Age-related hormone decline can have a devastating impact on a person’s health and general wellbeing. Pellets that contain bioidentical hormones can be a highly effective, all-natural solution to many of the symptoms that come with hormone fluctuation. At the Herrera Medical Group in Flower Mound, TX, we are often asked how hormone pellets work and how this particular delivery system can benefit both men and women experiencing hormone decline.
While we offer several hormone replacement options, there are many advantages to choosing pellets that are compounded with a customized blend of natural hormones. If you are entering peri-menopause or menopause itself, or andropause in the case of men, being treated with the right blend of bioidentical hormones can be life-changing – keep reading to find out why.
What Makes Pellets a Superior Hormone Delivery System
A hormone pellet is very small – usually not much bigger than a grain of rice – but it can have a very big impact on a person’s overall health and wellbeing. These pellets contain plant-based bioidentical hormones that are molecularly identical to the hormones found naturally in the human body. Depending on how much you need of a particular hormone, the pellets can be customized to suit your exact needs.
What makes pellets superior to some other hormone delivery systems, such as an injection or a patch, is that they are able to deliver a slow but steady dose of hormones directly into the bloodstream. Over the course of about four to five months, the pellet (which is inserted under the skin in the upper thigh or buttocks area) releases a steady flow of hormones that is never too much or not enough.
Convenience
While there are other hormone delivery methods that can also provide good results, what appeals to many patients most about pellets is the convenience factor. Pellets only need to be implanted 2 to 4 times per year. Not having to remember to take a pill or to apply a topical product every day is a big advantage for people with busy lifestyles.
Optimal Dosing
Since there is no risk of forgetting to take your dose, the hormones are delivered in a steady flow throughout the day and night. With patches, gels, and creams, it can be tricky to estimate exactly how much hormone you are getting. Pellets completely take the guesswork out of this process. This system also means there are no highs or lows between doses.
No Downtime
Pellets are inserted by a trained medical professional using a minimally invasive method that only takes about ten minutes. The pellet goes under the skin, but because it is so small, it is not visible beneath the skin’s surface once implanted. The area is numbed so this procedure is completely painless.
While a very small incision must be made, there are no sutures required – just a band-aid. There is no downtime required following your appointment, but we do ask patients to avoid physical exertion for several days after the pellet goes in. Patients who have massage therapy should also be mindful to ask their massage therapist to avoid the area where the pellet was implanted.
Choosing Custom-Compounded Bioidentical Hormones
One of the main reasons we recommend the custom-compounded bioidentical hormones that are used in pellets is because this treatment method allows for an individualized approach. Unlike conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone pellets provide precise dosing using hormones that are exactly like the natural hormones in our own bodies. This is a convenient, effective, and all-natural solution that has an excellent safety profile.
What Symptoms Can Be Helped?
Taking a customized, holistic approach to hormone replacement can alleviate many of the symptoms associated with pre-menopause and menopause in women, and andropause in men. While men and women experience different symptoms, the effects of adding back in the hormones that are lacking can have an astounding effect on health and wellbeing.
Female Symptoms
- Mood swings
- Lack of sexual interest
- Chronic insomnia and fatigue
- Hot flashes
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Thinning hair
- Weight gain
- Skin problems
- Weakened bones
Male Symptoms
- Loss of muscle mass
- Erectile dysfunction
- Lack of energy
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Irritability
- Poor concentration or memory
Significant Improvement in Quality of Life
Whether your symptoms are minor or getting progressively worse, any one of the health issues listed above can have a very negative impact on quality of life. It is also true that even one symptom, such as lack of sleep, can have a cascading effect that impacts other areas of life. This is why we recommend seeking treatment using hormone pellets at the earliest possible stage.
It is not unusual to begin noticing symptoms of hormone fluctuation as early as a person’s 30’s. This is true of men and women alike. Hormones can begin a steady decline after age 30, and there is no amount of diet or exercise that can reverse this process. Being proactive about seeking treatment can help to slow down this process before it gets out of hand.
Are Hormone Pellets Safe?
The pellets used in hormone replacement therapy have a very good safety record. It is of course important to work closely with your hormone practitioner to keep track of your symptoms and adjust your dosage as needed. Pellets, which dissolved very gradually over time, mean that the patient never experiences the sudden spikes that can occur with some other HRT methods.
Bioidentical hormones delivered under the supervision of a trained hormone specialist are a safe and effective way to eliminate many of the symptoms that we used to associate with normal aging. We now know that many of these symptoms can be lessened or sometimes completely reversed with therapy. It is now widely recognized that the benefits of HRT greatly outweigh any of the risk factors that only exist in a small percent of the population.
How Is Dosing Determined?
Determining a patient’s ideal dosage can sometimes take time, which is why anyone using hormone pellets or any other form of HRT needs to be monitored closely. We work with patients to ensure that they are getting the right combination of hormones in the ideal amount so that their symptoms are minimized to the greatest extent possible.
Many patients find that by their second or third appointment, their symptoms have disappeared entirely. Other patients notice a difference right away, but it typically takes at least two weeks for the full effects of a hormone pellet to be discernible. At each follow-up appointment, your current medical status and symptoms will be reviewed to make sure we are on the right track. If an increase in dosing is advisable, it will be done gradually.
Can Hormones Be Used Long-Term?
While hormone replacement therapy is considered safe for most people, it is normally used for a set period of time while a person is experiencing symptoms that are affecting their quality of life. This can happen as soon as a person’s 30’s, or as late as their 60’s. Hormone therapy that is closely monitored by a skilled practitioner should be safe for long-term use, but it can also be tapered off if and when the patient wishes to do so.
If you have any health issues that are causing you concern, this should be discussed with your doctor. In most cases, the benefits of hormone replacement by far exceed any risk.
Avoiding a One-Size-Fits-All Approach
Many hormone delivery methods using synthetic hormones offer people a standardized solution that is not designed to alleviate specific health concerns. Using natural hormones that have been customized to each individual patient allows for the maximum benefit using the safest means possible. It is important to do your research to fully understand the advantages of natural hormones over synthetic ones.
Finding the Right Provider
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms noted above, it might be time to look into hormone replacement therapy. Ideally, you will want to find a provider who works with bioidentical hormones, and who offers pellets as a delivery option. It is also important to find a hormone specialist who has been specifically trained in this method – while pellet insertion is a very safe and routine procedure, it still needs to be done by a certified specialist.
Start Improving Your Quality of Life Today
If hormone fluctuation is affecting your quality of life, trying bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be absolutely life-changing. Contact us today at the Herrera Medical Group in Flower Mound, TX to book your initial consultation and learn more about this amazing treatment option.
