Testosterone Pellets: Insertion Procedure, Benefits, & Safety

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Struggling with low sex drive? Declining muscle mass? Falling bone density? General fatigue or malaise?

You’re not alone. As we age, changing levels of hormones in our bodies can cause symptoms like these. There’s nothing “wrong” with you if you experience them — and the good news is that there’s something you can do about them.

Many things, actually. But let’s focus on one in particular: subdermal testosterone pellet insertion.

What Are Testosterone Pellets?

A testosterone pellet is a type of hormone pellet that’s inserted beneath the skin as part of a course of testosterone therapy.

It’s considered relatively safe and effective for the treatment of hypergonadism, a type of hormone imbalance (popularly known as “Low T”) that affects up to 40% of older men. Testosterone pellets can be used to treat the symptoms of menopause and andropause (“male menopause”) as well.

The only testosterone pellet approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is Testopel. Testopel pellets are about 9 millimeters long and 3 millimeters wide and contain crystalline testosterone, a bioidentical hormone. They slowly leach testosterone into the surrounding tissues over the course of 3 to 6 months.

Testosterone Pellet Insertion Procedure

Testosterone pellet treatment is a type of hormone replacement therapy, but it’s straightforward by clinical standards. During the procedure, pellets are inserted through a small incision in the skin, most often in the hip but sometimes elsewhere on the body.

The procedure takes only a few minutes and has a quick recovery time. However, finding the proper dose of testosterone can take some time; many patients don’t see optimal results on the first round of treatment.

What Are the Benefits of Testosterone Pellet Therapy?

Testosterone pellet therapy patients report benefits like:

More energy to get through the day
Higher sex drive (libido)
Less difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
Improved mood (less irritability)
Increased muscle mass and bone density

Many of these benefits simply mark a return to a “younger” baseline — testosterone replacement therapy patients often report feeling like their “old selves.” That’s nothing to sneeze at, of course, but it’s important not to expect superhuman results from testosterone therapy.

Potential Side Effects & Safety Considerations

Testosterone pellet treatment does present some safety concerns. Some are related to the treatment process itself:

Pellets dislodging from the insertion site
Pellets coming out of the skin prematurely
Local infection around the insertion site
Incorrect dosage that requires pellets to be removed and reinserted

These risks are less likely when you work with a provider who has completed an accredited hormone pellet training course. For best results, work with a provider who has also completed training in other anti-aging procedures, such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy — many testosterone patients seek other age-defying treatments as well.

Other testosterone pellet risks are inherent to the treatment itself; they are associated with high levels of testosterone in the body. They include:

Increased red blood cell count, which can increase clotting risk
Acne and oily skin
Increased risk of heart disease
Increased risk of prostate cancer
New or worsening sleep apnea
Increased fluid retention
Frequent urination
Swelling of breast tissue
Smaller testicles

Always get professional medical advice before beginning a new course of testosterone treatment.