By Dr. Amy Coopersmith, DNP, APRN
For many men, aging brings changes that can be frustrating and difficult to explain. Fatigue, decreased muscle mass, stubborn weight gain, low libido, reduced motivation, difficulty concentrating, and a decline in athletic performance are often dismissed as “just getting older.” While aging certainly plays a role, these symptoms may also be related to declining testosterone levels.
At Amethyst Wellness, we believe in treating the whole person—not just a lab value. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can help restore optimal hormone balance and improve quality of life for carefully selected patients. One of our preferred methods of treatment is bioidentical testosterone pellet therapy, which offers several advantages over injections, gels, and creams.
What Is Bioidentical Testosterone?
Bioidentical testosterone has the same molecular structure as the testosterone naturally produced by your body. Unlike some synthetic hormones, bioidentical hormones are designed to replace what your body has gradually lost over time.
When prescribed appropriately and monitored carefully, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may improve:
- Energy levels
- Lean muscle mass
- Body composition
- Libido
- Sexual performance
- Bone density
- Mood
- Motivation
- Recovery from exercise
- Cognitive function
The goal is not to create “superhuman” testosterone levels, but rather to restore hormones to an optimal physiologic range while improving symptoms.
Why We Prefer Pellet Therapy
There are several ways to administer testosterone, including injections, topical gels, creams, nasal formulations, and implanted pellets. At Amethyst Wellness, many of our patients choose pellet therapy because it provides steady, consistent hormone delivery.
Advantages of Pellet Therapy
Consistent Hormone Levels
One of the biggest drawbacks of testosterone injections is the “roller coaster” effect. Many men feel great immediately after an injection but notice energy, mood, and symptom fluctuations as testosterone levels decline before the next dose.
Pellets provide a slow, continuous release of testosterone over several months, helping maintain more stable hormone levels.
Improved Convenience
Pellets are inserted during a quick in-office procedure and typically last four to six months. There are no weekly injections to remember and no daily creams to apply.
No Transfer Risk
Topical testosterone can accidentally transfer to spouses, children, or pets through skin contact. Pellet therapy eliminates this concern.
Better Compliance
Because pellets continuously release medication, patients don’t have to worry about missing doses or inconsistent use.
Monitoring Is Essential
Testosterone replacement is not a “set it and forget it” therapy.
Proper monitoring is one of the most important components of safe hormone optimization.
At Amethyst Wellness, we regularly evaluate:
- Testosterone levels
- Estradiol
- Complete blood count (including hematocrit)
- PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen), when appropriate
- Liver function, when indicated
- Symptoms and overall clinical response
Treatment should always be individualized based on laboratory findings, symptoms, age, medical history, and treatment goals.
Our objective is to optimize health while minimizing potential risks.
The Prostate Cancer Myth
One of the most common concerns men express is:
“Will testosterone cause prostate cancer?”
For decades, this belief influenced how physicians approached testosterone therapy. However, more recent research has challenged this long-held assumption.
The current evidence does not support the idea that testosterone replacement therapy causes prostate cancer in men who do not already have the disease. In fact, several experts—including physician and researcher Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, who frequently discusses the evolving evidence surrounding testosterone therapy and men’s health—have highlighted that this fear has persisted despite a lack of strong scientific support.
Researchers now recognize that the relationship between testosterone and prostate health is far more complex than previously believed. While testosterone therapy is not appropriate for every patient, simply having low testosterone does not protect against prostate cancer, nor has restoring testosterone to normal physiologic levels been shown to initiate prostate cancer in otherwise appropriate candidates.
That said, careful screening and ongoing monitoring remain essential. Men considering testosterone therapy should discuss their personal risk factors, family history, PSA levels, and overall health with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
Lifestyle Still Matters
Hormone optimization works best when combined with healthy lifestyle habits.
At Amethyst Wellness, we encourage patients to focus on:
- Strength training
- Adequate protein intake
- Maintaining a healthy body composition
- Prioritizing sleep
- Stress management
- Regular physical activity
- Limiting ultra-processed foods
- Maintaining healthy vitamin D levels
Testosterone therapy is one tool—not a substitute for healthy living.
Is Testosterone Therapy Right for You?
Not every man with low energy has low testosterone, and not every man with a lower testosterone level needs treatment.
That’s why we begin with a comprehensive evaluation that includes your symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing. Our goal is to identify the underlying cause of your symptoms and determine whether hormone optimization is an appropriate part of your care plan.
Schedule your consultation with one of our qualified providers or call 386-283-4180.
Learn More: Podcast Conversation with Andy Feltovich
If you’d like to dive deeper into men’s health, don’t miss my conversation with Andy Feltovich, a men’s health and performance coach, on the Energize & Revitalize with Dr. Amy podcast.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The foundations of optimal nutrition for high-performing men
- Strength training and fitness strategies for longevity
- Why Andy believes anaerobic threshold may be more useful than VO₂ max for many individuals
- The controversies surrounding testosterone replacement therapy
- How men can optimize performance while avoiding misinformation and health fads
Like all episodes of Energize & Revitalize, the goal isn’t to tell you what to think—it’s to explore the evidence, ask thoughtful questions, and help you make informed decisions about your health.