hormone pellets
Personalized Hormone Support
Designed Around You
Hormone changes can be more than a little annoying. They can affect everything from sleep and sexual wellness to temperature regulation, mood, and overall quality of life. At MORE 901, Susan Lacy, MD, FACOG, and our team offer personalized hormone evaluations and multiple treatment options for meaningful, individualized care.
The treatment that so many patients sing the praises of is hormone pellet therapy, so we thought it needed it’s own page. When clinically appropriate, it is one of the easiest and most efficient ways of getting your hormones regulated consistently!
Pellets provide a convenient, longer-lasting form of hormone therapy without requiring a daily pill, patch, or injection. However, each patient is unique and they are not the best choice for everyone. We take the time to review your symptoms, medical history, laboratory results, goals, and personal preferences before recommending any form of hormone treatment.
The Approach to Hormone Care
What are hormone pellets?
Hormone pellets are small, rice-sized cylindrical implants that slowly release hormones like estrogen and testosterone over a period of time. Each pellet is placed beneath the skin through a small incision, typically near the upper buttock or hip. Once inserted, the pellet is designed to release medication gradually over several months. The exact hormone, dosage, and timing of future treatments depend on your individual needs, laboratory results, symptoms, and response to therapy.
What symptoms may hormone therapy address?
Depending on your diagnosis and the hormones prescribed, treatment may help address symptoms such as:
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Sleep disruptions related to hormonal changes
- Vaginal dryness or discomfort
- Low sexual desire
- Symptoms associated with medically confirmed low testosterone
- Other disruptive symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, or hormone deficiency
Hormone therapy is not intended as a universal treatment for fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, hair loss, or normal aging. These concerns can have many causes, which is why a complete evaluation is an important part of your care.
Why do some patients choose hormone pellets?
Patients may choose hormone pellets because they:
- Do not require daily application or dosing.
- Prefer a slow release of hormones over time.
- Want to eliminate the need to remember pills, patches, gels, or frequent injections.
- Like the peace of mind knowing pellets can provide several months of treatment from one insertion.
Pellets also have important limitations. Once inserted, the dose cannot be easily changed or discontinued while the pellet is dissolving. For this reason, careful screening and conservative, individualized dosing are essential.
What happens during hormone pellet insertion?
Hormone pellet insertion is a brief in-office procedure.
First, the treatment area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic. A small incision is made, and the pellet(s) is/are placed beneath the skin. The area is then closed with adhesive strips and covered with a dressing.
Most appointments take approximately 15 to 30 minutes. You may experience pressure during the procedure and temporary tenderness, bruising, or swelling afterward.
Patients receive detailed aftercare instructions and should avoid strenuous lower-body activity, swimming, baths, and other activities that may interfere with healing for the recommended period.
When will I notice a difference?
Hormone pellets do not work immediately. Some patients begin noticing changes within the first few weeks, while others need more time. Your personal response will depend on factors such as:
- The hormone combination prescribed.
- Your starting hormone levels.
- Your symptoms and overall health.
- The hormone dosage used.
- How your body absorbs and responds to the medication.
Follow-up laboratory testing and symptom assessment help us evaluate your response and guide future treatment decisions.
How long do hormone pellets last?
Pellets generally provide hormone delivery for approximately three months for women and six months for men, although the duration varies. Women may require treatment more frequently than men, and individual absorption can differ from one treatment cycle to the next. Your care team will help determine when follow-up testing or another insertion may be appropriate.
What are the potential risks and side effects?
All hormone therapy has potential risks, and they can vary based on the hormone, dose, route of administration, treatment duration, and your medical history. Possible hormone-related effects may include:
- Acne or oily skin
- Increased facial or body hair
- Scalp hair changes
- Breast tenderness
- Fluid retention
- Mood changes
- Headaches
- Vaginal spotting or bleeding
- Changes in cholesterol
- Increased red blood cell production with testosterone
- Changes in blood pressure
- Other hormone-specific effects
Hormone therapy may also carry risks related to blood clots, stroke, cardiovascular disease, breast or uterine concerns, and other medical conditions. These risks are not the same for every patient and should be discussed individually.
Risks associated with the insertion procedure include:
- Bleeding or bruising
- Pain or prolonged tenderness
- Infection
- Scarring
- Skin discoloration
- Delayed healing
- Pellet extrusion or movement
Because pellets continue releasing medication after insertion, side effects related to an excessive dose may take time to resolve.
Are hormone pellets better than patches, pills, or injections?
There is no single hormone-delivery method that is best for everyone. Pellets offer convenience and longer-lasting dosing. Patches, gels, pills, injections, and vaginal treatments may offer greater flexibility because the dose can be adjusted or discontinued more easily.
Your treatment recommendation should reflect your symptoms, diagnosis, health risks, preferences, and comfort with each option, not which therapy is most popular.
Are hormone pellets covered by insurance?
The short answer is no, there is not currently full insurance coverage for the treatment. Therefore, it is a self-pay service for our practice. Our team will review the cost with you before treatment. Other services such as laboratory testing or other portions of your care may be eligible for insurance coverage depending on your plan and medical benefits.
Currently, female pellets start at $350 and male pellets start at $750.
Do you provide hormone pellets procedures for men?
Absolutely! Hormone Pellets are a great way for men to have a bioidentical way to level out their testosterone! Men generally receive testosterone pellets at a significantly higher dose, and testosterone therapy should be considered only after symptoms are evaluated and low testosterone is confirmed through appropriate laboratory testing. Treatment may help address symptoms associated with medically diagnosed testosterone deficiency, such as:
- Reduced sexual desire
- Erectile or sexual-function concerns
- Decreased energy
- Loss of muscle mass or strength
- Other symptoms associated with confirmed hypogonadism
Testosterone pellets in men may last approximately four to six months, but the duration varies. Its common to continuously monitor testosterone levels, blood pressure, red blood cell count or hematocrit, prostate-specific antigen when appropriate, prostate symptoms, and treatment response. Testosterone therapy can also reduce sperm production, so patients who are interested in maintaining fertility should discuss this before starting treatment.
Are hormone pellets a good options for gender affirming care?
Pellets can be a good gender-affirming option for some patients, especially transmasculine adults who are already stable on testosterone. However, they are usually not the best first-line option because the dose cannot be easily adjusted after insertion. They are generally considered after a patient has established a safe, effective dose using injections, gel, or another adjustable form.
For transmasculine patients, testosterone pellets may offer:
- Gradual testosterone delivery for approximately six months.
- Fewer injections or daily applications.
- More consistent hormone levels for some patients.
- No risk of transferring topical testosterone to another person.
Monitoring still includes testosterone levels, hematocrit, blood pressure, cholesterol, menstrual changes, and other individualized health factors. Testosterone therapy may reduce fertility, but it is not reliable birth control.
For transfeminine patients, estradiol pellets are an option for some. You will still need to come in for an office visit and sit down with Dr. Lacy to discuss whether they are right for you personally.
Hormone pellets may also be less suitable for nonbinary patients or anyone seeking gradual, partial, or frequently adjusted changes. Adjustable treatments generally provide more control over the pace and degree of physical effects.
In short: pellets can be a convenient maintenance option for appropriately screened, hormone stable patients, but be aware of the risks and talk to Dr. Lacy to see if this is the best path for you!
Hormone treatment at MORE 901 begins with a
conversation, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Your evaluation may include:
• A detailed discussion of your symptoms and goals
• Review of your personal and family medical history
• Evaluation of current medications and supplements
• Age-appropriate preventive screenings
• Laboratory testing when clinically appropriate
• A discussion of pellets and other available treatment options
• Shared decision-making about potential benefits and risks
We want you to understand why a treatment is being recommended, what alternatives are available, and what follow-up will be required.
Thoughtful Hormone Care in Memphis
Gathering information should leave you feeling informed and supported—not pressured or confused.
At MORE 901, we combine careful medical evaluation with open conversation and shared decision-making.
Whether pellets are the right fit or not, our goal is to create a plan that reflects your health, symptoms, and priorities.