Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can help relieve the symptoms of menopause. It can replace female hormones no longer made by the ovaries. There are many different kinds of HRT options – pills, patches, rings and pellets are all available.
There has been a lot of coverage in the news about the risks of HRT. Every woman’s personal medical history has to be evaluated to determine what is right for you. There is no “one size fits all” treatment plan. It is important to discuss these risks with your Doctor at the Woman’s Clinic and find out if the benefits out weigh the risks for you. Possible risks include blood clots, heart attack, stroke and an increased risk of breast cancer.
These are important discussions to have with your Doctor.
What are hormone pellets?
- Hormone pellets are made from standardized hormones which are the same as the female body produces. We also offer bioidentical hormone pellets. These are inserted under the skin of the lower abdomen or the upper buttocks. They release hormones at a constant rate and last from 3 to 5 months. The procedure is done in the office using local anesthetic and only takes several minutes. Your can drive yourself to and from the office for the procedure. These implants are not removed but are totally absorbed over time.
What is the advantage of hormone implants?
- The pellets release the hormone at a constant rate into the body thus eliminating the up and down fluctuations of oral or injectable methods of replacement. Similarly to other methods, they are useful in the relief of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night swears, vaginal dryness improvement in sex drive, and restoration of normal sleep patterns.
What are the risks of hormone pellets?
- The risks are the same as other forms of hormone replacement therapies. These include an increased risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and blood clots (thromboembolism)
What are the side effects?
- The side effects are basically the same as oral hormones. The most common are irregular bleeding (if the patient still has a uterus), breast tenderness, headaches, weight loss or gain, and fluid retention.
Hormone pellet implants offer an alternative to the standard methods of hormone replacement. Talk to you doctor at The Woman’s Clinic to see if this is a method that is right for you.
Close