Hormone Replacement Therapy Raleigh NC

Understanding About Hormone Pellet Therapy

We have Hormone Pellet Therapy. These pellets include estrogen and testosterone, which copy the body’s hormones, in sources based on plants so they are natural. These pellets are incredibly small, approximately the size of a Tic Tac.

This small little pellet is implanted beneath the skin and will emit hormones slowly into your body for four to six months. The BHRT pellets don’t experience that rollercoaster of hormone levels like you get with other means of administering hormones. It eliminates that awful up-and-down rollercoaster.

Benefits of Estrogen in HRT

Estrogen is a female hormone produced in the ovaries and plays a vital role in Hormone Replacement Therapy. Your body has receptor sites for estrogen everywhere, including in your brain, muscles, bones, bladder, gut, uterus, ovaries, vagina, breasts, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Estrogen has over 400 crucial functions in your body—it regulates body temperature, helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease, protects against muscle damage, maintains muscle health, regulates blood pressure, enhances energy levels, improves mood, and increases sexual interest.

Other Functions of Estrogen in Your Body

1. Acts as a natural calcium blocker to keep your arteries open
2. Assists in the production of neurotransmitters in your brain (such as serotonin), which lower depression, irritability, anxiety, and sensitivity to pain
3. Lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and prevents its oxidation
4. Lowers lipoprotein A (a risk factor for heart disease)
5. Low-ers plaque formation on your arteries
6. Boosts magnesium absorption and use
7. Boosts synthesis of nerve growth factor
8. Helps to keep your arteries flexible
9. Helps to maintain your memory
10. Helps to prevent tooth loss
11. Helps fine motor skills
12. Enhances insulin sensitivity
13. Improves blood flow
14. Improves concentration
15. Improves HDL (good cholesterol) by 10 to 15 percent
16. Improves reasoning
17. Improves the water content of your skin, which is why your skin is thick and supple
18. Increases metabolic rate, which helps your body operate at a young level
19. Inhibits platelet stickiness, which lowers your risk for heart disease
20. Maintains bone density
21. Maintains collagen level in your skin
22. Helps you from developing macular degeneration, an age-related eye disorder that could cause vision loss

What are the Benefits of Testosterone in HRT?

Testosterone is one of a class of hormones called “androgens.” Androgens are also referred to as “male” hormones, but they are present in women as well. They are called male because the human characteristics that they cause and control are considered to be masculine characteristics.

Testosterone is manufactured in the ovaries and adrenal glands. With age, the ovaries produce less testosterone in women, leading to hormonal imbalances that may require Hormone Replacement Therapy to restore optimal levels. Of all the testosterone, only one percent is free, i.e., available to be used by the body. The rest of the testosterone is bound to sex hormone-binding globulin. Women with high androgen levels have more free testosterone.

Other Functions of Testosterone in Your Body

1. Slows bone loss
2. Reduces excess body fat
3. Raises norepinephrine in the brain (the same effect as taking an antidepressant)
4. Helps memory
5. Increases muscle mass and strength
6. Increases muscle tone (so that your skin won’t sag)
7. Increases sense of emotional well-being, self-esteem, and drive
8. Increases sexual interest (86 percent of women report decreased sexual interest with menopause)

Causes of Testosterone Deficiency

1. Adrenal burnout or stress
2. Birth control pills
3. Chemotherapy
4. Childbirth
5. Cholesterol-lowering drugs
6. Depression
7. Endometriosis
8. Menopause
9. Psychological trauma
10. Surgical menopause

What Could Happen After a Pellet Insertion?

There will be a major hormonal shift in the first four weeks following the insertion of your hormone pellets. Thus, some changes may emerge that can be annoying.

Fluid Retention

Testosterone makes the muscle retain and gain water, and this can result in a two- to five-pound weight gain. This is temporary. It happens quite frequently with the first insertion, especially during hot and humid weather.

Swelling of Hands & Feet

This is most common in hot, humid weather. It can be alleviated by drinking a great deal of water, reducing salt intake, taking daily cider vinegar tablets, (found in most health and food stores), or by taking a mild diuretic, which the office can prescribe.

Uterine Spotting/Bleeding

This may occur in the first few months following insertion, especially if you have been placed on progesterone and are not taking it properly: i.e. skipping doses, or not taking sufficient. Inform the office if this occurs. Bleeding is not always a sign that something is seriously wrong with the uterus. Most probably, the uterus may be shedding tissue that needs to be passed. This tissue might have already been present in your uterus before pellets and now it is peeling off as an effect of the hormonal increase.

Mood Swings/Irritability

These will occur if you truly lack hormones. They will disappear when you have sufficient hormones in your body. 5HTP helps with this transient symptom and is available for purchase in most health food stores.

Facial Breakout

Some pimples may result if the body is severely deficient in testosterone. This only lasts for a short time and can be controlled by employing an appropriate face-washing regimen, astringents, and toner. If these measures do not ameliorate the situation, please contact the office for suggestions and possibly prescriptions.

Hair Loss

This is rare and usually occurs in patients who convert testosterone to DHT. Dosage adjustment usually eliminates or reduces the problem. Prescription medication may be necessary in rare cases.

Hair Growth

Testosterone will stimulate some beard growth on your chin, chest hair on your chest, areola hair surrounding your nipples, and/or navel hair on your lower abdomen. This is usually inherited. You may need to shave your arms and legs more often, as well. Changing the dose should fix or prevent the problem. Prices vary and prices will be quoted on an individual basis after consultation.