BHRT FOR MEN

Men experience a similar decline in hormone levels that women experience when they go through menopause. This is known as andropause in men, and this change occurs more slowly starting around the age of 30. Testosterone levels in men typically drop about 1% per year. It is estimated that 40% of men between the ages of 54 to 64 have levels below the lower limit of normal.

These lower levels of testosterone play a critical role in the quality and quantity of life in males. The decline in testosterone levels have been shown to be a risk factor for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, osteoporosis, and diabetes. The goal of testosterone replacement in men is to bring the levels back into a normal range while managing the symptoms of low testosterone levels.

BHRT FOR WOMEN

Today’s women prefer natural hormones. In a survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,009 women aged 40 and older, 83% said they would prefer to use hormones that are similar to their own body’s hormones. Bio-identical hormones include estrone (El), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and pregnenolone.

The goals of BHRT therapy include:

  • Alleviating the symptoms caused by the natural decrease in production of hormones by the body
  • Giving the protective benefits which were originally provided by naturally occurring hormones
  • Re-establishing a hormone balance

Every woman is unique. That is why the Pharmacy Solutions compounding specialists work together with patients and prescribers to provide customized BHRT in the best strength and dosage form to meet each woman’s specific needs and minimize the potential for side effects.

ABOUT PRO-PELL PELLETS

Pellets are the most natural way to deliver bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in both men and women. Pellets deliver a consistent release of hormone levels over an extended period of time, typically 3–6 months. This means only 2–4 visits to the medical office per year! The procedure typically takes 10–15 minutes, and most people are comfortable resuming daily activities immediately after their appointment. Best of all, your dosage is customized based on your labs and our customized dosage calculator.

OUR QUALITY ASSURANCE

Not all pellets are created equally. Our pellets are formulated to the highest standards under sterile conditions by Pharmacy Solutions, a PCAB accredited pharmacy in both sterile and non-sterile compounding. The pellets are created in our modern sterile compounding room that meets all of the PCAB requirements, all of the State Board of Pharmacy requirements, and all of the natural USP requirements. Upon completion, a sample of every batch of pellets is sent to an independent, third-party FDA-registered laboratory for testing where they are tested for potency and sterility.

*Only 2% of compounding pharmacies are PCAB certified

FAQ’s

Pellets are made up of either estradiol or testosterone. The hormones, estradiol or testosterone, are pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders. These pellets are larger than a grain of rice and smaller than a ‘Tic Tac’. In the United States, pellets are made by a licensed compounding pharmacist and delivered in sterile glass vials.

Some of the symptoms you might be experiencing might include excessive weight gain, low libido or sex drive, mood swings, insomnia or trouble sleeping, depression, and or irritability. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you might be a candidate for BHRT pellet therapy.

Pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for 3-6 months, depending on the dosage. They avoid the fluctuations, or ups and downs, of hormone levels seen with every other method of delivery. It is the fluctuation in hormones that causes many of the unwanted side effects and symptoms a patient experiences. 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, improved sex drive, libido, sexual response and performance. Even patients who have failed other types of hormone therapy have a very high success rate with pellets. In addition, there is no other method of hormone delivery that is as convenient for the patient as pellets.

The insertion of pellets is a simple, relatively painless procedure done under local anesthesia. The pellets are usually inserted in the hip through a small incision which is taped closed. Experience of the health care professional counts; not only in placing the pellets, but in determining the correct dosage of hormones to be used.

Complications from the insertion of pellets include minor bleeding, bruising, dis-coloration of the skin, infection, and possible extrusion of the pellet. Other than slight bruising, or discoloration of the skin these complications are very rare. Extended exposure to moisture (swimming, hot tubs, bath tubs) is avoided for 4 to 5 days, and vigorous physical activity is avoided for 48 hours in women and up to 5 to 7 days in men.

After pellets are inserted, patients may notice that they have more energy, sleep better and feel happier. Muscle mass and bone density will increase while fatty tissue decreases. Patients may notice increased strength, coordination and physical performance. They may see an improvement in skin tone and hair texture. Concentration and memory may improve as will overall physical and sexual health.

Pellets do not have the same risk of breast cancer as high doses of oral estrogens, like Premarin, that do not maintain the correct estrogen ratio or hormone metabolites. Nor, do they increase the risk of breast cancer like the synthetic, chemical progestins used in the Women’s Health Initiative Trial. In fact, data supports that balanced hormones are breast protective.

When a patient first starts hormone therapy there may be mild, temporary breast tenderness; which gets better on its own. Hormone receptors may be very sensitive and take time to adjust. There may be a temporary water weight gain which will also resolve on its own. The body will tone up, as bone density and muscle mass increase and fatty tissue decreases. Patients may experience a mild form of “puberty” as their hormonal levels come up into normal ranges.

Some patients begin to “feel better” within 24-48 hours while others may take a week or two to notice a difference.

The pellets usually last between 3 and 5 months in women and 5-6 months in men. High levels of stress, physical activity, some medications and lack of sleep may increase the rate at which the pellet absorb and may require that pellets are inserted sooner in some patients.

The pellets do not need to be removed. They completely dissolve on their own.

Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their 30’s. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid-40’s to mid-50’s, some into their late 70’s 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. Most men need to be tested around 50 years of age. It is never too late to benefit from hormone therapy.

Any time estradiol is prescribed, progesterone is also prescribed. There are progesterone (not progestin) receptors in the bone, brain, heart, breast and uterus. Progesterone can be used as a topical cream, a vaginal cream, oral capsule, or sublingual drops or capsules. If a patient is pre-menopausal she uses the progesterone the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle.