Natural Health
The Importance of Continued Hormone Replacement Therapy
By Rodolfo Dragone, RPh
Mar 18, 2008

It is a well-documented phenomenon that hormones decline as we age. For women, rapid progesterone, estrogen and testosterone loss typically occurs during her 40s and 50s . For men, testosterone loss commonly begins in his 30s and gradually declines. For both sexes, a host of symptoms often arise as a result.

Most women will experience varying degrees of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood changes and/or decreased sex drive. Men often times experience low energy/vitality, poor sexual function and decreased libido. All of these symptoms can be addressed using natural hormone therapy. However, a lot of people wonder how long to stay on therapy. They often ask, “Once my symptoms go away, how long do I need to continue?”

The answer to this question can vary on an individual basis and a discussion with your prescribing physician is necessary. Your personal and family history needs to be reviewed as well as the degree of positive effect that hormone therapy is having on your individual health.

Having said that, we can also acknowledge that a discontinuation of therapy will eventually result in pre-therapy hormone levels and may be accompanied by a return of symptoms. Long-term risks of low hormone levels may include bone loss/osteoporosis, heart disease and Alzheimer’s which is why some medical professionals utilize natural hormone therapy from an anti-aging perspective. The use of low dose maintenance natural hormone therapy is commonplace amongst major anti-aging clinics across the country and may prove to be effective in maintaining and enhancing your individual health and longevity.

Here is what experts in the field have to say about natural hormone therapy:

“I think we need to replace things in our bodies the minute we lose something. Do you think that the minute you don't see well you should start to wear glasses, or wait to go blind before doing something about it? I think hormones are part of a system that gives us life, brains, mood, motivation, sensuality, sexuality, physical and mental energy, and the wish to grow, learn and excel. Hormones are not in our body by mistake. And they're not in our bodies for just 20 or 30 years. They're there to allow us to function well and enjoy the universe given to us.”
Dr. Uzzi Reiss, M.D.
OB-GYN, Author of “Natural Hormone Balance for Women"

“We know that Estrogen affects over 300 tissue systems. Estrogen helps maintain temperature regulation, appetite, hair, skin, bones, mood - and many other systems. So prescribing Estrogen is not just for hot flashes and vaginal dryness. Progesterone acts as a natural antidepressant, promotes diuresis, aids thyroid action, stabilizes blood sugar and appetite, maintains the lining of the uterus, normalizes blood clotting, normalizes zinc and copper levels, builds bone, and promotes fat burning. Progesterone is needed even if you no longer have a uterus. Both Estrogen and Progesterone assist in restoring libido.”
Dr. Roberta Foss-Morgan, D.O.
Morgan Medical Centre of Integrative Medicine

“Hormones do not decline because we age - rather we age because our hormones decline. BHRT is not the secret to the fountain of youth; it is the secret to the fountain of youthfulness.”
Menopause Clinics of America

If you are not already on a natural hormone replacement program, please consider contacting your doctor to get tested. If you have been not feeling yourself, this could be what it takes to finally return to yourself.