Ageing is a natural part of life. But no one enjoys the thought of getting older. We all want to live healthy, happy lives for as long as we possibly can. This is why the topic of longevity and anti-ageing hormone therapy interests so many of us.

Many studies now show just how effective BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) is at slowing down the ageing process and helping you stay healthier as you age. While BHRT isn’t a magical fountain of youth, maintaining healthy levels of hormones as we get older can not only slow down the effects of ageing but may even help us live longer.

Here we explore the relationship between hormones and ageing and how BHRT can support you as you age. So, is BHRT the secret to longevity? Let’s find out.

Your Biological Age vs. Your Chronological Age

We all celebrate our birthdays each year to mark our chronological age, but our biological age is different. Our biological age reflects how fast our cells are ageing. Unhealthy habits such as excessive alcohol intake, smoking, and lack of exercise can all impact our biological age and make us older than we actually are. Healthy lifestyle habits and good hormone balance have the opposite effect and make our bodies biologically younger than our age. 

Longevity is about staying healthier for longer. Hormones play a crucial role in repairing and renewing our cells, so maintaining optimal hormone levels as you age is a key reason why BHRT can support longevity.

Hormones and Ageing

As men and women age, they experience many changes due to a decline in hormone levels. Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all play vital roles in the ageing process and in maintaining our health. For women, a decrease in these three key hormones occurs during perimenopause and menopause.

For men, testosterone levels drop about 1% per year starting around age 30. Once testosterone decreases to a certain point, men enter what’s called andropause, typically in their mid-40s or 50 which can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, mood swings and a loss of muscle mass.

Growth hormone is another crucial hormone for tissue repair and healing. Like other hormones, growth hormone levels also decline with age, making it harder for our bodies to heal. Our hormones also regulate the activity of stem cells. Lower levels of testosterone in men and estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in women can reduce stem cell activity, making it harder for our bodies to repair themselves the older we get.

How Does BHRT Help with Longevity?

Maintaining hormone balance as you grow older helps protect us against age-related conditions that can impact our longevity. Research has found that  women who use hormone replacement therapy were more likely to live longer and be biologically younger than women who did not. A recent study also shows that hormone therapy is associated with slower ageing in menopause.

There are several important ways that BHRT acts as an anti-ageing hormone therapy and can help both women and men as they age.

Heart and Bone Health

One of the key ways BHRT slows down the ageing process and supports a longer, healthier life is through improved bone and cardiovascular health. As we age, the hormones that keep our hearts and bones strong decline, which can lead to heart disease and osteoporosis.

For women in particular, osteoporosis is a significant health issue. Women lose up to 10% of their bone density within the five years after menopause and 1 in 2 women over the age of 60 will suffer a fracture.

“Estrogen is the key hormone that protects heart and bone health in women. Low estrogen levels after menopause are what cause this decline. For men, it’s the lack of testosterone that causes a loss of muscle mass, bone density, and heart health,” explains expert hormone specialist, Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott.

Mental and Cognitive Health

As women enter menopause and men andropause, symptoms like mood swings, brain fog, and memory issues can arise. BHRT helps preserve cognitive function and keeps your mind sharper for longer. BHRT can also help lower stress levels and improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, which can contribute to cell degradation and increased ageing.

Sleep

As we age, many people experience disruptions to their sleep, such as insomnia or waking up in the middle of the night. Hormonal changes are what contribute to these sleep disturbances.

The progesterone found in BHRT has been shown to improve sleep, which is a crucial part of slowing down the ageing process. By helping to balance your hormones, BHRT promotes deeper, more restful sleep, allowing your body to repair and rejuvenate overnight. Better sleep can also reduce stress and improve overall mood, contributing to better mental and physical health as you age.

Sex Drive

Maintaining a healthy sex life as we age is closely linked to improved longevity. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) can help restore libido and sexual desire in both men and women by addressing hormone imbalances.

In women, BHRT alleviates symptoms like low sex drive, vaginal dryness, and pain during intercourse, which are often caused by decreased estrogen levels. In men, it helps combat low libido and erectile dysfunction caused by declining testosterone levels.

Skin

Thinning skin is a common symptom as we age with the decline of collagen, leading to wrinkles and skin sagging. Hormone therapy has been shown to improve epidermal hydration, skin elasticity, and skin thickness, helping to maintain healthier, younger-looking skin for longer.

“Ageing shouldn’t be something to fear; instead, we should strive to remain as healthy and active as possible for as long as possible. Taking care of your hormone health is a proven way to support your body as you age and help you live a long, healthy life,” says Dr Ghazala Aziz-Scott.

You can find out more about the proven benefits of BHRT here.

How Can The Marion Gluck Clinic Help?

At The Marion Gluck Clinic, we are BHRT specialists. For the last two decades, we have pioneered this alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Today, BHRT is a widely available treatment option to support hormonal health, with more and more people aware of its incredible benefits.

Unlike older forms of HRT that use synthetic hormones, our BHRT is derived from Mexican yams. These bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as those naturally found in the human body, resulting in fewer side effects, higher efficacy, and not the adverse health risks associated with synthetic hormones.

We offer custom-made hormone treatments in individualised dosages. This personalised approach ensures that treatment is tailored to each person’s specific symptoms. Our team of BHRT specialist doctors are extensively trained in this field of therapy.

If you are experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance and want to see how BHRT can help, book an online appointment now with one of our expert hormone doctors today

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