Set It and Feel It for Months
A tiny rice-sized pellet inserted under the skin delivers consistent, steady hormones for 3–5 months — no daily pills, no peaks and crashes.
What Is Hormone Pellet Therapy?
Hormone pellet therapy is a delivery method for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in which custom-compounded, rice-grain-sized pellets of crystallized hormones (estradiol, testosterone, or both) are inserted just beneath the skin — typically in the upper buttock or hip. Once implanted, the pellet dissolves slowly over 3–5 months, releasing a steady stream of bioidentical hormones that mimic the natural secretion pattern of the ovaries or testes. Unlike pills, patches, or creams that produce daily hormone spikes and troughs, pellets provide consistent, physiologically stable hormone levels that respond dynamically to your body's demands — including during exercise and stress.
Key Benefits
Consistent, Steady Hormone Levels
Pellets release hormones at a rate influenced by cardiac output — your body naturally controls the release, eliminating peaks and troughs common with other delivery methods.
Hands-Free — No Daily Medications
Once inserted, you don't have to think about it. No daily pills, no weekly injections, no nightly creams. Treatment is complete for 3–5 months.
Dynamic Response to Activity
Unlike passive delivery methods, pellets release more hormone during increased physical activity and stress — when your body needs it most.
Proven Long-Term Outcomes
Pellet therapy has been used since the 1930s and is backed by decades of research demonstrating benefits to bone density, body composition, sexual function, and cognitive health.
Minimal Side Effects
Because pellets release hormones steadily rather than in large boluses, many patients report fewer side effects like bloating, mood swings, or breast tenderness compared to other delivery methods.
Quick, In-Office Procedure
The pellet insertion takes approximately 10–15 minutes in office under local anesthesia. Downtime is minimal — most patients return to normal activities immediately.
Who Is This Treatment For?
- Men and women on existing BHRT who want a low-maintenance delivery method
- Patients who have tried creams, patches, or injections but prefer convenience
- Active individuals whose hormone needs fluctuate with exercise
- Patients seeking the most stable, consistent hormone levels possible
- Anyone who struggles with medication adherence
What to Expect
- 1
Lab Work & Evaluation
Comprehensive hormone panel to determine your current levels and identify deficiencies. Dr. Stratt evaluates results alongside your symptoms and health history.
- 2
Custom Pellet Dosing
Your pellet dose is calculated based on your lab values, weight, symptoms, and activity level. Pellets are custom-compounded to your exact specifications at a licensed pharmacy.
- 3
In-Office Insertion
A small area of skin (typically the upper buttock) is numbed with local anesthetic. A tiny incision is made, the pellet is inserted, and the incision is closed with a sterile strip — no stitches needed.
- 4
4–6 Week Follow-Up
Labs are rechecked to assess hormone levels and symptom response. Fine-tuning of the protocol may occur before the next insertion cycle.
- 5
Re-Insertion Every 3–5 Months
Women typically re-insert every 3–4 months. Men, requiring higher testosterone doses, typically return every 4–5 months.
Results Timeline
Patients typically begin to feel initial improvement in energy and mood within 2–4 weeks of insertion. Full therapeutic benefit — including improvements in libido, sleep, body composition, and cognitive clarity — is usually reached by weeks 6–8. The pellet gradually dissolves over 3–5 months, and reinsertion is scheduled before levels decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
The area is thoroughly numbed with local anesthetic before the procedure. Most patients feel only mild pressure during insertion — comparable to a dental injection. Any soreness afterward is typically mild and resolves within 24–48 hours.
Pellet dosing is a science refined over decades. Dr. Stratt uses validated dosing algorithms based on your labs and body weight. At your 4–6 week follow-up, labs confirm whether levels are optimal. If they are outside range, your next pellet cycle is adjusted accordingly.
Pellets are not easily removed once inserted — they are designed to dissolve naturally. This is why precise initial dosing is critical. If side effects occur, they are typically managed with additional medications while the pellet continues to dissolve.
The hormones used in pellets (estradiol and testosterone) are FDA-approved pharmaceutical substances. The pellets themselves are compounded — custom-made by a licensed compounding pharmacy — and not FDA-approved as a specific product. Compounded BHRT has a long safety record when prescribed and supervised by qualified physicians.
Medical References & Citations
- Handelsman DJ, Mackey MA, Howe C, Turner L, Conway AJ. An analysis of testosterone implants for androgen replacement therapy. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1997.
- Stanczyk FZ, Bhavnani BR. Use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for hormone therapy in postmenopausal women: is it safe? J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2014.
- Glaser RL, York AE, Dimitrakakis C. Beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in women measured by the validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Maturitas. 2011.