Hormone replacement therapy is a natural treatment that addresses the effects of the hormonal changes that women experience during the aging process. In addition to helping with related symptoms, hormone replacement therapy may also help slow cellular degeneration, improve declining immunity, and protect against chronic disease. At Plano Texas Gynecology & Obstetrics Associates, Dr. Ralph E. Joseph offers state-of-the-art hormone pellet replacement therapy to patients in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
Hormone Pellet Therapy
What are hormone pellets?
Hormone pellets are an advanced form of hormone replacement therapy that involves implanting a tiny cylinder of biologically identical (or bioidentical) hormones under your skin. Once the pellet is in place, it continuously releases small doses of hormones. Unlike hormone creams, gels, sprays, and patches, hormone pellets are designed to deliver consistently and keep your blood levels stable.
What conditions do hormone pellets address?
Hormone pellet implantation is typically used to provide a supplement of the sex hormones that your body stops making as you age. It can help address many of the symptoms brought on by menopause, as well as preserve or improve bone density to help protect against osteoporosis. Menopausal women who are treated with individually prescribed hormone pellets can get relief from a wide variety of symptoms, including:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Vaginal dryness and discomfort during intercourse
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
- Mood changes and sleep problems
- Loss of breast fullness
- Thinning hair and dry skin
Because the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis increase when estrogen levels decrease, hormone pellet implantation also helps menopausal women protect heart and bone health.
What are bioidentical hormones?
Conventional hormone therapy involves the use of synthetic hormones that don’t function the same way as natural hormones, which often causes unwanted side effects. Hormone pellets are made with bioidentical hormones, which are identical in molecular structure to the hormones that your body makes, so your body can’t distinguish them from its naturally occurring hormones. Hormone pellets are a custom-compounded, natural hormone treatment that’s designed to address a patient’s individual needs.
In addition to being safe and effective for treating and managing menopause symptoms, bioidentical hormone pellets can help younger women who have symptoms of hormonal imbalance: PMS-related mood swings, breast tenderness, headaches, and bloating can all be addressed by the right dose of bioidentical hormones.
How are hormone pellets implanted?
After Dr. Joseph pinpoints your exact hormone deficiencies and develops the precise formula that will help balance out your hormone levels, he can implant the pellet beneath your skin. Hormone pellet implantation is a quick in-office procedure that involves local anesthetic and a small incision, either in your lower abdomen or upper buttock. After the pellet is placed under the fatty lining of your skin, the incision is closed with surgical glue or sterile tape strips.
Some patients begin to experience symptom relief within a couple of days, while others don’t feel substantial relief for a week or two. Hormone pellets typically last for three to five months before they must be replaced.
Dr. Joseph offers Hormone Pellet Therapy. Call us to book your appointment today.