Addressing The Top 6 Concerns About BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy)
1. Can I afford BHRT and will my insurance cover it?
Many insurance companies will cover the diagnostic tests and blood work. While insurance does not cover pelleting procedures, pellets are time-released, and the BioTE Method requires as few visits as three times a year, which can be much less costly compared to other methods of BHRT. It is also important to look at the preventive importance of BHRT over the long term and understand how balancing hormones today can prevent expensive medical procedures and health concerns in the future.
2. Will the procedure hurt, and can I go home or back to work afterwards?
The overall pellet procedure is fairly painless, the location is numbed with lidocaine which can burn a little and then a tiny incision is made in the buttocks area, which the patient shouldn’t feel. After the area is numbed, no discomfort should be felt at all, only pressure with insertion of the actual pellets. The procedure takes less than 5 minutes and patients can then return to their daily routine immediately afterwards. (Intense exercise, bathtubs and swimming pools should be avoided until the bandage is removed for 3 days for females and 7 in males.)
3. As a woman, will I grow a beard?
The reality is a tiny percentage (about 2%) of women will experience a few facial hairs, but it is easily prevented and rectified with waxing, shaving, depilatory creams, or laser. There are also some medications and supplements that can help prevent and reduce facial hair.
4. Will I gain weight?
Testosterone will help eliminate visceral fat and increase lean muscle mass. This will lead to body composition changes associated with enhanced overall health. Health diet, adequate exercise, and hormone optimization will result in fat loss and muscle gain.
5. Will testosterone make me irritable or angry?
Testosterone and hormone balancing actually has a calming effect on the body. One symptom of testosterone of deficiency is irritability. By optimizing hormones, patients notice an increase in overall mood and a decrease in agitation and mood fluctuations.
6. Can I get pellets if I am pregnant or trying to conceive?
Testosterone is not recommended during pregnancy, so adequate birth control is recommended. External testosterone in men will also diminish natural testosterone production, which results in diminished sperm count. Therefore, if a man is currently trying to conceive, it is recommended that they not get on an external source of testosterone until after.