Hormone Topicals

If you’re older than 40 and notice that you’re often tired, feel weaker and less motivated, or you lost your desire for sex, the problem may be low hormones. The experienced providers at Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy can help when you need to restore your vitality. They offer several forms of hormone replacement, including hormone topicals. Call the office in Brandon, Palm Harbor, Tampa, or South Tampa, Florida, or request an appointment online to learn more about topical hormones.

What are hormone topicals?

A hormone topical is a cream, gel, or patch applied to your body. These topical products contain hormones that are absorbed through your skin.

Some topical products treat the immediate area. Other hormone topicals are specially formulated to be sure they make it into your blood. From there, they can boost your hormone levels and improve some of your symptoms.

When would I need hormone topicals?

Topical hormones are most often used to conservatively boost levels of estrogen and testosterone. Both hormones can decline due to health conditions, including thyroid disease, pituitary gland disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (in women), and hypogonadism (in men).

Estrogen production stops at menopause, while men’s testosterone levels slowly but steadily decline every year after they reach 30.

Whether you’re a man or woman, symptoms you may need a topical hormone include:

• Energy loss and fatigue
• Diminished sex drive
• Muscle weakness
• Weight gain
• Memory problems
• Difficulty concentrating
• Mood swings

Low estrogen also causes hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and painful intercourse — the most common reasons women use topical hormones.

Men may also experience erectile dysfunction, but bioidentical hormone pellets may be a better choice than topicals. A pellet delivers a precise dose, while the amount of hormone absorbed through a topical varies.

How do I use topical hormones?

You typically apply the gel or cream to clean skin once daily. After applying the hormone, be sure to wash your hands before touching your eyes or other people. The hormones cause eye irritation. With ongoing exposure, estrogen can damage your vision, while testosterone may lead to dry eyes.

Men usually rub the product on the skin of their shoulders, upper arms, or stomach. Topical testosterone should not be put on your penis, scrotum, or skin that has cuts, sores, or a rash.

Men need to be especially careful not to let women, pets, and children touch the area, or they may also absorb the hormone, leading to unwanted side effects. Women primarily suffering from vaginal dryness, itching, and burning should apply topical hormones to the vagina. Otherwise, topical estrogen goes on the skin of their arms, thighs, or calves, depending on the form.

Women need to be especially careful not to let women, pets, and children touch the area, or they may also absorb the hormone, leading to unwanted side effects.

If you need relief from symptoms caused by low estrogen or testosterone, call Garcia Weight Loss Aesthetics & Hormone Therapy or connect online today.