I Want My Sex Drive Back: Should I Consider Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Most people expect changes in their sex drive during their lifetime. After all, there’s a big difference between the raging hormones of puberty and the calmer waters of adulthood.
But it’s also common for libido to decline with age, and it can affect both men and women.
Why? Decreasing hormone production.
Board-certified physician Terry L. Franklin, MD, understands that everyone can experience hormone imbalances, not just those assigned female at birth. He also knows these imbalances become increasingly common with age as many hormones naturally decline.
If you want to reclaim your sex drive, here’s how hormone replacement therapy could help.
Hormones and libido
The human body has more than 50 identified hormones, but the ones you hear about the most involve sex drive, sexual development, and reproduction — testosterone and estrogen.
While several other factors play a role in a person’s libido, hormone levels are a good place to start when you feel your sex drive start to lag. That’s because your body begins producing fewer of these hormones with age, which is why people often associate this issue with aging.
But that doesn’t mean you should consider it your new normal.
Signs of a hormone imbalance
Loss of libido is just one sign of a hormone imbalance. In many cases, people experience additional symptoms, such as:
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Weight gain
- Loss of muscle strength and mass
- Loss of body hair
- Urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, or painful intercourse
- Fatigue, memory problems, or problems focusing
- Mood swings
Hormone loss can also increase your chances of bone loss, especially if you’re a woman.
Fortunately, Dr. Franklin can address all of these symptoms and even restore your sex drive, thanks to hormone replacement therapy.
How hormone replacement therapy works
As the name implies, hormone replacement therapy works to replace hormones you may be lacking.
There are numerous ways to do this, from oral medications to topical creams, but Dr. Franklin prefers bioidentical hormones (BioTE).
Unlike other hormone treatments, this method comes from natural plant-based substances sharing the same molecular structure as the hormones in your body.
As a result, they can correct your hormone imbalance with fewer side effects.
On top of that, Dr. Franklin inserts a precise dose of BioTE in the form of a pellet underneath your skin. This allows the small pellet to release a steady stream of hormones over the treatment period.
That means you don’t get the peaks and valleys you might experience with oral medications. Better yet? You don’t have to worry about taking a pill every day. Instead, Dr. Franklin simply reinserts a fresh dose every 3-6 months.
Finally, while testosterone and estrogen are common causes of hormone imbalance, they aren’t the only ones.
So Dr. Franklin determines the precise dose and treatment you need based on blood tests. Then he monitors your hormone levels regularly and adjusts your dosage as needed to provide the best results.
If you’re ready to reclaim your sex drive, Dr. Franklin can help you get results — and hormone replacement therapy could be the best place to start.
Do you need help with your libido? Schedule a consultation with Terry L. Franklin, MD, at his practice in downtown Monterey, California, today.