Whether you’re a man or woman, hormone imbalances can happen at any point in life for a variety of reasons. They can also occur at any age, whether it’s because of menopause, declining testosterone levels, stress, or other causes, and the symptoms can often be quite severe. Here at Knox Wellness Experience in Knoxville, TN, our hormone pellet therapy can be very effective at treating these types of issues, regardless of your age.
While most patients start this therapy between their 40s and 60s, treatment can be beneficial at just about any age if you’re an adult suffering from a hormone imbalance. Since menopause is the most common reason patients seek treatment, many of our patients are women in their late 40s or early 50s.
However, we also regularly treat men and patients who have hormone dysfunction for other reasons, such as stress, trauma, medications, and diseases. Those who are 60 and older may not respond quite as well to long-term treatments, so we’ll carefully consider whether this therapy is the right approach or not if you’re older than 60.
With this form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), hormone pellets are placed just beneath the skin, where they’re naturally absorbed by the body, leading to a slow release of small doses of hormones. The pellets that we use are virtually identical to those found in your body, and this gives them the advantage of being more readily accepted by your body.
Also, unlike oral hormone replacement therapy tablets, the hormones produced by this therapy bypass the liver, as they’re able to reach the tissues of your body directly. This prevents them from being broken down within the liver, which can lead to longer-lasting results for many patients.
How many treatments you’ll need can depend on several different factors. Some patients only need treatments for a short time, while others stay on this therapy for many years. Some conditions may only cause symptoms during a brief time in your life, and you may only need to return a few times to help you get through this period.
Other conditions may cause long-term symptoms, though most patients can safely stay on this therapy and receive regular treatments for at least seven years if needed.
The treatment process consists of the following three simple steps:
Before we get started with treatment, we’ll need to ensure that it’s the right approach for you by carrying out a diagnostic blood panel, where we’ll draw your blood to determine which hormones you may have too little or too much of. We’ll ask about your medical history as well, including any medications you’re taking or other hormone treatments that you may already be on.
During your treatment, we’ll insert your customized hormone pellet just beneath the skin, typically in your lower abdomen near your buttocks. You won’t have to worry about any significant pain because the incision is a very small one that isn’t too deep, and we’ll numb the area beforehand with a topical anesthetic.
After the pellet is inserted, we’ll cover the area with a light bandage dressing to protect it during the healing process. After this, you’ll be all finished, and the entire process will normally only take about 20 to 30 minutes from start to finish.
One of the advantages that this treatment has over others is the fact that there’s no downtime, and the recovery period is a quick one. It should only take a few days for the small incision area to heal. You can still go to work or carry out light activities during this time, though you will need to avoid overexerting yourself.
You should therefore avoid strenuous exercise for a few days, as well as lifting anything too heavy. Showering instead of bathing is also recommended because it’s less likely to affect the attached bandage while you’re recovering.
If you’re already on another type of hormone therapy, you’ll need to stop taking it the morning of your therapy session because it can affect the results of the blood test that we’ll need to perform. After your treatment session with us concludes, you can resume your previous hormone treatment, and we’ll advise you on how to transition off of it slowly.
The results of this treatment often take many months to develop fully, though you may start noticing effects as quickly as a few days after your therapy session. Your metabolism can play a role in how quickly the pellet dissolves, and the severity of your symptoms or how long they were present before treatment can also factor in when it comes to how long it takes for the results to be seen.
The results of this therapy typically last at least six months for most patients, though it’s not uncommon for some to experience even longer-lasting results. After the pellet is fully dissolved, your hormone levels should then stay adjusted for quite some time until whatever has caused your hormone imbalance begins to deplete or increase their levels again. In some cases, the results can last forever, especially if you’re being treated for a short-term condition that resolves while undergoing treatment.
Hormone dysfunction can affect your body in the following ways:
With abnormal hormone levels, you might notice changes in how you feel, either from time to time or daily. Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of this, and you may feel worried or tense about things that you normally wouldn’t. Mood swings are also quite common, which is when a person experiences unexplained and sudden shifts in how they feel.
Depression can also be an indicator of serious hormonal issues, as this can be caused by decreases in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or other hormones. Many patients report feeling more stable in how they feel after treatment, and this emotional relief can often be maintained over time or fully corrected to improve one’s quality of life.
A wide range of physical problems can occur with hormone imbalances, including skin issues like acne, darkened skin, enlarged pores, and other changes in your skin’s texture. You may also experience hot flashes, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, weight gain, or even a loss in muscle mass, along with muscle weakness.
Hair changes are also quite common, including hair loss, as well as digestive issues, such as constipation and diarrhea. Both women and men can experience sexual issues too, which might include vaginal dryness, breast changes, or irregular periods for women, while men often experience erectile dysfunction. A loss of libido or sexual desire is also common, regardless of gender.
Many cognitive issues can arise from long-term hormone imbalances, and the signs of this may be as subtle as having trouble recalling certain events or having difficulty processing details of something in your mind. “Brain fog” is the term that many use to describe the cluster of cognitive issues that’s often seen when hormones are unbalanced, and you might also have difficulty with paying attention to things or staying motivated.
While your overall mental clarity can be affected, and this can be debilitating if you’re in school or work in a position that requires you to stay mentally sharp at all times, even more severe cognitive issues can occur over time, like psychosis. Some cognitive disorders, like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease, have been linked to hormone changes, which is one reason why early treatment is important.
Many other symptoms that may not be noticed can also occur, such as infertility, while a variety of different diseases have been linked to hormone imbalances, including thyroid disease, osteoporosis, Cushing’s syndrome, and diabetes.
Regardless of which symptoms you’re experiencing, we can diagnose you to determine if hormonal dysfunction is the likely cause, and when this is the case, this therapy is normally quite effective.
If you’ve been experiencing the symptoms of a hormone imbalance and would like long-term relief, there’s no better time to get started with hormone pellet therapy than now. Reach out to us today at Knox Wellness Experience in Knoxville, TN to schedule an appointment, and we’ll be here to help you get back to living the symptom-free life you deserve.
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