Hormone Therapy

Women aren't the only ones who can fall victim to hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, night sweats and sleep disturbances. Men also can experience hormone imbalances that bring on acne, weight gain or loss, and depression among other mental and physical changes.

Fortunately, the Fertility Center's reproductive endocrinologists offer hormone therapy to help males manage and even eliminate symptoms and side effects. In addition to prescribing medications, 
Dr. Bird and Dr. Donesky also recommend lifestyle changes and homeopathic approaches.

Men's testes produce nearly all male testosterone. The balance is supplied by the adrenal glands, which also produce small amounts of estrogen. The brain signals the pituitary to trigger hormone production from the testes. As a man gets older, testosterone levels fall while estrogen levels tend to rise, affecting bone density, stamina, muscle strength, body composition, mental health and sex drive. Another imbalance can occur when testosterone is low in relation to estrogen and may contribute to prostate problems. Other side effects of male hormone imbalances can include poor concentration, decreased mental clarity, erectile dysfunction, decreased urine flow and increased urges to urinate.