Hormonal imbalances are a natural part of aging, especially during perimenopause and menopause. However, they can cause significant discomfort and affect your daily life.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help rebalance estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels to improve well-being. Learn about HRT and if you need it.
Takeaway
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helps treat symptoms of hormone imbalance. If you’re experiencing these symptoms and they disrupt your quality of life, it may be time to consider HRT. A licensed telehealth provider like MyerleeMD can evaluate your condition from the comfort of your home and create a personalized treatment plan.
What Is HRT?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a treatment designed to supplement the body with estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone when natural levels decline. It’s most commonly prescribed for women going through menopause, but can also be used for men experiencing andropause or other hormonal deficiencies.
HRT can be administered through:
- Pills
- Patches
- Creams or gels
- Vaginal rings
- Sublingual solutions
- Injections or pellets
The correct delivery method depends on your health status and personal preferences.
How Hormone Imbalance Affects the Body
Hormones regulate vital functions, including mood, sleep, metabolism, and sexual health. When these levels drop, the body reacts in various ways, some of which can severely impact your quality of life.
Symptoms may begin subtly during perimenopause (the transition into menopause), and worsen if untreated. In men, low testosterone can also present with fatigue, muscle loss, and mental fog.
Study: Estrogen Deficiency and Cognitive Decline
A study by Sherwin (2003) evaluated the relationship between estrogen and cognitive functioning in women. The findings from randomized controlled trials of estrogen and cognition in women exhibited that “this hormone preferentially protects verbal memory in postmenopausal women.”
This suggests that estrogen plays a role in cognitive function, and declining estrogen levels during menopause may contribute to memory loss and reduced mental clarity in some women.
Study: Testosterone Deficiency in Men
Wu et. al (2010) examined the “association between aging-related testosterone deficiency and late-onset hypogonadism in men.” It was found that “limited physical vigor was significantly associated with a low total testosterone level… an observation that is consistent with the finding in a previous study of elderly hypogonadal patients.”
Common Signs You May Need HRT
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
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Sudden heat surges followed by sweating and chills are hallmark signs of estrogen imbalance. They can be frequent, unpredictable, and highly disruptive.
Irregular Periods
In women, irregular menstrual cycles, spotting, or heavier flows can signal fluctuating hormone levels during perimenopause.
Mood Swings & Anxiety
Unstable estrogen and progesterone levels can influence serotonin and other mood-regulating chemicals, increasing the risk of anxiety, irritability, and depression.
Low Libido
Hormonal shifts can reduce sexual desire and satisfaction in both men and women. Vaginal dryness or erectile difficulties may also be present.
Vaginal Dryness
Declining estrogen levels can lead to thinning vaginal tissues, causing discomfort or pain during intercourse and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.
Fatigue & Brain Fog
If you’re feeling constantly tired, have difficulty focusing, or experience memory lapses, low hormone levels may be to blame.
Weight Gain & Metabolism Changes
Hormonal imbalance can slow metabolism, leading to stubborn belly fat, muscle loss, and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
Who Can Benefit from HRT?
HRT is most commonly recommended for:
- Women in perimenopause or menopause
- Individuals with early or surgical menopause
- Men with low testosterone (hypogonadism or andropause)
- Individuals undergoing gender-affirming therapy
- Patients with hormone-related health conditions
Each case is unique, and treatment should be based on medical history, lifestyle, and lab results.
When to Talk to a Doctor
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s time to schedule a doctor’s consultation:
- Daily hot flashes or night sweats
- Severe mood changes
- Disrupted sleep or chronic fatigue
- Low libido or sexual discomfort
- Weight gain or difficulty concentrating
- Irregular periods or skipped cycles
- Sudden changes in mental clarity or memory
Getting HRT Through Telehealth
Thanks to telehealth & telemedicine providers, getting started with HRT has never been easier. Board-certified doctors on call 24/7 via platforms like MyerleeMD can guide you through the process and ensure a safe, effective treatment plan while skipping the waiting room.
Are You Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
Book your online consultation with a licensed provider at MyerleeMD Telehealth today and take the first step toward hormonal balance, better health, and renewed energy, all from the comfort of your home. You can also call us at 855-MYERLEE/ (855) 693-7533 for more information.
References
- The Menopause Society (NAMS)
- National Institute on Aging. “Menopause and Hormone Therapy.”
- Sherwin, B. B. (2003). Estrogen and cognitive functioning in women. Endocrine reviews, 24(2), 133-151. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2001-0016
- Wu, F. C., Tajar, A., Beynon, J. M., Pye, S. R., Silman, A. J., Finn, J. D., … & Huhtaniemi, I. T. (2010). Identification of late-onset hypogonadism in middle-aged and elderly men. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(2), 123-135. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa0911101