Hormone · Pellet Method

Bioidentical Hormone Pellets

Sustained-release HRT inserted at the hip — no daily pills, no weekly injections. 3-5 months per insertion.

Price (Her)

$400 / insertion

Price (Him)

$800 / insertion

Duration

3-5 months per pellet

Placement

Hip, in-office

What it is

Bioidentical hormone pellets are sustained-release hormones inserted subcutaneously at the hip. They release a steady dose over 3-5 months — no daily pills, no weekly injections, no creams to remember. For patients who want their HRT to fade into the background of their life, pellets are the cleanest delivery option.

This is a method page. For the full HRT pathway that pellets fit into, see /hormone-therapy-for-her/ or /hormone-therapy-for-him/.

DeliverySubcutaneous pellet at upper hip — 30-minute procedure
Release3-5 months of steady hormone output per insertion
Women$400 per insertion
Men$800 per insertion
Method pageFor full HRT context see /hormone-therapy-for-her/ or /-for-him/

The protocol

A deliberate sequence — not a one-time visit.

New patient intake (required first)

If you’re new to MODE HRT, start with intake on the appropriate gender pathway. Pellets are not a standalone service — they’re a delivery option within a full HRT plan.

Insertion appointment

30 minutes. Local anesthesia. Small incision at the upper hip; pellets inserted through a trocar; incision closed with steri-strip. Minimal discomfort.

Recovery

48 hours of no vigorous exercise or soaking (no bath, hot tub, pool). Normal activity immediately. Keep dressing dry 24 hours.

Sustained release

Pellets release hormones steadily as they dissolve. You’ll feel gradual effect onset over 2-4 weeks.

Re-insertion

Every 3-5 months for women, every 4-5 months for men. Timing determined by lab follow-up and symptom return, not calendar alone.

Your provider

Led by Marisa Dulin.

Marisa Dulin, MSN, FNP-C

Co-Owner · Nurse Practitioner · Lead Injector

Aesthetic nurse practitioner with a restraint-first injector philosophy. Leads MODE’s injectable and biostimulator practice and the hormone-wellness track.

Read full bio →

Questions

What patients often ask.

Is the insertion painful?+

Local anesthesia numbs the insertion site. The insertion itself is a brief push sensation; most patients describe it as comparable to a dental injection. Post-procedure discomfort is mild, resolved within 48 hours.

What if I don’t like it?+

Unlike oral or transdermal HRT which stops when you stop taking it, pellets continue releasing hormones for the full 3-5 months. You can’t turn them off once inserted. This is a consideration — we discuss it clearly during consult. For patients unsure, we typically recommend starting with transdermal or injection, then moving to pellets once the dose is dialed in.

Are the pellets FDA-approved?+

Pellets are typically compounded by specialty pharmacies under state compounding regulations, not FDA-approved as a finished product (similar to many bioidentical preparations). The underlying hormones (estradiol, testosterone) ARE FDA-approved. Clinical evidence supports pellets; we use reputable compounding pharmacies.

Why is it more expensive for men?+

Men need higher doses of testosterone, which means more pellets per insertion. Women typically get 1-2 pellets; men 6-12 depending on target dose.

Can I combine pellets with other HRT?+

Sometimes yes, usually no. Pellets deliver a steady baseline; adding oral or transdermal on top requires careful monitoring. Most protocols use pellets as the exclusive delivery route.

Who inserts pellets at MODE?+

Marisa Dulin, MSN, FNP-C — insertion is a clinical procedure requiring nursing or medical licensure.

Quick contact

Quick question about Bioidentical Hormone Pellets?

We respond within two business days. No appointment required to ask.

Next step

Start with a consult.

Plans are built in the room. No two look the same.