Hormones are responsible for coordinating a number of functions in your body by sending signals through the bloodstream. They are crucial in processes including growth and development, sexual function, mood, and metabolism. The cells that produce these hormones can experience issues, and even time works against the body’s ability to produce hormones. Women between the ages of 45 and 55, for instance, go through menopause, a time when hormonal levels change significantly. Hormone replacement therapy is a popular option for women dealing with menopause.
In this brief article brought to you by Harley Institute, we will explore pellet therapy as well as its benefits and risks. If you are interested in hormone replacement therapy in Atlanta and surrounding areas, you can call Harley Institute to consult with a member of our team. Dr. Harley is a board-certified physician with over 30 years of experience serving the Metro Atlanta community.
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and is usually diagnosed once you have gone 12 months without a menstrual period. This generally happens to women in their 40s or 50s, but can also result from radiation therapy as well as surgery involving hormone-producing organs. In effect, the body produces less estrogen and progesterone during menopause.
Fluctuations in hormone levels can produce a wide range of symptoms including:
More unpleasant symptoms include thinning and drying skin, thinning hair, and decreased bone density. Fortunately, there is relief from these symptoms.
Hormone replacement therapy helps regulate the body’s production of vital hormones through medication. Delivery methods are plenty, including:
These medications are produced in labs and designed to match the natural hormones produced in the body. They are commonly produced using material from natural plants like soybean and yams. Approximately 1.4 million women use bioidentical hormone therapy to treat symptoms of menopause, according to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
With pellet therapy, patients can get a more precise blend and dosage of hormones when compared with other options like gels, creams, and patches. This means you can treat individual menopausal symptoms. In this method, pellets are implanted slightly under the skin so that you do not have to worry about carrying around medication and remembering to take it. Hormone pellet therapy can help relieve some of the common menopausal symptoms including:
Different women will react differently to hormone pellet therapy, and your doctor will communicate with you to consider risks. Potential side effects include:
Do you have more questions about pellet therapy? Call the Harley Institute to speak with a friendly member of our team and schedule a consultation today.