If you’re a woman over 40, you’re probably all too familiar with the “middle-age spread” – those excess pounds that seem to show up overnight and won’t go away.
This weight gain is one symptom of hormonal imbalances, but it doesn’t stop there. If you’re experiencing this issue, you may also suffer from fatigue, irritability, hot flashes, depression, anxiety, insomnia, memory issues, low libido, and more.
Luckily, you don’t have to suffer in silence! Many women are benefitting from the link between hormone pellets and weight loss. Even better, they’re finding that this treatment combats their other symptoms as well.
Here’s what you need to know so that you and your doctor can decide whether this treatment is right for you.
What Is Pellet Therapy?
First things first, what is pellet therapy? This treatment is a form of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) that involves an injection of custom-compounded hormones.
Your doctor will determine the specific dose that’s ideal for you. During a quick doctor’s visit, the pellets are injected into your upper buttocks. The system will begin to take effect and you’ll notice a change in your symptoms within 7 to 10 days.
Hormone Pellets and Weight Loss
Many people think of testosterone as a “men’s treatment,” but this isn’t true! Women also need the proper levels of testosterone to stay physically fit.
When your hormones are properly balanced, you’ll have more energy to exercise. You’re also better able to convert the food you eat into energy and build lean muscle mass. However, when your testosterone is low, that same food is converted into body fat.
Having the proper testosterone levels also means that you’ll sleep better. This will allow your body to properly recover from exercise.
In addition to the advantages you’ll gain from testosterone, the estrogen you’ll receive can help protect you from developing Alzheimer’s disease, heart attacks, strokes, and osteoporosis. It also helps to keep you looking young and healthy.
Weight loss is far from the only reason to undergo this treatment. However, many women seek hormone replacement therapy hoping to shed some of those stubborn pounds.
The Case for Ongoing Treatment
One study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that in post-menopausal women estrogen supplements resulted in:
- Lower amounts of visceral belly fat
- A healthier body-mass index (BMI), and
- Increased lean body mass
Another similar study of the impacts of testosterone on men found that while the hormones clearly improved their metabolism and body fat metrics, when they stopped the therapy their bodies returned to the pre-treatment condition. Resuming therapy again resolved these issues and put them back on the track to optimal health.
This makes it clear that ongoing therapy is one of the most important keys to maintaining positive results.
The Pellet Advantage
While there are many different delivery methods for hormone therapy – including shots, creams, and pills, there are clear advantages to choosing pellet therapy. The pellets contain a pure hormone that’s delivered exactly where it needs to go in the exact right dosage.
The hormones aren’t metabolized through your stomach, liver, or skin. Instead, when your body needs the hormones, the necessary amount is picked up from the pellets by the surrounding blood flow.
The constant stream of hormones helps keep you from experiencing the “roller coaster” effect that many patients undergoing other forms of hormone therapy tend to experience. The pellets tend to last between three and six months and will naturally dissolve into your bloodstream, so there’s no need to have them removed.
Does Hormone Replacement Cause Weight Gain?
You may have heard that there is a connection between testosterone pellets and weight gain. In almost all cases, this is caused by temporary water retention, which is often mistaken for weight gain.
Once your doctor has dialed in the exact amount of hormones you need, this side effect should dissipate and you should find that you feel slimmer and healthier than you did before.
If your dosage isn’t right, you could experience weight gain. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to receive treatment by a qualified professional and keep up with all of your follow-up appointments. Eventually, you’ll achieve optimal balance and reach a stable, healthy weight.
For best results, you’ll want to combine your hormone therapy with a healthy lifestyle that includes diet, exercise, and stress management. Doing so makes it more likely that you’ll eliminate all or most of your unpleasant symptoms and experience overall better well-being.
A Long-Term Solution
It’s important to understand that hormone replacement is not meant to be a “quick fix” weight loss solution. Bioidentical hormones are designed to address the symptoms of menopause, andropause, and hormone disorders.
The treatment usually consists of a combination of testosterone, estrogen, and other hormones that combine together to create a very powerful effect on your body. While the treatment is likely to impact your metabolism and/or appetite, the primary purpose is not to facilitate fast and easy weight loss.
The reason why so many people talk about testosterone pellets for weight loss is that hormone disorders can cause plenty of weight-related problems. In most cases, however, you should expect to experience a gradual weight loss that comes with feeling better and living a healthier lifestyle.
Learn More About Hormone Pellets and Weight Loss Today!
Now that you understand the connection between hormone pellets and weight loss, you may want to know whether this treatment is right for you. We can help!
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.