HRT pellets changed my life & no one told me about them…
If you have been following me on social media, you may have seen me shout out to the world about how HRT pellets have changed my life. I want to say at the start, that I am a believer in every woman doing her research and deciding what option is best for her. What is frightening, however; is that many of us are never taught what true research is, and are victims to a quick search engine query and falsely think we have all the needed information. Also sadly, medical practitioners receive little to no education regarding menopause, a stage of life that most of us women will be in for 30-50 years of our life. The guidelines that many practitioners base their care on are the result of a very flawed study nearly a quarter of a century old.
One of the greatest obstacle to women getting the needed information regarding HRT pellets, is the inaccurate study by the The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) , conducted in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is often cited as the study that made many women believe that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was dangerous. The study was designed to assess the risks and benefits of HRT in postmenopausal women and was stopped early due to concerns about the increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, and stroke in women taking HRT.
The results of the study received widespread media coverage, and many women were advised to stop taking HRT. However, subsequent analyses of the data have revealed many flaws. Here are the top three:
- The study used a type of HRT that was not commonly prescribed at the time, and the dosage used was higher than what most women would have received in clinical practice.
- The study enrolled a large number of women who were well beyond menopause, which may have contributed to the increased risk of adverse events observed in the HRT group. (The result of their estrogen deficiency had already likely progressed in their cardiovascular system and bones!)
- The study did not differentiate between different types of HRT or consider the route of administration (e.g., oral, transdermal, or pellets), which can impact the risks and benefits of HRT.
What are the benefits? The list is lengthy, but we’ll start in this post with some of the more notable. The small, rice-sized pellets are implanted under the skin and slowly release hormones into the bloodstream over several months.
- One of the most noticeable benefits of HRT pellets is an increase in libido. This increase is due to the balance of hormones in the body, which can lead to an increase in sexual desire and enjoyment. In my next blog post, I will share my lab values that reflect this and so readers can see exactly how much testosterone and estrogen we are speaking about.
- Additionally, HRT pellets can help with weight loss by balancing hormones and increasing energy levels. Hormonal imbalances can cause fatigue and a decrease in metabolism, making it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. HRT pellets can help combat these effects and promote weight loss.
- Finally, HRT pellets can prevent cardiac disease and osteoporosis by restoring hormonal balance, which can help reduce the risk of developing these conditions. These diseases are often the result of hormone deficiency, particularly estrogen.
More recent studies have shown that for many women, the benefits of HRT, including relief from symptoms of menopause and protection against osteoporosis, outweigh the risks, yet the stigma still exists due to lack of education. My personal experience has been LIFE CHANGING, thus my wanting to present the information to the masses.
What questions do you have?
You can see my TikToks talking about my experience here: https://www.tiktok.com/@thatssotrishy/video/7173847927637462315?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7219751628726683178
