Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) or “Hormone Pellets” is a natural replacement of our hormones. Since 1938, bioidentical hormone pellets have been used with great success in the United States, Europe, and Australia. Up until the 1970’s, pellet implants were a very popular mode of administrating hormones within the United States. Then, in the 1970’s, several commercial synthetic products were created administered via both orally and creams. Consequently, the demand for pellets diminished within the U.S., whereas in Europe and Australia, remained very popular. In the past 10 to 20 years, advances in pellet processes and consumer understanding has caused pellet implants to grow in popularity within the U.S. According to Dr. Colbert, a leading expert in BHRT, hormone optimization plays a “Vital Role in our lives“.
Now, with over 80 years of research, it has been both demonstrated and illustrated the benefits of bioidentical hormone pellet implants in both women and men. The facts have been clearly defined that pellet implants deliver consistent, physiologic levels of hormones that are sustained for months. Dose of the pellets is very individualized and is calculated for optimal results. This calculation is a proven protocol system that use a patient’s weight/size and their current blood labs to determine the correct dosage. Features of pellet implants is that it bypasses the liver and do not negatively impact clotting factors, blood pressure, lipid levels, glucose, or liver function.
Pellet implants have consistently been shown to improve:
Bio-identical Hormone Pellet Therapy Effectiveness
Scientific and anecdotal data supports that hormone replacement therapy via pellet implants is the most effective delivery mechanism for both men and women. Since it is bio-identical, the body accepts the pellet hormone delivery as its own. The implants are placed under the skin, consistently improve hormonal imbalance by the release of small, physiologic doses of hormones while providing optimal therapy. Using this method, it is superior in it’s effectiveness because the pellets will last for many months. This is a preferred method to oral, shots, or creams as it is a sustainable release system that ensure hormones are optimal at all times. Not just for a few days.
Fused pellet implants are compounded using biologically identical hormones. The result are pressed hormones, fused into very small cylinders. Pellets are made up of either estradiol or testosterone and sometimes DHEA, Progesterone and Pregnenalone. These small cylinders are slightly larger than a grain of rice yet slightly smaller than the size of a “Tic Tac” breath mint. In the United States, the majority of pellets are made by compounding pharmacists and delivered in sterile glass vials. There is a ‘FDA approved’ 75 mg testosterone pellet (often used in urology offices.) Currently Stanford Urology center uses testosterone implants. At LoveJoy Hormone Clinic, we use pellets that are compounded by at least two of the top FDA approved compounding facilities. These facilities have grade A FDA approval and have a solid track record of providing quality control on their pellet production.
Pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for 3-5 months in women and 4-6 months in men. They avoid the fluctuations, or ups and downs, of hormone levels seen with every other method of delivery. Estrogen delivered by subcutaneous pellets, maintains the normal ratio of estradiol to estrone. This is important for optimal health and disease prevention. Pellets do not increase the risk of blood clots like conventional or synthetic hormone replacement therapy. Because pellets are bio-identical, they do not have any other additive that can cause issues with your bodily functions or interactions with any other medications.
In studies, when compared to conventional hormone replacement therapy, pellets have been shown to be superior for relief of menopausal symptoms, maintenance of bone density, restoration of sleep patterns, and improvement in sex drive, libido, sexual response and performance. Testosterone delivered by a pellet implant, has been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches. It also helps with vaginal dryness, incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency. In both men and women, testosterone has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression, increase sense of well-being, relieve anxiety and improve memory and concentration. Testosterone, delivered by pellet implant, increases lean body mass (muscle strength, bone density) and decreases fat mass. Men and women need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal mental and physical health and for the prevention of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with low testosterone levels.
Even patients who have failed other types of hormone therapy have a very high success rate with pellets. There is no other ‘method of hormone delivery’ that is as convenient for the patient as the implants. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. There is a significant amount of data to support the delivery method of pellet implants.
Pellet insertion is a relatively simple in-office procedure done with local anesthesia. The pellets are inserted subcutaneously (under the fatty lining of skin), in the upper buttocks through a very small incision (the size of an eraser head). The incision is then closed with sterile-tape strips. Typically, patients cannot feel the implants under their skin. Implants placed under the skin consistently release small, physiologic doses of hormones, which have been shown to have many benefits.
Hormone pellets release hormones based on cardiac output. When the heart rate rises the hormones are released into circulation via capillaries that form around the pellets. When the heart rate rises with stress, movement, or exercise, hormones are released in greater quantity, providing greater support for what you are doing or experiencing. When the heart rate is lower with sleep, and rest, less hormone is released, which provides good sleep and calmness. This is one of the greatest benefits of the hormone pellets, is that not only are they giving you more help when you need it but also the right amount of hormone, instead of what most people do – which is forgetting to take the hormone daily, taking the same dose daily even if you need more with stress, and then often not absorbing other methods of hormone therapy.
Complications from the insertion of pellets include; minor bleeding, bruising, or infection at the insertion site (infection is extremely rare). Testosterone stimulates the bone marrow and increases the production of red blood cells. A low testosterone level in older men is a cause of anemia. Testosterone, delivered by implants or other methods, can cause an elevation in the red blood cells. After the insertion of the implants, vigorous physical activity is avoided for 48 hours in women and up to 5 days in men.
Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their early 30’s. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid 40’s to mid 50’s, some into their late 70’s to early 80’s. Men should be tested when they begin to show signs of testosterone deficiency. Even men in their 30’s can be testosterone deficient and show signs of bone loss, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping, body pain, mental decline, irritability, weight gain, and hair loss. Most men need to be tested around 50 years of age. Men can enjoy the benefits of testosterone therapy most of their lives.
It is extremely important for men to have the blood labs checked and receive a consultation from one of LoveJoy Hormone Clinic’s providers. If you feel tired at the end of the day, you have much lower energy, your clarity of mind is not the same, and you notice you are gaining weight and can’t seem to get rid of it, then it is time to see us.
Our consultation with you can make the difference that you have been looking for. You don’t know what you don’t know! If you have any doubts, simply look at the current reviews on the bottom of any of our website pages. They are substantial, relevant, actual, and many!
It begins with a New Patient Consultation. This consultation is FREE to you! There is NO OBLIGATION and is the fastest method to get you on your way towards an “optimized Hormone” life. Once you make a consultation appointment either online or by calling our office, you begin the discovery process.
