Your hormones are important chemical messengers that govern so many of your body’s processes – including your metabolism, sexual health, and mood. When your hormones are out of balance, so are you. At Family Medicine Clinic, Vuthy Leng, MD, offers men and women in Lakewood and Federal Way, Washington, hormone replacement therapy when they’re experiencing an imbalance due to aging or illness. To learn more about how hormone replacement therapy can help you feel more like yourself, call the office or schedule a consultation using the online tool.

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What is hormone replacement therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is the practice of stabilizing the body’s natural hormone levels through the administration of various medications.

As women go through menopause, the time of life when fertility ends, they experience a drop in their hormone levels – particularly in estrogen and progesterone. This sudden drop can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, including hot flashes and weight gain, that severely interferes with quality of life.

Aging men may also experience a drop in hormone levels, particularly the male sex hormone known as testosterone. This drop can also cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as sexual dysfunction, muscle loss, and sleep disruptions.

How does hormone therapy help?

Hormone therapy restores your hormone levels to a point of balance, easing up many symptoms. For women, hormone therapy can:

  • Reduce or eliminate hot flashes or night sweats
  • Alleviate depression
  • Relieve vaginal dryness and painful intercourse
  • Help with focus and concentration

For men, hormone therapy can:

  • Improve erectile dysfunction and libido
  • Even out mood swings
  • Halt fat gain and improve muscle tone

By gently rebalancing your hormone levels through therapy at Family Medicine Clinic, you can find relief of the symptoms that disrupt your life.

How is hormone replacement therapy administered?

Hormone replacement therapy can be administered in a number of ways. Dr. Leng helps you determine the right one for your symptoms and long-term health. These include:

Hormone pellet therapy

Pellets are inserted just under the skin in your fatty tissue. They deliver a consistent level of hormones to your body. Men typically benefit from pellets inserted every six months, while women need a new pellet every 4-6 months.

Oral routes

Oral administration of hormones is best reserved for progesterone supplementation. Other hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone, are broken down in your digestive tract and aren’t effectively delivered to your system.

Injectable routes

Testosterone replacement therapy for men is often given by injection, once every 7-14 days. Injections offer immediate delivery, but can cause highs and lows, with a peak response 24 hours after the injection and a slow decrease in effectiveness over the course of a week or two.

If you’re suffering from symptoms that suggest a hormone imbalance, call the office or book an appointment online with Family Medicine Clinic to find out if hormone replacement therapy is right for you.