At Fort Sanders Women’s Specialists we offer many options for relief of menopause symptoms and hormone deficiency like bioidentical hormone pellet therapy. No single option will work for everyone – that is why we value one-on-one care to find the best plan for you.

How we can treat menopause symptoms.

Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy

Procedure

Pellet therapy is the most natural way to replenish hormone levels for women and men. Implants, placed under the skin, consistently release small, physiologic doses of bioidentical hormones just like those found normally in your body providing optimal therapy. This method is simple, convenient, and has one of the best safety records. Although we offer many bioidentical hormone replacement options, Dr. G. Walton Smith believes pellets are the best hormone replacement therapy. When hormones are absorbed rather than swallowed, they go directly to the tissues and are not altered by the liver. This is called the “first pass effect.”

Advantages

  • The hormones are absorbed directly into the bloodstream avoiding the liver and gastrointestinal system.
  • Continuous availability of the hormones 24/7
  • Your body controls the release of the hormone. You absorb more hormone during exercise and stress, and you absorb less hormone when you are at rest.
  • Convenience – the pellets typically last 3-5 months.
  • You don’t have to apply creams or gels daily.
  • Studies show this method to be best for mental clarity and sexual function.
  • Great for bone density

The pharmacies we use to compound pellets for our patients follow the strictest guidelines for safety and quality.

History of Pellet Therapy

Pellets for hormone replacement have been around since the late 1930’s. However, their popularity declined in the 50’s and 60’s with the growth of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry and the availability of the synthetic, oral hormone called Premarin. Premarin is derived from pregnant horses’ urine, which contains large quantities of estrogen-like chemicals. Premarin and the progestin, Provera, were the two hormones utilized in the Women’s Health Initiative study that linked certain forms of hormone replacement with an increased risk of thromboembolic disease, stroke, and breast cancer. Fortunately, pellet therapy never went away, and it is now recognized as a thorough way to manage symptoms related to hormone deficiency.