BHRT, otherwise known as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, is a form of hormone replacement therapy which focuses on replacing the hormones which are made in or by the sex glands – in women, these are the ovaries – which include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. As women age, the body produces less of these hormones, which can cause a variety of symptoms – some of which may prove to be uncomfortable.

With BHRT therapy, it is important to know that it is composed of two different types of hormone replacement therapy. One of these is estrogen-only therapy (ET), which is used primarily in the treatment of menopausal symptoms – although it is usually only ever prescribed to women who do not have a uterus, which includes those who have undergone a hysterectomy.

The second form of hormone replacement therapy is known as estrogen and progestogen therapy (EPT), wherein progestogen is added to protect those women who have a uterus from developing uterine (also known as endometrial) cancer from the estrogen on its own.

Both forms of hormone replacement therapy can be further broken down, as they can either be administered as systematic hormone therapy or low-dose therapy. The systematic form of hormone therapy can come in several forms – including pills, skin patches, gels, creams, or sprays – and is most effective for the treatment of hot flashes and night sweats. Additionally, estrogen has been shown to ease those symptoms of menopause which affect the vagina, such as dryness, burning, itching, and discomfort during sexual intercourse.

Low dose therapies are usually administered in the form of a cream, tablet, or a ring, and have been shown to be most effective for treating vaginal and urinary symptoms. With low dose therapies, the hormones are administered in a much lower dosage which is considered safe for certain women who may have other health concerns that may be exacerbated by BHRT therapy.

If you have any questions about BHRT, including which form and administration of therapy is right for you, speak with your healthcare practitioner. Be sure to be honest and forthcoming, especially about any chronic or other health conditions which you have, so that your healthcare practitioner and you can make a fully informed decision.

Hormone pellet therapy is a form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, which makes use of pellets – which are inserted under the skin – as a therapeutic treatment. Studies have shown that this is one of the safest and most effective methods of hormone replacement therapy; the pellets deliver a consistent amount of hormones into the bloodstream, which avoids the fluctuations that can occur when using other methods. Additionally, this avoids liver changes which have been demonstrated with oral hormone therapy and eliminates the production of increased blood clotting factors.

The pellets themselves are made of estradiol or testosterone which are made from organic plant materials and are identical in molecular structure to those naturally found in the body. The size of the pellet is approximately the size of a cooked rice grain and is inserted in a painless office procedure under the skin in the area of the hip. Once inserted, these pellets release small amounts of the hormone into your bloodstream directly, similar to how your sexual glands do so during your younger adult years.

If you are in need of treatment for your menopause symptoms, then we here at InShape Medical are here to help with a variety of hormone replacement therapies. If you need more information or would like to book an appointment with one of our medical professionals, please visit our website online, or call us. We are conveniently located at 107 Edinburgh S. Drive, Suite 215 Cary, NC 27511. We serve clients from Cary NC, Raleigh NC, Durham NC, Chapel Hill NC, Apex NC, Pittsboro NC, and Garner NC.