Bioidentical Hormones
What are bioidentical hormones?
Bioidentical hormones are hormones designed to be chemically identical to ones naturally produced by your body. Unlike synthetic hormones, bioidentical ones are made from plant sources.
Are bioidentical hormones safe?
When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, bioidentical hormones can be a safe and effective treatment for symptoms of low testosterone or low estrogen.
What are bioidentical hormones made from?
At TheraPellET, our bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources. Our bioidentical testosterone is derived from wild yams, and our bioidentical estrogen is derived from soy.
For male patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 4 to 6 months.
For female patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 3 to 5 months.
Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy covered by insurance?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is considered elective and is not covered by insurance. While the procedure itself is not covered under insurance, your insurance provider may cover the lab work needed. Reach out to your insurance provider for more information.
What does it cost for hormone replacement?
Your initial appointment has a one-time consultation fee of $150. The implant fee for women is $350 and for men is $750.
How do you transition from other forms of hormones (i.e. patches, pills, cream, and injections)?
Under careful guidance, you will continue your original method of hormone replacement through your appointment with us. We will discuss this transition with you during your appointment.
Can professional athletes get bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
If you are a professional athlete looking for this method of treatment, talk to your doctor about your options. Although a metabolite cannot be detected in blood, your “above normal” testosterone level may be viewed as performance enhancing, leading to potential penalization.
Is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy FDA approved?
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is not currently FDA approved, however the pellets provided to us come from a strict FDA regulated pharmacy. This means that the hormone and all ingredients undergo strict testing guidelines to ensure quality, potency, and dosage.
Do I need blood tests to monitor my levels?
Annual blood tests are necessary to monitor your hormone levels and to adjust your dosage as needed.
Am I too young for hormone replacement therapy?
While most of our patients are over the age of 35, you do not have to wait until menopause to benefit from optimal hormone levels.
What if my doctor said my hormones are normal?
There is a common misconception about “normal” lab values. Normal hormone levels mean you are in line with 95 percent of the population, but that may not mean your levels are optimal for you. We use your lifestyle, medical history, and other factors to help relieve your symptoms and improve your functionality.
How long does it take to see results from bioidentical hormone replacement?
Patients have reported improvements within a few weeks, but full results may take up to six weeks. The time it takes depends on how your body responds to the therapy and the severity of your hormone imbalance. Dosage adjustments and regular monitoring may be necessary to optimize results.
How does my healthcare provider select my dose of bioidentical hormones?
The goal is to relieve your symptoms with the lowest dose possible. Annual blood work is monitored along with your symptoms during each appointment. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose based on your changing hormone needs.
Testosterone Replacement
What is testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a medical treatment used to restore testosterone levels in people with clinically low levels. Common symptoms addressed with testosterone replacement therapy include fatigue, low sex drive, decreased muscle mass, and more.
Is testosterone replacement therapy safe?
When prescribed and monitored by a doctor, testosterone replacement therapy is a safe treatment for people with confirmed low testosterone.
Who is an ideal candidate for testosterone replacement therapy?
Ideal candidates are men or women suffering from confirmed low testosterone. Men may experience symptoms, including lower sex drive, decreased muscle mass, and fatigue, while women may experience reduced sex drive and mood changes. (For a full list of symptoms, click here.) Your doctor will assess if testosterone replacement therapy is right for you.
For male patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 4 to 6 months.
For female patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 3 to 5 months.
What are the most common symptoms relieved by testosterone replacement therapy?
Symptoms can vary from person to person, and differ from men to women.
For men, symptoms can include decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, mood changes, reduced muscle mass, sweating, and hot flashes.
For women, symptoms can include reduced sex drive, difficulty with arousal, fatigue, energy loss, mood changes, and reduced muscle mass.
For more on symptoms of low testosterone, click here.
Is testosterone replacement therapy covered by insurance?
Bioidentical testosterone replacement therapy is considered elective and is not covered by insurance. While the procedure itself is not covered under insurance, your insurance provider may cover the lab work needed. Reach out to your insurance provider for more information.
What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?
Side effects can vary, but common side effects include acne, oily skin, decreased sperm count, and the potential for prostate enlargement. It’s important to talk with your doctor about any possible side effects during your appointment.
Is testosterone replacement therapy for life?
Testosterone replacement therapy is a long-term treatment. Some people may require treatment for life, but it varies based on a number of individual factors. Talk to your doctor about the expected duration of your treatment. As long as one would like symptom relief, replacement will be necessary.
After receiving testosterone replacement therapy, how soon until I feel a difference?
You may feel a difference after a few days from your first appointment, or after a few appointments. Everyone is different in responding to hormone replacement therapy.
Why do we switch sides each visit?
We switch sides to decrease any type of scar tissue that may possibly build up.
What’s the highest dose a patient can get for testosterone replacement?
There isn’t really a “highest” dose. The doses are patient dependent and stem from reviewing your past medical history, along with your signs and symptoms.
Will I be on the same dose over the course of my testosterone replacement treatment?
Your hormonal needs may change over time, especially as you age. Regular monitoring allows your provider to adjust your treatment to fit your evolving needs.
Estrogen Replacement
What is estrogen replacement therapy?
Estrogen replacement therapy is a medical treatment used to restore estrogen levels in people with clinically low levels. Common symptoms addressed with estrogen replacement therapy include hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and discomfort.
Is estrogen replacement therapy safe?
Estrogen replacement is considered a safe treatment when under direction from your doctor.
Who is an ideal candidate for estrogen replacement therapy?
Ideal candidates for estrogen replacement therapy are women suffering from symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness and discomfort.
For male patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 4 to 6 months.
For female patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 3 to 5 months.
Does estrogen replacement therapy cause weight gain?
While it can happen, weight gain is not considered a significant side effect with this treatment.
What are the benefits of estrogen replacement?
Benefits of estrogen replacement include symptom alleviation and an improved quality of life. Estrogen replacement therapy can improve symptoms of hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, and may offer osteoporosis prevention.
Is estrogen replacement therapy covered by insurance?
Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy is considered elective and is not covered by insurance. While the procedure itself is not covered under insurance, your insurance provider may cover the lab work needed. Reach out to your insurance provider for more information.
When should I start estrogen replacement therapy?
If you’re experiencing symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness, and believe low estrogen may be at play, talk with a doctor to see if you should start estrogen replacement therapy.
How soon until I feel a difference in my symptoms after receiving estrogen replacement therapy?
Because everyone responds to hormone replacement therapy differently, you may feel a difference after a few days from your first appointment, or after a few appointments.
For injections, why do we switch sides each visit?
We do this to decrease any type of scar tissue that may possibly build up.
What’s the highest dose a patient can get for estrogen replacement?
Because doses depend on your individual needs, there isn’t really a “highest” dose. We’ll review your past medical history and symptoms to determine dosing.
Will I be on the same dose over the course of my estrogen replacement treatment?
Your hormonal needs may change over time and your providers will adjust your treatment based on your evolving needs.
Hormone Pellets
What are hormone pellets?
Hormone pellets are small, rice-sized implants that are inserted under your skin, slowly releasing bioidentical testosterone or estrogen to replace low levels.
Are hormone pellets safe?
When inserted by your doctor, hormone pellets and their insertion are safe.
How are hormone pellets implanted?
At TheraPellET, we use our patented and innovative Virden Method™ as a superior approach to traditional pellet insertion. Using a blunt-tipped trocar, we carefully insert the pellets, minimizing tissue damage and ensuring secure placement.
For male patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 4 to 6 months.
For female patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 3 to 5 months.
Where are hormone pellets implanted?
Hormone pellets are implanted just beneath your skin, often in your butt or flank area (between your lower ribs and hip).
How big are the pellets?
The pellets themselves are small, usually about the size of a grain of rice.
What are hormone pellets made from?
Our hormone pellets are primarily made from a substance called stearic acid. This is a type of fatty acid that is naturally found in animal and vegetable fats, and is a safe and common ingredient used in a variety of products.
How long do hormone pellets last?
Testosterone pellets usually last five months for men and three months for women. Estrogen pellets can last for around 3 months, but individual factors, like body composition and dosage, play a role.
Are bioidentical pellets safer than traditional hormone therapy?
Using bioidentical pellets is often seen as a safer treatment than synthetic hormones. However, as with any medication, taking too much or too little will not produce optimal results.
Common Side Effect Questions
Will testosterone therapy increase my risk of blood clots or stroke?
Testosterone therapy does not significantly increase your risk of blood clots or stroke. Even though your red blood cell count does increase, this doesn’t affect platelets, which are the primary drivers of blood clots. We do monitor this closely.
Do you need to donate blood when on testosterone therapy?
While this depends on the individual, we see many of our patients donating blood due to high hemoglobin and hematocrit serum levels.
Why am I experiencing breast and nipple sensitivity after starting hormone therapy?
This side effect can occur after starting hormone therapy, particularly in post-menopausal women. As your body re-adjusts to new estrogen levels, you may experience some breast or nipple sensitivity. For men, nipple sensitivity may result from your body converting too much testosterone into estrogen. This potential side effect is very treatable.
For male patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 4 to 6 months.
For female patients, hormone pellets typically lasts 3 to 5 months.
Why does breakthrough bleeding happen?
There can be many causes of breakthrough bleeding while on hormone replacement therapy, but the most common is due to the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, which can affect your uterine lining. The imbalance can cause irregular shedding of your lining, which leads to bleeding. While this side effect can be annoying, it isn’t serious.
Can testosterone treatment cause acne?
Some patients have experienced acne with testosterone replacement therapy, especially people who are acne prone, or have a history of acne. Testosterone can increase oil in your skin, leading to a potential increase in acne.
Can facial hair growth occur after testosterone replacement therapy?
It’s possible for both men and women to experience facial hair growth while undergoing therapy, especially if you are prone to growing facial hair. If facial hair growth persists, we can adjust the dose. Dr. Virden also has laser hair treatment available.
What is fluid retention or edema, and why can it occur after testosterone therapy?
Fluid retention, or edema, is a buildup of excess fluid in your body’s tissues. It’s most common after your first insertion as your body gets used to your testosterone dose. You may be prescribed a diuretic medication to eliminate this excess fluid.
Why am I experiencing mood swings after receiving hormone replacement therapy?
Mood swings are likely to occur as your body adjusts to your new hormone levels. Your mood swings will gradually subside as your body continues to acclimate to your new levels.
Should I be concerned about hair loss?
With most patients receiving testosterone replacement therapy, hair thinning may occur but over a longer period of time, as opposed to in the first two to three visits. It’s important to know that everyone responds differently to treatment and your provider will work with you should any side effects occur.
Do hormones cause cancer?
Some cancers, like breast and prostate cancer, may be hormone-sensitive, meaning the cancer may grow faster when exposed to certain hormones such as estrogen (breast) or testosterone (prostate). However, the cancer itself is not caused by the hormone.
We always screen women with mammograms and men with a blood test called PSA to check for any signs of breast or prostate cancer.
Can bioidentical hormone replacement therapy affect fertility?
Yes. In women, the main concern is whether you’re finished having children, as BHRT should not be used for women who are likely to become pregnant. For men, hormone replacement may impact sperm production. If you have fertility concerns, you should speak with a healthcare provider.