What is hormone decline?
Hormone decline refers to the gradual decrease in hormone levels that occurs as we age. Some of the main hormones that decline are:
- Testosterone - Testosterone levels start dropping after age 30 by about 1% per year. Low testosterone in men can cause low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle mass, weight gain, mood changes, and low energy.
- Estrogen - Estrogen levels dramatically drop during perimenopause and menopause in women, usually in their late 40s or early 50s. This leads to symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes.
- GH (Growth Hormone) - GH production declines steadily from early adulthood onward. Low GH can negatively impact muscle mass, bone density, cholesterol levels, and heart function.
- Thyroid hormones - Thyroid hormone imbalance becomes more common with age, negatively affecting metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and weight.
Why does hormone decline happen?
Hormone decline is a natural result of aging. As we get older, our glands and organs produce lower levels of key hormones like testosterone, estrogen, and growth hormone. Some reasons this happens include:
- Changes in pituitary gland and hypothalamus function
- Decreased responsiveness of target tissues to hormones
- Lifestyle factors like sleep deprivation, stress, obesity, etc.
Managing hormone decline
If you're experiencing unpleasant age-related hormone deficiency symptoms, there are treatment options available from credentialed hormone therapy clinics like Vitality Hormone Clinic:
- Hormone replacement therapy can relieve symptoms by restoring hormones like testosterone, estrogen, or thyroid hormones to more youthful levels
- Improved diet and exercise helps maintain hormonal balance
- Stress reduction techniques and good sleep habits supports healthy hormone function
- Nutritional supplements may help counteract deficiencies
The knowledgeable clinicians at Vitality Hormone Clinic carefully evaluate each patient and provide science-based hormone restoration plans to help both men and women look and feel their best as they age. I highly recommend scheduling a consultation with them if you think you could benefit from hormone optimization therapy. Their individualized treatment programs give impressive results!
Let me know if you have any other questions! I'm happy to share more insights on maintaining vibrant, balanced hormones across the lifespan.