Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women
Greenville, SC

Testing depends on your symptoms and medical circumstances. Your provider will determine which laboratory tests are clinically appropriate before and during treatment. Blood tests alone should not be used to diagnose every menopause-related concern or continually adjust treatment toward an arbitrary hormone target.

The timing of pellet treatment varies according to the hormones prescribed, your response, and your provider’s recommendations. On average, hormone replenishment is needed every 3 months. After the first implant, patients will return in 4 to 6 weeks for labs. Patients must complete a Symptoms Questionnaire form at each visit for inserts or lab draws.

If your lab results indicate that you do or do not need additional hormones, we will call you and notify you. When checking out, patients will schedule their next lab appointment and their next implant appointment. The implant appointment should be about one week after your lab work.

Getting your hormones is a quick and painless procedure. An area on the back of your hip is numbed, and some may experience a slight prick at the start of the procedure from the tiny needle used to inject the anesthetic, or a slight ‘stinging’ sensation from the anesthetic.

Then, a small incision is made, and pellets are inserted into the subcutaneous tissue. When the Registered Nurse completes the insertion, she will place Steri-strips and a gauze bandage over the incision. You will not feel a thing!

Bruising and soreness lasting up to a week at the incision site are normal. Itchiness and redness at the incision site are also normal following implants. After your implant, please avoid exercise, heavy lifting, or straining for 5 days. Please avoid baths, swimming pools, hot tubs (any submersion in water) for 5 days following your implant.

Responses vary. Some women may notice improvement in certain symptoms relatively early, while others require more time. Hormone therapy does not guarantee improvement in every symptom, so your response should be periodically evaluated.

Hormone therapy should not generally be used as a weight-loss treatment. Midlife weight changes can be influenced by aging, activity, nutrition, sleep, medications, and other health factors. If weight management is a concern, your provider can evaluate these factors and discuss appropriate options.

Androgen therapy, including testosterone when prescribed, can cause acne or oily skin in some patients. Tell your provider about side effects so your treatment can be appropriately evaluated. If you experience acne, ask your nurse about “acne gel.”

Women who receive estrogen may experience bleeding/spotting. This is normal and nothing to be worried about. Shedding of the endometrial wall is a normal process but should be regulated with progesterone. Taking oral progesterone helps balance estrogen and control bleeding. Skipping a dose or taking an insufficient amount of progesterone may lead to bleeding.

If you are experiencing bleeding, call the Renew Health & Wellness nurse, who can help you determine progesterone dosage for one week before returning to your regular dose.

Compounded hormone pellets are not FDA-approved. An NDC number assigned to an ingredient does not mean the finished compounded pellet has received FDA approval.

Compounded medications may serve an important medical need in certain circumstances, but the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Your provider can explain why a compounded treatment is being considered and discuss FDA-approved alternatives when available.