Balle Bliss

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Hormone Pellets vs. Traditional Hormone Replacement: What You Need to Know

Published on

Author

Annette Brooks

Balancing your hormones can be a valuable way to support overall health and manage age-related changes. While hormone pellet therapy with BioTe® and traditional hormone therapy both work to regulate hormones, they provide different treatment experiences and benefits. For patients in Cypress, TX, Balle Bliss Luxury Medical Spa offers BioTe hormone pellet therapy to address hormone imbalances and support well-being. We can help you understand the differences between these two approaches.

What Is Hormone Therapy?

Hormone therapy can help address changes in hormone health and wellness by supplementing or balancing hormone levels in the body. When hormones fluctuate, patients may notice symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or shifts in metabolism. Hormone therapy offers a way to restore balance, whether to ease these symptoms or to improve overall health as hormone levels naturally decline over time.

Conditions Treated or Prevented Through Hormone Therapy

Menopause and Perimenopause Symptoms

Menopause and perimenopause often come with uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings. A hormone therapy consultation can help identify ways to manage these changes, making this phase of life feel more manageable. By adjusting estrogen levels, hormone therapy can offer relief from these symptoms and help improve day-to-day comfort.

Low Testosterone in Men

For men, low testosterone can lead to fatigue, muscle loss, and low libido. Hormone pellet therapy is an option that delivers a steady dose of testosterone, which may help restore energy, mood, and physical strength. Testosterone pellet treatments help men feel more like themselves over time without constant appointments.

Thyroid Imbalances

When thyroid levels are off, it can impact energy, metabolism, and overall mood, often making even small tasks feel more challenging. Hormone therapy may help by bringing thyroid levels back into balance, which can ease fatigue and other thyroid-related symptoms.

Prevention of Osteoporosis and Bone Density Issues

With age, it’s common for bone density to decrease, especially for those with low estrogen levels. Hormone imbalance solutions can help support bone health by slowing down bone loss and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. This approach aims to keep bones stronger, so you can stay active and healthy as you age.

Hormone Pellets vs. Traditional Hormone Replacement

Overview of Hormone Pellets

Hormone pellets offer a slow-release mechanism that consistently delivers hormones into the bloodstream. Once placed under the skin, these pellets gradually release hormones, maintaining a steady level over several months. This consistency reduces the need for frequent adjustments and helps patients experience long-term benefits.

Overview of Traditional HRT

Traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) includes several forms, such as pills, patches, and creams. Pills are taken orally, while patches are applied to the skin for a steady dose over time, and creams can be applied directly to the skin in prescribed areas. Traditional HRT is flexible but it may require more frequent dosing to maintain hormone levels.

Frequency of Dosage

With hormone pellet therapy, dosing frequency is minimal; pellets are typically inserted every three to six months. Traditional hormone therapy often requires daily or weekly administration, depending on the form used. This means pellet therapy may be a better fit for those who prefer less frequent maintenance.

Lifestyle Compatibility

Hormone pellets can be a convenient option for those looking for long-lasting hormone relief. Because they require fewer doses, they fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle. Traditional methods may require more regular routines and can be difficult for those who struggle to remember to use their medication every day.

What Are They Made Of?

BioTe Pellets

BioTe pellets are composed of bioidentical hormones, specifically estradiol and testosterone. These hormones are derived from plant sources, such as soybeans and yams, and are processed to match the molecular structure of endogenous hormones (hormones naturally produced by the body). This bioidentical composition facilitates better integration and function within the body’s endocrine system.

Traditional Hormones

Traditional hormone replacement therapies often use synthetic hormones or products derived from animal sources. For example, conjugated equine estrogens, found in some estrogen therapies, are extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. These hormones may not exactly match the molecular structure of human hormones, which can influence how they interact with the body’s receptors.

The Pellet Insertion Process

The process begins with a consultation and bloodwork to determine the correct hormone dosage. Once the dosage is established and the pellets arrive, we can schedule your insertion appointment. When you arrive, the insertion area—typically the hip or upper buttock—is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic to prevent discomfort. We’ll use a small scalpel to make a tiny incision in the skin, usually about the size of a grain of rice, which will serve as the entry point for the pellet.

A trocar, which is a small, hollow tube, is used to gently insert the pellet just beneath the skin into the fatty tissue layer. The pellet is placed at a precise depth, allowing for a slow, controlled hormone release over several months. Once the pellet is in place, we carefully remove the trocar, close the incision site with a piece of tape, and bandage the area.

After insertion, we will give you instructions for basic wound care and advise you to avoid anything too strenuous for a few days to allow the area to heal properly. The entire procedure takes less than an hour and leaves minimal scarring, if any.

Learn More About Our BioTe Pellet Therapy

Hormone pellet therapy at Balle Bliss Luxury Medical Spa offers a convenient way to maintain balanced hormone levels, with long-lasting benefits and minimal maintenance. For patients within 30 miles of Cypress, TX, including nearby areas like Katy, Cinco Ranch, and Houston, pellet therapy can be an effective option for improving hormone health. To learn more about how this treatment could benefit you, contact us through our online form, or call (281) 758-2777.