Benefits of Hormone Therapy Q&A

Hormone therapy operates by adding, blocking, or removing specific hormones in the body to slow or stop the growth of certain diseases, such as cancer. For our cancer patients, hormone therapy can lessen the chance of the disease returning, slow down or stop its growth, or reduce symptoms in advanced cases.

Our skilled practitioners also utilize hormone therapy to manage symptoms associated with menopause in women, such as hot flashes, sleep disorders, and mood changes. It can also prevent bone loss and reduce fracture in postmenopausal women by treating low levels of estrogen.

As a part of our commitment to inclusive healthcare, hormone therapy plays a pivotal role in our care for transgender and nonbinary individuals. This can involve prescribing hormones of the gender they identify with, such as estrogen or testosterone, to create physical changes more in line with their gender identity and alleviate gender dysphoria.

Moreover, hormone therapy can be used to treat men with conditions like hypogonadism, which results in low levels of testosterone. This can help improve symptoms such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and fatigue.

To determine if hormone therapy is right for you, our experienced healthcare professionals will first evaluate your symptoms. If you are a woman experiencing menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, or mood changes, or a man struggling with fatigue, decreased sex drive or depression due to low testosterone levels, hormone therapy could be a possible solution.

Our team conducts thorough medical evaluations to assess if hormone therapy is suitable for you. We make use of advanced laboratory tests, including blood and saliva tests, to accurately measure your hormone levels. This information, combined with a comprehensive assessment of your medical history and overall health, allows us to make informed decisions about your treatment options.

We also understand that everyone’s reaction to hormone therapy can vary and that this treatment can carry certain risks, including blood clots, stroke, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Our healthcare professionals will evaluate your personal and family medical history, lifestyle factors, and overall risk profile to ensure hormone therapy is safe for you.

Women experiencing menopause may suffer from a decline in estrogen levels, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes and mood swings. Our team at Catalyst Medical Group can utilize hormone therapy to stabilize these levels and alleviate these symptoms, ensuring you continue to lead a healthy, balanced life.

Moreover, we also provide hormone therapy to individuals transitioning genders. For males transitioning to females (MTF), we administer estrogen to facilitate the development of feminine features like breasts and softer skin. On the other hand, for females transitioning to males (FTM), we provide testosterone to stimulate the development of masculine traits such as a deeper voice, facial hair, and other characteristics.

It’s important to understand that hormone therapy is a long-term process, and it may take several weeks or even months for some changes to become noticeable. Regular appointments with your healthcare provider at Catalyst Medical Group will ensure the therapy is functioning as expected and not causing any unwanted side effects. It also gives us the opportunity to adjust the dosage if necessary.

At Catalyst Medical Group, our experienced healthcare providers make use of hormone therapy to treat patients with hormonal imbalances or disorders. Here’s how it can help:

● Manage menopausal symptoms: We effectively use hormone therapy to alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness that come with menopause. This method also helps in managing mood swings associated with this phase.

● Improve bone health and lower cancer risk: Our hormone therapy can boost estrogen levels, which can help maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. It also holds the potential to decrease the risk of colon cancer.

● Offer cardiovascular benefits: Some research indicates that hormone therapy may provide cardiovascular benefits. At our clinic, we monitor these potential benefits, including improved lipid profiles and blood pressure regulation.

● Aid in cancer treatment and gender transition: We use hormone therapy as a critical element in treating certain cancers like prostate and breast cancer by suppressing the growth of cancer cells. For transgender individuals, our hormone therapy aids in achieving the physical changes aligning with their gender identity.

Despite the benefits, we ensure our patients are aware of potential risks and side effects associated with hormone therapy:

● Increased risk of blood clots and stroke: Certain types of hormone therapy, especially those containing estrogen, may increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. This is particularly true for individuals with a history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

● Risk of certain cancers: Hormone therapy can potentially increase the risk of certain types of cancer, such as endometrial and breast cancer.

● Side effects: Side effects can include mood swings, weight gain, acne, bloating, nausea, and headaches.

● Potential fertility issues and irreversible changes: For transgender individuals, hormone therapy may lead to fertility issues and potentially cause irreversible physical changes.

Hormone therapy can significantly enhance your quality of life by addressing hormone imbalances with a personalized approach. This treatment helps improve energy levels, stabilize mood, promote better sleep, and support overall well-being. For expert guidance on hormone therapy, consult Dr. Padmini Bhadriraju, MD, and her trained staff at Catalyst Medical Group. To learn more or get started, contact us today or book an appointment online. For more details or to begin your wellness journey, contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at Edinburg and Mission, TX, offering exceptional care tailored to your needs. We serve patients from Edinburg TX, McAllen TX, San Juan TX, Alamo TX, Pharr TX, Palmhurst TX, Mission TX, Alton TX, and Palmview TX.