Hormonal Replacement Therapy

Quick Facts:

• Cost: Varies, typically between 200 AED and 2,500 AED or more. 
• Duration: Not fixed; continuous treatment can last for months or years. 
• Candidates: Men or women with symptoms of menopause or low testosterone. 
• Targets: Overall well-being, sexual arousal, and reproductive health.  
• Procedure Types: Oral medication, creams, gels, or subcutaneous pellets. 
• Success Rates: More than 65 to 90% reduction in undesirable symptoms. 
• Sessions: Continuous treatment with daily or weekly schedules for hormones. 
• Downtime: Completely non-invasive procedures; no downtime is required. 
• Pain Level: Non-invasive methodologies with minimal to no discomfort.
• Effects: Virtually permanent; results last as long as the treatment is used.

Are you dealing with persistent symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, low libido, erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, and similar health conditions that are common with advancing age? Men’s and women’s health experts at Enfield Royal Clinic Abu Dhabi offer a variety of effective surgical and non-surgical solutions for various health or aesthetic concerns. Our Hormone Replacement Therapy in Abu Dhabi is one of the most popular treatments for symptoms of menopause in women and low testosterone or sexual dysfunction in men. Our specialists have put together this simple guide about this procedure, explaining how it works, its effectiveness, benefits, risks, and cost, among other useful information to help our readers make the right decisions when it comes to their health and well-being. 

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy? 

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a procedure that helps us maintain the hormonal balance in the body. Hormones are naturally occurring chemical messengers in living organisms that are responsible for many important biological processes. Any fluctuations in the natural quantities of these chemicals have serious consequences for the physical and psychological health of the organism. In humans, hormone levels can decline over time; this is a normal part of aging. However, this change can produce some unpleasant effects, like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness (and atrophy), chronic fatigue, and brain fog in women. HRT for women typically relies on estrogen and progesterone to treat these symptoms. This treatment is also useful for men’s concerns, though in that case we use testosterone. The hormones can be delivered in various forms, but they mostly come as pills, creams, vaginal rings, skin patches, sprays, etc. 

Why Do We Need Hormone Therapy? 

After a certain age (45 to 55 in women and continuously after the age of ~30 in men), the natural production of certain hormones in the body begins to decline or slow down. These changes, though a completely normal part of aging, can lead to unpleasant and sometimes serious health problems. Here are a few conditions that specialists treat with HRT. 

• Vaginal dryness and atrophy. 
• Vasomotor disorders, such as night sweats and hot flashes. 
• Low libido or difficulty with arousal. 
• Certain cases of Erectile Dysfunction. 
• Pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse. 
• Bone weakness and loss, or osteoporosis. 
• Some hormone-associated cancers. 
• Diabetes and thyroid disorders. 

Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost In Abu Dhabi:

The Hormone Replacement Therapy Cost is typically somewhere in the range of 200 AED to 2500+ AED. That said, the actual prices of these procedures may vary slightly for individual patients. It could be because of numerous factors, such as differing symptoms, goals and requirements, the type of hormone, underlying health conditions, and any additional treatments a patient needs. There are other factors as well (such as the clinic’s reputation or the doctor’s expertise) that might affect the final bill. Here is a simple comparison of the expenses involved in some common types of hormone treatments. 

Who Are The Ideal Candidates For Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Specialists evaluate and screen their patients vigorously before they start any treatment with hormones. They select, through consultation and testing, the individuals who are most likely to benefit from this procedure, and preferably have at least a few of the following characteristics. 

• Severe and unnaturally intense symptoms of menopause. 
• Development of menopause before the age of 45. 
• Greater risk of osteoporosis or bone decline. 
• A diagnosis of low testosterone (for men).
• Otherwise, good physical and mental health. 
• Realistic expectations and clear goals for the procedure. 

Who Should Not Consider Hormone Therapy? 

Men’s and Women’s health experts sometimes advise against the use of HRT, as it can complicate certain health conditions further and create further complications. Here are a few cases where experts restrict hormone treatments. 

• Breast or uterine cancers. 
• Abnormal blood clotting or similar conditions. 
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding. 
• Severe liver diseases. 
• Pregnant or actively nursing. 

Common Forms of Hormone Replacement Therapy:

Specialists typically have four different basic options for hormone replacement therapy, which they often customize for the specific needs and conditions of their patients. Here are the key features of the four basic types of HRT. 

Estrogen-Only Therapy:

This treatment only uses estrogen (though in varying quantities) to treat hormonal decline. It is highly effective against the common symptoms of menopause but can only be used in patients who don’t have a uterus. Using this type of HRT when the patient still has their uterus can thicken its lining and increase the risk of uterine cancer. 

Progesterone-Only Therapy:

Specialists use pure progesterone or progestin (a synthetic version of progesterone) to neutralize the harmful effects of estrogen-only therapy on the uterus. This protects the uterine lining, keeping it thin and healthy while the patient is using estrogen. 

Estrogen + Progesterone Combined Therapy:

Combined therapy is another, more streamlined, option for patients who have an intact uterus during their HRT. Combined treatments use a mix of estrogen and progesterone to keep the uterus safe while countering the effects of hormone decline. 

Note: Combined HRT medication can be taken cyclically (where the estrogen is used daily and the progesterone is used for 12 or 15 days in a month, to preserve regular menstruation), or continuously (where both hormones are used daily, to completely halt menstrual periods).

Testosterone Therapy:

TRT, or Testosterone Replacement Therapy, is typically used to treat men’s sexual concerns or age-related hormonal imbalance, much like estrogen for women. However, this treatment can also be customized to improve sex drive, energy, and mood in menopausal women. 

Important Delivery Methods For Hormone Therapy:

The types we discussed in the previous section all come in different forms and with varying doses of hormones. Doctors choose the form or delivery method based on each patient’s symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. Here are a few of the common delivery methods used for HRT. 

• Pills: 

Typically taken daily, pills are metabolized in the stomach and liver to release their hormones. 

• Patches: 

Clear patches that are pasted on the patient’s skin for a few days. They slowly release hormones that diffuse through the skin to enter the bloodstream. 

• Gels And Sprays: 

Gels and sprays are applied directly on the skin (typically on the patient’s arm or leg), and the hormones in them are naturally absorbed by the body. 

• Vaginal Rings Or Creams: 

Rings and creams are used for localized treatments. Rings are placed inside the vagina, where they release their hormones continuously for months. These creams are also used on the vagina, but they have to be reapplied every day or at least every few weeks. 

• Pellets: 

A tiny pellet is inserted under the skin of your hip or buttock, where it dissolves gradually over a period of 3 to 6 months and releases a steady supply of hormones into the bloodstream. 

The Key Stages Of The Hormone Therapy:

Experts believe that when patients understand the main steps of their treatment, they are more likely to feel safe, comfortable, and at ease during their procedures. This is particularly useful for treatments that are mostly performed at home and helps patients minimize the risk of complications. So, for that purpose, here are some of the most important steps in HRT procedures. 

Evaluation & Testing:

The patient starts by consulting a trustworthy doctor and sharing their current concerns, symptoms, and previous medical information. The specialist might ask for a pelvic exam or mammogram as well for a more complete picture of the patient’s condition and to create a suitable treatment plan based on the results. 

Prescription & Delivery:

The doctor formulates a dosage plan, typically starting with low quantities of hormones to test the patient’s tolerance for the treatment and gradually increasing the dosage over a few months. They typically recommend the best type of delivery method for the treatment (pills, patches, creams, etc.) based on their consultations with the patient. 

Monitoring & Adjustments:

The patients can take their prescription at home, but they are advised to visit their doctor regularly, especially during the first 3 months. The doctors conduct certain tests to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and make adjustments to the dosage plan, if needed. 

Stabilization & Maintenance:

Once the doctor settles on a stable and suitable dosage, they make a long-term strategy about how long the patient should continue their treatment. After this stage, doctors typically schedule annual check-ups to monitor the progress of their patients. 

Estimated Results Timeline For HRT:

Testosterone Therapy: 

Estrogen Therapy:

The Benefits Of Hormone Replacement Therapy:

Here are some of the key benefits of hormone therapy that improve the health and well-being of all patients. 

• Better vasomotor control in women, reducing night sweats and hot flashes. 
• Higher energy levels and significantly reduced chronic fatigue. 
• Improved sleep quality with deeper, more restful sleep cycles. 
• Reduced vaginal dryness, burning, or pain during intercourse. 
• Less hormone-related anxiety, irritability, and sudden mood swings. 
• Clearer and healthier cognitive function and less brain fog. 
• Reduced physical issues, specifically joint and muscle pain. 
• Preservation of long-term cardiovascular, metabolic, and skeletal health. 

Common Side Effects of Hormone Replacement Therapy:

Albeit widely considered safe and effective (when taken according to the instructions and dosage plans from a qualified practitioner), hormone therapy carries certain risks and potential side effects that patients should be aware of before they start their treatment. 

• Vaginal bleeding or spotting. 
• Breast tenderness. 
• Headaches and migraines. 
• Bloating and nausea. 
• Mood changes. 
• Acne or oily skin. 
• Gynecomastia. 
• Sleep apnea. 
• Testicle shrinkage. 
• Lower sperm count. 

When Should You Stop Your Hormone Therapy? 

Specialists typically suggest stopping hormone treatments, either when the target symptoms are sufficiently reduced or after the patient crosses a specific age threshold (usually over 60 years), when continuing the therapy might be harmful for the patient’s well-being. Here are a few more details on the common reasons for the discontinuation of hormone therapy. 

• Symptoms: Most patients use HRT until the common symptoms of hormone decline (such as night sweats and hot flashes) pass. Once the worst of the effects pass, patients generally stop using the treatment. 

• Age: Specialists typically discontinue the procedure once the patients are over the age of 60 or 65, as after this stage, the risks of blood clot formation and strokes triggered by the therapy are higher than its benefits. 

• Health: It is also common for experts to stop the procedure if their patients develop certain health conditions that can be exacerbated by hormones, particularly heart or blood disorders and some types of cancers. 

• Dosage: Although this does not count as true discontinuation, specialists sometimes change the dosage or delivery method of the hormones in case the previous doses are not working as expected, are unsafe, or are insufficient for optimal results.

How You Should Stop Your Hormone Therapy:

Stopping a hormone treatment without proper caution and care can have unpleasant consequences. The following guidelines and suggestions from experts are very useful for stopping this therapy safely. 

• Consult a qualified doctor before making any decisions about your treatment. 
• Take a specialist’s help to formulate a safe plan for stopping the treatment. 
• Don’t stop your medication abruptly; instead, reduce the dosage slowly over time according to the suggestions of your specialist. 

Hormone Therapy For Men vs. Women:

Why Choose Us?

The clinic is a very important component in the success of medical treatments, especially one that has a significant impact on your sexual health and internal body chemistry. We think that Enfield Royal Clinic Abu Dhabi is the right choice for patients who want to improve their reproductive well-being and maintain a healthy hormonal balance as they age. Our qualified specialists are renowned for their proven and effective methodologies. Thousands of loyal patients trust us to help them with their aesthetic and medical needs. Here are a few reasons for their loyalty and trust. 

• 10+ years of excellence in skin care and dermal treatments. 
• Highly tailored treatment strategies to address specific needs. 
• Qualified and experienced specialists with years of experience. 
• Dedication to the safety, comfort, and privacy of patients. 
• Clear, reasonable prices for all medical and cosmetic procedures. 
• A dedicated team of specialists, nurses, and friendly support staff. 

Find The Best Solutions For Your Hormone-Related Health Concerns:

You can find the best solutions for your aesthetic, intimate, and all other medical concerns with our dedicated team of professionals (which includes Dr. Admed Naji Attiyah, who has more than 18 years of experience as a reconstructive and plastic surgeon) and their effective solutions, such as Hormone Replacement Therapy in Abu Dhabi. Fill out the form below and schedule your appointment with one of our specialists today. You can also contact us on our helpline or WhatsApp to get reliable information and the professional support you need. 

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