Key Takeaways:
- Interest in treating menopause-related symptoms with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has experienced significant growth this decade.
- However, many patients don’t understand how HRT works and are confused by the different HRT options.
- With long-term HRT expertise, the internal medicine practitioners at Dr. Diane Brzezinski’s Naples, Florida-based clinic believe that hormone replacement pellet therapy is the most effective form of HRT when it comes to treating menopause symptoms.
- “What are hormone pellets for menopause?” you ask—read on as this blog post answers this question and other FAQs about the innovative therapy.
If you’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the internal medicine practitioners at Dr. Diane Brzezinski’s Naples, Florida-based clinic are not surprised. Dr. B, Dr. Michael Hellman, D.O., and Kelly Fennemore, MSN, ARNP, report that patient interest in HRT has increased dramatically over the past decade, particularly among women seeking relief from menopausal symptoms.
However, despite the increased interest in HRT, many patients don’t understand how HRT works and are confused by the different HRT therapy options. For example, a typical question patients ask at Dr. B’s clinic is, “What are hormone pellets for menopause?” With this in mind, Dr. B thought it might be a good idea to educate patients about HRT, and hormone pellet therapy in particular, by highlighting the most frequently asked questions from her patients.
What Are Hormone Pellets for Menopause?
Hormone pellets for menopause are an HRT therapy that delivers bioidentical hormones into the body via tiny, rice-sized pellets that are implanted in fatty tissue under the skin. Hormone pellets are compounded individually in pharmacies to match each patient’s specific hormonal deficiencies, as determined by blood work. Once inserted, the pellets slowly dissolve over 3 to 6 months, allowing the body to absorb a steady, consistent dose of the necessary hormones.
What Menopause Symptoms Do Hormone Pellets Treat?
As with other forms of HRT, hormone pellets are designed to address the full slate of symptoms that can affect women during their menopausal journey. If you’re in any stage of menopause and believe hormonal imbalances may be negatively impacting your quality of life, hormone pellet therapy may provide symptom relief. Patients undergoing hormone pellet therapy in Naples with Dr. B report relief of the following menopause-related symptoms:
- Mood swings
- Hot flashes
- Insomnia
- Energy loss
- Depression
- Vaginal dryness
- Decreased sex drive
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thinning hair
- Headaches
What Makes Hormone Pellets Better Than Other HRT Types?
Doctors have numerous options for administering therapeutic hormones, including injections, pills, gels, and transdermal patches. Dr. B believes that hormone pellets have the edge over other hormone delivery methods because they allow the body to absorb the prescribed hormone steadily 24/7, helping maintain consistent hormone levels. The other hormone delivery modes can cause hormone level fluctuations that may result in side effects and reduce the therapy’s efficacy.
Am I a Good Candidate for Hormone Pellet Therapy?
You may be a good candidate for hormone pellet therapy in Naples if you’re suffering from menopause-related symptoms, and blood testing identifies hormone imbalances. Many women who experienced unpleasant side effects from other forms of HRT often find relief with hormone pellet therapy. Conditions that may preclude undergoing hormone pellet therapy include:
- Active estrogen-dependent breast or endometrial cancer
- Uncontrolled hypertension or diabetes
- Active venous thrombembolism
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Severe liver disease
You should inform your pellet therapy provider about all medical conditions to ensure that the therapy will not cause any complications with them.
Learn More About Hormone Pellet Therapy at Our Naples Clinic
Hormone pellet therapy can prove invaluable in providing women with relief from menopausal symptoms, as well as men. To determine if you’re a good candidate for hormone pellet therapy in Naples, schedule an appointment with Dr. B’s clinic, and she or one of her associates will discuss your symptoms, assess your overall health, and test hormone levels to determine whether this form of HRT is right for you. You can schedule your appointment at Dr. B’s clinic by calling (239) 261-9990.
Additional FAQs: What Are Hormone Pellets for Menopause?
Q: What are “bioidentical” hormone pellets?
A: Unlike synthetic hormones used in many HRTs, bioidentical hormones are derived from natural plant sources. Because these plant-based hormones have the same chemical and molecular structure as the ones we naturally produce, our bodies can absorb and metabolize them more efficiently than synthetic ones. While synthetic hormones are commonly offered in standardized doses, pharmacies can customize bioidentical hormone dosages to meet each patient’s specific needs.
Q: Do I have to undergo surgery to get hormone pellets?
A: While Dr. B surgically implants hormone pellets in fatty tissues in the hip, it’s a minimally invasive procedure that only requires local anesthesia, a minor incision, and a steri-strip instead of stitches. There’s minimal pain, and patients can resume all normal activities immediately.
Q: Do hormone pellets treat other conditions besides menopause?
A: Yes, Dr. B uses hormone pellets as an adjunct to other treatments in her medical weight loss program if warranted by a patient’s hormone levels. Dr. B’s practice also offers hormone pellets to men with low testosterone, who may be suffering from erectile dysfunction, low libido, and related symptoms.
