What are pellets?
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 or abdominal area 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. Once it is in place, a sterile strip or dissolvable suture 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 new pellets are inserted.
What are pellets used for?
Pellets have been used as a safe, effective way to provide the body with hormones necessary for treatment of a wide variety of conditions. The doctor may prescribe sterile pellets for both men and women experiencing menopause or andropause, and with conditions such as:
- Testosterone deficiencies
- Erectile dysfunction
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Fatigue
- Peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms
Why use pellets?
One of the benefits of pellets is that they 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 ingredients. 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, apply a cream, or give an injection. They also do not have to worry about getting the pellets removed because they safely dissolve over time.