What are the main risk factors for hormone dysfunction?
Major risk factors include aging, excess body weight, chronic stress, inflammation and some medical conditions. Lifestyle habits like smoking, inadequate fitness and poor sleep also correlate strongly with hormonal issues.
Are there side effects I should look out for?
There can be minor side effects at the beginning while the body adjusts to treatment including headache, fluid retention or irritability. These normally resolve within weeks. Follow your physician's monitoring plan to avoid long term complications.
Is hormone therapy safe?
There are always risks and benefits to any medical therapy. However, high quality research indicates hormone replacement is safe and effective when properly dosed and monitored under a doctor's care. Our goal is balancing hormones for optimal function within normal healthy ranges.
What results can I realistically expect?
Most patients report increased energy, more productive workouts, better sleep quality, elevated mood and reduced pain when completing a comprehensive program. You should also see improvements in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body composition over 6 months.
How quickly will I feel changes once I start therapy?
Some positive effects should become noticeable within the first 1-2 months but maximum benefits normally take 6 months for full hormone restoration. This allows time for your body to re-acclimate hormonal pathways to more optimal levels. Expect gradual improvements.
Will I have to continue hormone therapy forever?
Not necessarily. We have helped many patients improve lifestyle habits enough over 12-24 months to reduce treatment frequency and dosage or transition off entirely. However, some may require lifelong optimization, especially women post-menopause. We monitor this closely.