Pellet Therapy and Weight Loss
Generally, pellet therapy is used to maintain normal hormonal levels and treat hormonal imbalances as a result of menopause for women. However, it can also be used as a weight loss solution for women who want to reduce their body fat.
Hormones play an integral role in the way the body functions. Over time, especially during drastic bodily changes experienced by women during pregnancy and menopause, hormone levels tend to fall out of balance. When this happens, it can affect the body’s ability to function well. It can be particularly difficult to lose or gain weight.
Hormones contribute substantially to specific bodily functions, including:
- Creating and maintaining lean mass
- Maintaining strong bones
- Distributing fat evenly
- Reducing fat storage
- Regulating energy
- Regulating mood
- Supporting a good sex drive
- Preventing metabolic syndrome
That being said, when women stop producing the appropriate amount of hormones their bodies need to perform these tasks, they can gain weight and experience extreme fatigue.
What Is Pellet Therapy?
Pellet therapy is a particular procedure that uses plant sources to imitate the body’s natural hormonal levels. A healthcare professional will insert these plant sources — also known as bio-identical hormones or hormone pellets — under the skin. Since these plants have a similar chemical structure as the hormones in the body, they work incredibly well to help the body obtain essential hormones.
Pellet Therapy Procedure
While the traditional method is to implant the pellets under the skin, there are other ways hormone pellets can be absorbed into the body. The alternative methods include:
- Pills
- Creams
- Gels
- Patches
- Shots
Depending on the severity of one’s hormonal imbalance, the method and dosage may vary. Healthcare professionals are responsible for providing their patients with the best and most efficient solution possible.
If you are just getting started on your pellet therapy journey, healthcare providers may start with the lowest dose for the shortest duration. Doing this can help them gauge how effective the treatment is on the body. Plus, if the patient experiences any side effects, having a low dosage can help healthcare professionals to control the situation more effectively.
To ensure that the patient maintains optimal health throughout their therapy sessions, the healthcare provider may request routine blood, saliva, and urine tests. These exams can determine the changes in one’s hormone levels and, therefore, inform the healthcare provider what the next steps are. Depending on the results of the test, the provider may adjust the dose to meet the patient’s evolving hormone needs.
How Long Does It Take Before the Treatment Takes Effect?
The duration of efficacy is on a case-to-case basis. This will depend on the type of treatment being implemented and the level of hormonal imbalance. If you are receiving injections, for instance, you’ll need to come back on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to get your pellet dose.
If, on the other hand, someone decides on a pellet insertion, they can enjoy the results for three to four months. Afterwhich, they will need to come back for another session.
Although pellet therapy is an effective solution for weight loss, people need to complement this type of treatment with a proper lifestyle. This means that if they wish to see results fast, they will need to exercise regularly, eat a well-balanced diet, and avoid any vices on top of therapy. Doing so will help their bodies adjust better to all the changes happening to them, especially after a major event like pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
With regular sessions and controlled dosage, patients should not experience any side effects. However, long-term or high-dosage sessions may give rise to several consequences.
In the case of high levels of testosterone, women can experience the following symptoms:
- High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
- Excessive hair growth
- Acne
- Irritability
Besides these, if the pellet contains the hormone estradiol, the patient may also encounter adverse effects like the following:
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Period-like pains
- Nipple secretion and breast tenderness
- Yeast infection
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Abdominal cramps
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Migraine
- Changes in libido
- Weight fluctuations
Despite these risks, many people still believe that this type of therapy is one of the safest and most effective forms of hormone therapy to help with body changes and weight loss.
Seek Professional Help
To ensure that every woman who wants to lose weight after pregnancy gets the results that they want, they’re highly encouraged to seek professional help. Before committing to any procedure, consult with your doctor and be open to options. Only then can you guarantee a safe and effective pellet therapy for weight loss.
