Hormone Pellet Therapy

What hormone pellets are

Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to the hormones your body makes. Like many medications, they come in several forms: injections, creams, gels, patches, tablets, pellets, and more. Pellet therapy has been used since the 1930s, and it has become more widely known over the last decade.

There is one FDA-approved testosterone pellet, Testopel, and it is approved for men. Most other pellets, including those for women, are made by specialty compounding pharmacies, which is why pharmacy quality matters so much. AgeWell uses strict criteria to choose compounding pharmacies with rigorous production standards. Our pellets contain only the hormone and a small amount of binder to help them hold their shape.

The pellet procedure

Placement is a brief, simple in-office procedure. The pellets are placed in the fatty layer just under the skin, using local anesthesia so you are comfortable. For most men, pellets are placed in the flank (the "love handles") or upper outer buttock. For most women, the upper outer buttock. Your provider will recommend the best location based on your lifestyle and activity level.

Who pellets may suit

• People who want steady hormone levels without daily creams or weekly injections
• Men on testosterone therapy who prefer a low-maintenance option
• Some women using testosterone, and in rare cases estradiol

Pellets are not for everyone

There are many right ways to replace hormones, and pellets are only one of them. If you have tried pellets before without success, a different dosing approach may still work, because pellet "brands" usually describe a provider's dosing program rather than the pellet itself. We take time to understand your history and goals before recommending any form of hormone therapy.

How it fits your care at AgeWell

Hormone therapy starts with understanding the whole picture: symptoms, labs, history, risks, and goals. Learn more about testosterone therapy, hormone therapy for women, and women's hormone health.