As people age, their hormone levels naturally change. This can lead to problems such as decreased sex drive, weight gain, and a decrease in muscle mass. For some older couples, this may be enough to cause them to seek out hormone therapy.

However, before you and your partner decide whether or not hormone therapy is right for you, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of this treatment.

In this blog post, we will go over hormone therapy for both men and women, as well as the potential risks and benefits associated with it. First, we will dive into the men, then the women.

What is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy, also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is a treatment that uses hormones to replace those that are no longer being produced by the body.

For men, hormone therapy may be used to treat conditions such as prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, and low testosterone levels.

For women, hormone therapy may be used to treat conditions such as menopause, osteoporosis, and hormone-related cancers.

How Does Hormone Therapy Work?

There are a few different ways that hormone therapy can work. It can be taken as a pill, injected into the body, or put into a cream or gel that is applied to the skin.

Generally, hormone therapy is taken for a specific amount of time, after which the person’s hormone levels are checked to see if they have returned to normal. If not, more therapy may be needed.

Older Men and Hormone Therapy

As men age, their testosterone levels naturally decrease. This can lead to several problems, such as:

  • Decreased libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Increased body fat
  • Depression

In some cases, these changes may be enough to cause distress in a man’s life. If this is the case, hormone therapy may be an option.

Testosterone replacement therapy is the most common form of hormone therapy for men. It can be taken as a pill, injection, patch, or gel.

For an older couple, testosterone therapy may help improve the quality of their life by restoring some of the symptoms that are caused by a decrease in testosterone levels.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that testosterone therapy is not without risks. Some of the potential risks include:

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which a person’s breathing is interrupted during sleep. It can cause snoring, gasping, and pauses in breathing.

Testosterone replacement therapy may increase the risk of sleep apnea in men. If you have sleep apnea, you should talk to your doctor before starting testosterone therapy.

Risk Of Heart Attack Or Stroke

Due to the increased red blood cell production that is associated with testosterone therapy, there is a risk that the blood will become too thick. This can lead to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

If you have a history of heart disease, you should talk to your doctor before starting testosterone therapy.

Prostate Cancer

Testosterone therapy may increase the growth of existing prostate cancer cells or cause new prostate cancer cells to form. If you have prostate cancer, you should not take testosterone therapy.

Older Women and Hormone Therapy

As women age, their hormone levels naturally change. This can lead to several problems, such as:

  • Hot flashes
  • Irregular periods
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Sleep problems
  • Mood swings

In some cases, these changes may be enough to cause distress in a woman’s life. If this is the case, hormone therapy may be an option.

Hormone therapy for women usually consists of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones can be taken as a pill, injection, patch, or gel.

Doing this can reverse the above symptoms and can help improve the quality of life for an older woman (and her husband/significant other).

However, it’s important to keep in mind that hormone therapy is not without risks. Some of the potential risks include:

Heart Disease or Stroke

For women over the age of 60, hormone therapy may increase the risk of heart disease. This is because it may increase the chances of blood clots forming.

If you have a history of heart disease, you should talk to your doctor before starting hormone therapy.

If you have a history of heart disease, you should talk to your doctor before starting hormone therapy.

Breast Cancer

Hormone therapy may increase the risk of breast cancer. If you have a history of breast cancer, you should talk to your doctor before starting hormone therapy.

How Can HRT Help a Relationship For Older Couples?

Older couples can often find that their relationship starts to suffer as they age. This is because they may no longer feel as connected to each other as they once did.

Hormone therapy can help improve the quality of life for both men and women. This, in turn, can help improve the quality of the relationship.

When both partners are feeling better about themselves, they are more likely to be able to connect with each other on a deeper level.

Below are some of the benefits couples can  experience from hormone therapy:

Improved Energy

Improved energy in a relationship is very important. When both partners have more energy, they are able to do more together. This can help strengthen the bond between them.

Improved Sex Life

As people age, their sex life may start to suffer. This is often due to a decrease in hormones.

Hormone therapy can help increase libido and improve sexual function in men and women.

Improved Mood

Hormone therapy can also help improve moods in couples. When both partners are feeling good about themselves, they are less likely to argue.

Improved Sleep

Poor sleep can cause problems in any relationship. Hormone therapy can help improve sleep quality for both men and women.

When both partners are getting a good night’s sleep, they are able to function better during the day. This can help improve communication and connection.

Attraction and Desire

It’s natural for couples to find each other attractive and desire each other. As people age, it’s common for this attraction to start to fade.

Hormone therapy can help increase the attraction and desire between partners. This can help keep the relationship feeling fresh and exciting.

Overall, hormone therapy can be very beneficial for older couples. It can help improve their quality of life in several ways. When both partners are feeling good, the relationship is likely to be stronger than ever.

Hormone Therapy Can Go As Far As Save Your Marriage

A lot of people express their love through touch. If you or your partner is no longer touched the way they want to be, it can cause a deep feeling of loneliness, even if you are still technically in the same room and are putting in the effort from a mental standpoint.

Intimacy is key to a successful marriage, and hormone therapy can help increase intimacy in couples who have been struggling with it.

If you and your spouse are going through something like this, hormone therapy may be a good option to explore. Especially considering this is something you can take the rest of your life. 

Conclusion:

So, do older couples need hormone therapy? In some cases, yes. Hormone therapy can help improve the quality of life for both men and women. This, in turn, can help improve the quality of the relationship. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hormone therapy is not without risks.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to talk to your doctor. They can help you decide if hormone therapy is right for you and your spouse.

SHARE THIS POST