Risks of Hormone Pellets for Women

by Elizabeth Garcia | Jul 6, 2023 | Hormone Replacement Therapy

Experiencing a hormone imbalance can be difficult and frustrating. Hormone replacement therapy can help target unwanted symptoms. However, some treatment methods, like hormone pellets, may not deliver the results you need. In fact, they may even make the situation worse.

Hormone pellets are made up of a mix of hormones, which may or may not be the right dosage you need. The uncertainty of dosage could mean your symptoms don’t change, or even add new side effects to what you are already experiencing. Plus, since you only receive hormone pellets every three months, you may have to endure these symptoms for weeks before trying a new compound mix.

We can help you find a safe, effective hormone replacement therapy treatment that will give you relief from your symptoms while keeping your health a priority. Book an appointment today to talk about your options. 

Hormone Pellets Pose a Greater Risk Than You Realize

A common method of HRT is hormone pellets, which are tiny, rice-sized capsules containing a mix of hormones. These capsules are inserted under the skin through a surgical incision and slowly dissolve over the next 90 days, releasing the hormones into your body. 

While the method may seem straightforward, it’s important for you to be aware that hormone pellets may actually pose a greater risk to your health than other forms of HRT. A recent study published in the Journal of the North American Menopause Society observed that women who used hormone pellets were much more likely to experience side effects like mood swings, anxiety, hair pattern change, acne, and weight gain. 

You should consult with an experienced healthcare provider and carefully weigh the risks of hormone pellets before deciding on the best course of treatment for you.

Pellets Contain Unregulated Compounds of Hormones

Hormone pellets are made of a mix of hormones in varying doses, which means it’s very difficult to find the right amount for your body that will actually help improve your symptoms..

Hormone pellets contain a mix, or compound, of various hormones. The risk of a compounded hormone means that there are now multiple sources for adverse drug effects, making it difficult to identify which element in the compound was responsible for the reaction. 

Hormone pellets are prepared by compounding pharmacies. These types of pharmacies are not the same as a pharmacy you would find in Walgreens or CVS. All drugs sold in these pharmacies must be approved and regulated by the FDA. 

However, compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. This means that the mix of hormones you are putting in your body hasn’t had to go through a rigorous review process. Sadly, there have been hundreds of cases of infection and dozens of death caused over the years by contaminated or poorly compounded drugs.

Compound Amounts May be Based on Inaccurate Testing

The main selling point for hormone pellets is that they have a custom compound of hormones specific to your body’s individual needs. They claim that it will provide the proper amount of hormones you need to rebalance your levels. The problem is, most of these “custom formulas” are based on a saliva test that you completed. 

In recent years, many clinics have begun using saliva tests to check hormone levels, as it’s an easier and less costly procedure for them. However, a saliva test can’t be trusted when it comes to accurately determining hormone levels. Experts at the North American Menopause Society say that saliva tests have not yet been proven to be accurate or reliable. A blood test is still the best option for checking your hormone levels. Blood testing is an established, reliable process for measuring the amount of hormones in your body.

Every Woman’s Body Handles Medication Differently

Determining your required hormone dosage requires a precise calculation. For hormone pellets, this includes incorporating a calculation of your absorption and titration rates. 

Absorption is the way the hormones are absorbed from the pellet into your bloodstream. Many factors can affect your absorption rate, such as slow metabolism, poor sleep, high blood pressure, or stomach conditions. Titration is the process of adjusting the dose to find the ideal amount that maximizes benefits and minimizes adverse effects. Your titration starting point requires a close examination of multiple factors including your age, weight, immune system, allergies, existing health conditions, current medications, and general biochemistry.

What makes this a serious challenge is that absorption and titration are not a one-size-fits-all equation. Everyone’s body handles medication differently, making it nearly impossible to correctly calculate your dosage for each hormone.  Add the concept of mixing multiple hormones into one pellet—a mix based on an unproven test—and the complexity escalates quickly. 

Unfortunately, this means finding the right balance of hormones for you is almost impossible. With no way to test how individual mixes of hormones affects you, there is a high possibility that you will not receive the correct amounts of hormones. Too little, and your hormonal symptoms may remain unchanged. Too much, and you may experience new side effects on top of everything else.

One of the most significant issues with hormone pellets is their 90-day window, the length of time it takes for your body to completely absorb the pellets. If your dosage isn’t correct and you are suffering from ongoing symptoms or side effects, you have to wait three months before trying a new compound mixture. Consequently, achieving hormone balance with pellets can require months of trial and error.

Your Hormone Levels Fluctuate for Three Months After Treatment

After being treated with hormone pellets, you can expect fluctuations in your hormone levels over the next three months. Pellets release hormones gradually over time. This will cause initial spikes in hormone levels at the beginning, followed by a slow decline as the pellets are depleted. By the time you get to the end of the 90 days, your hormone levels may even drop below your baseline level. 

This fluctuation can cause unpredictable symptom swings. You may find yourself feeling great one day and struggling with symptoms the next. After actively pursuing treatment to feel better, you may find yourself feeling even more frustrated than before you started.

Surgical Incisions Required for Hormone Pellets Could Develop Problems

One potential risk factor to note with hormone pellets is the surgical incision required. The incision is about 5 to 7 mm wide and 8 to 10 mm deep, and is usually made on your upper hip or lower abdomen. The provider performing the incision uses a sharp blade to cut thoroughly through your subcuticular tissue so there is no resistance for the implant device, called a trocar. The incision must reach your subcutaneous fat layer under your skin in order to deposit the pellets in the correct area. If the pellets are deposited too close to the skin, it will cause increased discomfort for you. The trocar is then inserted approximately 4 cm into the fat layer and releases the pellets. The incision is then held closed with skin tape.

After the procedure, you will have limitations on your activities in order to prevent reopening the incision or exposing it to infection. You should not immerse the incision site in water such as hot tubs, bathtubs, or swimming pools for five days. It is recommended to avoid movement such as squats, deep bending, cycling, or other heavy exercise for at least three days. 

The incision site may be swollen for around three days after the procedure. It can be uncomfortable for up to ten days, and can take up to two weeks to fully heal. However, other health conditions and some types of medications, such as blood thinners and antibiotics, mean that it could take much longer to fully heal. During this time, you would need to continuously monitor and clean the incision to prevent an infection from developing, which would then require further treatment to manage before it gets worse. 

Going through an invasive surgical incision procedure, healing process, and risk of infection every three months is a serious downside to hormone pellets. Fortunately, there are other hormone replacement therapy methods that are much less intimidating. 

Bioidentical Hormone Injections are Safe and Effective

Hormonal imbalances can be a hindrance to living a healthy, active life. Our bioidentical hormone injections are an effective option to treat your imbalance. These hormones are natural, not synthetic. Your body adapts to them more easily because it reads them as being the same as the hormones you naturally produce.

With injections, it is easier to regulate and measure the precise amount of hormones you are receiving. And since they are injected directly into your bloodstream, your body is better able to absorb these hormones quickly and effectively. With our expertise in HRT, we can help restore balance to your body and get you back to feeling like your best self.

Hormone Replacement Solutions for You from HerKare

We take a personalized approach to treatment, ensuring that each patient receives a tailored plan that meets their unique needs. Our team recognizes the complexity of hormone imbalance and can help find the optimal treatment for you. If you have been struggling with the uncomfortable symptoms of hormonal imbalance, contact us now to schedule an appointment.

Hormonal Imbalance in Younger Women is More Common Than You Think

by Elizabeth Garcia | May 9, 2023 | Hormone Replacement Therapy

Difficulty sleeping, irregular periods, mood swings, unexpected weight gain—if this sounds like you, it could be a hormonal imbalance. It might seem unlikely, but hormonal imbalance among young women is actually fairly common. Studies show that up to 80% of women experience hormonal imbalance in their lifetime. Because many of these imbalances are undiagnosed, some women may go through years of suffering symptoms without knowing why.

In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms of a hormone imbalance, reasons why it might be happening to you, and how to get your balance back.

Many of us associate hormone imbalances with menopause, but it can actually happen at any time in your life. Hormone imbalances as a young woman can be confusing and frustrating, but we’re here to help you find answers. Make an appointment now to speak with our team about hormone replacement therapy options.

Hormonal Imbalance in Young Women

Women in their 20s or 30s may experience hormonal imbalance long before menopause.

Early menopause is when a woman experiences menopause before age 45 and is one possible reason why you might suffer from hormone imbalance symptoms in your 20s and 30s. Early menopause only occurs in about 5% of women. However, younger women can still experience hormonal imbalance outside of the context of menopause.

Hormonal imbalance refers to the disruption of the normal balance of hormones in your body. One of the most common imbalances for women is when estrogen and progesterone are not balanced properly.

Progesterone and estrogen work together and are very important for your body. Estrogen affects mood, sleep, and libido, and also helps maintain bone density and healthy skin. Progesterone helps regulate the effects of estrogen on your body and regulates your period.

As a woman, you should always listen to your body. Get help if you notice any changes in your menstrual cycle or start to experience more symptoms of hormonal imbalance. If left untreated, hormonal imbalances can lead to more serious health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis.

Balancing your hormones may sound complicated, but we’re here to help you find the right treatment so you can feel more like yourself again.

Common Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

When hormone levels are not balanced, it can lead to a multitude of symptoms that can negatively impact your quality of life. Even small changes in your hormone levels can have a significant impact on your physical and mental well-being.

Some common symptoms of hormonal imbalance include:

• Mood swings: Mood swings happen when serotonin levels rise and fall rapidly. Estrogen and progesterone control serotonin production levels, so when they are off balance, your serotonin levels will be, too.
• Fatigue: If you frequently feel more tired than usual, despite getting good sleep at night and eating well, it could be due to a hormonal imbalance.
• Difficulty sleeping: Imbalanced hormones can cause insomnia, and sleep deprivation can affect hormone levels, creating an ongoing cycle of sleepless nights.
• Acne: Hormonal fluctuations can cause breakouts, often on the lower part of the face like the jawline, chin and bottom of the cheeks.
• Weight gain: Because hormones play a major role in controlling your appetite, metabolism, and body fat distribution, a change in their normal level can lead to excess weight gain.
• Irregular, heavy, or painful periods: A hormone imbalance can change the regularity of your cycle and can cause your body to make the uterine lining too thick, leading to heavy menstrual bleeding.

Keep in mind that these symptoms can also be impacted by other life factors, including stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, and genetics, so it’s important to get a proper assessment of your hormone levels to determine if they are the key contributing factor.

Causes of Hormonal Imbalance in your 20s and 30s

A hormonal imbalance has a domino effect in your body that can lead to a wide range of long-term health problems, such as greater risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and osteoporosis. Unbalanced hormone levels are also the number one cause of infertility in women.

There are several factors that can trigger hormonal imbalance such as stress, poor diet, and certain medications. Hormonal imbalances also often occur during natural cycles in your life like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.

Another cause of hormonal imbalance is endocrine disorders such as PCOS. This disorder causes cysts to grow on your ovaries because your adrenal glands are producing more testosterone than normal. Typical symptoms include irregular periods, thinning hair, oily skin, and infertility.

Low thyroid is a common reason for hormone imbalance in women. When you have an underactive thyroid, your metabolism slows down and you feel more tired than usual. Hormone replacement is usually used to treat low thyroid. Without treatment, low thyroid can lead to complications such as heart disease or pregnancy problems.

Treating Hormonal Imbalance with Hormone Replacement Therapy or Other Medication

Hormone replacement therapy gives you relief from symptoms caused by imbalanced hormones. When you take them regularly, they help replenish your body’s natural hormone levels so you feel more like yourself again.

Depending on what your body needs, you can take bioidentical hormones to help your body stabilize its estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or thyroid levels. The hormones we administer are all-natural, so you don’t have to worry about filling your body with synthetic hormones.

Birth control medication is a common option for women who want to keep hormonal symptoms from fluctuating month to month, such as those who have been diagnosed with PCOS. However, this type of medication may not be an option for some women due to their individual needs. That’s why it’s important to learn all the options to find the right treatment for you.

Help Balance Your Hormones with Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining hormonal balance is crucial for overall well-being. Hormones play a vital role in your body, from sleep cycles to metabolism. However, factors such as stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise can upset your balance, leading to a range of health issues.

Implementing healthy lifestyle changes can be immensely beneficial. Some of the ways you can promote healthy hormone balance include:

• Eating a nutrient-rich diet
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Reducing stress levels
• Getting adequate sleep
• Practicing self-care

By making these small yet impactful changes, you’re not only helping to improve your hormonal balance, but your overall quality of life, too. We can help you identify what changes or support you need for your overall wellness.

We’re Here to Help You Find Answers and Feel Better

You might have a hormonal imbalance if you’re experiencing symptoms such as mood swings, fatigue, acne, or weight gain. Our team understands the importance of balancing your hormones. We can help you identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

We know it can be exasperating to have hormone issues when you are in your 20s and 30s. That’s why we’re here to help. Our approach involves a thorough assessment of what your body needs, and the best treatment options to help get your balance back.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to talk to our team about your hormonal imbalance concerns. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you.