Why Subcutaneous Hormone Replacement Therapy is Better than Oral HRT

While physicians still most commonly prescribe medication to patients that are taken orally, hormone replacement therapy is typically better when it is administered subcutaneously.

Oral medications are activated by passing through the intestinal tract and liver into the patient’s bloodstream. As medications continue to be created and approved, they remain most prevalent as orally administrated doses.

Subcutaneous hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is better than oral HRT because it allows for a consistent and prolonged release of hormone.

Benefits of Subcutaneous Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Despite oral administration being the standard in healthcare, there are numerous benefits to a subcutaneous approach to hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

While patients can achieve the desired results with oral forms of hormone replacement therapy, there are several benefits to taking a subcutaneous approach. Subcutaneous HRT also achieves safe results for the patient. Most notably, subcutaneous pellet therapy bypasses the metabolic first-pass effect that oral forms of HRT are associated with. This means they are more bioavailable for patients to absorb.

Oral HRT must be dissolved within the stomach for active ingredients to pass through the digestive system and get absorbed by the patient’s blood stream, where they are taken to the liver be processed. Due to hormones typically being removed by the liver, any oral administration must me prescribed to the patient at a much higher dosage than a subcutaneous form of hormone replacement therapy. When hormones are administered subcutaneously, they do not reach the liver until they have already moved through the bloodstream and yielded the desired results.

Another benefit of subcutaneous hormone replacement therapy is it allows for prolonged and continuous release of hormones into the patient’s bloodstream. This increases the patient outcomes and has greater patient compliance.

Testosterone and estradiol hormone pellets are created at 503B outsourcing facilities and are pressed into small cylinders, roughly the size of a grain of rice. These time-released pellets are inserted under the skin via a very small incision and allow for release of hormones as the patient needs them. There is no requirement for the patient to take any pills or patches on a regular basis. These pellets also prevent surges in hormones which lead to undesirable side effects for patients. Subcutaneous HRT allows for a steady dose, as the patient needs it.

Research on Transdermal & Subcutaneous HRT

Transdermal Estrogen Lowers Triglycerides but Oral Estrogen Increases Them

Research on transdermal and subcutaneous forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) indicate that transdermal estrogen lowers triglyceride levels, but oral estrogen increases them. As female patients enter menopause and experience a reduction in estrogen production, they are more at risk for cardiovascular issues and loss of bone density.

Subcutaneous hormone replacement therapy can help to reduce these risks associated with menopause. In study conducted by JC Stevenson et al., of 96 women found that women who were prescribed a daily, oral form of estrogen had an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in glucose tolerance. Oral and transdermal estrogen both showed promising results in terms of prevent bone density issues and improvement lipoproteins. However, transdermal estrogen was superior because of positive changes in cardiovascular metabolic markers. The study took place over a course of 12 years.

Oral HRT Increases Risk of VTE but Transdermal HRT Does Not

Additionally, the study found that oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) but transdermal HRT did not.

This study concludes that HRT administered orally had a 70% great risk of VTE. But the transdermal HRT administration route was considered a safe form of hormone replacement therapy. Transdermal forms of estrogen paired with orally administered progesterone seem to be helpful in preventing instances of VTE in female patients.

Another study also found that transdermal HRT may be better for women who are at risk of VTE or are obese.

Subcutaneous Hormone Replacement Therapy Training

As physicians begin to realize that hormone pellets are the most effective hormone replacement therapy delivery method, they are seeking subcutaneous hormone replacement therapy training.

Testosterone and estradiol pellets are 100% natural, bio-identical forms of hormone. These pellets are inserted, on average, every 3-6 months in female patients and every 4-6 months in male patients. Patients do not need to remember to take pills or apply patches or creams. This gives physicians peace of mind in knowing that patient dosage errors or consistency problems are virtually non-existent.

The SottoPelle® Method of hormone replacement therapy training enables physicians to treat their patients as unique individuals and customize their dosage to address their specific needs with subcutaneous hormone pellets. Because of this, the most effective results are achieved with the fewest side effects.

Physician Hormone Replacement Therapy Training: 323.986.5100 (press 1)

Sources:
Clinical Trial Int J Fertil Menopausal Stud.. 1993;38 Suppl 1:30-5. Oral versus transdermal hormone replacement therapy. J C Stevenson 1, D Crook, I F Godsland, B Lees, M I Whitehead

Use of hormone replacement therapy and risk of venous thromboembolism: nested case-control studies using the QResearch and CPRD databases. BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k4810 (Published 09 January 2019).

 
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as general information only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. While the benefits of hormone replacement are well documented through clinical research, we are not representing that hormone therapy is a “cure” for any disease. Only your treating physician can determine if hormone replacement may be a beneficial part of your healthcare regimen, based on your age, overall health, risk factors, and lifestyle.