HORMONE THERAPY, INCLUDING TESTOSTERONE THERAPY (TRT), AND RELAPSE: THE DANGERS AND RISKS OF STARTING THERAPY AND STOPPING
RELAPSE!!! RELAPSE!!! RELAPSE!!!
Normally, we associate the word “relapse” with alcoholics or drug addicts. So, why would we use this term when discussing testosterone therapy?
Let’s start by clarifying that in this article, we’ll be using terms like TRT, Hormone Therapy, Hormone Replacement Therapy, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, and endocrinology interchangeably. I mention this so that readers know exactly what we’re referring to.
I am Joshua G. Crampton, founder of MultiGen Health LLC. My career started with Drug & Alcohol Dependency courses, as I was on my way to becoming an LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor). Although I shifted direction into entrepreneurship and eventually into bodybuilding and nutrition, which led me to endocrinology, I have a solid understanding of “relapse” and addiction.
No, I didn’t finish my LCDC and become an addiction counselor. However, I still deal with relapse on a daily basis in my role at MultiGen Wellness Hormone Therapy. We see patients who relapse, and it’s heartbreaking to watch someone give up or shy away from working on their health and well-being.
HOW RELAPSE PLAYS A ROLE IN HORMONE THERAPY:
Relapse is a real issue in hormone therapy because it directly ties into “patient loss.” Over time, we inevitably lose patients for various reasons, and relapse is one of the main causes. This happens when someone gains the willpower to begin therapy, makes an effort to get healthier, but then falls off track and quits without returning.
So, why would anyone stop doing something that’s good for them?
“It’s harder to do the hard things that are good for us, than the easy things that are bad for us.”
Going to the gym is hard, but sitting on the couch is easy. Eating healthy is hard, but grabbing fast food is easy. Balancing nutrition is hard, but ignoring it is easy. Confronting yourself and taking action is hard, but it’s easy to just forget.
In hormone therapy, we often find that patients need to endure some level of suffering before they summon the strength and courage to take action toward becoming healthier. New patients usually come to us with an extreme sense of urgency, eager to start therapy because they’ve already fought hard to reach out for help. They don’t want to be told to “hurry up and wait.”
WHY DOES RELAPSE HAPPEN?
Relapse often occurs after the patient begins feeling better on treatment and needs refills or new blood work. The reason it happens is that therapy isn’t always easy. Patients may have to give themselves weekly or daily shots, which can be uncomfortable. Managing dosages, schedules, and regular check-ups also requires significant effort.
When patients first start treatment, they’re desperate. They feel terrible and need help. However, as months go by, they start feeling better. Hormone therapy becomes less of a priority, and it’s easy to forget about it. We typically see one of two things happen:
- Medication Refill Neglect: The patient needs new medication refills but forgets to call or order them. A week turns into two weeks, then a month.
- Blood Work Delay: The patient needs new blood tests and plans to schedule an appointment but keeps postponing it. A week turns into two weeks, then a month.
While this is happening, the patient feels great, and they don’t notice any immediate issues. They think it’s no big deal. But then, three months later, they wake up feeling awful again and realize they’ve relapsed by falling off their treatment. That’s when they start calling to restart therapy.
FALSE STARTS:
In the wellness industry, we often encounter the term “False Start,” which refers to a form of relapse that occurs shortly after someone commits to making a positive change. It’s akin to “buyer’s remorse.” It usually shows up in a patient’s mind as excuses like: “I need to do more research,” “I’ll sign up next week when my family leaves,” “It sounds too expensive,” or “I can find a cheaper option.” Essentially, it’s when a person agrees to start but then fails to show up for their first appointment. In some cases, they might even get their lab orders but never follow through with the tests.
After years of conducting hormone therapy consultations, I’ve learned to spot these signs. When someone is genuinely committed to making a change, they ask few questions and take decisive actions. However, when someone is uncertain or not fully convinced, they often ask endless questions, call repeatedly, and come up with numerous excuses.
False starts are especially difficult for me. It’s hard when someone expresses that they’re suffering, agrees to take action, and then backs out, goes silent, or simply doesn’t follow through. It’s a tough reality because I know the internal struggle they’re facing. When you’re dealing with someone who has relapsed, remember, you’re speaking to someone who fought one of the hardest battles of their life—and, for now, they’ve lost.
HOW TO PREVENT RELAPSE:
It happens to the best of us. We all experience moments of relapse in different areas of our lives—whether it’s in the gym, diet, relationships, or work. Sometimes, we get off track and need to take steps to regain control.
If you find yourself in relapse, the best thing to do is to forgive yourself and move forward. Get back on therapy and make a stronger effort to prevent another relapse. That’s the best course of action: forgive yourself and do better next time.
At MultiGen Wellness, we’ve set up systems to help prevent this from happening. We’ve implemented automatic reminders and other support tools to keep our patients on track and ensure they don’t fall off their treatment plan.
Here at MultiGen, we care about your health. If you have any questions or would like a free health consult, feel free to reach out.
To get a free consultation click here: Contact – Multigen Wellness
By Joshua G. Crampton, Founder of MultiGen Wellness Online
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