Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy offers a non-invasive way to restore your natural balance and address the negative symptoms of aging. At Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH, we use hormone pellets to administer your treatment, which is tailored according to your individual needs and goals. Today, our experts will discuss what you can expect when undergoing pellet therapy.
How Long Do Hormone Pellets Last?
Hormone pellets can last for up to six months. When you undergo bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, we will schedule follow-up treatments to have new pellets inserted every three to six months. One of the advantages of hormone pellets is that this form of treatment allows your body to get the exact amount of hormones it needs. If you are in high-stress situations during your treatment, your body can get increased hormone levels to prevent deficiency.
Hormone pellets offer a way for you to enjoy hormone replacement therapy without worrying about additional daily tasks. By getting as few as two follow-up appointments annually, you can enjoy the many benefits of hormone replacement therapy and find relief from your symptoms.
How Does Pellet Therapy Work?
Hormone pellets deliver a customized dose of specific bioidentical hormones that your body may have difficulty producing. These pellets are about the size of a grain of rice, and they carry hormones that are structurally identical to the ones naturally produced in your body. We insert these pellets just below your skin, in an area with subcutaneous fat.
Bioidentical hormones are manufactured from plant-based sources. They are designed to restore your hormone health and support your bodily systems. With bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you can get protection from age-related diseases and find relief from menopause or andropause symptoms.
When Does Hormone Replacement Therapy Become Necessary?
Hormones are essential chemicals that are naturally produced in our bodies. These chemicals are responsible for regulating many of our bodily processes and functions, including sleep, growth, moods, and appetite. Having too much or too little of a specific hormone can lead to imbalances in the body and cause unwanted symptoms such as weight gain, loss of muscle mass, and mood swings. Many factors, including the natural aging process, can cause hormone imbalances.
Men and women with hormone imbalances end to experience very telling symptoms. Low testosterone is usually the cause of many age-related symptoms in men, while women who have low estrogen and progesterone suffer from menopause symptoms. Here are some of the most common symptoms that can be minimized with the help of hormone replacement therapy:
- Unexplained weight gain
- Low sex drive
- Insomnia
- Lack of mental clarity
- Mood swings
- Chronic headaches
- Dull hair and skin
- Difficulty gaining muscle
- Night sweats
- Hot flashes
Who Needs This Treatment?
A significant shift in hormone production happens during puberty, and we mostly think of teenagers when it comes to hormonal behavior challenges. However, it’s also true that men and women in their middle age also find hormone fluctuations challenging. The decline in sex-related hormones causes men and women to undergo andropause and menopause, respectively. Men in their 30s may start noticing the symptoms of low testosterone. Women who are entering menopause may suffer from various symptoms caused by low estrogen.
Hormone-related symptoms are extremely common and can be part of the natural aging process, but it doesn’t mean that men and women should leave their condition untreated. Hormone replacement therapy offers a way for men and women to find relief from their symptoms and restore their youthful health and vitality.
How Does BHRT Work?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, also known as BHRT, works by restoring your natural balance by reintroducing specific hormones that your body needs. The treatment is personalized based on your health condition, symptoms, and personal goals. At the start of your therapy, we will conduct diagnostic tests to determine your baseline hormone levels and the exact dose of hormones that you need. The goal of the treatment is to alleviate your symptoms and help you achieve optimum health and wellness.
Bioidentical hormones can be administered in a variety of ways, including injections, tablets, and topical creams. Our practice uses hormone pellets to help you achieve the best treatment outcomes in the most convenient way possible. During your treatment, a small pellet containing hormones is inserted under your skin. The pellet will gradually release your required hormones over the coming months.
How Long Does It Take for the Treatment To Work?
We will gradually approach your therapy. Sudden hormone fluctuations can lead to instability and other difficulties, so we will start by using the minimum necessary dosage. We will gradually adjust your dosage based on how your body is responding to the treatment. Our team will work closely with you and monitor your symptoms. Generally, you can experience changes in how you feel over two or three weeks after starting the therapy.
Hormone pellets will continue to release doses of hormones, so you can expect your results to become stronger and more noticeable over time. The full results of your initial treatment tend to become noticeable around eight weeks. Your therapy will continue after you have experienced the initial benefits of the treatment, and we will carefully adjust your hormone dosage based on your progress. New pellets may be reinserted every several months once we have determined your optimum dosage.
What Hormones Are Used in the Therapy?
Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are the most commonly administered hormones during BHRT. These hormones are all naturally produced in the body and are needed by both men and women, but the production of these hormones tends to decline during middle age. Menopause and andropause mark the sudden decline of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone production, and they can cause many unwanted symptoms. For this reason, many men and women in their middle age choose to undergo BHRT.
Is the Treatment Long-Term?
The course of your treatment can last for several months or years, depending on how your body responds to the treatment. Although hormone replacement therapy can be considered long-term therapy, it doesn’t mean you will need to receive hormones indefinitely. We will carefully monitor your treatment and make adjustments as necessary. Our goal is to help you achieve optimum health and wellness and find relief from your difficult symptoms.
What Is the Treatment Process?
Initial Consultation
Your initial consultation with our team gives us the chance to get to know you and listen to your concerns. Our experts will ask about your health, symptoms, and what you are expecting to achieve by undergoing BHRT. We will answer any concerns and questions that you may have.
Additionally, we will determine the extent of your hormone deficiency with the help of diagnostic testing done through a standard blood panel. The results of these tests will help us understand your baseline hormone levels and determine the right amount of hormones required to perform your treatment. We will then discuss your treatment plan with you.
Pellet Insertion
Our practice offers hormone pellets provided by Soto Pelle. During your treatment session, we will start by cleansing and numbing your skin for the pellet insertion process. Pellets may be inserted on the hip and buttock area. We will place your hormone pellet under the skin where there is fatty tissue. During the insertion process, you can expect to feel comfortable and relaxed.
After we have finished inserting the pellet, we will cover the treatment area with a bandage. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete your treatment. There is no downtime required afterward, and you’ll be able to resume your daily activities as usual.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
We will ensure that you continue to receive the right amount of hormones your body needs. Additional diagnostic testing may be performed several weeks or months after your pellet insertion to determine how your body is adjusting to the treatment. We will also ask about how you are feeling and how your symptoms have changed since starting the treatment. Our team will work closely with you throughout the process.
Restore Your Natural Balance With BHRT
If you are suffering from the symptoms of hormone deficiency, our team can help. Pellet therapy offers a convenient way for you to receive the hormones your body needs, so you can look and feel your best no matter your age. Contact Premiere Center for Health and Wellness in Cincinnati, OH to schedule your initial consultation today! We are proud to help women AND men achieve optimum hormone health.