Getting older is…not easy. I had been struggling with symptoms of perimenopause and discussing forms of hormone replacement therapy with my doctor. On the list of potential avenues was Biote pellets. It sounded like it was too good to be true, but I was still unsure. It took about another year of coping with menopausal symptoms before I finally opted for it. And I have had really positive experiences If you are considering you may have the same hesitations and questions I did. So here is my personal story of the pros and cons after my 3rd round.
What is Pellet Therapy
Before I dive in, you may be completely at square one and trying to figure out what bioidentical hormone therapy actually is.
Check out the Biote website for all of the details. Of course, discuss your research and ask your physician questions to determine if you would be a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy. I am by no means an expert, just a patient. As with any medical procedure, you should do your own research as well as meet with your healthcare provider to discuss your medical history and discuss potential risks that may be present for you.
Essentially, it is a small pellet, about the size of a grain of rice, that is inserted into the skin on your upper butt cheek. (Yep, there was my first hesitation.) The pellets contain estrogen and/or testosterone which are absorbed into your body.
They are supposed to be bioidentical, meaning identical to your own natural hormones. As you age, your body produces less and less which causes hormonal imbalances leading to a whole slew of issues. Including weight gain, hair loss, mood swings, low energy and more. I have read that it can even cause joint pain, leading to a misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia when in some cases it was likely symptoms of menopause all along.
Cons
Let’s get the cons out of the way. The hesitations I had at the beginning are in line with the drawbacks that still exist for me today. Having said that, for me, the pros still outweigh these by a long shot so don’t check out yet. But, I want to share my top three cons so you can consider them as well.
- Cost
- Pain / Discomfort
- Time (doctor visits)
Cost
This is not covered by insurance. So it is completely out of pocket. For me it involved two rounds of blood tests at about $200 each and then each insertion is $350. This could be different depending on where you are or as things change.
The blood work and first round of pellets happen within a pretty close time frame. So the upfront cost in particular certainly has to be considered. After that, the pellet insertions happen about every three to three and half months at $350 each visit.
While this isn’t outrageously expensive, it isn’t inexpensive either. At least not for me.
Pain
I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have some level of anxiety over needles. I certainly do. I especially hate having my blood drawn. I rarely get a tech or nurse who is able to get it on the first try, for some reason.
You can expect some pain and discomfort at the visit while the pellet is being put in. Also, for a day or two afterwards, you will be sore at the site of the insertion.
I was especially nervous before the first round of pellet insertion. You would have thought I was having major surgery if you could’ve heard the thoughts in my head. I let myself get so worked up that I had a surge of adrenaline when it was over and felt shaky. I actually had to sit in my car for a few minutes and get it together.
I let the anticipation of the unknown get the better of me for sure. I think it was the combination of worry over the needle and incision but worried I would be in a ton of pain afterwards.
Several of the nurses and other staff members at my doctor’s office take Biote and many had things to say about the recovery. Each one would say two things, you are going to love it and then offer their tips for how to reduce pain after the treatment. One said something like, “Whatever you do, don’t use a heating pad! Make sure you use an icepack instead!”
I have to say, for as much as I was anticipating, in reality, it wasn’t that bad. Neither the actual insertion or the soreness after. Here is exactly what the process has been like for me.
When I arrive at the office, they do the usual doctor’s office visit stuff. They take my weight, blood pressure, date of my last period and ask all the normal questions about what medications I am taking.
Then I lay down on my side on the exam table. (Tip: wear comfy, stretchy leggings or yoga pants!) I get a shot that numbs the area. That part isn’t fun, for sure. It’s a shot and then some stinging. Although, it is quick and the stinging doesn’t last long. Then we wait a few minutes for the numbing to take effect. When I can no longer feel anything, she makes a small incision and inserts the pellet. Then a bandage is put on the area that will stay in place for a couple of days.
At my last visit, I didn’t even realize she had begun the incision.
The soreness afterwards hasn’t been much of a problem for me. I haven’t had to use a cold pack or heating pad or any of the tips that were given to me. I notice it if I sit on the side where the pellet is or roll over for a couple of days. But in the same way you would if you had a bruise.
All in all, completely tolerable.
Time
Especially at the start of the process, when you are going for the initial consultation and blood tests appointments, there is some scheduling to account for. You will go back every three to three and half months for your next round of insertions. If you have a job or responsibilities during the day that are hard to get away from, this can be a con for sure.
The actual appointment for the insertion is not long at all. I am usually there for about 30 to 40 minutes from check in to getting back in my car. I try to schedule mine in the afternoon so I can go home afterwards and relax rather than go back to work.
Benefits
Ok, so those were the things I worried about beforehand and while they have proven to be true, now let me tell you about the benefits I have seen so far. I am only on my third round as I write this, but have noticed a significant difference in the perimenopause symptoms I’ve been struggling with.
I have seen an improvement in these things in particular:
- Joint Pain
- Energy Levels
- Muscle Tone *
- Hot Flashes
- Sleep Issues
- Brain Fog
While the website notes that it may take until after the second or third round to fully notice improvement. I noticed improvement within weeks of the first round.
At the time I thought this was probably more of a placebo situation, where my mind was just telling my body that everything was better. And honestly, I was going to be ok with that if that was actually the case. Better is better, right?
But, my appointment for the 2nd round was scheduled for closer to the three and half month mark, maybe even a little more. About 2 weeks out from that next appointment everything came back, hot flashes, zapped energy, joint pain…the whole gamut. I knew then this actually is having a physical, positive effect.
By the time I scheduled the third round, I made sure to not allow a gap that big and made it for no more than three months out. While I did still notice a small drop off of the benefits before the appointment, it wasn’t much.
I think you just have to find what works for you, as with anything.
Joint Pain Improvement
Before starting the therapy I was coping with joint pain in my fingers, wrists and hips the most. I had no idea it was related to anything menopausal and just chalked it up to crossing over into my forties and accepted it as the new normal.
It was explained to me that testosterone hormones act as a lubricant for your joints and that is why it can be beneficial for joint pain. This possible benefit was probably the thing that sold me on giving it a go.
This has certainly been an improvement! I have virtually no more joint pain while in between pellet insertions. As I get closer to the next round, it starts to come back and reminds me…oh yeah…that is what that felt like for so long!
Energy Levels
While talking to the nurse who was drawing samples for the blood work, she let me know that she is taking the BioT hormone therapy as well. (I swear everyone in my OBGYN office is taking this.) And said that soon I would be running circles around my husband. She was right!
I work fairly long hours, commute far and have a pretty stressful full-time gig. So, I had accepted that by the end of the day crashing on the couch and not wanting to do anything on the weekends, was just the cost of my career. I had also not attributed fatigue to perimenopause.
This is something that I have seen a marked improvement on as well. I have energy left at the end of the day to spend time with my family, do chores, whatever needs to be done or I want to do. On the weekends I have had the motivation to knock out projects around my house left and right.
Muscle Tone
It should go without saying, but in order to reap this benefit you do have to actually work out. But I have to say, I felt like the other benefits that I am getting have come together to make working out easier. Lower joint pain, better sleep and more energy in particular have given me the motivation to actually get up and get into a rhythm of working out.
I knew that if I could get into a habit of working out, even for just a few minutes each day I would not miss out on the benefit the testosterone would have on getting into even better shape than if I was to work out but weren’t balancing my hormones.
From my brief online research I learned that testosterone and other hormones contribute to the muscle growth and repair process. Check out this article. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319151#how-does-muscle-grow-in-the-body
Once I figured out the time of day that was easiest for me to commit to and started a consistent routine, I noticed physical changes pretty quickly in muscle tone. Once I noticed that, I started not wanting to miss a workout because I didn’t want to miss an opportunity to improve.
I want to be someone who can still get around late in life. I don’t want to struggle to do small things, like walk to the mailbox if there is something I can do now to keep that from happening. I am not trying to bulk up like some female Schwarzenegger. I just want to look good and feel good as a 40 something and beyond.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes are such a bizarre experience. The best way to describe them, if you have never experienced it, is similar to a contraction. I say this because (at least for me) the heat begins, usually on the back of my legs or on my back and builds in intensity until it reaches a peak and then starts to slowly come down, like a contraction. Also, similar to a contraction my anxiety rises with it, feeling like it’s just going to keep going up and up until I literally burst into flames.
If you have never had one and that sounds miserable…it is. Also for me, this usually happens at night causing me to wake up in a sweat. Not only am I now uncomfortable because I am sweaty, my heart is racing from the anxiety and my sleep is interrupted big time.
This has to be one of the biggest improvements for me. My hot flashes or night sweats have decreased from nearly every night to 1 – 3 times in a pellet cycle or 3-month period. Seriously.
Sleep Issues
I am not sure if this is an improvement because I am not waking up every night in a total sweat or if there is more to it. But I am not going to bed totally exhausted and I am waking up more rested. It doesn’t feel as hard to get up in the morning when the alarm goes off.
Not to say that waking up is now the Cinderella version where she stretches, unties her perfect braids and starts singing with the birds while making her bed. No, it is still a more Anna (from Frozen) version.
But, it is easier, usually, to get going. Once I am up I don’t feel like I am dragging myself around as much as before. I also think I sleep fully through the night more often.
Brain Fog
I am here to tell you that brain fog is real. It is so embarrassing to not be able to pull a simple word into a sentence that you are trying to form. As if you are learning a new language..”how do you say…oh yes…plate”.
This website explains how estrogen and testosterone affect your brain function. It actually describes the falling levels of hormones as a “deprivation state”. It goes on to say that testosterone is needed to support nerves in the brain and aids in blood flow to your brain.
That’s a wrap
These are just the main symptoms that I have seen the most improvement in since starting biote hormone pellet therapy. I wanted to share my experience for women who are considering hormone replacement therapy to combat symptoms of perimenopause or menopause.
Again, please know that I am not a medical professional in any way. I do not pretend or imply that I have any sort of in depth knowledge of the benefits or potential side effects of taking BioTe. I am also not saying that any type of hormone treatment including BioTe is right for everyone.
I do encourage you to talk about your symptoms with your doctor and decide on the best option for you. There is no reason why a woman (or man for that matter) shouldn’t take control of their hormone health. There are so many treatment options out there to help you have the best quality of life possible.
Here is to aging while staying the very best version of you!