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Fused pellet implants are compounded using biologically identical hormones. The hormones are pressed / fused into very small cylinders. Pellets are made up of either estradiol or testosterone and sometimes DHEA, Progesterone and Pregnenalone. The hormones are pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders. These pellets are larger than a grain of rice and smaller than a ‘Tic Tac’.

Pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for 3-5 months in women and 4-6 months in men. They avoid the fluctuations, or ups and downs, of hormone levels seen with every other method of delivery. Estrogen delivered by subcutaneous pellets, maintains the normal ratio of estradiol to estrone. This is important for optimal health and disease prevention. Pellets do not increase the risk of blood clots like conventional or synthetic hormone replacement therapy.

In studies, when compared to conventional hormone replacement therapy, pellets have been shown to be superior for relief of menopausal symptoms, maintenance of bone density, restoration of sleep patterns, and improvement in sex drive, libido, sexual response and performance. Testosterone delivered by a pellet implant, has been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches. It also helps with vaginal dryness, incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency. In both men and women, testosterone has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression, increase sense of well-being, relieve anxiety and improve memory and concentration. Testosterone, delivered by pellet implant, increases lean body mass (muscle strength, bone density) and decreases fat mass. Men and women need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal mental and physical health and for the prevention of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with low testosterone levels.

Even patients who have failed other types of hormone therapy have a very high success rate with pellets. There is no other ‘method of hormone delivery’ that is as convenient for the patient as the implants. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. There is a significant amount of data to support the delivery method of pellet implants.

Hormone pellets release hormones based on cardiac output. When the heart rate rises the hormones are released into circulation via capillaries that form around the pellets. When the heart rate rises with stress, movement, or exercise, hormones are released in greater quantity, providing greater support for what you are doing or experiencing. When the heart rate is lower with sleep, and rest, less hormone is released, which provides good sleep and calmness. This is one of the greatest benefits of the hormone pellets, is that not only are they giving you more help when you need it but also the right amount of hormone, instead of what most people do – which is forgetting to take the hormone daily, taking the same dose daily even if you need more with stress, and then often not absorbing other methods of hormone therapy.

Complications from the insertion of pellets include; minor bleeding, bruising, or infection at the insertion site (infection is extremely rare). Testosterone stimulates the bone marrow and increases the production of red blood cells. A low testosterone level in older men is a cause of anemia. Testosterone, delivered by implants or other methods, can cause an elevation in the red blood cells. After the insertion of the implants, vigorous physical activity is avoided for 48 hours in women and up to 5 days in men.

Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their early 30’s. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid 40’s to mid 50’s, some into their late 70’s to early 80’s. Men should be tested when they begin to show signs of testosterone deficiency. Even men in their 30’s can be testosterone deficient and show signs of bone loss, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping, body pain, mental decline, irritability, weight gain, and hair loss. Most men need to be tested around 50 years of age. Men can enjoy the benefits of testosterone therapy most of their lives.

Pellet insertion is a relatively simple in-office procedure done with local anesthesia. The pellets are inserted subcutaneously (under the fatty lining of skin), in the upper buttocks through a very small incision (the size of an eraser head). The incision is then closed with sterile-tape strips. Typically patients cannot feel the implants under their skin. Implants placed under the skin consistently release small, physiologic doses of hormones, which have been shown to have many benefits.