Hormone Replacement Therapy - Why Are Pellets A Better Option?

Pellet implants are a unique way to treat hormone imbalances into the body. Customized to meet your individual needs, pellets are compounded hormones made from organic plant materials, which have the same molecular structure of those hormones found in the body. In a simple, quick in-office procedure, a prescribed number of rice-grain-sized bioidentical hormone

pellets are inserted by making a small incision in the skin of the buttocks under local anesthesia. The pellets will release steady small amounts of hormones directly into your bloodstream for an average of several months.  For women, it generally lasts about 3 - 5 months.  For men, it lasts as long as 6 months.  The length of time is dependent upon cardiac output and metabolism.  Patients with a higher cardiac output tend to metabolize faster.

Benefits of Hormone Pellet Therapy

Considered the gold standard of hormonal therapy treatments, bioidentical hormone pellets are used to treat men and women with low hormone levels. They have the same molecular structure as natural human hormones and work the same way. Delivering these medications in pellet form has several benefits:

Consistency — Pellets supply a consistent level of hormones released in the bloodstream

Closest to nature — Pellets mimic your body’s natural delivery system more closely than any other method.

Convenience — You don’t need to worry about remembering to take your medication daily. Hormone pellets only need to be inserted 2-4 times per year depending on what on your physician prescribes and what works best for your body.

Fewer side effects — Pellet therapy bypasses the liver, sending hormones directly into the bloodstream, and avoiding certain side effects of oral medications.

Bioidentical hormone therapy can treat the following:

Menopause - The most common use of BHRT is to treat the symptoms of menopause in women. These symptoms can include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, fatigue, mid-section weight gain, loss of muscle mass, foggy thinking, and mood changes.

Low Testosterone - Levels of testosterone normally decline with age. Some people have no symptoms, but it can cause men and women to experience low libido, sexual problems, hair loss, fatigue, loss of muscle and bone mass, fat gain (think beer belly for men), mood issues and memory problems.

Loss of Bone Density- Postmenopausal osteoporosis affects women during the first decade following menopause. Bones become brittle, fragile, and easy to fracture.  This is one of the most common postmenopausal problems doctors treat with bioidentical hormone pellet therapy.

Sexual Dysfunction- BHRT may help with vaginal dryness in women, decreased libido in both sexes, and sexual functioning issues in men.

Muscle and Strength Loss - Men and women can lose muscle mass and strength as hormone levels decrease. Hormone replacement may help patients continue enjoying their favorite sports, activities and improve their overall quality of life.

Mood Disorders - Hormonal changes in menopause or andropause (in men) can cause or worsen mood swings, anxiety disorders, or depression. In addition to worry, fear, agitation, irritability, nervousness, and irrational thoughts, patients can have physical symptoms — rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, numbness, lightheadedness, shakiness, and high blood pressure.

Who Can Benefit from Pellet Hormone Therapy?

Pellet hormone therapy may benefit people who have symptoms of hormone imbalance related to age or other factors. In addition to serious medical conditions, as hormone levels decline, both men and women can feel less like “themselves” than when they were younger. They may not have the strength or energy they once had, sex may be difficult or uncomfortable, they may gain or lose weight, and they may be more sensitive to heat and cold. All kinds of things can change, from hair and memory loss, when the body isn’t producing its optimal level of hormones.

Who Should Avoid Pellet Hormone Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy does have potential for risks and side effects which can vary from individual to individual, based on a patient’s medical history and lifestyle. You should always consult carefully with your doctor about the potential pros and cons for you. Some issues may be better or worse with pellet delivery than oral or cream delivery.

Make sure your provider knows if you:

• Think you may be pregnant
• Are experiencing vaginal bleeding
• Have/had certain types of cancer such as breast, uterine, or endometrial
• Had a stroke or heart attack
• Have/had blood clots
• Develop a minor local reaction to the implant, such as itching and redness
• See the pellets dislodging and coming out of the skin

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In these cases, we  may want to consider a different solution for you.

If you are interested in hormone optimization, we will need to determine if you are a candidate by reviewing your laboratory results and medical history.  Call us today to schedule an appointment.   Ca

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