Women’s Homone THerapy

What is bio-identical hormone therapy, and how does it work?

Bio-identical hormone pellets are a very effective way to optimize hormone levels in the body. Most of our patients find this to be a preferred delivery method due to ease and effectiveness. The hormone pellet is placed just under the skin and consistently releases a physiological dose of bio-identical hormones to provide optimal results. Hormone pellet therapy has been used in medicine since the 1930s. In the past decade, it has made a strong resurgence in the medical world due to its safety and efficacy. A unique feature of the pellet is that hormone levels stay consistent over 3-5 months. Most other methods of hormone delivery will have an up-and-down effect on hormone levels throughout the course of a day.

How are bio-identical hormone pellets implanted?

The bio-identical hormone pellets are made by a licensed compounding pharmacy with strict dosage control and sterile procedures. The pellet is similar in size to a grain of rice. After a local anesthetic, the procedure is virtually painless and takes only a few minutes.

Why do patients prefer bio-identical hormone pellets over other therapies?

Many female patients prefer hormone pellets over hormone injections, creams, and oral preparations as the pellets last several months and the hormone delivery is very consistent. For many patients, it is more convenient to come to the office for the bio-identical hormone implant procedure every 3-5 months than to take a daily cream or pill or receive a weekly injection.

Who is a candidate for bio-identical testosterone pellet implantation?

During a comprehensive initial consultation, Dr. Buckle will review your health history and current symptoms and request a comprehensive blood work panel. With this information, Dr. Buckle will help to identify the root cause of any imbalance and effectively address concerns through a customized treatment plan that may include hormone pellet therapy.

The dosage of the testosterone pellet is based on lab results, and the goal is to use only what is needed to restore hormone balance.

Why is estrogen not routinely used in pellet therapy for women?

In most cases, it has been shown that peri/menopausal symptoms are relieved with a low dose of testosterone alone. Bio-identical testosterone delivered by hormone pellet therapy is an extremely effective therapy for peri/menopausal symptoms without the side effects of estrogen.

Many oncologists and breast cancer surgeons advocate testosterone pellet therapy as a safe method of hormone replacement. Estrogen can be a cell proliferator and is not necessary in all female hormone replacement protocols. The female body can convert testosterone into estrogen as needed. For some women, estrogen does provide an added benefit. In these cases, we compound bio-identical estrogen into our hormone pellets.

Is bio-identical hormone pellet therapy safe?

We have found this form of hormone replacement to be extremely safe. Even with a history of breast cancer, studies show that testosterone can be used safely and effectively.

Does Dr. Buckle offer hormone therapy options beyond pellet form?

Yes, Dr. Buckle is highly skilled in prescribing both bioidentical and non-bioidentical hormone replacement therapies in various forms, including creams, injections, pellets, and oral methods. While he can prescribe female hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in alternatives to pellet form depending on the patient's needs or preferences, many find the pellet therapy for testosterone and estradiol particularly appealing. This preference often stems from this method's convenience, safety, and effectiveness. Every treatment is tailored according to the unique circumstances of each patient.