What is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Pellet Therapy?
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is the therapeutic use of plant-based hormones that are identical on a molecular level with those created by the human body. Hormone pellets are often the preferred method of delivery and have benefits over other formulations, such as creams or orals. Sustained, consistent release of hormones from pellets over time is considered an advantage over the fluctuations that can occur with formulations.
Some healthcare providers prescribe a combination of pellets, creams and/or orals to optimize their patients’ hormones.
Why Bio-Identical Pellet Therapy?
Pellet therapy is simple and easy! Pellets are inserted into patients 3-4 times per year. The procedure takes less than 15 minutes.
Patients don’t have to worry about applying creams or taking orals daily so compliance is not an issue.
How long does a Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Pellet take to work?
Every patient and their hormone optimization journey are unique. Within 7-10 days after your pellet insertion, Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) begins to work. Once the pellets are inserted in the gluteal area, a consistent dose of Bio-Identical hormones enter the bloodstream.
Most patients report some symptom relief in as little as 2-4 weeks, but full optimization may take up to 6 months. Your healthcare provider will customize your particular hormone optimization for you.
What is the goal of Hormone Optimization Therapy?
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a treatment for many common and debilitating symptoms associated with aging, which are not traditionally addressed by healthcare providers. Symptoms such as fatigue, stress, foggy thinking, weight gain, loss of sex drive and sleep disturbances are some of the most common complaints. The goal of BHRT is to address the root cause of symptoms by optimizing hormone levels. BHRT is a natural and simple method for addressing hormone imbalance in Men and Women.
Data have shown that Bio-Identical hormone pellet therapy can be successful in treating Men and Women with hormone imbalance.
How can I get started with Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider who offers BHRT to discuss whether it is an appropriate option for you. If you and your HCP decide that BHRT is a viable option for you, blood work should be done to test your current hormone levels. Based on your comprehensive consultation and thorough blood work panel, your provider will determine if you are a candidate for BHRT. A follow up appointment will be scheduled for your unique pellet therapy insertion.
What can I expect from BHRT Pellet Therapy?
Most patients report some symptom relief in as little as 2-4 weeks, but full optimization may take up to 6 months. Your healthcare provider will customize your hormone optimization treatment for you based on your symptoms and blood work.
What should I do before I schedule an appointment?
For Women, many physicians require that you have a current Mammogram and Pat Test (Smear).
What should I do before the procedure?
One week before the procedure, stop taking all blood thinners such as NSAIDs, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen sodium, etc. If you are required to take any of these on a daily basis, you should consult with your physician. No fasting in advance of the procedure is required.
What test is required before the insertion?
A comprehensive blood panel is required and can be discussed with your healthcare provider.
What happens during the in-office insertion?
During the in-office visit, patients are taken into the exam room where the insertion site is cleaned and numbed. The most common site of insertion is the upper buttock. Once numb, a small incision is made for the pellets to be inserted. After the pellets are placed, the insertion site is covered with a small bandage. The total procedure takes less than 15 minutes.
What happens during the week following the insertion?
After pellet insertion, it is best to eliminate lower body exercise, which does not include walking. Extraneous exercise is not recommended. Swimming, hot tubs, and bathtubs are to be avoided. You can shower 24 hours following the procedure. After removal of the bandage, normal activities may resume. For more specific questions, you can consult your Healthcare Provider.
How often is pellet insertion necessary?
Each patient’s experience is unique. Most patients have pellets inserted 3-4 times per year.
What happens to pellets after insertion?
Since the pellets are Bio-Identical and contain nothing other than the hormone your body naturally produces, the pellets are completely dissolved and absorbed, leaving nothing behind.
Does BHRT help with weight loss?
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy is a strong treatment method that can help calm the symptoms of hormone imbalance which can cause weight loss.
How does hormone therapy affect the immune system?
Since BHRT is a treatment that helps balance the bodys hormone levels, it is also linked to strengthening the immune system.
How long does it take to feel the effects of Bio-Identical Hormones?
It takes somewhere between 1-3 days after the insertion to feel the effects of BHRT.
Does BHRT help with stress?
Hormones released by the adrenals, such as cortisol and DHEA, help support the body’s response to stress. Extended periods of stress not only burden the body but also create an imbalance in hormone production which can result in mental and physical fatigue, nervous tension, irritability, and poor memory. BHRT provides the body with a unique set of nutrients that help balance the body’s DHEA and cortisol levels, effectively reducing stress.
What hormone helps with weight loss?
Leptin is the main hormone linked to weight loss. This hormone is produced to reduce the craving for food. Leptin supplements have been used to help decrease appetite and lose weight.
Does pregnenolone increase testosterone?
Yes, pregnenolone is linked to an increased production of testosterone. By taking this hormone you can see increased testosterone levels and significant weight loss.
What are the symptoms of low pregnenolone?
Prognenolone naturally decreases in the body over time. Symptoms of low prognenolone are depression, fatigue, loss of memory and loss of bone density.
Can Estrogen cause you to lose weight?
Estrogen hormone therapy in women is linked to a higher metobolic rate. A lack of estrogen in the body can cause higher blood sugar levels and overall weight gain.
How does leptin affect weight loss?
Leptin is a hormone that tells the body there is enough fat stored already. The body responds to Leptin supplements by creating a full feeling stomach, effectively curving the desire for food.
What happens when ghrelin levels are low?
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that acts on hypothalamic brain cells, increasing hunger, gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motility to prepare the body for food intake. When Ghrelin levels are low, the body does not have a strong desire for food.
What are the benefits of taking DHEA?
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid hormone precursor, which helps maintain healthy hormone levels and helps support the stress response system. DHEA functions as the counterpart to the stress hormone cortisol. DHEA helps fight depression, obesity and stress.
What does Glutathione do for the skin?
Glutathione is responsible for neutralizing the toxins in the bodys healthy cells which can cause a brighter more healthy looking skin.
What does Glutathione do for the body?
Glutathione is the master antioxidant in the body and is heavily concentrated in tissues such as the liver, spleen and heart. Glutathione plays an important role in the body by providing a mechanism to neutralize toxins before they damage body tissues.
Is Glutathione anti-aging?
Since Glutathione is also responsible for repairing cells, it does help fight the effects of aging in the human body.
Does Leptin affect your appetite?
Leptin is a hormone created by fatty tissue in the body. When it is created in the body it blocks the desire for food.
How does Ghrelin affect your appetite?
Ghrelin is the hormone responsible for hunger, it stimulates appetite, increases food intake and promotes fat storage.
How does Cortisol cause weight gain?
Cortisol is released when the body is under stress. This hormone stimulates the body’s metabolism for fast energy, typically in the form of carbs, sweets, and fatty foods. It also increases insulin levels to maintain blood sugar levels. Overall Cortisol causes people to eat high amounts of sugary, salty, and fatty foods.
Can I lose weight through creating a window of time to eat during the day?
Yes, if you don’t eat two hours before bed it is shown to increase your body’s IGF-1 levels. IGF-1 is the hormone responsible for strengthening your bones and breaking down body fat.
How do insulin levels in the body change over time?
Over time the body can become resistant which can cause a higher production of insulin. Higher levels of insulin over time can cause significant weight gain.
How can you control the levels of insulin in your body?
Over time studies have shown that long term testosterone replacement therapy was associated with a reduction in blood sugar levels.
How do T3 and T4 Hormones affect the body?
T3 & T4 hormones are responsible for controlling the body’s metabolic rate (how fast you burn calories).
How can I support my metabolism for weight loss?
Omega-3 fatty acids, pure fish oil, and cold water fish have been effectively used as a hormone supplement to regulate and increase the body’s metobolic rate.
Can low testosterone affect your sleep?
Low testosterone can cause irregular sleep patterns, insomnia, and changes in your sleep pattern.
Does BHRT help create better sleep?
New studies have shown that consistent BHRT over time has improved the quality of sleep in men and women. These benefits include, falling asleep faster, more REM sleep, less waking during the night, and improved motor function and energy during the day.
Can hormones affect your gut?
Estrogen and Teststerone are two main hormones linked to gut health.
How does Menopause & BHRT affect gut health?
Estrogen levels begin to become uneven during perimenopause, and this can start to influence the health of a woman’s gut. One of the many things that estrogen does is assist with digestion. That means that as estrogen starts to decline, you may need to work a little harder to keep your gut in good working order. BHRT can help balance the levels of estrogen in a woman’s body and overall improve gut health as they age.
What are the Most Common Delivery Methods for BHRT?
The most common delivery methods for BHRT are oral medications, topical creams, injections, and pellet insertion. All forms of BHRT delivery can help balance hormones and address various symptoms in both men and women, but pellet delivery is often more convenient and long-lasting.
Placed at specific depths in subcutaneous tissue, pellets deliver consistent and predictable levels of hormones for three to four months at a time, so, unlike creams and pills, patients do not need a daily routine with this delivery method.
Does Insurance Pay for BHRT?
BHRT is not typically covered by insurance. However, there may be some issues for which insurance provides coverage. This is based on the specifics of individual plans and can be determined through a review of your plan or discussion with your healthcare provider.