Taylor Medical Group — Atlanta, Georgia
Tiny pellets, steady hormones, zero daily hassle — lasting 3 to 6 months per insertion
Tired of remembering daily creams, pills, or patches? Hormone pellets are the most convenient way to get bioidentical hormone therapy. They’re about the size of a grain of rice, inserted just under the skin, and they release a steady stream of hormones for 3 to 6 months. No pills. No creams. No daily routine.
At Taylor Medical Group, we’ve been inserting hormone pellets for over 20 years. Your pellets are custom-compounded based on your salivary testing results — the dose is tailored specifically to you. We serve patients from Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Buckhead, Brookhaven, and across metro Atlanta.
☰ Quick Navigation
Hormone pellets are tiny, solid cylinders — about the size of a grain of rice — made of compressed bioidentical hormones. They’re placed just under the skin, usually in the upper hip/buttock area, through a quick in-office procedure. Once inserted, the pellets slowly dissolve over time, releasing a steady, consistent dose of hormones directly into your bloodstream.
Each pellet is custom-compounded by a licensed pharmacy based on YOUR lab results and dosing needs. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all product. Your pellets are made specifically for you — the exact same bioidentical hormones your body produces naturally, just in pellet form.
3–6
Months per insertion
~10
Minutes to insert
0
Daily maintenance
Once inserted under the skin, the pellets sit in your fatty tissue and dissolve gradually. Your body’s circulatory system carries the hormones directly into your bloodstream — similar to how your own glands would release hormones naturally.
The key advantage is steady-state delivery. Unlike creams that spike after application and drop before the next dose, or pills that go through your digestive system and liver, pellets release hormones at a consistent rate 24/7. Your body gets what it needs all day, every day — no peaks and valleys.
Your body actually helps regulate the release. When your heart rate increases — during exercise, stress, or activity — blood flow to the pellet area increases and slightly more hormone is released. This mimics how your own glands respond to your body’s demands. It’s the closest thing to having your natural hormone production restored.
We offer all delivery methods for BHRT, but here’s why so many of our patients choose pellets:
Creams — Applied daily. Effective, but you have to remember to apply them, wait for absorption, and be careful about skin-to-skin transfer to partners, children, or pets. Levels fluctuate throughout the day.
Pills/Capsules — Taken daily. Convenient, but oral hormones pass through the liver first (called “first-pass metabolism”), which can reduce effectiveness and increase certain risks. Progesterone capsules at bedtime are one exception — they work well orally and help with sleep.
Patches — Changed weekly or biweekly. Can cause skin irritation. Levels fluctuate between changes. Limited dosing flexibility.
Pellets — Inserted once every 3-6 months. No daily routine. No transfer risk. Bypass the liver entirely. Most consistent hormone levels of any delivery method. Your body helps regulate the release based on activity level.
The bottom line: pellets give you the most consistent levels with the least effort. That’s why they’re our most popular delivery method for testosterone and estrogen replacement.
The procedure is quick, simple, and done right in our office. Here’s exactly what to expect:
Numb the Area — We apply a local anesthetic to the upper hip/buttock area. You’ll feel a small pinch from the numbing injection, then nothing after that.
Tiny Incision — A very small incision is made — just a few millimeters. No stitches needed in most cases.
Insert Pellets — Using a small trocar (a thin, hollow instrument), the pellets are placed into the fatty tissue just under the skin. You won’t feel it.
Close and Cover — A small adhesive strip or steri-strip is applied. The incision is so small it typically heals without a visible scar.
The entire procedure takes about 10 minutes. Most patients say the anticipation is worse than the actual experience. You can drive yourself home and return to most normal activities the same day.
Pellets work well for most patients who need hormone replacement therapy, but they’re especially popular with:
Busy people who don’t want to remember daily creams or pills
Travelers who don’t want to pack hormones or worry about temperature-sensitive creams
Patients who want the most consistent levels — no spikes, no dips, no forgetting a dose
Women and men with low testosterone — pellets are especially effective for testosterone delivery
Patients who had uneven results with creams — absorption can vary with topical hormones depending on skin type, sweat, and application consistency
Parents or pet owners concerned about hormone transfer from creams to family members or animals
We’ll help you decide if pellets are the right fit during your consultation. Some patients use pellets for testosterone and add a progesterone capsule at bedtime for sleep — we customize everything to what works best for you.
Recovery is minimal. Most patients return to normal activity the same day. Here are the basic aftercare guidelines:
First 24-48 hours: Avoid vigorous lower body exercise (squats, running, cycling). Walking is fine. Keep the insertion site clean and dry.
First 3-5 days: Avoid submerging in water (pools, hot tubs, baths). Showers are fine. Light bruising or tenderness at the site is normal.
First 1-2 weeks: You may start noticing improvements in energy, mood, and sleep. Full effects build over 2-4 weeks as levels stabilize.
Ongoing: The pellets dissolve completely over 3-6 months. Women typically need reinsertion every 3-4 months. Men typically every 5-6 months. We retest your levels before each reinsertion to adjust dosing.
Does the insertion hurt?
You’ll feel the initial numbing injection — a small pinch similar to getting blood drawn. After that, you shouldn’t feel the pellet insertion at all. Most patients say it’s far less uncomfortable than they expected.
Can you feel the pellets under your skin?
No. The pellets are placed in the fatty tissue of the upper hip area. You won’t see them or feel them. They dissolve completely over time.
What if I don’t like the pellets — can they be removed?
Pellets can technically be removed early if needed, but it’s rare. Because we test and customize your dosing carefully, most patients tolerate pellets very well. If adjustments are needed, we address it at your next insertion.
Which hormones come in pellet form?
Testosterone and estradiol are the most commonly used pellet hormones. Progesterone is typically taken as an oral capsule rather than a pellet because it also supports sleep when taken at bedtime. We combine pellets with other delivery methods when needed.
How much do hormone pellets cost?
Cost depends on the hormones and dosing you need. Call us at 678-443-4000 for current pricing. Keep in mind that pellets are only inserted 2-4 times per year, so the monthly cost is often comparable to or less than daily creams.
Do I need to get tested before pellet therapy?
Yes. We always test before starting. Salivary hormone testing tells us exactly where your levels are so we can dose your pellets correctly. We retest before each reinsertion to fine-tune as needed.
Call or book online. We’ll test your levels and see if pellets are the right fit for you.
Visit www.taylormdformulations.com for supplements that support hormone balance.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Results vary by individual. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.