Bio-Identical Hormones
Many of our patients ask about bio-identical hormones for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, and it is easy to be confused with so much conflicting information available online and in product advertising. There’s a lot of reasons that may muddy the waters, but the most important things to know are the following:
1. First, we should be putting hormones into our system that are biologically identical to those that our body makes. We call these hormones “bio-identical”
2. Estradiol (i.e. bio-identical estrogen) should NOT be given by mouth, since doing so makes it pass through the liver, and seems to be responsible for the risks that have been shown in some studies related to blood clotting, heart disease, and stroke
3. Estradiol DOES NOT cause breast cancer, and when given non-orally DOES NOT increase this risk of a blood clot, heart disease, and stroke
4. There are numerous health benefits of bio-identical hormone replacement, apart from symptom relief. These include a reduction in osteoporosis, colon cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few.
5. Testosterone is important for women as well as men
So when it comes to hormone replacement, we’re looking for non-oral bio-identical hormones, in a no-fuss, no mess, easy to remember delivery system. Simple, right? Enter Hormone Pellets.
Hormone pellets are tiny slow-release bio-identical rods made of estradiol and testosterone. They can be dosed differently for each patient, based on age, where she is in the menopause spectrum, her symptoms, and her personal history.
Book Your ConsultationIn other words, the tiny rods come in many doses and can be added together to achieve a higher dose for patients who need that. For example, some men need might receive 8 testosterone pellets in one application, and some women might receive an estrogen and a testosterone pellet. The starting dose is determined by a formula based on hundreds of thousands of prior patient experiences and can be modified in the future based on individual response.
If you’re curious about hormone pellets, bio-identical hormones, or the danger surrounding hormone replacement, I invite you to read my blogs on the subject below.
Interested In Hormone Pellets?
I welcome you to schedule a consult with me to ensure that hormone pellets are the right option for you. Even if you’re just looking for more information on hormone pellets, I welcome you to reach out, and we can discuss the best option for you!
Book Your ConsultationFAQ’s
Pellets contain plant-based hormones that are biologically identical to the human hormones estradiol and testosterone. The hormones are time released over several months and the dose is variable based on the individual patient’s starting symptoms, age and lab work.
Pellets are injected into the fat of the buttock through a small trochar (like a large hollow needle) through a tiny incision which does not even require a suture and heals invisibly. Local anesthetic is used to make it minimally uncomfortable and the insertion takes less than 5 minutes.
Most women require a new pellet about every 4 months, and most men about every 6 months. More physically active people will metabolize the hormones more quickly, perhaps as early as every 3 months for women or 5 months for men.
For women in menopause, essentially all of the common menopause symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings, lack of energy, insomnia, brain fog, and others) will disappear or be very minimal. Testosterone will also improve muscle:fat ratio, energy and libido for most women. For men, testosterone will improve libido, many cases of ED, muscle loss, sleep and energy.
For women, estrogen is not given until menopause, but testosterone replacement can be helpful for many women as young as 30. Men can also benefit from testosterone replacement, although we only offer them to men who are finished childbearing.
Symptoms will return and benefits will disappear as soon as replacement is stopped. So unless a health condition develops that makes hormone replacement unwise, you will benefit from staying on replacement as long as you want to feel good! (Your whole life.)
Many of our female patients have a huge improvement in libido and energy with their pellet, and still struggle if their male partner has low testosterone or ED. We will offer pellets to male partners of our patients.
Yes, pellets do need to be placed in the office. We no longer offer mobile pellet placement.