Hormone Pellet Therapy places small, time-released pellets of bio-identical hormones in the fat under your skin to be absorbed. The hormones in the pellets are bio-identical, meaning it is the exact molecular match of the human hormone. The process is quick and painless, like having your blood drawn. A small amount of local anesthesia is used to numb the skin before a small tube pushes the pellet into place, and is easily performed in the office.
The pellets are derived from natural plant sources and dissolve completely over a three to six month period in order to replicate the body’s optimal hormonal levels. A compounding pharmacy, following strict federal guidelines, compresses, heats and sterilizes hormone powder to make the pellets. Once placed in the fatty tissue underneath the skin, the pill-sized pellets most closely mimic the actions of healthy ovaries and testicles with regards to testosterone release into the bloodstream.
Because the pellets contain only ingredients naturally found in the human body, Pellet Therapy is ideal for patients wanting the benefits of human hormone therapy to replace a deficiency and enhance health and performance, without the drawbacks of synthetic non-human ingredients.
Symptoms that may benefit from Bioidentical Pellet Therapy include:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Loss of Energy
- Decreased Sexual Desire
- Elevated Cholesterol
- Weight Gain Despite Exercise
- Loss of Memory
- Cardiac Dysfunction
- Depression
- Poor Concentration
- Loss of Muscle Tone
- Menopausal Symptoms
- Inflammation
Why Bio-Identical Hormone Pellet Therapy is a Good Choice.
For Women:
A 40-year-old woman has less than half the testosterone she did at 21. This drop has enormous implications for her health, well being and physical resilience.
Most testosterone is made by the ovaries with the rest of it being made in the adrenal glands. Women are more sensitive to testosterone than men. In other words, they need a lower circulating level in their bodies to provide for their physical, emotional and neurological health. This increased sensitivity leads to a rapid development of problems when a comparatively small drop is available testosterone occurs.
Few realize that even at her reproductive peak, a woman has far more testosterone in her circulation than estrogen. A small reduction in testosterone levels creates the symptoms we call menopause: including a drop in muscle mass and bone density, increased body fat (especially inside the abdomen), higher levels of inflammation, decreased energy, mood, balance, and temperature regulation issues that adversely affect many aspects of life.
For Men:
A man will typically lose 1 to 2% of their testosterone level every year staring at age 19. Acceleration of this drop can occur from stress or taking opiate pain relievers (which can drop the testosterone levels up to 80% within two hours).
The biggest factor in older men’s ability to survive and ambulate in a rehabilitation unit was found to be their testosterone level.
A human’s anti-inflammatory, emotional, and physiologic health (including heart and muscle function) is critically dependent upon a steady supply of testosterone. Low testosterone is clearly linked to higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer, depression, intra-abdominal fat, death, inflammation and increased pain sensitivity. Furthermore, the estrogen inside the cells that is responsible for the bone, nerve, and tissue repair in both sexes is created from the testosterone that has been transported inside these cells.
Misconceptions dispelled
Testosterone does not make one angry or violent. Quite the opposite! Testosterone has been shown to increase “friendliness” by decreasing irritability, anger, sadness, nervousness and tiredness. Nor is there any scientifically valid evidence showing testosterone increases the risk of heart disease or death. In fact, years of solid research has led many experts to believe that testosterone is protective of the cardiovascular system, prostate and breast.
Are there side effects?
Testosterone therapy side effects are uncommon, mild and manageable. The most common side effects are increased facial or body hair, a mild acne outbreak or an overly increased libido. Should they occur, these side effects are temporary and resolve upon decreasing the dosage.
How can I determine if this therapy is right for me?
An office consultation and review of your symptoms and lab results will determine if you are a candidate for bio-identical hormone pellet therapy. We will go over the expected benefits and possible risks as they apply to you.
Female Hormone Replacement Therapy
The symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be life -altering! Hot flashes, night sweats, poor concentration and sleep disturbance are just a few of them. A key study for our generation was the Women’s health Initiative published in 2002. The results showed increased risk of cardiovascular disease and 26 % increased risk of breast cancer. Related to hormone replacement. In 2002 the prescriptions for synthetic estrogen and progesterone therapy decreased by 60%. The Pendulum has shifted and now women are again seeking remedies for hot flashes, and other disturbing menopausal symptoms. Compounded bioidentical hormone therapy and pellet therapy are becoming more mainstream.
The Endocrine society has defined Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy as “compounds that have the exact chemical and molecular structure as hormones that are produced in the body.” There are 3 main types of Estrogen hormones. Estradiol and Estrone are produced in the ovaries. Estradiol is the predominant female hormone prior to menopause, and Estrone becomes more prominent after menopause. Estriol is the third hormone and it is short acting. It is also the least potent endogenous estrogen.
There are two cellular receptors that bind estrogen, alpha and beta. Alpha receptors are found in the endometrium, breast cancer cells, and ovaries. Beta receptors are found in bone, kidney, lung and endothelial cells. Estradiol has the highest affinity for the receptors, then Estrone is mid-range, and Estriol is the weakest.
A common compounded estrogen is Biest which is 80% Estriol and 20 % Estradiol. Although lower dose, estradiol accounts for the most estrogenic activity. Progesterone is used in hormone therapy to prevent development of endometrial hyperplasia or neoplasia as a result of estrogen administration. Micronized progesterone allows for improved absorption of oral progesterone. It does contain peanut oil. Progesterone can also be compounded and delivered in a topical cream.
Testosterone therapy with very small doses allows females to build more muscle mass. Muscle is more efficient at burning calories than fat. In small doses, 1-5 mg/day, it improves mood, focus and may improve memory. Testosterone therapy helps improve sex drive, builds bone mass and improves skin tone and texture.
The most common methods of replacement are creams, pills, or bioidentical pellet therapy. Each of us has our own special dose which is identified after lab work is done.
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Biodentical Hormone Replacement vs. Synthetic Hormone Replacement
Aging is an inevitable and consistently observable phenomenon, but no single biological factor defines the process. Aging does not know any borders, nor does it distinguish between people of different ages or sexes; regardless of chronological age, everyone experiences the effects of aging. One of the most common effects of aging is decreased hormone production. In women, this decrease can lead to a reduction in estrogen levels, which can, in turn, lead to a reduction in libido, an increase in wrinkles, and a decrease in bone density, as well as experiencing a decrease in testosterone. A decrease in testosterone levels can decrease muscle mass, bone density, and libido in men.
Fortunately, there are options available to address these issues. One option is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But HRT comes in two primary forms: natural hormone replacement therapy (NHRT) and synthetic hormone replacement therapy (SHRT). And this is where the confusion begins. How can you decide which type of HRT is right for you? To guide you through this decision, we’ll discuss the main differences between NHRT and SHRT.
Understanding What Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Is
Bioidentical hormones are identical to what the human body produces molecularly. They are created from plant-based compound components and work similarly to human hormones. They are available in many forms, including creams, pills, patches, pellets, and injections. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy effectively addresses menopause symptoms and can also help protect against osteoporosis and heart disease.
There are many advantages of using BHRT. These include:
- Symptom relief without side effects – Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritability, and night sweats can be relieved with BHRT without any unwanted side effects. Additionally, there are minimal cancer or heart disease risks than other hormone treatments.
- Natural ingredients – BHRT uses plant-based ingredients that work the same way human hormones do.
- Balance – BHRT replaces a woman’s hormones lost due to aging and surgical removal of ovaries.
- Personalized treatment – BHRT is carefully formulated for each patient’s individual needs and medical history to provide the most significant possible benefit and safety.
- Quality control – The compounding pharmacy we use handles all aspects of production from start to finish and controls quality at every stage in the process. It does this by adhering to strict manufacturing guidelines and testing each final product for potency, purity, and stability to ensure the best possible results.
Understanding Synthetic Hormone Replacement
Synthetic hormone replacement uses drugs to supplement, rather than replace, the body’s natural hormones. These drugs are manufactured identically to the hormones in your body and can be used to treat several different conditions. For example, synthetic estrogen can treat menopause symptoms and gynecological issues such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness. Other synthetic hormones include testosterone for men with low levels, progesterone for women who have trouble conceiving, and thyroid medication that treats hypothyroidism. Patients often turn to synthetic hormone replacement due to its convenience.
Primary Difference Between Bioidentical Hormone Replacement and Synthetic Hormone Replacement
Both BHRT and SHRT are used to treat a variety of menopausal symptoms. However, bioidentical hormones are made from plant-based substances that act just like your body’s natural hormones. In contrast, synthetic hormones are chemically created in a lab and often contain animal byproducts. Many women choose bioidentical hormone replacement because it is more natural and has fewer side effects than synthetic hormone therapy. It’s like Cinderella and the glass slipper with BHRT, whereas Synthetic HRT is like stepsisters trying to fit into the glass slipper. BHRT fits into the receptor, like a lock and key.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both BHRT and SHRT effectively treat menopausal symptoms; however, bioidentical hormones tend to have fewer side effects and may also be better for your overall health in the long run.
What Is BHRT Hormone Therapy?
The human body is a complex network of hormones with specific functions and interactions. When things get out of balance, we either experience the associated symptoms or reap the effect of hormonal disruption in other areas of the body. This can be due to several things, including stress, diet, medications, age, poor lifestyle choices, and more. And though we spend decades attempting to maintain a healthy state within our bodies through proper diet and lifestyle choices, life throws curveballs that cause us to return to square one, i.e., often finding ourselves overwhelmed by hormone imbalance.
Fortunately, there are options such as Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy for men and women with low or no estrogen (hormones) or who are seeking relief from symptoms associated with hormone imbalance such as hot flashes, night sweats, loss of libido, weight gain, mood swings or just feeling tired or worn out most of the time. If you, too, are interested in learning more about Hormone Replacement Therapy, then you have come to the right place.
In the following sections, we will discuss what HRT is, its benefits, how it works, and how it can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.
Understanding BHRT Hormone Therapy
Our body is a complex system made up of many components. One key component of the body is hormones. Hormones are a special class of molecules that act as messengers to coordinate many body activities. These messengers, produced in one part of the body, travel through the bloodstream and regulate or control the activity and growth of a distant cell, tissue, or organ. The process is often referred to as chemical communication. However, as we age, hormone levels begin to decline gradually and sometimes more rapidly, depending on the individual.
As hormone levels decrease, many people experience symptoms such as weight gain, loss of muscle tone, slower metabolism, low energy or fatigue, loss of strength and stamina, hot flashes or night sweats, thinner hair, and dry skin. There can also be less desirable changes in how you feel emotionally & sexually. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) replaces hormones that have declined with age or have diminished due to menopause or other factors.
BHRT utilizes hormones that are chemically identical to those produced by your own body. These hormones are made from a natural source – yams and soy – using plant-based materials that are transformed into a form used by your body. The process results in medications that have the same molecular structure as hormones produced by your ovaries or testes.
The goal of BHRT is not just to treat the symptoms of hormonal decline but also to provide long-term benefits and improved quality of life. In addition to alleviating the immediate problems associated with menopause, such as hot flashes and hypogonadism, BHRT offers long-term benefits for heart health, bone health, breast health, and sexual function. In addition, BHRT can help improve moodiness and memory loss, sleep better at night and increase metabolism and energy levels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy is an excellent option for those seeking relief from hormone imbalance symptoms. By restoring balance to the body’s hormone system, BHRT can help improve overall health and well-being—both now and into the future.