The male hormone replacement industry has been hit hard recently by continued scandal in professional sports. For companies that specialize in treating low testosterone and other male hormone deficiencies, having continued bad publicity in the media have made many men question what type of association they want to have with companies that provide hormone replacement therapy services.

Leaders in this industry have been answering customer calls about the safety of hormone treatment programs for years.
For purposes of this article treating men with hormone replacement therapy will be reserved to treating the cause of symptoms of andropause, also called “male menopause.” Below are symptoms commonly associated with andropause:
- Depression
- Sweating and hot flashes
- Decreased male sex drive and erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration and memory
- Muscle and joint aches
- Mood swings
If you believe you have andropause, you can confirm the potential diagnosis with a blood test.
For years the public has been aware of a menopause in women. It has only been in recent time the term “andropause” is beginning to get the full attention it deserves. The most common cause of andropause is low testosterone levels, which can be easily diagnosed with a blood test. Other symptoms of andropause are similar to a women’s menopause, which is a reason why andropause is sometimes called “male menopause.”

There are a lot of sources for treating the symptoms of andropause and among untrained professionals that do not work with andropause patients on a daily basis, they can at times, do more harm than good. It is very important that you find a qualified physician.
OTC (over the counter) remedies tend to be ineffective for men who are showing symptoms.

Your Family Doctor can Misdiagnose Andropause Symptoms:
It seems counterintuitive that your family doctor can do more harm than good, but it is true when it comes to diagnosing and treating the symptoms of andropause. He may try to treat your symptoms individually such as a prescription for erectile dysfunction, e.g, Viagra and another prescription for depression rather than correcting the cause — hormone deficiency such as testosterone and thyroid. Treating the cause will correct the symptoms .

Treat Andropause with Male Hormone Therapy:
Treating andropause with male hormone replacement therapy is safe when diagnosed properly and monitored regularly. Testosterone replacement in the form of testosterone creams and testosterone supplements is a safe method to treat the low testosterone deficiencies that are the source of andropause. Other treatments may include, thyroid, HGH (human growth hormone), an estrogen blocker and other supplements that are appropriate to your individualized plan.

What to look for in a Male Hormone Replacement Therapy Provider:

1. Look for a male hormone replacement therapy program that is tailored to your specific and individualized needs.
2. Ensure your hormone program is under the supervision of a physician that is trained in hormone deficiencies in men.
3. Monitoring of your hormone levels. The original test for andropause should only be the first in a series of tests. You will want to have your blood tested periodically to ensure the current program is optimized for your individual needs.
4. Experience. Be sure the entity with whom you work has a solid track record. If they are trying to sell you hormones — be careful. If they are telling you what they do and how it relates to you needs in an informational frame work — be hopeful and encouraged.

Shedding Some Light In Relation to Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many women during the times of pre- menopause, menopause and post- menopause, often use Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy to enhance hormone activity reduced when growing old and to diminish symptoms of hormone imbalance like hot flashes, night sweats, depression, mood swings, insomnia, vaginal dryness, low sex drive, exhaustion, memory loss and weakness.

This treatment has revealed various short- term benefits with few side effects and long- term ones like lower possibilities of osteoporosis, heart illnesses and several varieties of cancer- in individuals lacking past family accounts. Still, there is no clinical evidence about the efficiency or even advantages of the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy above a synthetic one. Numerous studies have proven the dangers synthetic therapy poses, then again the bioidentical one can be threatening too if undertaken by a person with breast, ovarian or uterine cancer family accounts, accounts of blood clots, gallbladder disease or cardiovascular illnesses.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy matches your functioning, consequently, your body is designed to usefully accept, take in, utilize and organize it, alleviating side effects. Judging that bioidentical hormones are better for your health than hormones that are foreign to your body’s operation, makes a lot of logic. Many doctors endorse and praise the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy based on their knowledge and private research with it as well as with synthetic hormone treatments. Still, there are several doctors that do not advice it due to the need of clinical studies and FDA controls.

This is a list of significant [facts|truths|realities}:- The FDA considers bioidentical hormones natural matter; these are personally adapted by compound pharmacies to match the person’s necessities, so it is not possible for the FDA to verify its wholesomeness, structure, power and effects. They aren’t FDA endorsed. - Compound pharmacies are lawful pharmaceutical companies and are approved, but not regulated, by the FDA. They customize mixtures to the person’s necessities. These pharmacies are an obstacle for the Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy due to the methods in which they mix and dispense hormones.

It is hard to confirm the potency, efficiency and wholesomeness of the medicine.- Bioidentical hormones can’t be patented due to their natural category; consequently, regular pharmaceutical companies don’t spend money to test its positive and negative effects when they will not be able to profit in exchange. - The lack of investigation can also be credited to the evidence that insurance companies generally do not cover protective medicine and in addition, the medical population is not educated the various alternatives on hand, the pharmaceutical industry is the principal advocate of educational reunions and discussions, they offer doctors appealing gifts to advertise their medicines.

It is the truth that we reside in a money driven culture where financial interests have a big influence in a lot of spheres of life, so facts have to be portrayed frankly. Every individual is unique. It is essential that anybody individually concerned with this mattertheme searches for detailed personal guidance- positive and negative- from a professional doctor prior to selecting a Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.Anyway, a healthy way of life, stable diet, regular exercise schedules and anxiety management methods ought to be your principal priority for a healthy lifestyle. www.kentonbruicemd.com/Stating-the-Truth-In-Relation to-Bioidentical-Hormone-Replacement-Therapy

It is generally agreed by many physicians that the primary reason for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is symptom relief from menopause, with less emphasis on using hormone therapy for disease prevention. It is important that the woman know all risks and benefits associated with HRT and reminded that the risk for breast cancer does increase naturally for all women as they age, as does the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis.

“Women with a uterus who are currently taking estrogen plus progestin should have a serious talk with their doctors to see if they should continue it. If they are taking this hormone combination for short-term relief of symptoms, it may be reasonable to continue, since the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks. Longer term use or use for disease prevention must be re-evaluated, given the multiple adverse effects noted in Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).”
One physician associated with the WHI says, “always cautions patients about the potential for increased breast cancer risks.

” First, she rules out women who are not candidates for HRT - those with bleeding problems of an unknown cause, suspected breast cancer or history of breast cancer, history of endometrial cancer or certain cancers of the uterus, chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis or a history of blood clots.
She further tells her patients who want to stop HRT that they can certainly quit anytime. First of all, with menopause, we’re not treating a disease, and stopping HRT has no major consequences, except perhaps a return of the original menopausal symptoms.

For both women who want to stop taking HRT and for women who choose not to start HRT, there are alternative therapies. For almost everyone, there are other treatment options. For instance, women they can reduce their risk of heart disease by stopping smoking and by keeping their weight, cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Prozac and some other antidepressants can relieve hot flashes. Prescription drugs such as Fosamax help protect against osteoporosis. Also, the drug Evista (raloxiphene HCI),

prevents osteoporosis and further claims to lower total cholesterol and prevent breast cancer. However, because women on Evista may experience more hot flashes, it raises questions about how that might affect the brain. Research now suggests a link between hot flashes and Alzheimer’s. Evista belongs to a class of drugs called SERMs, or Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators. A SERM being used in Europe Tibolone, may be more effective without the side effects found in Evista.

A recent study, called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), found that risks outweigh benefits. The WHI found that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs caused increases in breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. The risk to an individual woman may be small, but the number of cases occurring in the population at large is significant. The study concludes that the risks outweigh the drugs’ actual benefits.
Benefits include a small decrease in hip fractures and a decrease in cases of colorectal cancer. The WHI study was released four years earlier than expected because of researchers’ concerns.

The WHI was established in 1991 by the government to address the most common causes of death, disability and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women. It is the first-ever long-term randomized controlled clinical trial (considered the gold standard by medical researchers) of hormone replacement therapy.
The Women’s Health Initiative is a 15-year multimillion-dollar endeavor, and one of the largest US prevention studies of its kind. The study was designed to look at the effects not only of HRT, but also diet modification and vitamin and mineral supplements. Some 67,000 women from across the country, ranging in age from 50 to 79, are participating in the WHI clinical trials. In addition to those women, the study is also following the medical history and health habits of an additional 100,000 women to examine the relationship between lifestyle, health and risk factors with specific disease outcomes. Final results are due out in 2006.
One researcher states, “The breast cancer risks for women on the combined estrogen-progestin therapy are similar to risks that have been found in other studies,” although the cardiovascular findings were not anticipated. “A decreased risk of coronary heart disease had been hypothesized for women on active hormone therapy, so the finding of slightly greater risks for women on the active hormone therapy was unexpected.” In summary, the health risks for women taking combined estrogen plus progestin therapy were found to outweigh the benefits. The trial was actually stopped due to the risk-benefit ratio, as indicated by a global indicator of overall risk, which was unfavorable and the breast cancer risks crossed what were predetermined safety boundaries.”
Actually, early problems associated with heart disease and strokes were suggested several years ago, whereupon women in the study were informed about previous studies. The breast cancer risks have also been suspect. The magnitude and numbers of risk seem to be the same today as they were then.”
It is true that the risk is relatively small for individual women, and the WHI results tell us that during one year among 10,000 postmenopausal women with a uterus, (as opposed to those who have had their uterus removed) and who are taking estrogen plus progestin, eight more will have a stroke, and 18 more will have blood clots, including eight with blood clots in the lungs, than will a similar group of 10,000 women not taking these hormones. This is a relatively small annual increase in risk for an individual woman,” said the acting director of the WHI.
Update: the WHI has now continued with the estrogen-only portion of the study. Scientists have known that progestin can act to influence breast growth and development while reducing the risk of uterine cancer. Actually, an article in the January 26, 2000 Journal of the American Medical Association reported that researchers at the National Cancer Institute had found that women who are current or recent users of combined estrogen and progestin had a higher relative risk of breast cancer than women who only take estrogen.
Although these early findings from the WHI raise some cautions and pose some questions, “The most important thing about what we know is that women need to understand the risks and benefits so they can make informed choices. Advice: talk to your physician or health care provider.

Whenever you have to go to the doctor, you will probably not know quite what to expect, especially if you are going to the doctor because you think that you might have a health issue or are experiencing a health issue that you have never had before. Hopefully you will feel comfortable when meeting with your doctor because this can ease a lot of the stress that you may be feeling and they will likely keep you informed throughout the diagnosis process to also keep you feeling more at ease.

When your doctor does diagnose you and determines that you need to have bio-identical hormone replacement, you might be wondering what exactly it is and what you can expect during the treatment process.Many people feel that bio-identical hormone replacement is better than the synthetic type of treatment because it actually uses hormones that are the same as the ones that your body naturally produces. Some people feel that this poses less health risks because it is so close to what your body makes naturally.

If you do have to undergo bio-identical hormone replacement, your doctor will probably first tell you why they have chosen this type of treatment and will also discuss the risks and benefits involved in the process. It will then be up to you to decide whether or not to move forward with the treatment. If you are having trouble making the decision, it might help to hear the stories of others that have gone through the treatment and see what they have to say about it. This way you can see that it has worked well for others and that they came away from the experience as healthy individuals.

All in all, there are many things to think about, but the decision is yours, so take your time and make the best one for your health.

Menopause is considered to be one of the greatest physical milestones within a woman’s life. However, during and after the cycle many women turn to help in order to reduce the symptoms that are caused by menopause and this help usually comes in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

HRT has been and most likely remains the most popular and common way helping women through menopause. It works by replacing the estrogen that is lost when the ovaries stop producing it. By doing this, it means symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings that are associated with menopause start to develop. Millions of women throughout the world take this prescribed drug; it is an appropriate choice for some women but not all and, despite all of the positive effects this drug can have, it is shrouded in controversy.

HRT has been linked with heart disease and cancer and, more recently, memory loss and dementia. These are some of the main reasons that a lot of women are now looking into alternatives to help them cope with the symptoms and the stages involved in what has become known as ‘the change of life.’

Natural hormone replacement therapy is becoming a highly popular choice with many women who have lost faith in other drugs or who see it as being a generally healthier choice. This form of therapy usually contains plant estrogens, which are called phytoestrogens and you’ll be glad to know they have the power to take the strain out of the symptoms associated with menopause almost as well as HRT does.

A lot of women are sometimes put off by aspects associated with natural supplements as they think that they are all hype but no pay-off. Well, this is definitely not true for natural hormone replacement therapy; just take a look at the two examples below:

Black Cohosh

This is an extract of a plant and is one of the most popular herbal remedies for menopause symptoms. It is something that has been used for centuries to help with conditions that affect a woman’s reproductive organs, which includes menstrual problems, an inflammation of the ovaries, and relief from labor pain.

It is the root of the plant that is used; this is because the root is said to have estrogenic properties. It provides sterols, which is the beginning for steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Wild Yam

When research has been conducted about this, it has indicated that it is a powerful alternative medicine that contains many steroidal saponins that are widely used to manufacture progesterone. It is also a powerful estrogenic herb that is used by women around the world thanks to its anti-inflammatory action that can provide relief from menopausal arthritis as well as other menopause symptoms. It is often used as a way of helping cope with hot flashes, night sweats, and mood changes, as well as vaginal dryness.

There is a number of natural hormone replacement therapy treatments on the market today, all of which are extremely capable of helping to soothe symptoms connected to the menopausal cycle. They give you just that extra little bit of help you need so, if you do find yourself struggling with night sweats or finding it hard to cope with hot flashes, then give them a try.

Aging is difficult enough for women without having to endure declining hormone levels and hormonal imbalance symptoms. Women often complain of a diminished sense of wellbeing, hot flashes, menopause symptoms, chronic fatigue and a loss of libido just to mention a few hormone imbalance symptoms.
For many women there is a tremendous void in treatment of menopausal symptoms. Hot flashes, mood swings and low or no sex drive are just the tip of the iceberg. Some earlier hormone imbalance symptoms of estrogen deficiency are frequent waking at night. Many others are present, including mental fogginess.
A woman’s short-term memory retention may be dwindling and her concentration and focus is not as good as it used to be. Frequently, women may experience some loss of energy to the point that they actually slide into symptoms of chronic fatigue.
In addition, women may experience some mood swings and irritability, and at the extreme may actually develop feelings of depression. With the loss of energy and chronic fatigue, females find themselves unable to exercise as much as in the past, or to recover as quickly when exercising.
Women often find themselves increasing weight gain in spite of attempts at exercising. One hormone imbalance symptom that is not frequently discussed is the loss of sex drive and diminished libido. Not only is energy level and sense of wellbeing diminished, but anticipation and enjoyment of sexual activity is waning as well.
All of these symptoms are the result of a deficiency state, not a normal aging process. Restoring your normal balance of hormones will go a long way toward making you feel like a younger, healthier, happier woman again.
10 Self Questions to determine if you may have Hormonal Imbalance:
1. Do you have hot flashes?
2. Do you have a lack of energy?
3. Do you have restless sleep or sleep disturbances?
4. Do you have a diminished sex drive?
5. Have you noticed a decreased enjoyment of life?
6. Are you moody or easily irritated?
7. Do you have difficulty concentrating, or have short-term memory loss?
8. Have you noticed muscle loss?
9. Do you feel fatigued often?
10. Do you have bladder leakage?
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement therapy increases female and male libido, decreases menopause, increases weight loss and more with an anti-aging hormone imbalance health procedure. Bioidentical hormone is the chemical makeup of the replacement hormone and is exactly the same hormone that the human body produces.

Everyone has different genetic make ups and therefore everyone has different health issues. Some people are lucky enough to go through their lives without having one health issue, or only having minor problems while others seem to be in and out of treatment for most of their lives. No matter which type of person you are, when you do need medical treatment, you might be feeling scared that you will not find the right treatment to fix the problem that you are experiencing. However, if you are working with an experienced doctor, they will likely be able to find a treatment that will get you on the road to recoveryIf your doctor has told you that you need to have bio-identical hormone replacement you might have not heard of this type of treatment before and may be wondering if it is for everyone, or if yours is a rare case. The fact is that this type of treatment is actually used for many different purposes and can be used in both men and women.Bio-identical hormone replacement has been known to be used for such things has easing the effects of menopause as well in testosterone treatments in men. You might even have a unique case where this type of treatment is not often.Of course, bio-identical hormone replacement will not be the right option for everyone and it really depends on what type of health issue or period in your life that you are going through to determine is this is the right option for you. You doctor will likely make this decision based on a variety of factors that they will discuss with you before moving forward with treatment. If you have any questions along the way, do not hesitate to ask your doctor so that you will not be left feeling in the dark and worried about that is going to happen throughout the treatment process.Everyone has different genetic make ups and therefore everyone has different health issues. Some people are lucky enough to go through their lives without having one health issue, or only having minor problems while others seem to be in and out of treatment for most of their lives. No matter which type of person you are, when you do need medical treatment, you might be feeling scared that you will not find the right treatment to fix the problem that you are experiencing. However, if you are working with an experienced doctor, they will likely be able to find a treatment that will get you on the road to recoveryIf your doctor has told you that you need to have bio-identical hormone replacement you might have not heard of this type of treatment before and may be wondering if it is for everyone, or if yours is a rare case. The fact is that this type of treatment is actually used for many different purposes and can be used in both men and women.Bio-identical hormone replacement has been known to be used for such things has easing the effects of menopause as well in testosterone treatments in men. You might even have a unique case where this type of treatment is not often.Of course, bio-identical hormone replacement will not be the right option for everyone and it really depends on what type of health issue or period in your life that you are going through to determine is this is the right option for you. You doctor will likely make this decision based on a variety of factors that they will discuss with you before moving forward with treatment. If you have any questions along the way, do not hesitate to ask your doctor so that you will not be left feeling in the dark and worried about that is going to happen throughout the treatment process.

A circadian clock is in every cell of the body, measuring one spin of the planet. From bacteria to blue whales, to humans, the whole universe is all about timing. The moon provides more light when it is full and when the new moon ends, every twenty-eight days females bleed with what has come to be known as their period.

Researching for her book, “Sex, Lies, and Menopause: The Shocking Truth About Synthetic Hormones and the Benefits of Natural Alternatives.S. Wiley asked a question… What if hormone replacement therapy was made of real bio-identical hormones, dosed like the ups and downs of the hormone blood levels in the menstrual cycle of a 20 year-old woman, would the disease states of aging and symptoms decline?

It was an interesting thought, and to the surprise of many, the logic makes sense. Perhaps it was the rhythm that was always missing in other hormone replacement regimens. Here’s why. Natural hormones are not bio-identical hormones unless a person’s body can recognize them as hormones. Natural hormones are not considered replacement unless you really replace what has been lost. A natural hormone can’t be bio-identical unless it replaces precisely the “natural” rhythmic levels of someone’s own estrogen and progesterone.

Doctors who want to prescribe natural hormones but who aren’t familiar with the fact that hormones should mimic natural hormone rhythms will merely prescribe natural hormones in the same way they prescribe synthetics. The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) has already found that standard to be dangerous. What if it is not just the synthetic hormone molecules that are not safe? What if it’s really the missing rhythm that matters?

All this research led to the development of a product that thousands of women are now taking. Funding for research is on the way. This multi-phasic physiologic dosing will be part of a new study called Bioidentical Hormones On Trial, or B.H.O.T., a comparison of patterns of administration and dosing of compounded bio-identical hormone therapy (BHT). It will be the first study of its kind to track and quantify outcomes based on dosing and patterns of administration of BHT. The principal objective of the study will be to examine clinical outcomes and quality of life indicators of patients receiving BHT at 10 to 12 primary care provider’s practices.

Wiley Protocol user, Caren, said this: “At the time I heard about this new protocol I was just 52, still cycling with horrendous cramps and hemmoraghing type periods. I had not slept in seven years and had gained 50 pounds since peri-menopause. I was emotionally crazed times and my knees hurt so bad that I couldn’t kneel. I was taking what’s known as homeopathic hormone creams. uly amazing resource. Susie and I talked in depth, I went to my doctor, and apparently my symptoms during my periods were that of fibroids. I started the Wiley Protocol in January of 2004, and 28 days later, I had my first “normal” period in many years. There were no more cramps, and I felt emotionally more stable, less weepy, plus I started sleeping through the night. Then my knees stopped hurting and I have since lost the weight. It has been four years and the fibroids are gone.”

There are hundreds of women who can say this now about their experiences on this protocol.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an appropriate choice for some, but not all, women. On the benefit side, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) relieves hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and it may improve sleep, mood, and concentration. But there are also risks with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including higher rates of breast cancer, stroke, blood clots in the legs and lungs, and (for older women) coronary heart disease. Moderate to severe symptoms, which affect about one in five newly menopausal women, are the only compelling reason to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Evidence indicates that a woman’s age and time since menopause (on average at the age of 51 in the US), along with her personal health status, influence the risk-benefit balance. The best candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a younger, recently menopausal woman, one whose final menstrual period occurred less than five years earlier, who isn’t at high risk of heart disease, stroke, or blood clots.

To minimize risks, take the lowest dose of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) needed to make your hot flashes or night sweats tolerable. Low-dose preparations often provide relief comparable to standard-dose preparations. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is best used for only 2-3 years and generally no more than 5 years. Hot flashes and night sweats often peak in the first few years after the final menstrual period and then taper off, so most women won’t need hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for long-term relief.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is not the only way to cool hot flashes. Layered clothing, portable fans, exercise, and paced respiration or other relaxation techniques can be very helpful, as can avoiding cigarettes, caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Alternatives to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are soy, some botanicals, certain antidepressants, and the antiseizure medication gabapentin may be beneficial for some women. All women should try at least some of these strategies before considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has long been the medical standard, however, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is now questionable to side effects.

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