Hormone Pellet Information

Our Quality Standards in Hormone Pellets!

Although a secondary goal of the Hormone Treatment Centers is competitive costs our primary focus is to ensure we use pellets that meet the Highest Quality Standards for our patients.

• We select and inspect compound pharmacies that exceed the FDA regulations for 503b pharmacies related to their sterile environment.
• We select pharmacies that have 3rd-Party Stability Studies conducted for on all pellet offerings.
• We randomly request 3rd-Party batch release testing results that accompany each lot.
• We select companies that have terminal sterilization of pellets utilizing electron beam.
• All active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) must be purchased from Manufactures that are registered with the FDA.

What What Types of Hormone Replacement TRT / HRT Treatments Do We Offer?

• Intramuscular Injection (IM), which is an injection in the upper portion of the hip.
• Pellets, which are implanted under the skin on the fattiest tissue of the hip

What Are Hormone (HRT) Pellets? 

• Hormone pellets are tiny, highly compressed “discs” or “cylinders” containing pure bioidentical hormone (the same hormones that are already present in the human body). They are placed under the skin with a very quick, simple, and painless procedure and will deliver hormone to the body as needed while slowly dissolving over time.

Which Form of Treatment Does the MWHC Recommend?

• Both forms of treatment are effective delivery methods for hormone replacement our patients are split on which they prefer. Pellet patients often talk about the consistent delivery “controlled release over time” of the hormone. The body draws from the hormone when it is needed. The also appreciate only having to visit the office every 3 months versus 7-10 days. Patients often prefer the IM injections because weekly injections can be adjusted based on the patient response to the hormones.

What are Pellet Implants / How Are They Inserted?

• Sterile pellets are a small, cylindrical form of compounded medication prepared using bio-identical hormones. They are used to treat hormone deficiencies and imbalances in both men and women. The pellet is only about the size of a grain of rice and is implanted below the skin in the gluteal during a simple office procedure. The area is numbed using a local anesthetic and a tiny incision is made through which the pellet is inserted using a trocar. Once it is in place, a sterile strip is used to close the incision and covered with an adhesive bandage. Over the course of three to four months, the pellet slowly dissolves as the body draws small, physiologic dosages of the hormone to maintain a more consistent delivery. Once it is dissolved, the procedure is repeated and a new pellet is inserted.

Are Pellet Insertions Painful? What is The Recovery Time?

• Pellet implants are quick are relatively painless and usually completed within 17 minutes here in our office. The procedure is minimal: First, an area on the back of your hip is numbed with a local anesthesia, then a small puncture is made and the pellets are inserted into subcutaneous tissue just under the skin. You may feel a slight pulling when the tiny pellet is inserted. After the procedure is finished, steri-strips and a gauze bandages are placed over the puncture. In rare situations stitches are applied to men who are highly active.

Why Use Hormone Pellets Over Injections or Creams?

• One of the benefits of pellets is that pellets can be used to deliver hormones to the body that are both structurally and biologically identical to the body’s own hormones. Bio-identical hormones such as Estradiol (E2) and testosterone are the most commonly used. They are slowly released over a period of three to four months, allowing for more consistent delivery. Because the pellet is placed beneath the skin, once it is inserted, the body naturally does the rest. Patients do not have to remember to take a pill or give an injection. Patients also do not have to worry about getting the pellet removed because it is safely dissolved by the body over time. Once it is dissolved, the next pellet can be inserted by the physician.

How are Hormone Pellets Made?

• For a more natural product, implantable pellets are created fusing together hormone powder and stearic acid without the sue of chemical binders. These compressed pellets are about the size of a grain of rice and are resistant to breakage and have a consistent color and texture for higher quality results. Pellets go through extensive safety and sterility testing before leaving the compounding pharmacy.

How Often Are Hormone Pellet Implants Needed? 

• Implants are generally conducted every 3-4 months depending on the patients symptoms and how quickly they individual metabolize the implant.  Pellets need no removal because they slowly dissolve into the blood stream.

Does a Woman Have to be in Menopause to Benefit from Pellets or Injection Treatments?

• NO – Woman at any age or stage of life can experience symptoms of hormone imbalance and may need to have their levels checked by a Doctor. Levels can decline for various reasons and pellet therapy is able to combat symptoms of fatigue, libido, hot flashes, night sweats, depression, severe PMS, menstrual or migraine headaches, sleeping disorders.