Hormone therapy isn’t only for aging women but for senior men too, although they may or may not need one during their lifetime. However, hormone therapy became popular around senior women than it has become for men due to the fact that it helped tremendously in alleviating symptoms of menopausal. Nowadays, and after its side effects have been found, healthcare professionals are advising against it and if hormone therapy is ever considered for a patient, its pros and cons are weighted with great consideration.
Reasons for considering hormone therapy vary from one group to another. For example, an aging woman experiencing bouts of menopausal symptoms may seek hormone therapy just so she’ll be able to prevent these nasty symptoms from interfering with her everyday chores. This is especially true for working women who need to stay focused all throughout the day. Whereas in men, it is most likely their sexual responses that will compel them to deliberate upon getting hormone therapy or not.
Hormonal therapy can also be considered in cases of prostate cancer but with limitations as it depends from case description. Generally, hormone therapy for prostate cancer is only recommended if you are in great shape which indicates you still have 10 years life expectancy ahead of you. Also, if you only have undifferentiated, locally advanced prostate cancer otherwise, the said therapy should not be considered at all. This, of course, aside from the therapy’s ability to stabilize hormone levels inside your body which in other words, will prevent undesirable symptoms of hormone drops. For men, diminishing testosterone levels can cause slow metabolism, mood swings, erectile dysfunction, and decrease in libido or sex drive, among others.
Do note that effects of hormonal replacement therapy cannot be noticed instantly. It is an ongoing therapy which will help you delay or altogether, prevent, physical changes brought about by hormonal shifts.
As far as the therapy’s safety is concerned, it was found out, although not yet proven, that bio-identical hormones are far safer than its synthetic counterparts. It is also recommended for seniors who are undergoing such therapy to have regular checkup during and even after the course of therapy. This is to make sure no adverse effect is happening inside your body as a result of the therapy. Blood tests are normally requested during these times to monitor your hormone levels since having a level that is too high is not good.
