Different Ways to Administer Hormones to the Body

Subcutaneous (implant) - hormone pellets are implanted under the skin (subcutaneously), typically in the hip. A mild local anesthetic is used and procedure takes less than five minutes. Once the pellet is inserted, a steady low dose of natural hormone flows directly into the blood stream whenever the body needs it. The body can then control the release of the hormone just as it did when the ovaries or testicles were working normally.

Sublingual – means beneath the tongue. This delivery method will bypass the liver.

Oral – means taken by mouth. However, this is not a preferred way to administer hormones into the body. This method does not bypass the liver and can lead to side effects.

Transdermal - put through skin: describes something that is introduced into the body through the skin. Hormone creams or gels can be applied to the inner arms or upper inner thighs. Patients must do this at the same time every day and make sure the site is washed before applying. Patients need to be compliant and rotate sites so that there will be no saturation of the receptor site that is being used.

There are other ways to administer hormones (injectable, vaginal and rectal) but these are the most well known

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(Hormone pellets about the size of a grain of rice)