Hormone Pellet Therapy

SUPERIOR HORMONE PELLET THERAPY at COMFORT PROCEDURES

At Comfort Procedures, we strive to help adult male and female patients achieve optimum well-being, no matter their age, with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.

WHAT IS BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellets is a more natural alternative to synthetic weekly injection or daily oral hormone replacement therapies. With bioidentical hormones, the structure of the hormone—testosterone, estrogen or both—is matched to the individual patient’s needs. Bioidentical hormones are natural, plant-based substances that metabolize in our bodies the way nature intended.

Synthetic hormones, such as weekly shots and daily pills, are mass-produced and formulated from chemicals in a lab. Artificial hormones are intentionally manufactured to be slightly different than natural human hormones, so the manufacturer can patent the formulation. Consequently, synthetic hormones may not provide as good a fit or optimum outcome for the human body like bioidentical hormones do and they can have long-term side effects.

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WHAT ARE BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE PELLETS, AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Composed of either estradiol or testosterone, bioidentical hormone pellets are larger than a grain of rice but smaller than a Tic Tac. Our pellets are sourced from a leading compounding pharmacy in the U.S. that presses the hormones into tiny, solid cylinders that release the hormones and are absorbed by the body over time, resulting in steady, even hormone levels for months at a time.

During a brief sterile implantation procedure in our clinic, the practitioner injects a local anesthetic, makes a tiny painless incision, then inserts the pellets into fatty tissue under the skin. The pellets are typically in the flank for men and upper buttocks for women. The incision is then closed without any need for stitches.

The pellets release testosterone or estrogen into the bloodstream based on cardiac output. This steady stream of hormones helps keep symptoms such as mood and energy fluctuations at bay. This avoids the “roller coaster” effect of synthetic weekly injections, where the hormone level peaks and then decreases over the next few days, resulting in wide testosterone level swings. This doesn’t feel as good as the stable levels provided by bioidentical natural pellets.

Subcutaneous (under the skin) pellets have been used to treat hormone imbalance since the 1930s. Research consistently shows bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants is the superior method to deliver hormones in both men and women because it is natural, safe, and provides consistent hormone levels.

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WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY VIA PELLETS AND HOW?

As we age, testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone naturally decline over time. Around age 35, men experience a gradual reduction in testosterone, typically 2-10% per year. For women, pre-menopause may start as early as in the 30s. In fact, often hormone imbalance kicks in long before hot flashes do—by 10 to 15 years!

Patients need to listen to their bodies. Is your body saying, “I feel a bit off?” In other words, do you feel like many men and women in their 30s, 40s and beyond who…

  • Lack motivation and feel more tired than usual.
  • Gain weight for no reason – especially belly fat!
  • Wonder why their sexual desire and libido have tapered off.
  • Experience mood swings more frequently.
  • Feel anxious and depressed.
  • Struggle with brain fog and insomnia.

If these symptoms sound familiar, you may be an excellent candidate for subcutaneous hormone pellet implants.

EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE SYMPTOMS, IMBALANCED HORMONES MAY BE THREATENING YOUR HEALTH.

It’s important to note that many patients with low testosterone or estrogen don’t experience the common symptoms related to hormone imbalance. They may believe they don’t need bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, since they generally feel well, and their energy levels are up. Unfortunately, this may be a dangerous assumption. While bioidentical hormone replacement therapy via pellets effectively treats symptoms related to imbalanced testosterone and estrogen levels, research also indicates that hormone optimization plays a key role in preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, certain cancers, and others.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE FOR MEN

For men who feel their “get up and go” got up and left, or who are struggling to maintain their youthful vigor and appearance, testosterone imbalance may be to blame.

Testosterone imbalance in men may lead to:

  • Fatigue, lethargy and lack of motivation
  • Mood swings, anxiety and depression
  • Decline in general well-being; feeling burned out
  • Inability to focus and remember things
  • Impatience and irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Stubborn weight gain, belly fat and food cravings
  • Frequent illnesses
  • Hair loss
  • Saggy, dry, aging skin
  • Aches, joint pain and longer recovery time from injuries
  • Loss of libido and inability to achieve or maintain an erection

Men with Androgen Deficiency are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE FOR WOMEN

As women age, hormone imbalance can wreak havoc on physical and emotional well-being.

Imbalanced estrogen, testosterone and progesterone may lead to:

  • Fatigue, lethargy and lack of motivation
  • Inability to focus and remember things
  • Mood swings, anxiety and depression
  • Insomnia and night sweats
  • Stubborn weight gain, belly fat and food cravings
  • Frequent illnesses
  • Muscle loss and weakness
  • Hair loss
  • Saggy, dry, aging skin
  • Aches, joint pain and longer recovery time from injuries
  • Loss of libido, difficulty achieving arousal and orgasm
  • Painful intercourse
  • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Hot flashes, vaginal dryness and night sweats
  • Infrequent menstrual cycles – or lack of menstrual cycle – prior to menopause

FAQs ABOUT BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

How do other bioidentical hormone replacement therapy options such as creams, patches, pills and injections compare to pellets?

Research consistently shows pellet implants offer the most effective method to deliver hormones in both men and women. Implanted in the fatty tissue under the skin, pellets release a constant stream of hormones into the body, 24/7/365, most closely mimicking the way the body naturally releases hormones.

Convenience is also a big factor. With pellets, patients undergo the procedure 2-3 times a year and get on with their lives. Other modalities, such as testosterone shots, need to be injected weekly, or pills and messy creams, which need to be used daily. With patches, the absorption of skin-based delivery methods is variable.

What else should patients expect with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants (frequency of visits, discomfort, downtime, etc.)?

On average, pellet implants last 5-6 months in men (two visits per year) and 3-4 months in women (three to four visits per year). Since patients receive a local anesthetic during the procedure, most can expect to experience little to no discomfort during or after the procedure.

Although most people experience substantial benefits after the first round of therapy, many patients experience a more pronounced benefit after the second round of pellet implants. We advise patients to have the procedure performed at least two times before expecting optimum results.

Remember, people don’t get out of balance overnight, so it often takes a few months to get back on track. We do ask that patients take it easy and avoid strenuous exercise for a few days following the procedure (72 hours for women and 5-7 days for men). This helps ensure the incision heals and can prevent extrusion of the pellet from under the skin.

How soon will the patient feel the effects of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy via pellets?

Most female patients begin to “feel better” and notice a difference within a week or two. Men can expect to experience the benefits of their initial pellet implants within 3-4 weeks. To achieve optimal health, living a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and regular exercise, goes hand-in-hand with hormone balance.

How long can patients expect to be on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?

We treat adult patients of all ages. The length of your treatment plan and therapy is directly related to how long you want to look and feel your best. It is safe to receive bioidentical HRT for the rest of your life, but you can stop at any time.

Do women who no longer have hot flashes still need bioidentical HRT?

Yes! Research repeatedly links hormone imbalance to an increased risk for cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, thyroid disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and other age-related disease processes.

During pre-menopause, menopause and andropause (the male version of hormone depletion), declining health is considered the norm. Feeling poorly doesn’t need to be the norm, thanks to bioidentical HRT.

We hear about estrogen and progesterone, but do women need testosterone, too?

Estrogen loss puts women at risk for premature ovarian failure, osteoporosis, heart disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, tooth loss, impaired vision, Parkinson’s disease and diabetes. These risks increase the longer a woman suffers from estrogen deficiency.

Yes, women also need testosterone! Imbalanced testosterone levels in women may compromise mental clarity, libido and muscle tone and mass. The brain needs testosterone in balance with estrogen—and a healthy gut—to produce serotonin, which supports emotional balance.

Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help patients lose weight?

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is NOT a magic bullet for losing weight; however, when hormones are optimized, weight loss efforts typically begin to pay off. Patients still need to eat a balanced diet and exercise, and increased energy levels will help in that area.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may increase energy, improve quality of sleep, increase muscle mass and fat burning, and decrease cortisol.

Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help patients get their sex life back on track?

Yes! Hormone imbalance and “Low T” are by far the most common causes of sexual dysfunction in men and women. By balancing hormone levels with pellet therapy, most patients experience a return of or significant improvement to their sexual libido and function.

Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help patients look younger?

Testosterone contributes to healthy skin by aiding oil production, which allows skin to hold onto moisture. Skin can become dry, crêpey and dull when testosterone is low.

In addition, testosterone is a natural blood vessel dilator, which facilitates blood flow to the skin. These two factors, moisture and blood flow, contribute to the dewy, rosy, vibrant complexion associated with youth.

For women, estrogen and collagen go hand-in-hand. Collagen naturally plumps the skin, so when estrogen declines, wrinkles and saggy skin result. Prevention is key, so optimizing hormones as early as possible is essential to maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin.

What other treatments should patients consider to complement bioidentical hormone replacement therapy via pellets?

Testosterone and estrogen can be supplemented in the form of pellets, but other hormones may be out of whack, too. Many of our patients also benefit from progesterone and thyroid optimization.

Are there risks or side effects from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants?

Complications from the insertion of pellets may include minor bleeding or bruising; discoloration of the skin; infection; and possible extrusion of the pellets. Other than slight bruising and skin discoloration, these complications are rare.

The most common side effects are increased hair growth and possible skin breakouts with the first round of therapy, because the body is getting used to increased oil production in the skin. Side effects may be avoided with decreasing doses on subsequent rounds of therapy.

What health conditions would rule out a patient from getting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy via pellets?

There are currently no known health conditions that exclude a person from undergoing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants. The majority of people with hormone imbalance are great candidates for the therapy.

Our practitioners take an individualized approach based on the patient’s medical history. We modify our approach to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for patients who are estrogen-positive breast cancer survivors and prostate cancer survivors, but bioidentical HRT is considered safe, as shown in numerous long-term studies, even for these patients.

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469-931-0684