Male and Female HRT, or Hormone Replacement Therapy, is the clinical practice of supplementing or replacing deficient endogenous hormones to restore optimal physiological concentrations and function in both sexes. In males, this primarily involves optimizing testosterone and its metabolites to address symptoms of andropause, such as reduced libido, muscle loss, and fatigue. For females, HRT typically involves balancing estrogen, progesterone, and sometimes testosterone to mitigate the symptoms and health risks associated with perimenopause and menopause. The overarching goal is to restore hormonal signaling to a youthful, functional range, thereby improving healthspan and quality of life.
Origin
The practice of hormone replacement therapy has a long history in medicine, initially focused on treating overt endocrine deficiencies. The modern iteration, particularly in the wellness and longevity space, emphasizes the proactive optimization of hormones in the context of age-related decline, leading to the widely adopted, gender-specific terms. This evolution reflects a growing understanding of the pervasive, systemic role of sex hormones beyond reproductive function.
Mechanism
The core mechanism involves administering bioidentical or synthetic hormones to bind to specific intracellular receptors in target tissues, such as muscle, bone, and brain. This exogenous signal restores the downstream cellular functions that had diminished due to declining endogenous production, effectively bypassing the age-related failure of the gonadal axis. Careful titration and monitoring are essential to maintain the correct hormonal ratios, minimize side effects, and prevent negative feedback on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis.
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