Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women: A Real Patient Experience
Ever considered bioidentical hormone therapy? Typically given to women as an under-the-skin pellet, this “wonder drug” custom-targets hormone deficiencies you have, helping patients with symptoms ranging from sexual discomfort to a general feeling of grogginess. Each pellet is fully customized based on your body’s deficiencies in testosterone, estrogen, and/or progesterone.
Many of our patients are curious about this treatment, so we asked our Maningas Cosmetic Surgery marketing director, Dallas, to share her experience and answer questions you have about hormone replacement therapy.
How long have you been using hormone therapy?
I started in spring of 2021. I learned from the initial lab test (which we order for all patients) that my testosterone level was just barely above the low side of normal; this explained why I was feeling very sluggish. I got my first testosterone pellet placed in March, and at the same time, I started taking a progesterone pill at night to help with sleep.
What is like to have hormone pellets placed?
I had a bit of anxiety before my first pellet was placed, but the whole thing took about 5 minutes and was WAY easier than I had in my head! The worst part was probably just a little sting from the numbing shot, which you have before the pellet is placed, and even that was very tolerable! After that, I couldn’t feel any pain in the area that was numb. I just felt some pressure while the pellet was being prepped and placed.
“I feel like a cloud has been lifted! I have more motivation to get up and do what I need to do…at home and at work.”
Did you experience any side effects after you started hormone replacement?
The only side effect I had was a little tenderness around the pellet placement area for a few days.
What results have you noticed?
I feel like a cloud has been lifted! I have more motivation to get up and do what I need to do. I can focus and just get done what needs to be done much easier, at home and at work. I have seen some increase in sex drive, but I know that can take a little more time to notice as your body adjusts to new levels and we tweak the dose based on how you’re feeling. I’m on my third pellet, and I think this next round, we may bump up my dose just a tad to see if we can get me feeling just a little bit better.
How did you find out about pellet hormone replacement?
I heard about it from Dr. Maningas. He said that a lot of people he’s worked with in the past were using pellet therapy, and it made such a huge difference in their day-to-day life. I was intrigued!
What symptoms did you have that made you seek hormone replacement?
I had a general “blah feeling.” I had zero energy and drive, and I felt more irritable than normal.
“I like that it’s very customizable, too—you can add other supplements or routines for enhanced results, but if something isn’t for you or you don’t need a certain medication, you don’t have to take it or make it part of your therapy plan.”
What advice do you give women who are thinking about bioidentical hormone therapy?
Patience is key for sure. It’s not like all of sudden you wake up and feel 20 again—it’s slow and steady. But once it starts wearing off, you realize how crummy you felt before you started pellet therapy. Pellets are replaced every 4 months for women. It’s very subtle at first, but you can tell when it’s almost time for a new pellet. Now that I’ve been doing it for a while, I can really tell a difference around that time—I start feeling like I’m dragging, and all I want to do is go home and lay down!
Also, it doesn’t hurt to at least try it. There are lots of options, and nothing is permanent, so that is nice if you are on the fence. I like that it’s very customizable, too—you can add other supplements or routines for enhanced results, but if something isn’t for you or you don’t need a certain medication, you don’t have to take it or make it part of your therapy plan.
Learn more about HRT for women in Joplin & Bella Vista
Ready to learn more about hormone replacement therapy? Our board certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Talon Maningas and our expert hormone therapy nurse Andrea Huddleston, RN, BSN are here to help. To schedule your hormone therapy consultation and learn what this treatment can do for you, call our office at (417) 437-0303 or contact our practice online.