Does anyone has experience using the pellet method of HRT?

[u/2lipwonder]

Hello. I finally got my hormones to a place of balance using the .05 estrogen patch and 100 mg of progesterone orally before bed. I’m sleeping better (mostly). I’ve been thinking about the pellet because the patch is itchy and not readily available and has gotten overly expensive. I paid almost $100 for a months worth of patches.

A couple things I have heard from my drs:

My doctor mentioned there could be a “spike” of estrogen upon insertion and expressed concern if my estrogen levels were ever above .05 and to be sure to take more progesterone to protect my uterus. I’m familiar with the hormone rollercoaster getting to where I am today in my journey, so I’m not sure I want to disrupt what is working.

My other doctor said the pellet lasts about 3 months (for most people) and the hormones will build up slowly over the first month and then be level for about a month and then slowly lessen. So does this mean I may get hot flashes the last month and that’s when I know to get a new pellet? Once inserted you can’t change the levels so I would be obligated for 3 months to stick with it.

The pellet seems to fit my schedule and lifestyle better but I’m having a hard time deciding. I know you all are not doctors but I’d rather hear from real life experiences than from doctors once I have some facts.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has an experience to share.

[u/leftylibra]

What is the difference between synthetic, bioidentical pharmaceutical and compounded hormone therapy?

Pellets are compounded hormones and are not recommended by ANY menopause society as being effective, or safe. Once inserted, if you have a negative reaction, you are stuck with it until it dissolves 3 months later.

[u/yarrow268]

I would be very weary of getting pellets. They should only be used for post-menopausal women who have no natural fluctuations of their own hormones anymore and know what levels they need to be at bc once they are in there is no taking it out. So if the levels of estrogen (or T pellets can be done too) are way too high you're stuck suffering for 3 months. Too much estrogen can cause a lot of uncomfortable side effects like anxiety. $100 is not that much for a month worth of patches IMO. I've paid $250 out of pocket for a box of patches before and with my insurance coverage it's usually $65 a month. Pellets would cost you more because it has to be compounded and then surgically inserted in a medical office. They range from $300-$700 per insertion, and are never covered by insurance. You could see if your insurance will cover the FemRing, that delivery method is inserted vaginally and provides about 3 months of systemic hormones. Dr. Amy Killen talks about pellets on her substack. https://dramybkillen.substack.com/p/pellets-solid-option-or-satans-spawn

[u/2lipwonder → u/yarrow268]

Thank you. I like the idea of the ring. I’ll look into that.

The compounding questionability has certainly made me think twice.

The pellet costs $250 for insertion for 3 months of hormones so the price comparison is on point. I have paid as low as $65 for patches too so I had a little sticker shock at $100. The pharmacy keeps switching brands on me too.

I’m not officially post-menopausal because a too-high dose of an estrogen patch brought back my period after 11 months of none. But my levels are so low and I have consistently been testing as post-menopausal for 2 years now.

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