Pellets are compounded estradiol or testosterone that are made from organic plant materials, which have the exact molecular structure of those hormones found in the body. They are pressed into a solid compound that is about the size of a cooked grain of rice. Using a painless office procedure, they are inserted under the skin in the hip area. The pellets release small amounts of hormone directly into the bloodstream similar to that which the ovaries and testes produced during our younger adult years.
Why pellets over conventional hormone therapies?
Medical literature has shown that pellets deliver a consistent level of hormone into the bloodstream, avoiding the fluctuations that occur when using creams, pills or patches. The direct delivery into the bloodstream avoids changes in the liver seen with oral hormone therapy and eliminates production of increased clotting factors. In women, the pellets last 3 to 5 months; in men, 4 to 6 months. They do not need to be removed – they are dissolved by the body. Patients can begin to feel relief starting anywhere from 48 hours up to 2 weeks after the pellets are implanted.
Restrictions After Pellet Insertion
To avoid the pellets from working their way out of the body, there are post-op instructions one must follow. After the insertion of the pellets, vigorous physical activity, bathing and swimming should be avoided for approximately 5 days. A shower may be taken as long as the incision isn’t scrubbed until it is well healed, after about a week.
Side Effects of Pellet Therapy
Discomfort at the injection site for the first week
Minor bleeding
Bruising
Swelling
Discoloration of the skin
Infection
Pellet extrusion
Redness and itching at the implant site
Hormones can be tricky for a doctor to dose, so they must be knowledgeable and experienced with prescribing bioidentical hormone therapy. While it may sound more convenient to have pellets inserted once every few months rather than take pills or apply creams, doctors still need to know what they are doing. Pellet therapy seems to be a fad right now, “everyone is doing it,” but are they doing it right?
Since 2002 we’ve had great success in treating over several thousands of people with bioidentical hormone replacement. If you are ready to feel better and get rid of your negative symptoms, then contact us today at 309-837-2000 so we can start you on the path to wellness.