TESTOSTERONE PELLET THERAPY: A Matter of Convenience
In 2008 I began offering testosterone pellets to women after going to Ohio to learn about hormone pellets, specifically testosterone pellets. Many people have never heard of hormone pellet therapy back then, including myself. Dr. Rebecca Glaser, MD, a breast cancer surgeon, was and still is a pioneer in the field of testosterone pellet therapy. She trained me and gave me my first testosterone pellets and it changed my life in 2008. I built my practice looking for women like myself. I felt like I had gotten my life back and was more of myself than I had been in 10 years.
Pellet therapy has been around since the 1930’s and is a very effective and I think the most convenient hormone delivery method. Bioidentical hormone pellets are easily placed under the skin with a small incision. Some patients prefer pellets because they last several months and they do not have to remember to use them daily. Hormone pellets dissolve under the skin slowly releasing a consistent amount of hormone each day. Pellets are the best at delivering and maintaining consistent hormone levels in the body, because the hormone is released spontaneously and continuously. There are no messy daily creams, gels or weekly shots needed. Many find pellet therapy more convenient, as it does not require one to remember the daily skin application of topical hormones. Others enjoy not having to receive weekly intramuscular injections.
Who is a candidate for bioidentical testosterone pellet implantation?
There are very few people who are not good candidates for pellet therapy, however pellet therapy is not for everyone. The very best candidates for pellet hormone therapy are men and women who prefer the superiority and convenience of pellet testosterone replacement therapy. Testosterone pellet therapy lasts 3-5 months in women and 5-6 months in men. Dosing is based upon lab results, which help determine how much testosterone supplementation will be needed to restore hormone levels. For women with a history of breast cancer or men with a history of prostate cancer, testosterone can safely be used. We do require your medical oncologist and/or urologist agree with your use of testosterone. Hormones often are associated with causing cancer, however there are many medical journals which do not support a causation and estrogen has been used to successfully treat both prostate and breast cancer.
Who is NOT a candidate for bioidentical testosterone pellet implantation?
Testosterone cannot make you and your partner fight less, unless if the fighting is due to the lack of sex. Testosterone cannot work past, through or go beyond sexual abuse issues. We recommend counseling instead for those who are having serious relationship problems. Testosterone can’t override significant stressors in one’s personal life such as a completely overwhelming job, major financial burdens, overwhelming family issues, such as child custody battles, a bitter divorce or the loss of a loved one. People who are under significant stressors will not get the same benefit from testosterone sexually. Testosterone is a hormone that can boost your desire for sex and therefore have an impact on intimacy in your relationship.
Customized Hormone Replacement Therapy. Not everyone requires the same amount or same delivery method of bioidentical hormone replacement. We understand that not all our patients will want pellet therapy, some may prefer topical creams and others may prefer injections. Our desire is to use the hormones and method of delivery whether it is pellets, creams, or oral pills. We use what is best for you and that ensures your happiness and compliance is assured. We measure testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, DHEA-S, PSA, thyroid, and lipid panels in the blood. Treatment is based upon symptoms with lab results helping us to treat with the appropriate amount of deficient hormones.
At LiveAgelessly the goal is to listen to each patient and treat the patient using laboratory results to guide therapy. We treat your symptoms first and use the labs to guide therapy. Our goal is to avoid excessive hormone levels. Estrogen is available as a pellet as well and is used in symptomatic estrogen deficient women. Progesterone, DHEA, vitamin D, and thyroid supplementation is based upon test results and most specifically, patient symptoms.
