Frequently Asked Questions
At The Human Health Initiative’s we like to provide our patients with answers to common questions about BHRT, particularly focusing on hormone pellets. This section aims to help you understand the benefits, process, and safety of this treatment, ensuring you have the information needed to make informed decisions about your health.
Frequently Asked Questions
At The Human Health Initiative’s we like to provide our patients with answers to common questions about BHRT, particularly focusing on hormone pellets. This section aims to help you understand the benefits, process, and safety of this treatment, ensuring you have the information needed to make informed decisions about your health.
How do other hormone replacement therapy options?
Research consistently shows pellet implants offer the most effective method to deliver hormones in both men and women. Implanted in the fatty tissue under the skin, pellets release a constant stream of hormones into the body, most closely mimicking the way the body naturally releases hormones.
Convenience is also a big factor. With pellets, patients undergo the procedure two or three times per year and get on with their lives. Other modalities, like pills and messy creams, need to be used daily. Patches work a bit better, but the absorption of a skin-based delivery method is variable. Plus, we often lose sensitivity over time, which means patients will regularly need to find a new spot to apply the cream or adhere to the patch.
What else should patients expect with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants?
On average, pellet implants last 5 to 6 months in men (two visits per year) and 4 to 5 months in women (three visits per year). Since patients receive a topical anesthetic during the procedure, most can expect to experience little to no discomfort, during or after the procedure.
Although most people experience substantial benefits after the first round of therapy, many patients experience a more pronounced benefit after the second round of pellet implants. Therefore, we advised patients to have the procedure performed at least two times before expecting optimum results.
Remember, people don't get out of balance overnight, so it often takes a few months to get back on track.
Convenience is also a big factor. With pellets, patients undergo the procedure two or three times per year and get on with their lives. Other modalities, like pills and messy creams, need to be used daily. Patches work a bit better, but the absorption of a skin-based delivery method is variable. Plus, we often lose sensitivity over time, which means patients will regularly need to find a new spot to apply the cream or adhere to the patch.
How soon will I feel the affects of biodentical hormone replacement therapy with pellets?
Most female patients begin to feel better within 48 to 72 hours, though it may take a week or two for some women to notice a difference. Men can expect to experience the benefits of their pellet implants within one to two weeks. To achieve optimal health, living a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise, goes hand-in-hand with hormone balancing.
How long can I expect to be on bio identical, hormone replacement therapy?
How does the Human Health Initiative determine whether a patient is a good candidate for bioidentical, hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants?
Do women who no longer have hot flashes still need bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
Research repeatedly links hormone imbalance to an increase risk for cancer, osteoporosis, stroke, thyroid disorders, diabetes, heart disease, and other age-related disease processes.
During pre-menopause, menopause and andropause (the male version of hormone depletion), declining health is considered the norm. But feeling poorly doesn’t need to be normal, thanks to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and other treatments the Human Health Initiative may recommend.
I hear about estrogen and progesterone, but do women need testosterone, too?
However, women also need testosterone. Imbalanced testosterone levels in women may compromise mental clarity, libido muscle tone and mass. The brain needs testosterone in balance with estrogen to produce serotonin, which supports emotional well-being.
I hear about estrogen and progesterone, but do women need testosterone, too?
However, women also need testosterone. Imbalanced testosterone levels in women may compromise mental clarity, libido muscle tone and mass. The brain needs testosterone in balance with estrogen to produce serotonin, which supports emotional well-being.
Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help patients lose weight?
What bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may do is increase energy, improve the quality of sleep, increase muscle mass, and decrease cortisol to enhance your fat-burning ability.
Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help patients get their sex life back on track?
Hormone imbalance and “low T” are by far the most common causes of sexual dysfunction in men and women. By balancing hormone levels with pellet therapy, many patients have experienced a return of or significant improvement to their sexual libido and function.
Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy help me look younger?
Testosterone contributes to healthy skin by aiding oil production, which allows skin to hold on to moisture. Skin can become dry and dull when testosterone is low.
In addition, testosterone is it natural blood vessel dilator, which facilitates blood flow to the skin. These two factors - moisture and blood flow - contribute to the vibrant complexion associated with youth.
For women, estrogen and collagen go hand-in-hand. Collagen naturally plumps the skin, so as estrogen declines, wrinkles, and sagging skin result. Prevention is key, so optimizing hormones as early as possible is essential to maintaining healthy, younger-looking skin.
What other treatments should I consider to complement bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellets?
Testosterone and estrogen can be supplemented in the form of pellets, but other hormones maybe out of balance too. Many of our patients also benefit from progesterone and thyroid optimization.
Are there risks or side effects from bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants?
The most common side effects are increased hair growth and possible skin breakouts with the first round of therapy because the body is becoming accustomed to increased oil production in the skin. We may recommend patients change their skin care regimen from heavy anti-aging products to lighter, oil-free skin care lines. Side effects may be avoided by decreasing hormone dosing on subsequent rounds of therapy.