When starting bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), one of the key decisions you and your provider will make is choosing the best way to deliver the hormones into your body. There are several effective options, each with its own advantages and considerations. Understanding these can help you feel more informed and confident in your personalized treatment plan.
Common BHRT Delivery Methods:
Here’s a brief overview of the most popular ways hormones can be administered:
- Hormone Creams: Custom-compounded by a pharmacist, these are typically applied daily to the skin, allowing for absorption directly into the bloodstream.
- Hormone Capsules/Pills: Taken orally, these can be either commercially manufactured or custom-compounded.
- Hormone Troches: These are small, medicated lozenges designed to dissolve easily in the mouth (often under the tongue or between the cheek and gum), allowing hormones to be absorbed through the oral mucosa.
- Hormone Injections: Administered via injection, either self-injected at home or given in a clinical setting.
- Hormone Pellets: Tiny pellets containing compressed hormones are inserted under the skin (usually in the upper buttock area) during a minor in-office procedure. They slowly release hormones over several months.
Our Philosophy: Prioritizing Precision and Adjustability
At Hormone Balance Centers, our primary goal is to help you find your optimal hormonal balance – the precise level where you feel your absolute best. This often requires careful adjustments, especially during the initial phase of therapy as we learn how your unique body responds.
Because of this commitment to personalization, we favor delivery methods that allow for quick and easy dose adjustments. This ensures we can fine-tune your treatment based on your symptoms and follow-up lab results, minimizing potential side effects and helping you feel better, faster.
Why Adjustability Matters (Especially Compared to Pellets):
While pellets offer the convenience of infrequent dosing, they present a significant challenge when adjustments are needed. Once a pellet is inserted, the dose is fixed for the entire 3-6 month duration it lasts. If the dose turns out to be too high or too low, or if it causes unwanted side effects (like acne or mood changes), there is no way to adjust it until the pellet wears off.
In contrast, methods like creams, capsules, or troches allow your provider to easily modify your dose – sometimes even day-to-day – based on your feedback and how you are feeling. This flexibility is crucial for safely and effectively navigating the journey to your perfect hormonal balance.
Finding What’s Right for You:
Ultimately, the best delivery method is the one that fits your body, your lifestyle, and your specific hormonal needs. We believe in partnering with you, discussing the pros and cons of each option, and creating a plan that you feel confident and comfortable with. Your intuition about your own body is a valuable part of this process.