At Millennium Laser and Aesthetics Center in Phoenix, hormone pellet therapy gives men and women a simple way to address symptoms related to hormone imbalance or decline. We are led by board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Scott Gulinson, who has dedicated his career to helping patients feel their best. He uses BioTE bioidentical pellets to restore healthy hormone levels with predictability and consistency.
We serve patients throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, and the greater West Valley, particularly those who are looking for an alternative to daily creams, patches and pills. If you have been experiencing symptoms of hormonal imbalance and want to find out if hormone pellet therapy is the right option for you, we would love to talk to you during a personalized consultation.
Questions about pellet therapy? Our Phoenix team is ready to help. Call 623-412-2229 or book online.
Hormone pellet therapy is a type of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy during which the body is given customized amounts of a particular hormone to correct an imbalance. When hormones become unbalanced, they can be treated by supplementing the body with the hormone or hormones that are lacking.
Hormone pellet therapy uses small pellets, about the size of a grain of rice. They contain plant-based estradiol or testosterone and are placed beneath the skin through a small incision. Once inserted, they release hormones gradually over three to six months to give your body consistent access to these crucial hormones. At Millennium Laser and Aesthetics Center, we use BioTE pellets, which are an important part of our hormone and wellness services.
Bioidentical hormones match your body’s hormones more closely than traditional synthetic hormones. Because they are chemically identical, your body is able to recognize them and use them in the same way it would its own. BioTE pellets are derived from plant sources, such as wild yam and soy, rather than animal sources like pregnant mare urine.
The hormone pellets are administered during a short, in-office visit. Dr. Gulinson places the pellets through a small opening in the upper hip or buttock. Once they are in place, the pellets release hormones in response to your cardiac output. When your heart rate rises, such as during exercise or stress, more of the hormone is released to support your body, while less is released when you are at rest. This mimics how your body naturally produces hormones.
Creams, patches, gels and pills cause daily fluctuations in blood levels that may not line up with what your body needs. You may feel good after a dose, but worse before your next one. Pellets eliminate the fluctuations by delivering a steady supply when you need it for months at a time. With pellets, patients can also avoid the daily routine of trying to remember to apply creams or take pills. Pellets also bypass the liver, which lowers the metabolic load compared to oral hormone therapy.
Take the next step toward feeling like yourself again. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Gulinson today at 623-412-2229.
Hormones often decline gradually because of aging or lifestyle factors like stress or poor sleep. If you recognize several of the symptoms below, we can confirm a hormone imbalance through blood testing:
Curious if your symptoms point to a hormone imbalance? Call (623) 412-2229 to book your blood test.
Pellet therapy reduces hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and vaginal dryness by restoring estradiol to healthy premenopausal levels. They provide the body with steady amounts of this hormone to allow the body to adjust more easily to the changes that are occurring during this time of transition.
Steady hormone levels bring back energy, motivation, focus and the ability to think more clearly. Many of our patients in Phoenix are able to feel more like themselves within a few weeks of pellet insertion. Brain fog can lift, and tasks that felt overwhelming before become more manageable.
Balanced estrogen and testosterone promote deeper sleep cycles and a healthier sex drive. Women may experience fewer middle-of-the-night wakeups along with more quality sleep once hormones are in balance. Being better rested can also lead to a renewed interest in intimacy.
Estrogen is important for bone density and cardiovascular health in women. Studies have shown that when hormone replacement therapy is started for women less than 60 and within ten years of menopause, this type of therapy reduces cardiovascular disease. Maintaining healthy levels of hormones throughout perimenopause and beyond can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis and improve long-term health.
Testosterone peaks for men in the late teens and early twenties, and then declines 1% per year after age 30. By age 50, many men have testosterone levels that are low enough to cause noticeable symptoms. Pellet therapy brings these levels back up again to improve overall vitality and reduce symptoms.
Men often notice as they age that it is harder to build muscle, and fat is more stubborn. Healthy testosterone levels support lean muscle growth and help the body burn fat more efficiently. Men on pellet therapy may notice that their workouts yield better results, and they may find it easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Low testosterone is linked to depression and low motivation. It can also impact a man’s cognitive abilities, making it more difficult to focus. Testosterone therapy can improve drive at work and at home and lead to sharper thinking and a better mood.
Ready to find out if you’re a candidate? Schedule a blood test today at our Phoenix office by calling 623-412-2229.
Dr. Gulinson is a certified BioTE provider, which means he has completed specialized training in dosing, insertion technique and ongoing patient management using the BioTE method. BioTE is one of the most established names in pellet therapy, with more than a decade of clinical data behind it.
You will start with a comprehensive hormone panel before any pellets are ordered. Dosing is calculated from your specific lab values, symptoms, age and health history.
Follow-up labs and symptom reviews are built into your treatment plan. We adjust future dosing based on how you respond to your first round of pellets, refining the protocol over time. You can also explore complementary treatments like our aesthetic and skin services during your visit.
To begin your treatment, we will refer you to a local laboratory for a blood draw. They will run a full hormone panel that looks at estradiol, testosterone, thyroid markers, vitamin D and other indicators of overall wellness. We will get these results back within a few days and contact you with your results.
Dr. Gulinson will review your lab results with you in detail and explain what each number means. Your symptoms will also be discussed along with your lab results. From there, he will build a dosing plan that is customized for your body and order the hormone pellets. You will have time to ask questions and understand what the insertion process and treatment will involve before moving forward.
With pellet insertion, you will be in the office for less than an hour. Dr. Gulinson will numb a small area on the upper hip and make a tiny opening. Using a medical instrument called a trocar, he places the hormone pellet into the subcutaneous tissue. Then he closes the site with a small bandage, as the opening is too small to need stitches. You will be able to return to your usual activities afterward, with some minor restrictions on heavy exercise.
After the insertion process, we will check in with you often to check your hormone levels and review how you are feeling. This data will guide your next round of pellets, which will be scheduled around three to five months after your first appointment, depending on the circumstances.
New patients welcome throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Peoria. Call 623- 412-2229 to get started.
Dr. Scott Gulinson is a board-certified OB/GYN with decades of experience in women’s health, hormone balance and aesthetic medicine. He has spent his career caring for patients throughout the Phoenix area. As a certified BioTE provider, he has helped hundreds of men and women across Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale and the West Valley restore hormonal balance and feel like themselves again. Dr. Gulinson takes time with every patient to explain lab results, answer questions and build a treatment plan around individual goals.
Millennium Laser and Aesthetics Center welcomes new patients throughout Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale and Peoria. Whether you are dealing with menopause symptoms, low testosterone, or unexplained fatigue, our team can help you find out if pellet therapy is right for you. Contact us or call 623-412-2229 to book your blood test and consultation.
Pellet longevity is different for men and women. Women are usually able to go three to four months in between appointments, while men can go four to five months in between. The exact timing will depend on your metabolism and activity levels during your pellet therapy, and your starting hormone levels can also have an impact. Dr. Gulinson will track how your body is responding and adjust the schedule as needed.
Good candidates are men and women experiencing symptoms of hormone imbalance with lab results that confirm low hormone levels. Patients with certain types of hormone-sensitive cancers, active liver disease or pregnancy are generally not candidates. Your blood work and medical history will determine if treatment is right for you.
Most patients describe the insertion as quick and nearly painless. A small area on the upper hip is numbed with local anesthetic before the pellets are placed. The injection of local anesthetic comes with a little pinch, but after this, you will not feel pain. You may notice pressure during the insertion process and some soreness at the site for a day or two, which is normal.
Some patients notice improvements in energy and mood within 7 to 10 days. Full effects typically take 4 to 6 weeks to build as hormone levels stabilize. You may notice that symptom relief increases with each round of pellets as we fine-tune the treatment.
Most insurance plans do not cover bioidentical hormone pellet therapy. We offer transparent pricing and can discuss payment options during your consultation. Some patients use HSA or FSA funds to help cover the cost of treatment.
Cost varies based on hormone type, dose and how often you need pellets reinserted. Women’s pellets generally cost less than men’s because the dose is smaller. We provide a full quote during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Ready to find out if you’re a candidate? Call 623-412-2229 or schedule a blood test today.
Ask us how we can help you. Call our Med Spa today for a consultation! (623) 412-2229
