What is BHRT?
Biological hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is aimed to restore physiological hormone levels in hormone deficient patients through an individualized approach. Based on a person’s exact hormone levels, BHRT uses customized doses of bioidentical hormones, which are chemically identical to the body’s naturally occurring hormones, to improve hormone inefficiencies.
What Are Pellets?
Fused pellets are a small cylindrical form of drug delivery that, when implanted under the skin by a physician, dissolve and release steady physiological doses of biological hormones over a period of several months.
Hormone replacement therapy by pellet implantation has been shown to be superior to other methods of hormone delivery because it supplies hormone blood levels that more closely resemble the body’s natural hormone cycle.
Fused pellets dissolve under the skin and therefore do not need to be removed. Pellets simply need to be replaced every 3-5 months for women or every 4-6 months for men, depending on patient-specific factors.
Why Use Pellets?
Using BHRT fused pellets eliminates the need for frequent administration of hormone therapy as is necessary with topical, vaginal, and oral therapy, thereby improving medication adherence and decreasing fluctuations in hormone levels.
Additionally, hormones delivered by pellet implantation have few adverse effects associated with blood clotting, blood pressure, lipid levels, blood glucose levels, and liver function.
Monitoring Pellet Therapy
Hormone levels will be drawn by the clinician and evaluated prior to therapy. This may include a FSH, estradiol, testosterone and free testosterone for women. Men need a PSA, sensitive estradiol (E2), serum free testosterone, total testosterone, SHBG, liver profile and blood count prior to starting therapy. Thyroid hormone levels may also be evaluated. Levels will be reevaluated during hormone therapy, usually prior to insertion of the next set of pellets, after 4-5 months. After the first year of therapy, hormones levels may be monitored less frequently. Women are advised to continue their monthly self-breast exam and obtain a mammogram and/or pap smear as advised by their gynecologist or primary care practitioner. Men must notify their primary care physician and obtain a digital rectal exam each year.
IT IS BEST TO RECHECK PATIENT HORMONE LEVELS AT MONTH 1, 4, 6, AND 12 AFTER THE FIRST INSERTION.
BHRT an acronym which stands for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy has been a common practice to cope with aging for decades. BHRT can help those suffering from unbalanced hormones feel like themselves for the first time. Bio-identical hormones are derived from plant sources rather than animal sources or synthetic sources and are said to most closely replicate the molecular structure of human hormones.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for WOMEN:
Many women will experience a hormone imbalance and not even realize it. Symptoms can range from subtle to debilitating and are often masked by medications that are prescribed for anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight gain, and more. Having your hormones checked regularly will reveal whether your hormones are optimized. Female hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can take the form of patches, creams, pills or pellets. These treatments and therapies may contain estradiol, progestin and or testosterone. When hormones are out of balance, hormone replacement therapy can help with a wide array of different symptoms, both physical and emotional.
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for MEN:
Some of the symptoms of hormone imbalance in men include:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Weight Gain
- Brain Fog
- Decrease Sexual Performance
- Inability to Maintain Muscle Mass
- Depression
- Anxiety
The reproductive symptoms of hormonal imbalance in men can include:
- Low Libido
- Erectile Dysfunction
- A Loss of Interest in Sexual Activity
- Low Self-Esteem
These are very serious symptoms that may stem from a variety of serious conditions in addition to hormonal imbalance.