Female Hormone Pellet Therapy
We are pleased to be offering Biote® hormone pellets as an option for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at NaturoMedica.
If you suffer from low energy, mood swings, difficulty sleeping, weight gain, low sex drive, brain fog, or joint pains, then hormone pellets may be a good solution for you.
One of the first questions that you may ask, is what exactly are hormone pellets?
Estradiol (estrogen) and/or testosterone pellets are inserted beneath the skin in the gluteal region to provide a continuous, constant release of hormones. The pellet method offers the advantage of maintaining steady hormone levels instead of the fluctuations that can occur with creams, patches, or pills. Pellets can also be more convenient in that there is no messiness with the application of a cream or patch, or the issue of remembering to take a daily pill. For women, the pellets are typically inserted once every 3-4 months. Pellet therapy is the only hormone replacement therapy method in which physiologic levels of hormones are maintained in the body without daily spikes.
These hormones are bioidentical, meaning their chemical structure is identical to the hormones naturally produced by our bodies. Consequently, they have minimal side effects, which are often associated with synthetic hormones.
In case you are wondering, testosterone matters for females too. By the time a woman reaches 40 years old, she has already lost about 50% of her testosterone production. While a decrease in testosterone and other hormones is a common part of the aging process, it has detrimental effects on health that are not aligned with optimal well-being. Low testosterone levels in women have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, fractures related to osteoporosis (which causes more deaths than breast cancer), type 2 diabetes, muscle loss (sarcopenia), and potentially even an elevated risk of breast cancer.
Although testosterone is known for its role in enhancing libido, its significance is much broader. Testosterone also protects the heart, reduces "bad" cholesterol (LDL) while increasing "good" cholesterol (HDL), boosts energy and overall well-being, supports strong bones and muscles, alleviates anxiety and depression, improves cognitive function, and reduces "brain fog." Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting its use, testosterone replacement therapy has been largely overlooked by the conventional healthcare model when it comes to women's health. In summary, testosterone replacement therapy may be the crucial missing element in women's healthcare, despite being neglected by the conventional healthcare system. The substantial evidence supporting its benefits cannot be ignored.
Estrogen also matters! Estradiol, the most powerful form of estrogen in the female body, begins to decline during perimenopause and completely ceases once a woman reaches post-menopause: defined as not having a period for over a year. This hormonal shift can lead to various symptoms, including irregular or absent periods, hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, poor sleep, breast tenderness, headaches or worsening of migraines, depression, and anxiety, which can persist for several years. If you experience any of these symptoms, hormone therapy, particularly pellet therapy, can provide significant and long-lasting relief. Starting hormone replacement therapy during this phase is often considered the optimal time as it not only addresses these symptoms but also helps prevent long-term degenerative diseases such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis.
However, estrogen has garnered a negative reputation, primarily due to concerns surrounding HRT following the Women's Health Initiative study (WHI) conducted in 2002. Misinformation from this study has led to fear among women regarding HRT. It is important to note that the flaws in the study have since been uncovered, and many advocates for women's health are speaking out against the demonization of estrogen in HRT. The study's key findings indicated that estrogen, when combined with progestin (synthetic progesterone found in birth control), increased the risk of heart disease, stroke, blood clots, breast cancer, and dementia. However, this risk was not associated when combined with bioidentical progesterone. Additionally, the study focused on an older population of women who had initiated estradiol and progestins more than 10 years after the onset of menopause, which contributed to the increased risk of adverse effects. We learn from the negative findings of these studies to ensure the safety of women by initiating HRT early, utilizing appropriate combinations and forms.
At NaturoMedica, we are highly trained in hormone replacement therapy and take a comprehensive approach when working with patients seeking relief from menopausal symptoms. We conduct a thorough screening through detailed health history, provide extensive education on all hormone replacement modalities, discuss the benefits and risks, and review laboratory results before starting any type of HRT including pellet therapy. We only offer the safest methods that align with each patient's lifestyle and personalize the dosage based on individual lab work and response. Many patients describe HRT and the use of hormone pellets as a transformative experience that enhances their present and future well-being.
