Parkinson’s disease can be a scary diagnosis for both the patient and their family and friends. Watching someone battle a chronic illness for which there is no cure can be debilitating for everyone involved.
But recent studies have shown that even though there is no cure for Parkinsons’s, there is hope. Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) has given many patients relief— some also experiencing more relief than when using other medications.
What is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder that affects the central nervous system. It’s a degenerative disease that causes difficulty in controlling one’s movements.
Most often, symptoms develop slowly over the years. The progression of symptoms differs from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease.
Motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease may include:
- Tremors
- Limb rigidity
- Gait and balance problems
- Slow movement
- Loss of movement
Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease may include:
- Apathy
- Cognitive impairment
- Depression
- Constipation
- Sleep disorders
- Loss of sense of smell
Interestingly, people with Parkinson’s Disease are often more impacted by their non-motor symptoms than motor symptoms.
What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?
Researchers have not been able to whittle down the cause of Parkinson’s Disease. Nor have they been able to find a cure.
But there are a variety of treatment options depending on how the disease presents itself. Parkinson’s Disease itself is not fatal, but its complications can be severe.
Serious enough The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rated complications from Parkinson’s Disease as the 14th cause of death in the United States.
How Do Hormones Affect Parkinson’s Disease?
Researchers are working to determine all of the connections between hormones and Parkinson’s Disease.
One of these connections may lie in the endocrine system. This system is made up of a complicated series of glands that secrete hormones that require a delicate balance to function.
If one of these glands has a problem, then the entire system is impacted that leads to hormonal imbalance. Because of this connection, providers have begun treating Parkinson’s Disease patients with BHRT.
Parkinsons’s Disease patients who have undergone BHRT have reported improvement in the following areas:
- Reduced progression of Parkinson’s Disease symptoms
- Reduced need for medicines
- Improved fitness
- Improved coordination
- Increased mobility
- Reduction in tremors
Why Does BHRT Work?
BHRT:
- Increases the production of dopamine.
- Decreases inflammation in the female brain.
- Increases testosterone in the male brain.
- Provides a consistent stream of hormones bringing the body’s hormone levels back into balance, which decreases negative symptoms and revives the quality of life of Parkinson’s Disease patients.
- Gives the patient’s body the precise amount of hormones it needs be we can customize them per the needs of the individual patient.
What Is BHRT?
BHRT is a natural alternative to synthetic hormone replacement therapies. Subcutaneous bio-identical hormone replacement therapy uses hormones derived from natural, plant-based substances that are identical to the ones that occur in your body.
Unlike synthetic hormones, the structure of the bio-identical hormone closely matches each patient’s individual needs. Since they are derived from nature, plant-based hormones metabolize in the body, just the way nature intended.
There are many ways for the hormones to be delivered— at EvexiPEL, we believe pellets are the best way to deliver hormones into the body consistently.
What Are Hormone Pellets?
Hormone pellets are roughly the size of a grain of rice. The pellets contain hormones – usually estrogen or testosterone- which are derived from organic plant materials that mimic the molecular structure of those hormones found in the body.
These tiny pellets are inserted under the skin, usually in the buttocks, in a simple and painless in-office procedure.
How Do Hormone Pellets Work?
The pellets release small amounts of hormones directly into the bloodstream, similar to the way your body would when it’s working at its best.
The pellets also release hormones in response to physical activity or emotional stress, both the good and the bad kind. They also allow for a steady stream of hormones, which can help curb symptoms and side effects of your hormone levels.
What Are the Pros of Hormone Pellets?
BHRT with pellets is preferred by many patients thanks to its incredible convenience. Rather than remembering to take daily pills or apply cream throughout the day, most patients need only to visit their provider 2-3 times per year for pellet implants. With hormone pellets, you can truly restore order to your life!
Are There Any Cons of Hormone Pellets?
For some patients, the idea of a procedure can be scary. Though the insertion method is painless and straightforward for most, there is always a possibility for discomfort.
There is a little downtime required post-insertion; you should not practice any strenuous physical activity or have prolonged water exposure for the first few days after implantation.
Finally, BHRT with pellets can be slightly more expensive than other forms of hormone therapy, but it is also recognized as more reliable and valuable.
How Long Does It Take for Hormone Pellets to Work?
Although every patient experience is unique, most report symptom relief in 2-4 weeks, but full hormone optimization could take closer to 6 months.
This is why regular follow-up and contact with your BHRT pellet provider is vital following the procedure. Your provider needs to monitor and customize hormone optimization based on your symptoms and blood work.
How Would My Loved One OR I Get Pellet Therapy?
Comprehensive Blood Tests
After talking to an EvexiPEL provider and deciding pellet therapy is an excellent option for you, your provider will administer blood tests to determine the best levels of hormones for you.
This is an extremely important step in the process, as each patient’s hormone needs and blood levels are different.
Pre-Procedure Steps
One week before insertion, we recommend all patients stop taking blood thinners (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen). If your provider instructs you take any of these daily, you should consult with them.
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy does not require any pre-procedure fasting.
The Procedure
Before the procedure, your provider will have created customized pellets for you by fusing estrogen or testosterone into small cylindrical pellets.
These pellets are very small – about the size of a grain of rice. When you come in, your provider will clean and numb the site of pellet insertion.
Pellets absorb best when inserted into fatty tissue, so the most common site of insertion is the rear end. After you are numb, your provider will make a very small incision through which to insert the pellets.
After inserting the pellets, they will cover the site with a bandage, and you are good to go! The whole process takes less than 20 minutes.
Post-Procedure Steps
We recommend that you remove the initial bandage 24 hours after the procedure, and reapply bandages as needed over the next few days. It is also recommended to keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 hours – after that, go ahead and shower.
We recommend staying out of baths, pools, hot tubs – or anywhere else that you might soak the wound in – for at least three days following the insertion.
To avoid irritation, it is also a good idea to refrain from extraneous exercise (anything beyond your regular walking and work around the house) for about a week following the procedure.
A week or so after the procedure, you should be able to remove the bandage and start to get back to your regular activity.
If you are still feeling intense irritation or pain two weeks after the procedure, give your provider a call. Keep in mind, though, some redness, bruising, and swelling is normal for a few days following pellet insertion. The area may feel tender for up to two weeks after insertion.
What Happens to My Body After Hormone Pellet Insertion?
There is usually an adjustment period after undergoing pellet therapy. As the pellet releases hormones into your body, your body may have to play “catch up” for a few days as it adjusts to normal hormone levels.
This “catch up” can present in the form of temporary weight gain, or other body changes such as breast tenderness or toning. You may also experience mental and emotional changes – some patients report feeling very mild, puberty-like symptoms for a few days.
After this initial recovery period, you should start to notice the positive changes in your body you were hoping for. The pellets continue to release hormones into your bloodstream 24/7 for their allotted treatment time.
Since the hormones are identical to those your body produces, your body should accept them happily with no adverse side effects.
Contact Us Today!
Our hormones are just as unique as we are. So, finding the best treatment path to help you achieve balance requires time and collaboration.
Schedule your consultation today to speak with one of our hormone experts and take the first step toward restoring balance!