This is your full BHRT — Female Pellet: What May Occur — read it carefully before and after your appointment. You can also download the printable PDF version to take home.
A significant hormonal transition will occur in the first four weeks after the insertion of your hormone pellets. Therefore, certain changes might develop that can be bothersome.
What Might Occur After a Pellet Insertion (Female)
Infection
Is possible with any type of procedure. Infection is uncommon with pellet insertion and occurs in <0.5 to 1%. If redness appears and seems to worsen (rather than improve), is associated with severe heat and/or pus, please contact the office. Warm compresses are helpful, but a prescription antibiotic may also be needed.
Pellet Extrusion
Pellet extrusion is uncommon and occurs in <5% of procedures. If the wound becomes sore again after it has healed, begins to ooze or bleed or has a blister-type appearance, please contact the office. Warm compresses may help soothe discomfort.
Itching or Redness
Itching or redness in the area of the incision and pellet placement is common. If you have a reaction to the tape, please apply hydrocortisone 2-3 times per day to the rash. If redness becomes firm or starts to spread after the first few days, you will need to contact the office.
Fluid Retention / Weight Gain
Testosterone stimulates the muscle to grow and retain water which may result in a weight change of two to five pounds. This is only temporary. This happens frequently with the first insertion, and especially during hot, humid weather conditions.
Swelling of the Hands & Feet
This is common in hot and humid weather. It may be treated by drinking lots of water, reducing your salt intake, or by taking a mild diuretic, which the office can prescribe.
Breast Tenderness or Swelling
This usually occurs most commonly in the first round of pellets but does not usually continue thereafter. DIM 1 capsule daily is helpful in preventing this, but the dose may be increased to 2-3 daily, if needed. Evening primrose oil (available in our office) is helpful as is Iodine+ if this occurs.
Mood Swings / Irritability / Anxiety
These may occur if you were quite deficient in hormones. These symptoms usually improve as hormone levels improve. 5HTP can be helpful for this temporary symptom and can be purchased at many health food stores.
Elevated Red Cell Count (most common in men)
Testosterone may stimulate growth in the bone marrow of the red blood cells. This condition is called erythrocytosis. Erythrocytosis may also occur in some patients independent of any treatments or medications. If your blood count goes too high, you may be asked to see a blood specialist called a hematologist to make sure there is nothing worrisome found. If there is no cause, the testosterone dose may have to be decreased.
Hair Loss
Is rarely due to pellets but can occur in some patients who convert testosterone to DHT. Dosage adjustment generally reduces or eliminates the problem. Prescription medications may be necessary in rare cases. Workup for other causes may also be needed.
Facial Breakout
Some pimples may arise if the testosterone levels are either too low or rise rapidly. This lasts a short period of time and can be handled with a good face cleansing routine, astringents and toner. If these solutions do not help, please call the office for suggestions and possibly prescriptions.
Uterine Spotting / Bleeding / Irregular Periods
This may occur in the first few months after an insertion, especially if you have been prescribed progesterone and are not taking properly: i.e. missing doses, or not taking a high enough dose. Please notify the office if this occurs. Bleeding is not necessarily an indication of a significant uterine problem.
Hair Growth
Testosterone may stimulate some growth of hair on your chin, chest, nipples and/or lower abdomen. This tends to be hereditary. Fine vellus hairs or “peach fuzz” often occurs but is not thick nor coarse. You may also have to shave your legs and arms more often. Dosage adjustment generally reduces or eliminates the problem.
BHRT Pellet Aftercare
Aftercare Instructions
- Your insertion site has been covered with two layers of bandages.
- Remove the outer pressure bandage any time after 24 hours. It must be removed as soon as it gets wet. The inner layer (usually a steri strip) should be removed in 7 days.
- Do not take tub baths or get into a hot tub or swimming pool for 7 days.
- You may shower, but do not remove the bandage or steri-strips for 7 days.
- No heavy lifting or major exercises for the incision area for the next 7 days, which includes running, elliptical, squats, lunges, etc. You can do moderate upper body work and normal walking on a flat surface.
- The sodium bicarbonate in the anesthetic may cause the site to swell for 1-3 days.
- The insertion site may be uncomfortable for up to 2 to 3 weeks. If there is itching or redness you may take Benadryl for relief (25 to 50 mg orally every 6 hours). Caution: this can cause drowsiness!
- You may experience bruising, swelling, and/or redness of the insertion site which may last from a few days up to 2 to 3 weeks. If the redness worsens after the first 2-3 days, please contact the office.
- You may notice some pinkish or bloody discoloration of the outer bandage. This is normal.
- If you experience bleeding from the incision, apply firm pressure for 5 minutes.
- Please call if you have any bleeding not relieved with pressure (not oozing), as this is NOT normal.
- Please call if you have any pus coming out of the insertion site, as this is NOT normal.
- We recommend putting an ice pack on the area where the pellets are located a couple of times for about 20 minutes each time over the next 4 to 5 hours. You can continue this for swelling, if needed. Be sure to place something between the ice pack and your bandages/skin. Do not place ice packs directly on bare skin.
Reminders
- Remember to have your post-insertion blood work done 6 weeks after your FIRST insertion. If you are not feeling any better by 4 weeks, however, please call the office to have your labs drawn early.
- Most women will need re-insertion of their pellets 3-4 months and men 4-6 months after their initial insertion. If you experience symptoms prior to this, please call the office.
- Please call as soon as symptoms that were relieved from the pellets start to return to make an appointment for your next insertion.
Want a printable copy?
Download the BHRT — Female Pellet: What May Occur (PDF)
Nervana Medical · Sandy, UT · 801-335-5243 · nervanamedical.com