Hormone Pellet Therapy: Take Control of Your Hormone Symptoms With Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Your partner has tried numerous acts of romance in the hope of enticing you.
Flowers on a typical Tuesday, complementing how you look, the spontaneous foot rub on the couch while you watch your favorite show — but you just can’t get in the mood.
You remember a time when you had more energy, you could concentrate, and sleep through the night.
You feel stuck and insecure with the changes happening to your body. You wonder, is there an alternative to the antidepressants your doctor has recently prescribed to you?
Keep reading as we explore hormone pellet therapy, how it works, and why it may help balance your hormones.
What Is Hormone Pellet Therapy?
Hormone pellet implants are an advanced method for delivering bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) — processed hormones that come from plants containing the exact molecular structures that are naturally produced in the body.
Pellets are pressed into a solid compound about the size of a cooked grain of rice and are inserted under the skin, usually in the hip area, to help both men and women regulate hormones that their bodies no longer produce..
Bioidentical compounded hormones include:
- Estradiol
- Estrone
- Dehydroepiandrosterone
- Testosterone
The FDA has not yet approved hormone pellet therapy as a treatment because the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has informed the FDA there is not yet enough evidence that can support their safety and effectiveness.
However, compelling research from medical professionals indicates that hormone pellet therapy is safer and more effective than FDA-approved drugs.
Reveal Med Spa’s Dr. Farhina Imtiaz is a board-certified gynecologic surgeon with over 25 years of experience specializing in women’s health. Here she focuses on individualized hormone replacement therapy with your wellness goals in mind, helping you to look and feel your absolute best.
Call us today or request a consultation online to explore our beneficial service options.
Why Is Hormone Pellet Therapy Used?
Men and women can use hormone pellet therapy to balance the levels of hormones in their bodies which can decrease with age. These hormones include:
- Estrogen
- Progesterone
- Testosterone
- Thyroid — thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)
The balance of testosterone and estrogen is necessary to produce serotonin — a chemical that regulates how you feel. Without it, you may feel tired, irritable, or unfocused.
Hormone pellet therapy for women can be used to relieve menopause symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
- Decreased libido
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dry skin
- Mood swings
- Mental fog
Hormone pellet therapy for men can be used to relieve andropause symptoms, including:
- Low energy
- Reduced muscle mass
- Erectile dysfunction symptoms
- Nervousness
- Bone loss
- Insomnia
- Poor concentration
- Memory loss
Hormone Pellet Therapy vs. Conventional Hormone Therapies
Bioidentical hormones can be administered in many forms, including:
- Pellets
- Creams
- Gels
- Shots
- Patches
- Pills
Pellet hormone therapy has been used in the United States, Europe, and Australia since 1938. Data in medical literature shows that pellet hormone therapy is superior to other methods of hormone delivery. Here’s why:
- No mood swings or energy crashes: Pellets release small, regular doses of your prescribed hormones into your body. Other treatments can produce a roller coaster-like effect releasing a high level of hormones suddenly, causing extreme mood swings and energy fluctuation. The consistent, stable delivery system of the pellet therapy dosage neutralizes these negative side effects and avoids the fluctuations of hormone levels.
- Convenient: No more remembering to take daily pills, applying messy creams, or sticking on patches every week or two. A single hormone pellet insertion delivers consistent, healthy levels of hormones for about 3-4 months in women and 4-6 months in men. Pellets do not need to be removed, they simply dissolve completely on their own over time.
- Highly effective and safer: Over the seven years of one study, 1,204,012 hormone pellet implant procedures were performed in 376,254 people, with an overall complication rate of less than 1%. Data from the study indicates that hot flashes improved in all patients, with a reduction in depression in 99% of cases, and improvements in libido in 92% of cases. The study also confirms that the hormone pellet therapy method of dosing and administration is the safest bioidentical hormone application method due to the low complication rate.
- Customized just for you: Extensive lab work is conducted to determine which hormones are reduced or out of balance in your body. Hormone pellets are then individually dosed and compounded for each patient’s unique hormone replacement needs. The body draws hormones from the pellets as needed and contains exactly what you need, and nothing that you don’t, to make you feel better. Your provider can adjust your dose based on your changing hormone needs.
Reveal Med Spa offers advanced hormone replacement therapy in Houston. As a Biotin legacy provider that has administered over 500 pellets, our expertise in BioTE hormone pellet therapy is unmatched.
Hormone Pellet Therapy Procedure
To insert hormone pellets, a practitioner will numb the skin and make a small incision, usually into the hip area. The incision is 2-3 millimeters, barely noticeable, and does not scar. They will insert one or more hormone pellet implants just under the skin. Then the incision is closed with sterile tape strips that last for one week. A pressure dressing is also applied for 24 hours.
Before hormone pellet therapy, you may need to:
- Perform a blood draw to ensure you are a candidate for hormone replacement.
- Complete a salivary test to check your hormone levels.
- Stop taking blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen, for at least one week before the procedure.
- Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before the procedure.
After hormone pellet therapy, you may need to avoid:
- Showering for 24 hours
- Soaking in tubs, pools, or baths for at least three days
- Exercise for three days
- Massage therapy directly at the pellet site for six months
Advantages of Hormone Pellet Therapy
The treatment of hormone pellet therapy may provide various benefits, including:
- Relieving menopause symptoms
- Increasing low sex drive
- Improving energy and mood
- Reducing body fat
- Protecting against health conditions, such as endocrine and gynecic disorders.
Advantages of the pellet delivery system include:
- Direct absorption of hormones into the bloodstream, avoiding the liver and gastrointestinal system
- No need to apply topical creams or gels each day, use patches, or take oral medication
- Continuous availability of hormones
- Control over the release of hormones — the body can absorb more or less when it needs them
Disadvantages of Hormone Pellet Therapy
While hormone pellet therapy has many advantages, there are a few drawbacks that you may need to consider:
- Minor surgery: While the implantation process is quick and often painless for hormone pellets, it is a minor surgical procedure that carries a low risk of complications, including a small risk of infection or extrusion of the pellets, and may cause discomfort during and after the procedure.
- Recovery period: It’s recommended to avoid strenuous physical activity and prolonged water exposure for several days after implantation. You may experience swelling, bruising, or redness of the incision site, although these are typically mild.
- Limited alterations: More pellets can be added after your initial procedure, however, pellets cannot be removed. To avoid over-treatment it’s critical that you work with a highly trained and experienced practitioner.
While the cons may outweigh the pros for some, hormone pellet therapy reviews and data suggest that patients who choose hormone pellets tend to be more satisfied with their treatment than patients who use other methods of hormone therapy.
In one study of men taking testosterone therapy, over 95% of patients using pellets for 6 to 12 months reported being satisfied with their treatment compared to 75.2% of those using injections and 62.5% of those using testosterone gel.
Hormone Pellet Therapy: FAQs
Are There Side Effects of Hormone Pellet Therapy?
Similar to the side effects of other hormone replacement therapies, the side effects of hormone pellet therapy may vary depending on the levels and types of hormones that the pellets contain.
Some potential side effect may include:
- Breast tenderness
- Bloating
- Vaginal bleeding
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Hair loss
- Acne
- Dizziness
- Abdominal cramping
- Migraines
Your care team will monitor your health and help you manage any side effects that you may experience.
How Much Does Hormone Pellet Therapy Cost?
Hormone pellet therapy cost can vary depending on the provider and the gender of the patient:
- Women: $1,050–$1,400 per year, or $300–$350 per pellet that lasts 3-4 months
- Men: $1,400–$2,100 per year, or $650 per pellet that lasts 4-6 months
Call or contact us today to request hormone pellet therapy pricing.
Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Hormone Pellet Therapy?
Both men and women who are experiencing the symptoms of hormone imbalance are usually good candidates for this therapy.
If you’re a woman going through menopause, consider using hormone therapy if your:
Menopause symptoms are interrupting your life
PMS symptoms are extreme
Sex life isn’t so sexy
Bone density is low
Change in reproductive health was sudden, such as ovarian surgery
Experiencing postpartum depression
Both diagnostic testing and a consultation will help to determine if you are an ideal candidate for hormone pellet therapy.
How Long Does It Take for Hormone Pellets To Work
Every patient and their optimal hormone replacement journey are unique, but in general:
- Patients may feel relief within 2-4 weeks after hormone pellet treatment
- Full hormone optimization can take closer to 3-6 months
Regular follow-ups with your provider are vital to monitor your symptoms and customize your plan moving forward.
How Is My Dosage Determined?
Every dose is customized based on a consultation and extensive lab work to ensure a patient receives the exact concentration of hormones needed.
The goal is to relieve symptoms at the lowest dose possible for the shortest amount of time, so those using hormone pellet therapy are monitored closely by their providers.
Routine blood work, urine, and saliva tests are used to monitor your hormone levels and determine your dosage so your provider can adjust it as needed.
Reveal Med Spa: Take Control of Your Hormones With Hormone Pellet Therapy
To determine the best outcome and get you started on your hormone therapy journey, Reveal Med Spa will evaluate your:
- Body
- Symptoms
- Health
- Personal preferences
- Treatment goals
Dr. Imtiaz is an expert in women’s health and has helped to empower thousands of women to regain their hormonal balance through pellet therapy to feel radiant again.
Contact Reveal Med Spa today for an in-depth consultation and see how hormone pellets can improve your health and energy, increase your sexual desire, and rejuvenate you back to your quality of life.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.