Oakland County area, contact Dr. Ali at AMAE today for a complete hormone workup and diagnosis – and see what hormone replacement pellets can do for you!