The Hormone & Cosmetic Centers News and Events

What are “bioidentical” hormones and why use them? Bioidentical hormones are biologically identical (having the same molecular structure) to the hormones produced by the human body. They are the same as the hormones found in your body, the synthetic hormones drug companies have produced for decades are not.  Due to the fact that you cannot patent naturally occurring compounds, drug companies have championed their patented synthetics over bioidenticals, but this will soon come to an end.

The medical community has recently acknowledged that the practice of using synthetic hormones poses health risks that are not encountered with the use of bioidentical hormones. In fact, recent studies have shown that properly administered Bioidentical Hormone Replacement improves the overall health of the patient and has no known harmful side affects. This means that patients are actually lowering their risk of developing other age-related conditions and diseases.

What are Pellets?  Pellets are made up of either estradiol or testosterone. The hormones are pressed or fused into very small solid cylinders slightly larger than a grain of rice. Pellets are delivered in sterile glass vials.  There is an ’FDA approved’ 75 mg testosterone pellet. Data supports that hormone replacement therapy with pellet implants is the most effective and the most bio-identical method to deliver hormones in both men and women. 

Why pellets? Pellets deliver consistent, healthy levels of hormones for 3-5 months in women and 4-6 months in men. They avoid the fluctuations of hormone levels seen with every other method of delivery.  Estrogen delivered by subcutaneous pellets, maintains the normal ratio of estradiol to estrone. This is important for optimal health and disease prevention.  Pellets do not increase the risk of blood clots like conventional synthetic hormone replacement therapy. 

In studies, when compared to conventional hormone replacement therapy, pellets have been shown to be superior for relief of menopausal symptoms, maintenance of bone density, restoration of sleep patterns, and improvement in sex drive, libido, sexual response and performance.

Testosterone delivered by a pellet implant, has been used to treat migraine and menstrual headaches.  It also helps with vaginal dryness, incontinence, urinary urgency and frequency. In both men and women, testosterone has been shown to increase energy, relieve depression, increase sense of well being, relieve anxiety and improve memory and concentration.   Testosterone, delivered by pellet implant, increases lean body mass (muscle strength, bone density) and decreases fat mass.  Men and women need adequate levels of testosterone for optimal mental and physical health and for the prevention of chronic illnesses like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, which are associated with low testosterone levels. 

Even patients who have failed other types of hormone therapy have a very high success rate with pellets. There is no other method of hormone delivery that is as convenient for the patient as implants. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. There is more data to support the use of pellets than any other method of hormone delivery.

Why haven’t I heard about Pellets? Pellets have not been marketed in the United States for the past 30 years, but were frequently used from about 1940 through the late 70’s until more profitable patented oral estrogens were marketed to the public. Pellets are frequently used in Europe and Australia where there has been extensive research. Clinics specializing in the use of pellets for hormone therapy are increasing in the United States.

What if my primary care physician or my gynecologist says that there is ‘no data’ to support the use of pellet implants? He or she is wrong.  There is a big difference between ‘no data’ and not having read the data. It is much easier for busy practitioners to dismiss the patient than it is to question their beliefs and do the research. Pellets have been used in both men and women since the late 1930’s. There is more data to support the use of pellets than any other method of delivery of hormones.

Do men need hormone therapy? Testosterone levels begin to decline in men beginning in their early 30’s. Most men maintain adequate levels of testosterone into their mid 40’s to mid 50’s but should be tested when they begin to show signs of testosterone deficiency. Even men in their 30’s can be testosterone deficient and show signs of bone loss, fatigue, depression, erectile dysfunction, difficulty sleeping and mental decline. It is never too late to benefit from hormone therapy. 

Do bioidenticals and pellets have the same danger of breast cancer as other forms of hormone replacement therapy?  Pellets reduce the risk of breast cancer over high doses of oral estrogens that do not maintain the correct estrogen ratio or hormone metabolites. Nor, do bioidenticals increase the risk of breast cancer like the synthetic, chemical progestins used in the Women’s Health Initiative Trial. Data supports that balanced, bio-identical hormones are breast protective.

Bioidentical testosterone, delivered by pellet implantation, has been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer, even in patients on conventional hormone replacement therapy. Clinical studies show that bioidentical testosterone balances estrogen and is breast protective.  This is not true of oral, synthetic methyl-testosterone found in Estratest®, which gets converted to a potent synthetic estrogen which can stimulate breast tissue.  Testosterone implants have been used to treat patients with advanced breast cancer. Androgens have also been shown to enhance the effect of Tamoxifen® therapy in breast cancer patients.   

Do bioidenticals and pellets have the same danger of prostate cancer as other forms of hormone replacement therapy?  Research has not linked bioidentical testosterone or pellets to any increased risk of prostate cancer. In fact, common sense dictates that if bioidentical testosterone were a cause of prostate cancer, then it would be more prevalent in younger men with high levels than in older men with lower levels – we all know the opposite is true! Credible research has shown the maintaining healthy levels of bioidentical hormones as you age reduces the risks of most age-related diseases and conditions, including prostate cancer.

Will hormone therapy help with hair loss?  Yes. Hormone deficiency is a common cause of hair loss and treatment with estradiol and testosterone implants can help to re-grow hair. Hair becomes thicker and less dry with hormone therapy.  

How long do pellets last? Patients begin to ‘feel better’ within a week or two, but some notice a difference in 24-48 hours. The pellets usually last between 3 and 5 months in women and 4-6 months in men. The pellets do not need to be removed. They completely dissolve on their own. 

Human growth hormone has been in the news a lot lately. What exactly is human growth hormone and are there legitimate uses for it? Human growth hormone or HGH is produced by the pituitary gland at the base of the brain to fuel childhood growth and help maintain tissues and organs throughout adult life. Beginning in middle age the pituitary gland slowly begins to reduce the amount of growth hormone it produces which leads to the general degeneration of the body associated with aging.

It is a fact that hormone levels decrease as we age, but some doctors are beginning to suggest that we age because our hormone levels decrease. Which ever way you look at it, hormone replacement therapy is destined to become standard preventative medicine for the symptoms of aging, and HGH is one of the key hormones to maintaining strength and stamina as we age.

The great news is that many patients do not require HGH until an advanced age and that new alternative therapies that stimulate the pituitary gland through the use of select peptides (sermorelin, growth hormone peptide 2 and growth hormone peptide 6) can provide great results for a fraction of the cost of HGH supplements and is preferable in many instances.

Dr Fronstin will not prescribe HGH to anyone without a genuine medical need.

Is HCG weight loss safe, it seems too good to be true? Yes, it is safe, but we do not recommend patients undergo any diet plan without a doctor’s supervision. HCG treatment includes a very low-calorie diet that facilitates a rapid loss of weight and requires a doctor monitor the patients progress.

Why do you recommend the use of L Carnitine for patients on the HCG weight loss plan? L Carnitine is an essential component in the burning of fat for energy. It is active in the transportation of fat to the mitochondria within the cytoplasm of all cells- especially muscle. The addition of L Carnitine should enhance the burning of fat and increase weight loss.

Is Lipopulse as effective as liposuction? Yes, Lipopulse is as effective as liposuction, but fat is lost painlessly over time with no bruising, scarring or recovery-time needed. You can go back to your normal activities directly after the procedure. Lipopulse allows for a smooth removal of fat without developing dimpling or loose skin. The fat is metabolized and passed through the body. The only side effect is loose stools for a day or so after the procedure.

Can the Acthyderm really help reduce wrinkles as effectively as plastic surgery? In many cases the Acthyderm will give equal or better outcomes than plastic surgery, but there are limitations to both. The Acthyderm will provide a less invasive and more natural looking outcome and can do things plastic surgery cannot, but it cannot change the structure of the underlying tissues like plastic surgery. The Acthyderm can tighten skin, reduce fat and cellulite and rejuvenate the skin without any pain, bruising or discomfort. The patient can go back to normal activities directly after the procedure.