Hormone
Replacement
TherapY

Biote Hormone Replacement Therapy in York, Maine

At Examined Life, we offer Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) through the Biote Method to help restore balance and vitality. We support individuals seeking relief from symptoms like fatigue, low libido, mood swings, and weight gain. Whether you're dealing with hormonal imbalances due to aging, stress, or other factors, our expert doctors provide comprehensive care to optimize your well-being. Trust our family medicine team to guide you on the path to renewed energy and health at our direct primary care clinic near Portsmouth, NH.

What is Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy?

As we age, our bodies naturally produce fewer hormones like testosterone and estrogen. These hormones play a crucial role in how various parts of our bodies function, including the brain, heart, bones, and reproductive organs. When hormone levels become unbalanced, it can lead to various symptoms. Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) aims to restore this balance by providing hormones that are identical in structure to those naturally produced by your body. This helps alleviate symptoms, as your body recognizes and utilizes these replacement hormones just like its own.

The Biote Method utilizes tiny pellets, similar in size to a grain of rice, for hormone optimization. At Examined Life in York, Maine, your provider inserts these pellets under the skin during a simple in-office procedure. These pellets dissolve gradually over several months, typically requiring re-administration every 3-5 months based on individual patient needs. As they dissolve, they release hormones steadily into the bloodstream for the body's utilization. Eventually, the pellets are fully absorbed, leaving no residue behind.

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Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our bodies, impacting everything from energy levels to mood. When hormone levels become unbalanced, it can have wide-ranging effects on health. For women, menopause can cause a decline in estrogen and testosterone, while men may experience a decrease in testosterone during andropause, also known as Low T. At our direct primary care clinic, our primary care physicians work with you to offer holistic health solutions to help address these hormonal imbalances.

Hormone Imbalance Symptoms for Women:

• Fatigue*

• Night sweats*

• Hot flashes or flushes*

• Decreased sex drive*

• Weight gain*

• Trouble sleeping*

• Irritability*

• Anxiousness*

• Mood swings*

• Brain fog*

• Low mood*

• Decreased bone mass*

• Discomfort during intercourse*

Hormone Imbalance Symptoms for Men:

• Low sex drive*

• Fatigue*

• Loss of muscle mass*

• Increased body fat (especially in the waist area)*

• Mood changes*

• Irritability*

• Elevated blood sugar*

• Feelings of stress or anxiety*

• High cholesterol*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Complementary Services

One common symptom of hormonal imbalance—particularly low testosterone—is hair thinning or loss. We offer non-invasive hair regrowth treatments like Keralase alongside BHRT to support patients experiencing this. Hormone balance also plays a key role in metabolism, energy levels, and body composition, which is why some patients pair BHRT with our doctor-led medical weight loss program using Semaglutide or Tirzepatide to support long-term health goals. Together, these services can offer a more complete approach to restoring balance and well-being.

BHRT FAQ

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, or BHRT, is a form of hormone therapy that has existed in the U.S. for many decades and uses hormones that are structurally similar to those found within the human body.
Bioidentical hormones, such as the ones used by Biote, work with the body’s chemistry because they closely replicate the molecular structure of the hormones that normally occur within the body.
Biote Certified Providers receive training on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy in the form of subcutaneous pellets. These pellets are inserted into the upper buttocks area during an in-office visit after testing is done to determine the exact quantity of the hormone the patient requires. Every dose is customized based on a consultation and extensive lab work to ensure a patient receives the exact concentration of hormones needed.
Bioidentical hormones, such as the ones used in training by Biote, work with the chemistry of the body because they replicate the molecular structure of the hormones that normally occur within the body.
Yes, there are two major pellet therapy types: estrogen pellets and testosterone pellets.
In women, estrogen levels are reduced as they get older. Hormone levels in women drop most dramatically during perimenopause (immediately before menopause) and during menopause. In fact, after female menopause, many men may have higher estrogen levels than women. If a woman has had a radical hysterectomy involving the removal of both ovaries, her estrogen levels will struggle significantly, as the ovaries’ primary responsibility is estrogen production. Although adrenal glands produce some estrogen, as does fat tissue, this is often not enough to effectively balance and maintain women’s hormone levels.
Pellets last up to three to six months depending on gender, weight, absorption rates, and the amount of deficiency or surplus of hormones present within the patient at the time of insertion. Pellets are reinserted between two to four times per year to help keep hormones optimized and balanced and may take up to two insertions before feeling the full benefits.
During the in-office visit, which only takes a few minutes, patients are brought into the exam room, and the insertion site is numbed. The most common site of insertion is the upper buttocks. A small incision is then made for pellet insertion. Once the pellet is inserted, the insertion site is covered with a small bandage.
Since pellets are bioidentical and contain hormones like those our body produces, pellets are completely dissolved and absorbed, leaving nothing behind.
As each patient’s symptoms are unique, so is each patient’s path to hormone optimization. The Biote Method is customized to fit a patient’s specific needs.
Every person’s body is different, but at the end of a pellet cycle or when stopping pellet therapy altogether, symptoms of fatigue, low mood and sleeplessness may recur. Typically, the patient’s symptoms will return to the same state prior to BHRT as their estrogen and testosterone levels begin to drop.