Hormones 101: What You Need to Know About Hormone Replacement Therapy
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment that helps bring your hormones back into balance.
As we get older—especially during menopause or andropause—our bodies make less of certain hormones. This can cause symptoms like:
Feeling tired
Gaining weight more easily
Hot flashes or night sweats
Mood swings or sadness
Brain fog
Low sex drive
HRT gently adds back the hormones your body is missing so you can feel more like yourself again.
Is Hormone Therapy Safe?
This is the most common question we hear.
Yes — hormone therapy is safe for most people when done with a trained medical provider.
Today’s hormone therapy uses personalized doses and bioidentical hormones, which are made to match the hormones your body naturally makes. Your provider will check your health history and run lab tests to be sure it’s safe for you.
The 3 Main Hormones
There are three main hormones that are usually part of hormone therapy:
Estrogen
Helps with mood, memory, bone health, and vaginal health. Low estrogen can cause hot flashes and night sweats.Progesterone
Helps balance estrogen, support sleep, and calm your mood.Testosterone
Boosts energy, muscle, focus, mood, and sex drive. Low testosterone can make you feel tired or unmotivated.
Different Types for Different People
Hormone therapy is not one-size-fits-all.
There are many ways to take hormones, like:
Creams or gels you rub on your skin
Patches you wear on your skin
Shots
Pellets (tiny implants under the skin)
Pills or dissolving tablets
Your provider will help you choose the type and dose that fits your body and lifestyle. They will also check your labs to keep your levels safe.
How Hormones Affect Weight Loss
Balanced hormones don’t just help you feel better — they also play a big role in weight loss and weight maintenance.
When your hormones are out of balance, your metabolism can slow down. This can make it harder to lose weight even if you’re eating well and staying active. Low hormones can also cause cravings, fatigue, and muscle loss, which all make weight loss more difficult.
By restoring your hormone levels, your body can burn calories more effectively, build muscle more easily, and maintain your results long term.
At Merit Weight Loss, we believe hormones are so important that hormone management is included as part of your membership when it’s needed. We want your body to work with you — not against you.
Benefits of Hormone Management
Many people say they feel like themselves again after balancing their hormones. Some common benefits are:
More energy
Better sleep
Better mood and less stress
Clearer thinking
Higher sex drive
Fewer hot flashes and night sweats
Easier weight control and better muscle tone
The Bottom Line
Hormone management can be a safe, helpful way to feel better as you get older. By bringing your hormones back into balance, it can help you feel stronger, happier, and full of energy again — and support your weight loss journey every step of the way.
If you’re wondering whether hormones could be the missing piece in your health journey, we’d love to talk with you.
💚 Book a free phone call with our team to get your questions answered and see if hormone management might be right for you.
