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 Hormonal imbalances may occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the bloodstream. Because of their essential role in the body, even the smallest hormonal imbalance can cause side effects throughout the body.*

There are a variety of symptoms of hormone imbalance in women and may include:

• Fatigue*
• Night sweats*
• Hot flashes or flushes*
• Decreased sex drive*
• Weight gain*
• Trouble sleeping*
• Irritability*
• Anxiousness*
• Mood swings*
• Low mood*
• Discomfort during intercourse*

 The primary goal of Biote is to help balance hormones through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy using pellets. Hormone balance is crucial to leading a healthier and more fulfilling life. That’s why the mission of Biote is to help people live better, longer.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may offer relief for many common and debilitating symptoms that medical providers often overlook. 

 Bioidentical hormone replacement pellet therapy is a personalized approach to hormone replacement. It allows a patient’s body to absorb the right level of hormones at the right time using a delivery method the body can process efficiently.

Pellets are small capsules (about the size of a grain of rice) that contain bioidentical hormones like testosterone or estrogen. A bioidentical hormone is the exact molecular structure of hormones the body produces naturally.

They are inserted under the skin, where hormones enter the bloodstream as they dissolve over several months. Our studies show that patients may see the effects of hormone optimization up to four weeks after a pellet insertion. Everyone is unique and some people may feel the effects immediately, while others may take up to two or more pellet insertions before they feel full effects.

Hormones delivered by pellet therapy bypass the liver, do not affect clotting factors, do not increase the risk of thrombosis, and avoid the fluctuations of hormone levels some patients may experience.* Biote bioidentical hormone pellets are made from soy or the yam plant to create estradiol and/or testosterone molecules, unlike synthetic hormones, which are made from animal parts or urine and have a different molecular structure than what the body produces.

 Biote is a company dedicated to clinical research for hormone optimization. Learn more about our most recent research projects below.

• Published:   https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20420188211015238
• 9-year retrospective review
• To demonstrate testosterone is breast protective, particularly when delivered by subcutaneous pellet therapy, T and/or Testosterone/ Estradiol delivered subcutaneously as a pellet implant significantly reduced the incidence of breast cancer in pre-and – post-menopausal women.*

• Published:  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20420188211015238
• Review of 7 years of data (2012-2019)
• To identify adverse events for males and females who underwent subcutaneous pellet therapy. The overall complication rate was < 1%.

 The cervix is located in the lower part of the uterus at the top of your vagina. A pap smear is a screening test for the detection of pre-cancerous changes or cervical cancer. The majority of these changes are caused by the HPV virus. The identification of these changes can allow for increased surveillance or intervention when indicated and to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer in the future.

There is not really any preparation that is required for a Pap smear. There are a few precautions and things to avoid a few days before your Pap test.

• Sexual intercourse
• Powders, sprays, or other menstrual products
• Vaginal suppositories, creams, medicines
• Feminine hygiene products, douches and tampons

 What to expect

Normally you will get your Pap test results back within a week or two. A common result for most Pap test is “normal.” This generally means that there are no abnormal cervical cells. At the same time as the pap is done, typically an HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) test is done as well.

If you do not get a normal Pap test result, this does not mean that you have cervical cancer. Depending on the results, typically additional testing or repeat pap testing will be recommended to better understand the result.

• Abnormal Pap result from inflammation
• Abnormal Pap result from HPV
• Abnormal Pap result from infection

Your healthcare provider uses colposcopy to view the opening to the uterus, called the cervix, and the vagina. It uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope. It magnifies the image many times. The healthcare provider sees the tissues on the cervix and vaginal walls more clearly. In some cases, your provider will take a small sample of tissue for exam in the lab. This is called a cervical biopsy.  This can help to confirm the severity of the abnormality.

In most cases, the abnormal cervical cells will resolve on their own. Increased frequency of pap smear testing is usually  recommended. 

In certain circumstances, when a higher grade abnormality is detected, a very minor surgical procedure may be recommended to help remove the abnormal cells. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports access to comprehensive contraceptive care and contraceptive methods as an integral component of women’s health care and is committed to encouraging and upholding policies and actions that ensure the availability of affordable and accessible contraceptive care and contraceptive methods. 

Oral contraceptives are hormone-containing medications that are taken by mouth daily to prevent pregnancy. They prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation and also by preventing sperm from penetrating through the cervix.

By far the most commonly prescribed type of oral contraceptive in the United States contains synthetic versions of the natural female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This type of birth control pill is often called a combined oral contraceptive. Another type of oral contraceptive, sometimes called the mini pill, contains only progesterone. 

NuvaRing is a small, flexible vaginal ring used to prevent pregnancy. It has hormones that are very similar to those found in the birth control pill, and it works essentially the same way. You put it in for 3 weeks, take it out, then put a new one in a week later. It's just as effective as the pill when used as directed, and you don't have to think about taking it every day. 

 An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped device made of plastic that’s placed inside your uterus to prevent pregnancy.

They provide long lasting, reliable protection against pregnancy, and they’re reversible. There are two Types of IUD: hormonal and non-hormonal.

Hormonal  

Hormonal IUDs contain the hormone progestin, which is similar to progesterone, a naturally occurring hormone in your body. The hormone works to prevent pregnancy in a few ways. It thickens cervical mucus to block sperm from entering the uterus and inhibits sperm movement to make it harder to reach and fertilize an egg. It also thins the uterine lining, so an egg is less likely to attach to the uterus.

Non Hormonal

The non-hormonal IUD (Paraguard) is wrapped in copper coil. The copper ions released into your uterus create an environment that’s inhospitable to sperm. Basically, the copper leaves sperm powerless, so it can’t fertilize an egg and get you pregnant. 

 NEXPLANON is a birth control implant that’s placed under the skin of the inner,  upper arm.  Once in place, NEXPLANON releases a continuous low dose of hormone, which can prevent ovulation and help prevent pregnancy.