Bioidentical hormone therapy pellets are custom-compounded estradiol or testosterone pressed into small, solid cylinders similar to a large grain of rice. Pellet production is highly regulated by the FDA.

EvexiPEL Certified providers source pellets from FaramKeio, one of the leading 503B FDA-registered compounding pharmacies in the country. Each pellet is carefully compounded to the exact dose prescribed by your practitioner to meet your body’s unique needs and facilitate optimal absorption of your prescribed therapy.

Before your initial consultation, you will first have your bloodwork done so that we can review your lab results. You can either have your labs drawn at our office or at another blood drawing facility.

Next, you will have a consultation with a Nurse Practitioner, where you will then have a medical assessment done and discuss your current lifestyle and personal experiences since symptoms began. This information will allow your provider to develop a treatment plan for you that may include BHRT, as well as other healthy lifestyle changes and therapies to achieve optimal health and wellness.

Patients who seek hormone therapy are often seeking relief from uncomfortable symptoms of hormone imbalance including hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss, insomnia, weight gain, brain fog, low energy, moodiness, irritability, anxiety, fatigue, and more. With pellet therapy, patients experience relief of these symptoms as well as additional benefits, such as improved libido, mental focus, and reduced risk of disease.

The primary goal of hormone therapy is to address the root cause of these symptoms—hormone imbalance—and reach a state of hormone optimization.

Bioidentical hormones are derived from natural sources, such as yams or soy, and designed to be structurally identical to the hormones produced by the human body. This feature ensures that when bioidentical hormones are supplemented to correct hormonal imbalance, the hormones react in the same manner as the hormones naturally produced by the body, therefore reducing side effects, supporting disease prevention, and alleviating uncomfortable symptoms.

There is no correlation to increased risk of breast or other cancer with the use of bioidentical hormones, as documented by countless peer-reviewed studies, analyses, and research.

There are no serious side effects. Some possible nuisance side effects include hair growth or acne in moderation. Both side effects, however, are very treatable and only temporary as the body adapts to the treatment.

Insertion schedules vary by individual. Various factors impact the rate at which the pellets dissolve. For most women, pellets will last 3 to 5 months, requiring approximately three to four visits per year. For most men, pellets will last 5 to 7 months, requiring two to three visits per year.

Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy is not shown to carry the same risks of certain cancers commonly affiliated with synthetic hormones, such as oral estrogen, chemical progestin, or hormone metabolites. (These forms of synthetic hormones were cited in the well-known Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) and accurately linked to certain forms of cancer.)

Current research and data on bioidentical forms of estrogen and testosterone actually show a decreased risk of certain diseases.

The appointment takes around 15 to 30 minutes and will involve a minor incision near the upper buttocks/hip area. A numbing agent comprised of lidocaine and epinephrine with sodium bicarbonate is used to numb the area prior to the procedure. The procedure takes only a few minutes, and most patients report feeling little to no pain during the procedure.

The area may be sore for a few hours after the procedure. You will need to abstain from certain activities, such as strenuous exercise for several days post-procedure to ensure your incision heals properly. Other than that, you can continue your daily life activities starting on the same day of the treatment.

Patients may begin to notice symptom relief with bioidentical hormone replacement therapy within days to a few weeks after insertion. Most women experience improvement of at least one symptom within 72 hours of their first insertion, while men often see improvement of one or more symptoms within two weeks. The greatest improvements are most often observed in men and women after their second pellet insertion.

Optimal results are best achieved when paired with a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and routine exercise.

The cost of pellet therapy varies by individual, factoring in your personal prescription, gender, and how quickly your body metabolizes the pellet. On average, most patients will spend between $2 and $3 per day—less than most people pay for a daily cup of coffee.

For most patients, labs and consultations are covered by your insurance. Coverage of pellets varies by insurance provider.