Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy

In the realm of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), bio-identical pellet hormone therapy has proven to be the ideal option for many. The specialized treatment involves the placement of plant-based molecularly identical hormone pellets into a patient’s body fat. These pellets are structurally identical to our naturally-produced hormones, allowing for smooth steady state integration into the body’s systems enabling sustained relief from symptoms of hormonal imbalance.*

In addition to his vast record of successful cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, our Bethesda plastic surgeon is a leader in bio-identical hormone therapy and research. To learn more about this type of treatment, visit Dr. Richards’ specialized hormone therapy website or contact us to schedule a consultation.

What Are Hormones?

Before understanding the potential benefits of hormone replacement therapy, it is important to be familiar with the role of natural hormones. Produced by the body’s cells, hormones serve as “chemical messengers” that help your body act as one organism (as opposed to millions of independent cells). Hormones regulate numerous physiological processes, influencing everything from metabolism and cognition to mood and reproductive functions.

As such, hormone imbalances can cause a variety of problems. For females and males, these issues often include what we consider menopausal symptoms (e.g. hot flashes and sweating) as well as fatigue, reduced libido, inflammation, sexual dysfunction, and other concerns. With low testosterone, patients of either sex may notice irritability, aggressiveness, anxiety, brain fog, or depression.

The hormone used in bio-identical pellet hormone therapy from which many critical compounds are made is testosterone. Below, find information on testosterone and the other key hormones.

Testosterone

Essential to the overall health of men and women alike, testosterone is crucial for the control of inflammation, immunity, muscle mass, bone density, brain function, and libido regulation. In hormone replacement therapy, testosterone can enhance energy levels, increase bone density, improve the body’s capacity to heal, and offer a number of other advantages.

Progesterone

Progesterone is involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis, playing a vital role in maintaining the uterine lining and supporting gestation. Bio-identical progesterone can benefit women with poor testosterone levels and excessive estrogen by reducing the risk of uterine endometrial separation and “spotting.” It has little, if any, role in a woman on testosterone pellet therapy.

Estrogen

Estrogen is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics. In 2000, it was proven that 100% of the estrogen inside the cells of women and men is made from testosterone. Estrogen in the bloodstream does not cross the cell wall. The sole purpose of the two out of four-week elevation in a fertile woman’s estrogen is to stimulate the outside receptors of the breast and uterine tissues for pregnancy preparation. This is why the female blood estrogen levels are only significantly higher than a man’s for about two weeks of every menstrual cycle.

Sustained high estrogen levels leads to abnormal cell stimulation and a predisposition toward cancers. There is no role for estrogen pellets in the hormone treatment of females.

What Benefits Can Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy Offer?

When administered by a scientifically educated physician like Dr. Richards, bio-identical pellet hormone therapy can offer an effective and holistic solution to our widespread, environmentally-created hormonal imbalance. Its potential benefits include:

  • Consistent, steady maintenance of hormone levels (especially compared to pills, creams, injections, and other options)
  • Improved sleep quality, energy levels, bone density, exercise recovery, and libido
  • Cardiovascular health benefits (i.e., protection against vascular inflammation that leads to heart attack and stroke)
  • Increased sensitivity to insulin (decreasing the risk of diabetes), an increase in muscle composition, and a decrease in fat mass
  • Enhanced mood and quality of life with clearer thinking
  • A customizable treatment plan to account for individual variations

Moreover, because bio-identical pellets are chemically identical to the body’s natural hormones, they have been proven to provide a safer, more natural, and more effective approach to hormone replacement therapy than those with non-bio-identical hormones.

How Is Bio-Identical Pellet Hormone Therapy Performed?

The first step in the bio-identical pellet hormone therapy process will be a consultation with Dr. Richards once he obtains your screening labs. Here, the two of you will thoroughly discuss your medical history and determine goals for your treatment.

Once you decide to move forward, your first insertion will involve a minor procedure with local anesthetic. Using a tiny metal tube, Dr. Richards will insert the bio-identical pellet into a small (usually two- to three-millimeter) skin opening in the fatty tissue of your upper buttock or flank area.

Following the first insertion, Dr. Richards will review your blood test results and symptom improvements to adjust the course of your treatment as needed. For best results, the insertion process will be repeated every few months (typically four months for men and three months for women)

If you are interested in learning more about this innovative therapy, we welcome you to contact Ageless Impressions –Plastic Surgery Institute today.

Medical References*

Cleveland Clinic