Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) describes any treatment used to restore balance to your hormones. Any time you mess with the body’s hormone levels, you can expect side effects.
The side effects of HRT depend on which type of hormonal replacement therapy you choose. Stadia Med Spa offers hormone pellets, or small pellets containing hormones like estrogen and testosterone, for men and women with hormonal imbalances. These pellets are inserted beneath the skin’s surface and slowly dissolve to release a steady stream of hormones.
Most patients trying hormone replacement therapy for the first-time wonder if it’s safe. Stadia Med Spa works hard to ensure your HRT procedure is as safe and smooth as possible. But before you schedule your HRT pellet placement, here are some side effects you can expect from hormone pellets.
Men and women will get side effects based on their unique hormonal imbalances. However, some side effects of HRT are universal.
Keep reading for a brief glimpse into the possible side effects of hormone pellets and when you should speak to your provider about a different dose.
Hormonal fluctuations are completely normal after your first hormone pellet placement and after you increase your dosage. Mood swings, irritability, and fatigue are some of the most common symptoms of hormone fluctuations.
Any persistent or severe symptoms are a sign that you need to speak with your healthcare provider, including mood swings, heavy bleeding, drastic changes to your libido, and migraines.
Acne is a common side effect of HRT since hormonal imbalances affect the health of the skin. Too much testosterone can cause oiliness and acne breakouts. On the other hand, too little estrogen can cause dry skin and itchiness.
Don’t be surprised if you have a few acne breakouts after your hormone pellet placement. Take extra care with your skin after your procedure and speak to your provider if acne persists or worsens.
Fluctuations in testosterone and estrogen can sometimes cause headaches or migraines. Headaches typically start right after hormone pellet placement or kick in as hormone levels rise. For most people, headaches will resolve after a month or so.
If you’re getting frequent headaches after hormone pellets, remember to drink plenty of water and get plenty of sleep. If headaches worsen or turn into regular migraines, talk to your provider so they can adjust your hormone therapy accordingly.
Your libido, or sex drive, is often subject to change in response to hormone fluctuations. You may find that your sex drive increases or decreases following HRT. Men with low testosterone often find their sex drive improves after hormone pellet placement.
Changes to your libido may fluctuate over time as your body gets used to the influx of hormones. If your body still hasn’t adjusted after a month, speak to your healthcare provider so they can adjust your next hormone pellet dosage.
Sleep disturbances following hormone pellet placement are another side effect of HRT. Hormone fluctuations influence the sleep-wake cycle, so it’s normal to see some changes to your sleep after pellet placement. You may have difficulty falling asleep, insomnia, or poor sleep quality.
Practice good sleep hygiene to prevent HRT from permanently disrupting your sleep schedule. Good sleep hygiene includes going to bed at the same time every night, turning off your phone an hour before you sleep, and trying to eat large meals at least three hours before bed.
If your sleep troubles persist after a few weeks, contact your healthcare provider to discuss your options!
Allergic reactions are not common after hormone pellet placement because the hormones are bioidentical to the hormones in your body. But allergic reactions can happen.
Some redness, swelling, and bruising are normal after your hormone pellet placement. However, if you have a skin rash or hives, excessive swelling, pain, itching, respiratory symptoms (difficulty breathing), or digestive symptoms (nausea, vomiting) – you may be experiencing an allergic reaction to the hormone pellets.
Let your provider know right away if you have difficulty breathing or excessive discomfort at the injection site.
Since hormone pellets require an incision, they are considered a minor surgical procedure. Your Stadia Med Spa provider will give post-procedure instructions to ensure the injection site stays clean. You should keep the area clean and dry, avoid scratching and picking, and stay out of hot tubs, public pools, etc.
As long as you follow your post-procedure instructions, you should be able to avoid infection at the injection site. Contact your Stadia Med Spa provider if you notice any signs of infection, including warmth, discharge, pain, or swelling at the injection site.
Stadia Med Spa is committed to making your hormone pellet procedure as safe and easy as possible. Before your treatment, we require you to get comprehensive blood work to give us your current hormone levels. The hormone pellets are crafted specifically to meet your hormone replacement needs.
Finding balance in the hormones takes time, so you shouldn’t expect your symptoms to resolve on the day of your hormone pellet placement. Side effects of HRT typically fade as your body gets used to the hormones and adjusts to the new hormone levels.
You should consult your primary care doctor for their hormone replacement therapy recommendations before booking HRT at Stadia Med Spa.
The side effects of HRT will vary from person to person and will depend on which hormones you are replacing. Men and women can benefit from hormone replacement therapy at Stadia Med Spa.
After your procedure, your doctor will have you schedule follow-up treatments to check on how the incision is healing and your unique symptoms. You need to be honest about how you feel and any symptoms you might have so your provider can help you resolve them!
Interested in what hormone pellets can do for you? Schedule a free consultation to learn more!
Call 210-881-6270 today!
