Hormone Optimization Therapy

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a form of hormone therapy that has existed in the U.S. for many decades and uses hormones that are structurally similar to those found within the human body. BHRT uses custom-compounded pellets (approximately the size of a grain of rice) that contain doses of testosterone and estrogen. These hormones are bioidentical to those already present in the body and work to restore hormones to optimal levels. The pellets are placed within the fat the buttocks and release a continuous stream of hormones as the body needs them. Once inserted, the pellets dissolve slowly, so they only need to be re-administered, on average, every 4 months for women and every 6 months for men. The exact interval of dosing depends on the patient.

Bioidentical hormones work with the body’s chemistry because they closely replicate the molecular structure of the hormones that naturally occur within the body.

Yes, there are two major pellet therapy types: estrogen pellets and testosterone pellets.

Estrogen is a hormone that possesses many functions and occurs in the bodies of both men and women. In women, estrogen is intricately involed in maintaining bone health, cardiovascular health, choesterol metabolism and brain health.  Estrogen is also important for skin thickness and collagen content of the skin. 

Estrogen pellets are small cylinders that are compounded and composed of estradiol, a form of estrogen. Estrogen pellets may relieve emotional, reproductive, and non-reproductive symptoms. Estrogen pellets help to combat symptoms of hot flashes, sleep disturbances, brain fog, and bone loss often associated with pre and postmenopause.

In women, estrogen levels decrease with age. Hormone levels in women drop most dramatically during perimenopause (immediately before menopause) and during menopause. In fact, after female menopause, many men may have higher estrogen levels than women. If a woman has had a radical hysterectomy involving the removal of both ovaries, her estrogen levels will struggle significantly, as the ovaries’ primary responsibility is estrogen production. Although adrenal glands and fat tissue produce weaker forms of estrogen, this production is not enough to effectively balance and maintain women’s hormone levels during perimenapause and menopause.

Estrogen pellets are primarily used to combat the effects of menopause. Studies have shown that estrogen is critical to relieve some symptoms associated with mood, bone density, and heart health.

Pellets last up to ~4 months for women and ~6 months for men depending on weight, absorption rates, and the amount of deficiency or surplus of hormones present within the patient at the time of insertion. Pellets are inserted two to four times per year to help keep hormones optimized and balanced.  Everyone’s body response the bioidential hormone pellets differently and may take up to two insertions before feeling the full benefits.

No fasting is required in advance of the insertion.

Extensive lab work is obtained and analyzed by Dr. Harris-Hicks and her team prior to insertion of bioidentical hormone pellets. Repeat labs are obtained at specific intervals to ensure accuracy of doing.  Dr. Harris-Hicks or a member of her provider team will discuss the results with a patient before moving forward with pellet therapy.

Patients are allowed to rest comfortably on their side on the exam bed. The insertion site is on the upper buttocks is numbed.  A small incision is made for pellet insertion. Once the pellet is inserted, the insertion site is covered with a small bandage.

Pellets slowly dissolve with time, leaving nothing behind.

After pellet insertion, we recommend patients abstain from lower body exercise for 5-7 days. Walking should be fine, but strenuous activity is not recommended. Avoid bathtubs, swimming and hot tubs during the first week after insertion. Showers are permitted. After removal of the bandage, normal activity may resume.

Testosterone is a hormone normally found in both men and women that is responsible for many critical body processes. Testosterone is produced in the testes and ovaries. Deficiencies can occur in men and women as the body ages. Low testosterone is associated with decrease sex drive, low stamina levels, and sleep disturbances in both men and women. In clinical research, low testosterone levels in men are associated with infertility issues and increased incidence of prostate cancer.

Testosterone pellets are composed of powdered testosterone fused into a pellet using stearic acid as a binding agent. Southern Shores Medasthetics using only high-quality pellets distributed by reputable 503-b pharmacies within the United States. 

Testosterone has been shown to relieve a wide range of reproductive, emotional, and non-reproductive conditions. Some of these include low energy, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, irritability, and many others.

Every person’s body is different. At the end of a pellet cycle or when stopping pellet therapy altogether, pre-pellet symptoms such as fatigue, low mood and sleeplessness may recur. Typically, the patient’s symptoms will return to the same state prior receiving bioidentical hormone pellets as their estrogen and testosterone levels begin to drop.