Hormone imbalances impact both men and women, but the way these symptoms manifest is quite different. For women, perimenopause and menopause bring on sudden, often dramatic changes in hormone levels, while men experience a slow, steady decline. These differences shape the way we treat hormone imbalances in each gender.
For women, the years leading up to and after menopause can feel like a rollercoaster of hormonal changes. During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate significantly, causing mood swings, night sweats, and changes in energy. Even when a woman transitions into full menopause, hormone levels can continue to vary.
The key to managing these symptoms is careful monitoring and adjustment. In women, it’s often not just estrogen that drops—progesterone and testosterone also decline, affecting everything from sleep to libido. I typically start hormone therapy at a low dose, gradually adjusting as needed, based on the woman’s unique hormone levels and how her symptoms evolve.
While women often know something is off due to the erratic nature of their hormone fluctuations, men experience a much slower decline. Testosterone levels in men decrease gradually over time, leading to a host of symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and reduced motivation.
What’s interesting is that men often don’t realize they’re experiencing a hormone imbalance until someone—like their spouse—notices. It’s common for men to say they haven’t felt like themselves for years but didn’t know why.
The key to treating hormone imbalances lies in understanding the differences in how men and women experience these changes. For women, hormone therapy often requires frequent adjustments as hormone levels fluctuate. I typically start with a lower dosage and monitor closely, adjusting treatment as needed based on how the body responds. The goal is to create a balance without overcorrecting, which can be tricky when hormone levels shift from month to month.
For men, treatment is generally more straightforward. Testosterone replacement therapy helps restore energy, vitality, and mood by replenishing levels that have steadily declined over the years. The results are often subtle at first, but over time, men find they regain their drive and feel more like their old selves.
Hormone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s why it’s essential to understand the unique challenges men and women face as their hormone levels change. Whether it’s a rollercoaster of fluctuations in women or the slow fade in men, customized hormone therapy can help restore balance and improve quality of life for both.
Our office is conveniently located just east of I-75 on SR 70 in Bradenton and proudly serves the Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Sarasota, and Parrish communities.
