Hormone Therapy

Pellet therapy, rooted in a history dating back to the 1930s, has evolved with technological advancements and now stands as the most effective method for hormone replacement therapy, preferred by both patients and providers. Specifically available for estradiol and testosterone, this method involves compounding the hormone into a small pellet inserted just above the buttocks, ensuring a convenient and natural dosing structure. Beyond the ease of use, pellet therapy aligns with the body's natural hormone release patterns, providing a personalized prescription based on individual needs, lab results, symptoms, and lifestyle factors. Your doctor tailors the therapy to mimic nature's precision, delivering what your body requires, when it needs it.

Creams, a topical form of hormone replacement therapy, are tailored for cyclical progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen treatments. These custom-compounded creams or gels are applied to specific areas of the body, as directed by your physician. For instance, men may apply testosterone cream to the testicles, and women may apply it vaginally.

While creams and gels offer advantages, they also pose risks. The primary reported side effect involves potential transference to individuals and pets you encounter after application, impacting relationships with your spouse/partner, family members, or pets.

Patches, like a bandaid, offer a convenient and error-free way to apply estrogen therapy. The patch, containing the prescribed hormone dose, sticks to the skin for a recommended period, delivering hormones gradually until a replacement is needed. However, the visibility and the risk of the patch falling off can deter some patients from using this method.

Pills are a common way to administer hormone therapy, much like other oral medications. Your prescribed dose of hormone replacement therapy is compounded into pills and taken at specified intervals. While pills are well-researched, they carry higher-risk side effects, especially in estrogen and testosterone therapies. They are typically prescribed for thyroid disorders and cyclical progesterone therapy.

Hormone replacement therapy injections are commonly used for testosterone or estrogen treatment and come in two types: intra-muscular and subcutaneous.

Intramuscular injections deliver hormones deep into the muscle tissue for faster absorption, while subcutaneous injections go just beneath the skin for a slower absorption rate. However, injections are often less favored than pellets due to the associated pain and the intensity of hormone delivery. Pellets offer a more stable dose, reducing side effects throughout the dosing cycle.