Whether you’re experiencing the first symptoms of perimenopause, entering menopause, or struggling with low testosterone, using BHRT to restore hormonal balance can help you feel like yourself again. But as hormone therapy has advanced, so too have the methods available to administer treatment and, with so many options, you may feel overwhelmed by your choices—particularly those that are unfamiliar.
One of the most intriguing choices for many patients is pellet hormone therapy. This innovative administration method provides you with a steady dose of hormones over a period of several months, making it one of the easiest and most foolproof treatments available. However, some patients are hesitant to try pellets, in part due to the insertion process itself. By better understanding the hormone pellet insertion process and exploring the benefits of pellet therapy, you can better determine if pellets are right for you—whether you’re starting BHRT for the first time or switching from another method.
How the Hormone Pellet Insertion Process Works
It’s easy to imagine what BHRT pills, gels, patches, or injections are like. You’ve likely used these forms of treatment at some point in your life, whether for BHRT or a different type of medication. But chances are that pellet therapy is new territory.
Hormone pellets are tiny “packets” about the size of a grain of rice. These pellets are inserted under your skin, where they release a consistent dose of hormones as they dissolve. Typically, this takes 3-6 months, although it can vary from person to person. The hormone pellet insertion process itself is an outpatient procedure that takes place in your health care practitioner’s office—and it’s faster and easier than you may think:
The entire procedure takes less than 10 minutes. While you should avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days, you can largely return to your normal activities immediately. Once implanted, the pellets gradually begin to release hormones and while the results aren’t immediate, many people feel a difference within a week of insertion.
For most, the hormone pellet insertion process is painless, although you may experience some slight discomfort, swelling, irritation, bruising, and/or redness afterward. However, these are typically mild and resolve quickly. As with any subcutaneous treatment, there is a risk of infection, but this risk is small and can be minimized with proper aftercare.
Why Pellet Therapy?
Part of the appeal of BHRT is its customizable nature, not only in terms of dosage, but in terms of administration. While there is no single best administration method for everyone, pellet therapy has a number of significant advantages over other forms of BHRT. These include:
Steady, Consistent Treatment
Perhaps the greatest advantage of hormone pellets is consistency. Unlike other forms of BHRT, pellets don’t cause hormone levels to rise and fall over the course of hours, days, or even weeks. Rather, they keep delivering a steady dose over several months, allowing you to avoid the discomfort that may be caused by hormonal peaks and valleys.
No Chance of Incorrect Use
To receive optimal benefit from a medication, you have to take the medication correctly. However, people are imperfect, and it’s easy to forget a pill or apply too much cream. With hormone pellets, however, there is no chance of user error, which means you can’t inadvertently compromise efficacy or tolerability.
You Can Set it and Forget It
Hormone imbalances and fluctuations can be deeply disruptive—but BHRT doesn’t have to be. With hormone pellets, you only need to see your practitioner a few times a year for new insertions. Aside from that, you don’t have to think about your treatment—you won’t have to rush to pick up a refill at the last minute or forget to bring your medication when you go on vacation.
Choosing the Right Practitioner
The benefits of pellet therapy and ease of administration make it an increasingly popular choice for those looking for a long-term solution for hormonal health conditions. However, choosing the right hormone replacement therapy practitioner is essential to ensuring the best possible treatment experience.
The best BHRT practitioners will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your hormone levels, symptoms, and overall health. They will also help you understand all your treatment options and determine which administration method will work best for your health concerns, your preferences, and your lifestyle. They will then create a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs, including carefully calibrating your BHRT dosage. While correct dosages are critical for all forms of BHRT, it is particularly crucial for those using pellet therapy because pellets dissolve naturally over time and cannot be removed. As such, your practitioner must stay conservative enough to prevent excessive treatment yet still provide an effective dose—a balance that requires a high level of expertise. They will then continue to track your progress and fine-tune your care to help you achieve your health goals.
Hormonal changes and imbalances can make you feel like someone else. With the right practitioner and the right treatment, you can recapture your sense of self and live life to its fullest.
If you want to know more about the benefits of hormone pellet therapy, BodyLogicMD can help. The BodyLogicMD network is comprised of top medical professionals specializing in hormone health and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. A BodyLogicMD-affiliated practitioner can help you address your symptoms with a personalized treatment plan designed to restore hormonal balance and enhance your quality of life. Contact a local practitioner to schedule your first appointment, or take the BodyLogicMD Hormone Balance Quiz today.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All content on this website is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases.