Harmony Hub Health
Functional Medicine, Hormone Health and Weight Loss with Michele Postol, CRNP
Harmony Hub Health
Cupid’s Secret Weapon: Boosting Love and Libido with Testosterone BHRT
Unlock the secrets to revitalizing your health by mastering the power of testosterone! Discover how this vital hormone can be your best ally in enhancing energy, mood, and overall well-being. In this episode of Harmony Hub Health, we tackle the often-overlooked symptoms of low testosterone, such as fatigue, mood swings, and decreased libido, and reveal how testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can be game-changers for both men and women. From injections to topical applications, learn about the various methods of administration, and understand the essential role of professional medical guidance to tailor these treatments to your unique needs.
But it’s not just about therapy; we also explore natural ways to support hormone balance with supplements like maca and DHEA. And for the ladies, meet "Scream Cream"—a cheeky addition to your wellness toolkit designed to enhance arousal and vitality. As we celebrate love and self-care during this Valentine's season, let’s prioritize our health, making informed decisions that empower us with strength and vitality. Join us for an enlightening conversation that could transform how you approach your health, helping you embrace a more vibrant, energetic life with confidence.
Welcome to Harmony Hub Health, where my mission is to provide comprehensive, affordable, integrative care that addresses the root cause of health issues. At the Hub, the focus is on individual patient journeys. I strive to optimize health, vitality and longevity, fostering a community where each person can thrive in body, mind and spirit. Since we're still in that month of love, let's talk about something that's perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day. It's testosterone that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day, it's testosterone. You heard me right. Whether you're trying to reignite the spark in your romantic life or just want to feel like your fabulous self understanding, testosterone can be a game changer. I did an episode, more designed for the ladies, that you can go and check out. It was from the summer. It was a dancing with the stars theme, but this one is for men and women, okay.
Speaker 1:So if you're feeling like a flaccid Valentine, yeah, let's talk about these symptoms of low testosterone. If you've been feeling like the love machine has come to a screeching halt, it might be time to check your testosterone levels. Here are some telltale signs that your T levels might be in need of a little TLC. First is low energy levels. If you're dragging yourself through the day. If you feel like a sloth in a traffic jam. Reduced muscle mass If you're a guy, remember when you used to flex in the mirror. If you feel like you look more like a deflated balloon, it's time for a checkup. Mood swings. If you're cranky or weepy, and not just because you missed your morning coffee, or if your passion meter is reading zero, that's not exactly the romantic vibe you want, right? Difficulty concentrating, you know, if your brain is foggier and foggier, low testosterone could be the culprit, and especially for women. They get that fatigue. If you are tired, even after a nap, you should have your hormones checked. And those pesky pounds that won't budge. Hello hormonal imbalance. And you know, even women get that. Decreased libido. If you're not feeling it, you're not alone. It's a common symptom of low testosterone. And even for women, sleep issues can come from low testosterone. You toss and turn. Your hormones might be throwing a tantrum. So we're going to talk about testosterone today. And did you know that about 40% of men and well, we'll say 40% of men over 45 and 30% of women experience low testosterone? So that's a lot of people missing out on the perks of feeling fabulous. Let's talk about the men first, because, gentlemen, they want to boost testosterone levels. Testosterone should be your best friend.
Speaker 1:Testosterone is produced in the testes. It's responsible for a lot of different things. It's responsible for libido and sexual function. It plays a huge role in sexual desire, erectile function and overall sexual satisfaction. It contributes to muscle development and maintenance and impacts physical performance. And it helps keep your bones strong and dense, so it reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
Speaker 1:Adequate testosterone levels are linked to a good mood, motivation and cognitive function. So men that have low testosterone, it can lead to a variety of symptoms that can really impact quality of life. So low energy levels, persistent fatigue, a general lack of motivation, decreased libido that would be a noticeable reduction in sexual desire and interest. Erectile dysfunction this is difficulty achieving or maintaining that erection. Reduced muscle mass if you have loss of strength and muscle tone, it makes physical activities much more challenging. And mood changes, increased irritability, anxiety or depression can come from low testosterone, and then changes in body composition. Usually it results in increased fat accumulation. So the benefits of we'll call it TRT testosterone replacement therapy is that it can provide numerous benefits for men that are experiencing these symptoms with low testosterone levels. So the benefits you would expect for men are increased energy level. Many men feel more energetic and motivated once they start treatment. They have a restored testosterone level, which can lead to improved sexual desire and performance. They have better mood stability and reduced feelings of depression or anxiety. It can help improve muscle size and strength, enhancing physical performance I don't want you to confuse this with steroids, because it is something completely different and preventing that osteoporosis and support overall bone density is important, especially as you age, so TRT can be given in many different ways.
Speaker 1:It can allow flexibility based on each individual's preference. The most common is the injectables, so testosterone cypionate is administered as an intramuscular injection every one to two weeks and this allows for rapid absorption and effective hormone delivery. The half-life of testosterone is about eight days, so this is a great way to keep that momentum going and feel great throughout the whole week. There also are topical gels and creams that you apply directly to your skin. I have my men apply it to that little sensitive area that's right between your anus and the other area you know what area I'm talking about, men, but right there. Your body absorbs that so naturally and it's a very convenient method for daily testosterone delivery. There are patches and pellets. I don't really like those, I don't do those. So the testosterone cypionate is probably the most commonly prescribed form of testosterone because of that half-life of eight days to give that sustained release and men just like to take care of things once a week also, and it does give a great fast response. So there's noticeable improvements in energy, libido, mood and muscle mass.
Speaker 1:Now, before you take any type of TRT, you definitely need to consult with a healthcare provider preferably me who specializes in hormone therapy. There will be some testing involved to make sure that you are okay to get that and also to discuss any possible side effects or any issues that can arise when you take it. But TRT can be life-changing for men experiencing the symptoms of low testosterone and by restoring hormone levels TRT can improve libido, energy, mood and just overall quality of life. So if you do suspect you may have low testosterone, or if you're listening and you feel like this sounds like your husband or your boyfriend, send them to me so we can take control of that hormonal health and lead to a much happier, more fulfilling life. Now for the women. I don't do injections with women.
Speaker 1:I like to use bioidentical hormone replacement, so BHRT, or bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, is a treatment designed to balance hormone levels in the body using hormones that are chemically identical to those naturally produced by the body. So, unlike synthetic hormones, which can have different chemical structures and effects, bioidentical really replicate your body's natural hormones as closely as possible. If you looked at it under a microscope, it would look like you made it. So testosterone is thought of as a male hormone, but it plays such a vital role in women's health as well. It's produced primarily in the ovaries and adrenal glands, and testosterone contributes to so many bodily functions for women. Again, libido.
Speaker 1:Testosterone is so important for sexual desire and arousal. For us women, adequate levels of testosterone help maintain energy and vitality. Testosterone helps stabilize mood and it can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. It plays a huge role in building and maintaining muscle tissue, and testosterone is important for maintaining bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis as well. So that's why, you can see, it is just as good for the women, and low testosterone for women can lead to a variety of symptoms that can affect your quality of life.
Speaker 1:Decreased libido you know a noticeable drop in sexual desire can be frustrating and it can affect your relationship. Fatigue we don't have time to be tired. Feeling tired Even after you feel like you've got a good night's sleep, usually there's testosterone deficiency. Increased irritability, anxiety and depression can all be linked to hormonal imbalances. And if you're noticing a loss of muscle mass or less strength, less endurance, if physical activity is getting more challenging or women also have that change in body composition and fat distribution and they notice fat going to different places, and then again that sleep disturbance. So trouble falling or staying asleep is always a sign of hormonal imbalance. Sleep disturbance so trouble falling or staying asleep is always a sign of hormonal imbalance.
Speaker 1:Testosterone replacement for low testosterone can really enhance libido. So women report significant improvement in sexual desire and satisfaction after starting testosterone therapy. So if you are a man, you might be hearing this and think like now you have the perfect Valentine's Day gift yes, I can get it to you before Valentine's Day. Or you know, when you take BHRT testosterone, you usually experience a boost in energy, making your daily activities much more enjoyable. Balancing your testosterone can lead to better mood regulation. It can reduce anxiety or depression, and women may also notice increased muscle mass and strength, making exercise more effective and enjoyable and maintaining bone density. You want to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, especially if you're postmenopausal, but you want to reduce the risk of brittle or weak bones as well.
Speaker 1:Testosterone replacement for women can be given by injection. Like I said, I prefer topical creams that are applied to the skin. I have my women apply it to the inner labia because, again, that is just more natural. You have such large pores at your inner labia and when you put it in there your body just kind of gets that as your blood flows by, kind of naturally how your own natural hormones are picked up and distributed throughout your body. So topical cream is my favorite. There are troches, there are patches, there are pellets. But just a word of caution I would say 40% of my clients are people that were on pellets, that needed something better.
Speaker 1:Okay, but before starting any BHRT you do need to consult a good healthcare professional like myself, experienced in hormone therapy, so that we can conduct hormone assessments and discuss potential risks and benefits and talk about side effects. But you know, testosterone BHRT is a transformative therapy for those suffering from low testosterone levels and by restoring hormonal balance women can experience improved libido, better energy, better mood and overall quality of life. If you suspect that you might be experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, don't hesitate to reach out to me for guidance and support. Your hormones are an essential part of your health, and taking control of them can lead to a happier, healthier life. Now other therapies that I have available at Harmony Hub Health. One of them is very sassy. Okay, it is called. This name just cracks me up. It is called Scream Cream. Okay, this is turning up the heat with something a little spicy. It's not just your average topical cream. It is a blend of a little bit of testosterone and other sensual ingredients designed to enhance sexual arousal and response in women, so that quick absorption means you can get down to business without waiting for any long acting solution. All right, so that is for women that just have a hard time. This has ingredients that's going to increase blood flow to those special bits, so that, just like the name.
Speaker 1:Besides BHRT, there are some supplements that I like to use for increasing testosterone levels, and one of them is maca. It's a root vegetable native to the Andes mountains in Peru, and it's been used for centuries as a food source and for its medicinal properties, especially enhancing energy, stamina and libido. It's packed with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that support your overall health, and the exact mechanism and how it increases testosterone is not fully understood. It is considered an adaptogen, which means it may help the body adapt to stress and balance hormone levels, and it may also influence your hormone production, but it does not contain phytoestrogens or direct testosterone precursors. Many studies suggest that maca experienced increased sexual desire compared to placebos, so athletes often use this for its potential to enhance energy levels and athletic performance, although research on that I couldn't find very much and many people that take it do report improved mood and reduced anxiety when they use it, which could indirectly support healthy testosterone levels by just reducing stress.
Speaker 1:The other one is DHEA, and this is a hormone that's produced by the adrenal glands and it is a precursor to both testosterone and estrogen. It's often marketed as a supplement to enhance hormone levels and improve overall vitality. I will tell you that dosing is different for men and women, and I do see a lot of women seeing it on the counter and buying it, so don't do that. Come talk to me first. But DHEA can be converted into testosterone and estrogen in your body and potentially that can increase your testosterone levels. The conversion process depends on individual hormonal balance and needs.
Speaker 1:Dhea levels naturally decline with age, which may contribute to decreased testosterone levels in older adults. So research has shown that DHEA supplements can lead to increased testosterone in some populations, more so in older men. There was a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and they found that DHEA supplementation resulted in significant increase in testosterone in older men. So that was the main study that I found, but I have put a lot of my men on that along with their testosterone to help support their production as well, and a lot of studies suggest that DHEA may help alleviate depression and improve mood, which can also be beneficial for overall health and hormone balance. Athletes that use DHEA to improve strength and muscle mass they say that works really well.
Speaker 1:But you know you have to consider DHEA. Even though it's great, I like to put people on it that have brain fog because it does have a tie-in to cognitive effects but it can lead to hormonal imbalances, especially if you take too much. That's why I warn the women you want to really monitor how much you're taking, because it can cause acne. It can cause some hair loss and mood swings and changes in menstrual cycles for women. So it's really important to have someone that knows how to monitor it and kind of titrate your dose as you need it. But both of these are both great for increasing testosterone levels, but they do work through different mechanisms and they have varying levels of scientific support. I don't think there's anything as good as just BHRT for women, so why not treat yourself to the ultimate gift of vitality and confidence?
Speaker 1:This February, let's focus on you and your well-being. If you've been feeling low on energy, struggling to maintain your muscle tone or simply want to reignite your zest for life, it's time to explore how optimizing your testosterone levels can help Feel revitalized and ready to take on new adventures both in and out of the bedroom. Increased testosterone can enhance your mood and self-esteem, helping you feel your best Whether it's in the gym or in your personal life. Optimized hormone levels can lead to better performance and satisfaction. This Valentine's season, don't just focus on romantic gestures. Focus on self-love and self-care. A hormone consultation is your first step towards a more vibrant, passionate you. Together, we'll assess your hormone levels and create a personalized plan that suits your unique needs. Don't wait until spring to bloom. Schedule your hormone consultation now and take the first step towards optimizing your testosterone levels. Feel empowered, confident and ready to embrace life with open arms. You can find me at wwwharmonyhubhealthcom. You can find me in person at Monarch Beauty and Spa in Manchester, maryland, or you can email me at michelle with one L, m, I, c, h, e, l E at harmonyhubhealthcom.
Speaker 1:The discussion in this podcast was intended for educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen or starting new treatments. Every body is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. Hormonal health can be complex and individual responses to treatment can vary significantly.
Speaker 1:While we may discuss various strategies for optimizing testosterone levels, these insights are not a replacement for personalized medical evaluations or treatments. So make sure you seek a healthcare provider for tailored advice specific to your health needs. Hormone therapy and supplementation can have potential risks and side effects. It's so important to weigh these considerations with the guidance of a healthcare provider and, as we embrace the spirit of love and self-care this Valentine's Day, remember that your health is paramount. Prioritize informed decisions and seek professional guidance to ensure you're on the right track. Thank you for joining me and take this journey with me to discover the power of testosterone and how it can enhance your life. Let's celebrate love, health and a vibrant you. This is Valentine's Day and beyond, stay tuned, stay informed and love yourself first.