HGH and Menopause Treatment: Does It Work?
Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when her menstrual cycle and ability to become pregnant come to an end. For many females, it is often accompanied by significant bodily changes, including weight gain, brittle bones, forgetfulness, depression, mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats, to name a few. We bring up the topic of HGH and menopause treatment as a way to examine how hormones other than estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone may be impacting the body during this time of change.
There is limited research on the connection between menopause and HGH deficiency. Doctors are only now beginning to understand the role growth hormone (GH) plays in menopause and its link to estrogen levels.
The average female age for menopause is 51, with pre or perimenopause lasting for about 4 to 5 years prior. Women who smoke may enter it earlier. As we explore menopause treatment and HGH therapy, we will show how many of the symptoms can be managed by restoring growth hormone balance in the body.
The connection between HGH and menopause treatment is only now beginning to be understood.
What Is Human Growth Hormone and How Does It Influence Menopause?
GH is produced by the pituitary gland, regulated by growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin, and influenced by estrogen.
Here are some facts about HGH:
- Definition: Human growth hormone (HGH) is the bioidentical version of somatotropin (growth hormone).
- Structure: A polypeptide protein consisting of 191 amino acids in a single chain.
- Function: HGH and GH contribute to the following processes in the adult body:
- Cell regeneration (protects organs, bones, hair, muscles, skin, and nails from decline)
- Metabolism (including fat burning, food processing, insulin sensitivity, glucose uptake)
- Immunity (thymus functions, white blood cell production, healing)
- Brain (stimulates focus, learning, processing, memory, neuroprotective, neurotransmitters, emotions)
- Heart (supports or regulates cholesterol, blood pressure, circulation, left ventricular wall thickness, cardiac capacity, and output)
- Hormones (stimulates insulin growth factor 1 and testosterone, opposes cortisol)
- Sexual (supports male and female fertility, sexual functions, libido)
- Temperature regulation – adults with GH deficiency often have increased sensitivity to hot and cold changes
As we look at the connection between HGH and menopause treatment, we find many similarities. Women often turn to estrogen as a way of increasing bone density, regulating mood, and decreasing hot flashes and night sweats. Loss of bone density is a serious concern to postmenopausal women who may have osteoporosis, putting them at significant risk of developing life-threatening fractures.
Can HGH help with menopause?
In the next sections, we will look at the many ways that human growth hormone can reduce the symptoms of menopause.
How Do Hormones Influence Menopause?
Many of the hormones in the body are connected. When we look at menopause, HGH influences both testosterone, and estrogen, which require progesterone as their precursor. An enzyme called aromatase, which is produced in belly fat, is responsible for converting some of the free testosterone in the bloodstream into estradiol, a leading form of estrogen in premenopausal women.
During menopause, the ovaries cease production of the precursor progesterone, as well as testosterone and estrogen. A small amount of these hormones continues to come from the adrenal glands and peripheral tissues. Growth hormone production takes please in the pituitary gland based on signals received from the hypothalamus.
When menopause begins, both the hypothalamus and pituitary gland decrease critical signals that stimulate hormone production. However, for growth hormone, that change starts much earlier in adulthood. Many women (and men) begin to experience a decline in GH secretion while still in their twenties. With more of a drop each year, by the time many females reach their mid-forties, they may have more than 20% less growth hormone in their bodies.
As GH levels decline, the metabolism slows down, sleep becomes elusive due to higher cortisol levels, and weight increases. With more belly fat, a woman begins to experience increased testosterone conversion, which creates an imbalance in the testosterone to estrogen ratio. As menopause approaches, the further hormonal decline can exacerbate the situation. Looking at HGH and menopause treatment shows it to be an excellent way to maintain a healthy hormonal balance, both before, during, and after menopause.
How Does HGH Effect Menopausal Symptoms?
Some women experience no issues when they enter menopause. They are the lucky ones. For others, this change of life can become debilitating.
How does HGH help menopause symptoms?
If a woman has low growth hormone levels, to the point where there is not enough of this hormone to support the body’s many GH receptor cells, then the benefits of HGH and menopause treatment can help alleviate the following symptoms:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Muscle loss
- Decreased bone mineral density
- Low libido
- Vaginal dryness
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair
Benefits of HGH for Menopause?
When taking HGH, and menopause symptoms improve, a woman finds herself looking and feeling significantly better. Because HGH stimulates cell regeneration, the body’s internal organs, which are subject to shrinkage, maintain their structural integrity. That also means better organ functions.
Other benefits of HGH and menopause treatment include:
- Better skin texture and tone
- Improved hair growth
- Stronger immune system functions
- Healthier heart
- Lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake by the cells
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and more
Can HGH reverse menopause symptoms?
It is not so much about reversing the symptoms as it is relieving them. HGH cannot reverse menopause and cause a woman to regain her monthly periods. However, it can alleviate many of the issues that cause havoc in a woman’s life during this time.
Can I Take HGH After Menopause?
We are often asked if it is possible to use HGH after menopause. The answer is yes. Unlike estrogen therapy, which is only offered for a limited time and not recommended past a certain age, the use of HGH for postmenopausal women does not carry any added risks.
The key to the safe use of HGH and menopause treatment is doctor supervision by an experienced hormone specialist. HGH use is determined by need, based on health, body composition, symptoms, age, gender, and most importantly, the level of deficiency in the body. A woman’s age will also let the doctor determine how quickly to prescribe the full dose of HGH. Older women (and men) often start with a lower dose, giving the body a chance to get used to the increase in GH levels. That helps reduce the risk of any unwanted side effects.
How to Know If You Can Benefit from HGH for Menopause Treatment
To determine the use of HGH for menopause, you will want to contact a hormone specialist to discuss your symptoms. Blood analysis, physical examination, and a thorough review of a provided health history questionnaire are part of the diagnostic process.
Here at National HRT, we begin with a confidential consultation by phone. Our unique telemedicine program has helped many women looking for HGH and menopause treatment. Consultations are free and with no obligation. Contact our hormone clinic today to learn if you can benefit from HGH therapy to reduce your menopausal symptoms.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.