When we grow old the blood levels of certain hormones go down. They are something tantamount to the vitamins that are essential for the function of the body. While later is supplied from outside the body, the former is produced within the body itself. How the replacement of theses hormones enable us to live long. Read more.This article covers

• Hormone replacement therapy
• Alternatives for hormone replacement therapy
• Cost of hormone replacement therapy
• Types of hormonal replacement therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is used for treat symptoms associated with conditions in which the blood levels of certain hormones go down either due to diseases or due to aging. The natural hormone replacement therapy is better option for this treatment when compared to the synthetic therapy. There are a few alternatives for hormone replacement therapy which though are effective are generally preferred as second line treatment to the hormone replacement therapy.

Hormones are chemical substances secreted by special organs called the endocrine organs. These substances are akin to vitamins. The difference between the two is that vitamins are to be supplied from outside whereas hormones are secreted inside the body. Both these are required in minute quantities to carry out various important physiological functions of the body. Some of the endocrine organs and the important hormones secreted by them are

• Pituitary Gland – Growth hormone
• Prolactin
• Oxytocin
• Adreno corticotrophic releasing hormone
• Pineal Gland - Melatonin
• Thyroid Gland – Thyroxin
• Pancreas – Insulin
• Testis - Testosterone
• Ovaries - Estrogen
• Adrenal Gland - Cortisol
• Adrenaline
• Aldosterone

All the hormones are secreted from birth, though the secretion of sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are more after puberty. The blood levels of the hormones keep fluctuating according to the needs of the body. For example the blood levels of the hormone estrogen is more during the first half of the menstrual cycle whereas the blood levels of progesterone is more during the second half of it.

The secretion and the blood levels of the sex hormones stop abruptly. In women the secretion of estrogen and progesterone secretion stop abruptly at menopause. The secretion of other hormones and their blood levels gradually decline over a period of time.

As hormones are required for normal body functions, a decline in their blood levels produce different symptoms. For example, the decrease in the female sex hormones after menopause produces symptoms like

• Hot flushes
• Night Sweats
• Palpitations
• Thin Skin
• Vaginal Dryness
• Vaginal bleeding
• Depression
• Irritability
• Decreased sexual desire

These symptoms can be alleviated if the sex hormones are supplemented. The basis of natural hormonal replacement therapy is to supplement the body with the hormones, which are deficient so that normal bodily functions can be carried out as before and thus relieve the symptoms of deficiency.

The concept of hormone replacement therapy started way back in 1960 when estrogen replacement therapy was used in menopausal women for the relief of symptoms like hot flushes and night sweats. Estrogen was synthesized artificially and supplemented and it was found to be very effective.

Over the next decade it was found out the women who underwent hormone replacement therapy were looking young physically and physiologically. So the concept of feminine forever by undergoing hormone replacement therapy using estrogen was popularized.

But the popularity was short-lived as the hormone as the women who underwent hormone replacement therapy with synthetic estrogen started developing a number of serious side effects like

• Cancer of breast
• Cancer of endometrium
• Heart diseases
• Clotting of blood inside the blood vessels

Extensive researches were done to find alternatives for hormone replacement therapy and the following were found to be a few options.

• Natural hormone replacement therapy
• Herbal treatment
• Lifestyle changes including good nutrition and stress relief management

Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy

It is also called “Bio – identical hormone replacement therapy”. This therapy is devoid of all the side effects produced by the synthetic hormone replacement therapy. Chemical substances similar to hormones are extracted from soy and yam and are subjected to chemical processes to convert them in to substances very identical to hormones naturally secreted in the body. These hormones are called “bio – identical hormones” and these if used are devoid of side effects of the synthetic counterpart.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Age Reversal

Growth Hormone decreases the fat and increases the muscle. This increases the sense of well being. However, whether it increases the life span is not clear. Testosterone and DHEA increase the stamina and the sexual desire. Again, its role in increasing the life span is questioned by many. Estrogen and progesterone improves the physical appearance and makes one look young. But it does not increase the life span. Melatonin has been proved to increase the lifespan of rats by 20%. But there are no such evidences in humans.

Cost of Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy is a generic term and it covers different types. Hormone replacement therapy currently is used for three purposes.

• In post menopausal women for relief of menopausal symptoms
• As an anti aging measure and to increase the longevity
• To treat a few types of cancer

For anti aging treatment, hormones like Growth hormone, Melatonin, female and male sex hormones are used. For the other two, the sex hormones androgens, estrogens and progesterone are used. The approximate costs of each type of treatment are

Human growth Hormone therapy

It costs approximately $15000 per year. Therapy is possible only with a doctor’s prescription.

Estrogen Replacement Therapy

It costs approximately $30 per month. Over the counter drugs available.

Progesterone Replacement therapy

It costs approximately $25 per month.

Testosterone Replacement therapy

It costs approximately $250 per patient that includes $33 for the pellet to be implanted and $200 for the procedure.

Melatonin replacement therapy

100 tablets of melatonin of 1.5 mg strength costs about $10. The tablet has to be taken once in the night. So it costs $10 for 100 days.

Continue to : Types of Hormonal Replacement Therapy