Find Out The Benefits For Women Taking HRT and Testosterone – Book A Consultation With The Menopause Specialists at CJA Balance
Many women will be familiar with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) but may not realise that boosting their testosterone levels can also have beneficial effects.
As they age, women reach a point of diminishing fertility and produce less oestrogen, progesterone and, to a certain, degree, testosterone.This process is known as the menopause and usually starts when a women reaches her late 40s or early 50s.
Very often, women also experience some unpleasant symptoms as they go through the menopause. These might include hot flushes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex, difficulty sleeping and low mood or anxiety.
Women with low testosterone levels may also experience weight gain and a sluggish metabolism, loss of lean muscle, weakened bones, declining memory and impaired cognitive functions, thinning hair or hair loss, decreased sexual libido and desire.
The GMC-qualified doctors at CJA Balance can help balance your hormone levels to reduce these symptoms.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone Replacement Therapy replaces the lower levels of hormones in your body and the two main hormones used in HRT are oestrogen and progestogen.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be prescribed either combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen) or just take oestrogen-only HRT. Women who do not have a womb (i.e. those who have undergone a hysterectomy) can take oestrogen-only HRT, while women who still have a womb will be prescribed combined HRT.
HRT Treatments
There are several different HRT treatment options and your CJA Balance doctor will be happy to discuss the options with you during your in-depth consultation. Treatment options include:
HRT Tablets: Oestrogen-only and combined HRT are available as tablets which are usually taken once a day. The risk of blood clots is higher with tablets than with other forms of HRT (although the overall risk is still small).
HRT Skin Patches: Oestrogen-only and combined HRT skin patches stick to your skin and are replaced every few days.
HRT Oestrogen Gel: Oestrogen gel is rubbed onto your skin once a day. If you still have your womb, you’ll need to take some form of progestogen separately to reduce your risk of womb cancer.
HRT Implants: HRT implants are small pellets that are inserted under your skin (usually in the tummy or hip area) after your skin has been numbed with local anaesthetic. The implant releases oestrogen gradually and lasts for four to six months before needing to be replaced. If you still have your womb, you’ll need to take progestogen separately.
Please speak to your CJA Balance doctor if you are taking HRT or are considering taking it and have any questions or concerns.
Women With Low Testosterone & Low Sexual Libido
Women have much lower levels of testosterone in their bodies than men and these levels often fall during and after the menopause.
Testosterone plays an important role in promoting lean muscle mass and strength, improving bone density and raising a woman’s sex drive or libido. It has also been seen to improve sleep qualify, mental functions, positive mood and metabolism.
A simple blood test from CJA Balance can help to identify whether you have lower than normal testosterone levels. We will also offer a detailed consultation to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment for you. Find out more about our at-home blood tests at CJA Balance here.
Depending on the outcome of your consultation and any blood test results, CJA Balance may prescribe Testosterone & Oestrogen to help menopausal and post-menopausal women. Testosterone gel can be rubbed daily onto your skin and is used alongside HRT. It is also available as testosterone pellets which are implanted under the skin to give a steady and even release of testosterone lasting four to six months.
