Hormone Replacement Therapy
HRT, or hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment that involves the monitoring of patients’ hormonal health and administering hormones to correct imbalances. Bioidentical hormones are not naturally produced in the body, but the body will recognize them and process them in the same manner, since their molecular structures are identical.
As we age, our bodies undergo significant changes in hormone production, which can lead to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms and health concerns. These vital components in your body have many purposes, serving to regulate various physiological functions and even affecting aspects of our mental health. While there are many signs that point to an imbalance, they are not always easy to spot without a comprehensive medical evaluation.
At New You Cosmetic Centres, we help patients achieve optimal wellness from the inside out through HRT. If you suspect that your symptoms are related to a hormone deficiency or disorder, our highly experienced team can help you find a solution. Please reach out to one of our Ontario locations closest to you, and we will help with scheduling your free consultation appointment:
You can also request an HRT consultation using our contact page, and a staff member will get back to you as soon as possible.
Contents
Signs of a Hormone Disorder
Hormones have an enormous impact on our behavior, moods, and energy levels. One of the most significant changes in a woman’s life is menopause, a time when menstruation stops occurring. During this transitional time period that takes place over several years, women experience a reduction in estrogen and progesterone levels. Men can go through a similar, yet less dramatic change during this life phase- andropause. Research shows that testosterone levels decrease about 0.8% to 2% every year after a man reaches middle age. (1) Both sexes experience many of the same symptoms when it comes to losing their youthful vitality. As these changes continue to occur, people may experience:
- Reduction or loss of sex drive
- Lower energy levels
- Insomnia
- Mood swings
- Cognitive issues/ memory problems
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Loss of muscle mass
- Loss of bone density
Women, in particular, experience more hot flashes, less vaginal lubrication, and loss of breast volume. Men, on the other hand, have a higher likelihood of developing erectile dysfunction and may gain fat in their midsection or chest. Though these symptoms and signs are common, there are now treatment options available that can make the aging process easier.
Candidates for HRT
In order to qualify for a customized HRT treatment, you must have a diagnosable condition that affects your hormone levels. Sometime prior to your first treatment, we must verify an identifiable condition through a blood test or series of blood tests. If you have a medical history of andropause or menopause symptoms negatively affecting your everyday functioning and quality of life, we will consider you for HRT.
Personal Consultation
We understand the unique needs of each patient and take a personalized approach to HRT. Through a thorough evaluation and comprehensive consultation, we will assess your hormone levels and design a tailored treatment plan to address your specific concerns. Our prescriptions of bioidentical hormones are identical in molecular structure to the hormones naturally produced by the body. These bioidentical hormones have been shown to effectively alleviate symptoms and restore hormonal balance with minimal side effects.
Treatment Options
HRT for Women
New You prescribes varying amounts of estrogen and progesterone to women who are experiencing the effects of this reduction in female sex hormones. Estrogen has been shown to help prevent bone loss and the onset of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. (2) Recent studies support the use of a combination of estrogen and progestin- the hormone that imitates progesterone- as an effective treatment for hot flashes. (3) One or both of these hormones can be administered as a gel, pill, cream, injection, or pellet; a pellet is a subcutaneous implant that is only a fraction of an inch.
To insert the pellet, a provider from New You will inject a local anesthetic into the buttock or hip and load the pellet into a device. Next, they will use the device to insert it. To close it up, they apply surgical tape; no sutures are required. While there might be some swelling at the incision site, it will subside within a couple of days. Pellets have unique dosages that serve to benefit your body’s needs, and your body will naturally take and utilize the hormones it needs over the course of 3 to 5 months.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)
When implemented correctly, testosterone replacement therapy can help both men and women gain lean muscle, improve sexual functioning, and promote bone density. (1) This hormone can be prescribed as an injection, tablet, gel, pellet, or patch. A testosterone patch is a sticker that is placed topically onto the skin where it administers a low dosage of the hormone over the course of 24 hours. Patients using testosterone patches will have to place a new patch every day.
Benefits of HRT
Correcting hormonal deficiencies can make extraordinary changes to your life and overall functioning. After finding the right dosage that works for you, you can expect:
- Improvements in fitness
- Feelings of well-being and vitality
- Decrease in perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms
- Memory and cognitive improvements
- Increased bone density
- Decreased body fat
- Optimal sexual performance and arousal
- More quality sleep
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
PRP
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a concentrated substance taken from your own blood and transferred via injection for several purposes. Your blood is made up of 3 main components: red blood cells, white blood cells, and plasma. Once your blood is drawn, we will process it and isolate plasma, a substance mostly made of proteins and various growth factors– molecules that stimulate specific growth processes. The healing abilities of your own blood can be utilized to help you in several ways as you go through the aging process. Specialized growth factors in PRP can be used to treat hair loss, rejuvenate skin, mitigate joint pain, or even improve sexual response.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist, a type of medication that imitates the GLP hormone, the substance that regulates insulin levels in the bloodstream. It functions as both a weight loss medication and a supplementary treatment for type 2 diabetics who struggle to make insulin. Since insulin plays a huge role in metabolism by breaking down glucose, or sugar, in food, it also significantly impacts appetite. The increased levels of insulin caused by semaglutide effectively reduce your cravings, making it much easier to shed excess weight. It can be an incredibly useful tool for those who have gained weight as a result of menopause or andropause.
Cost of HRT in Toronto
The cost of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) will vary depending on the specific treatment plan tailored to each individual patient. The cost of your treatment will be determined based on factors such as the type of therapy chosen, the duration of treatment, and any additional services required. We provide in-house financing to make our treatments and procedures as affordable as possible.
At New You Cosmetic Centres, we believe in transparency and ensuring our patients have a clear understanding of the costs involved. As such, following your consultation, you will be provided with a detailed and accurate estimate for the price of your HRT. Get started today by calling one of our 8 locations throughout Ontario or requesting a free appointment using our contact page. We can’t wait to help you feel like your best self.
To see if you may qualify for HRT treatment, call one of our offices located throughout Ontario:
FAQ
After you receive a local anesthetic, the insertion of a pellet is a comfortable procedure. HRT pellets are about the size of a rice grain, so you will not feel it under your skin post-procedure.
Pellets are meant to stay in your body for 3 to 6 months, then dissolve completely, so there is no removal procedure involved.
People with diagnosable hormonal deficiencies or disorders can receive HRT. Those with symptoms related to andropause or menopause may benefit from HRT, but their symptoms must be confirmed through a blood test.
HRT involves the use of bioidentical hormones, so their molecular structure is the exact same as naturally occurring hormones. Over-the-counter “hormones” are not regulated by the FDA. These supplements often contain various herbal ingredients and compounds that may or may not support hormonal health.
References
- Yeap BB, Almeida OP, HydeZ, et al. In men older than 70 years, total testosterone remains stable while free testosterone declines with age. The Health in Men Study. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2007;156(5):585-594. doi:https://doi.org/10.1530/eje-06-0714
- Delgado BJ, Lopez-Ojeda W. Estrogen. PubMed. Published 2023. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538260/#:~:text=Mechanism%20of%20Action
- Hipolito Rodrigues MA, Gompel A. Micronized progesterone, progestins, and menopause hormone therapy. Women & Health. 2020;61(1):3-14. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03630242.2020.1824956
