If you’re a woman over the age of 30, you may not immediately recognize the symptoms of hormone deficiency in your life, which can include fatigue, decreased libido, weight gain, and more concerns often mistaken for a side effect of aging. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) through the revolutionary pellet method is proven to help restore balance to hormone levels and decrease the symptoms of life stages such as menopause. For many women, BHRT is safe and effective for years of improved health. This hormone replacement treatment is proudly offered by Pellecome through our provider network,
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
While hormone pellets replacement therapy is not a new concept, past versions of treatment were not always effective for all women seeking to correct a hormonal imbalance and manage symptoms of deficiency. Dosages were quickly absorbed by the body, resulting in a “roller coaster” as the system was flooded with hormones and the body overwhelmed.
Today, hormone pellet therapy has been revolutionized by the development of pellet-based BHRT. The small pellets, which are the size of a grain of rice, are packed full of natural, plant-based hormones that perfectly match the body’s own hormones.
When placed in the subcutaneous layer of skin during a simple procedure, the pellets are gradually dissolved by the body over several months. This slower process allows the body to reach a true place of balance and helps avoid many negative side effects of hormone deficiency.
Benefits
It’s no secret that women experience one of the most dramatic fluctuations of hormonal imbalance during menopause when the body naturally ends the reproductive years and regular menstrual cycles stop. Many women seek out hormone therapy at this time, frustrated by the unpredictability of their hormonal changes and seeking to manage the classic symptoms of menopause.
However, women between the ages of 30-45 are just as likely to experience some form of hormone deficiency. BHRT can help them address health concerns such as low energy, low self-esteem, and more. As a treatment, BHRT has the power to help you reclaim your life and overcome recurring symptoms of deficiency.
The pellet delivery system is considered far more convenient than taking oral dosages regularly or remembering to apply a cream. In addition, the procedure to place the pellets is virtually painless and requires zero downtime before you can return to most of your normal activities. BHRT can be a long-term treatment for women before, during, and after menopause, and the majority of patients report that they experience a definite improvement in their symptoms after beginning hormone therapy.
At What Age Should a Woman Stop Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Women of all ages have found success with regular BHRT treatments. Thanks to the natural sources of the hormones and the way they match your body’s hormones perfectly, most patients are able to pursue treatment with no side effects. As for the ideal treatment length, your doctor will help you determine the best course of treatment for your unique situation.
Most women continue treatment for 2-3 years to decrease symptoms of menopause or other hormonal changes. However, there is no limit on how long you can continue treatment if you are happy with the results. For women between 40-55, hormone therapy is ideal for navigating the season of menopause and managing symptoms.
Hormone therapy can be adjusted with age to address common side effects of aging and allows women to maintain their health and energy levels after menopause. While you should always consult your doctor regarding decisions about your health, there is no age limit to those who can receive BHRT, and women can continue taking it no matter their age.
Do I Need BHRT?
Women often experience a more gradual decline in hormone levels than men, partly due to the often years-long process of menopause. During this time, hormone deficiencies that existed pre-menopause often fluctuate, resulting in changing symptoms and unpredictable mood swings. If you’re wondering whether you’re experiencing hormone deficiency, regardless of your age, there are several classic signs to notice.
Signs of Hormone Deficiency in Pre-Menopausal Women
Most people don’t realize the impact that a hormonal imbalance can have on their daily lives. While hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and even testosterone are essential for a woman’s sexual health and sex drive, they also affect the body’s general health, especially as women grow older.
Hormone deficiency can contribute to memory loss, fatigue, and bone frailty in women. It can also make you more likely to develop serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions such as cardiovascular disease. BHRT allows you to manage these symptoms over time and reduce your risk of side effects.
Signs of Hormone Imbalance During Menopause
Hormonal imbalance, one of the classic signs of menopause, is a natural side effect of the body’s change. However, with BHRT, women can help re-balance their hormone levels, taking back control and reducing the impact this time often has on their lives. Menopause is divided into 4 main stages, and each stage often includes a different version of hormonal imbalance.
Premenopause
This first stage, which makes up a good part of a woman’s life, is the time when she experiences regular reproductive functions. For the majority of women, this time includes a typical menstrual cycle and the ability to become pregnant. Premenopause lasts from a woman’s first menstrual cycle to her last menstrual cycle–often 30 years or more. During a woman’s teens and early 20s, hormone levels are at their highest, and she may experience the classic mood swings associated with this time. By the mid-20s to early 30s, the hormone levels plateau and may even begin to decrease.
Perimenopause
This is the transition stage between regular menstrual cycles and a woman’s last menstrual cycle at the end of her reproductive years. Many women are surprised to learn that this stage can last 2-10 years, with many of the changes happening on a hormonal level. Between 35-50, hormone levels fluctuate, which triggers the classic symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, weight gain, and mood swings. This stage of menopause can go undetected for years if women are not aware of the hormonal changes taking place, and the experience often affects women both physically and emotionally.
Menopause
This is the final stage of a woman’s reproductive years when the body’s levels of estrogen and progesterone drop sharply and the ovaries stop producing eggs. Monthly menstrual cycles end and the body can no longer become pregnant naturally. Women will often experience continued symptoms of menopause during this time. However, they typically decrease over the next year.
Postmenopause
This last stage begins after the first year following a woman’s final regular menstrual cycle and includes the rest of a woman’s lifetime post-childbearing years. Most symptoms of menopause end early in this stage. However, hormonal imbalances can continue to impact a woman’s health. This often includes lower energy levels, decreased libido and enjoyment during sex, and decreased bone density. Severe deficiencies can even accelerate the aging process and cause women to develop more serious conditions as they age.
Treatment Process
Women of all ages have found success with BHRT, but many who are considering treatment want to know more about what to expect. Most women need only a few appointments per year to maintain healthy hormone levels, and the treatment process is designed to fit into every lifestyle. The treatment process is divided into a few easy steps, and your doctor will guide you along the way.
Consultation
The first step is to sit down with a skilled doctors for an initial consultation. This appointment often involves a simple test for hormone deficiency to help your doctor recommend the best course of treatment for you. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have about what to expect during the procedure. Depending on your age and the severity of your hormonal imbalance, your doctor will recommend a personalized treatment plan. Once you’re approved for treatment, you can begin preparing for your first appointment.
Treatment
At your appointment, your doctor will prepare you for the procedure with a topical or injectable anesthetic in the hip or buttock area. Once then area is numb, they will use a small scalpel to create an incision reaching down to the subcutaneous layer of skin, where the implant will be placed. Next, the hormone pellets will be loaded into a special injection tool that resembles a pen. Your doctor will place the needle at the end of this tool under the skin and inject the pellets. Lastly, your doctor will close the insertion site and bandage it to allow it to heal. Each appointment takes about 15-20 minutes.
Results
After the procedure, you will probably experience mild tenderness at the injection site, especially when sitting down. This is normal and should subside within a few days. Other than this, most patients report that they barely notice the pellets in their normal lives. The pellets continue to release hormones over 3-4 months before dissolving, and appointments are usually scheduled 3-4 times per year to maintain an ideal balance in the body. Thanks to the simplicity of BHRT and pellet injection, patients can focus on enjoying their lives to the fullest.
Am I an Ideal Candidate?
Whether you’re in your 30s or past menopause, hormone replacement therapy could be the treatment you’ve been waiting for. This procedure has produced results in every age range and allows women to feel their best throughout their adult lives. Thanks to the natural sources of the hormones, most patients are approved for treatment. However, your doctor can help you determine your candidacy during a consultation.
Contact Us to Learn More!
Hormone imbalance can affect women at every stage of their lives. Instead of living with symptoms of hormone deficiency, take back control of your life and consider hormone replacement therapy. You’ll find that treatment can be adjusted to fit your needs at every age, and with the help of your doctor, you can continue to experience true balance for years to come. To learn more about this revolutionary treatment, find a Pellecome provider today and schedule an initial consultation today.
