North Raleigh Plastic Surgery
3319 Heritage Trade Dr #201
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Phone: 919.532.2270
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Fatigue, brain fog, and low energy may be reasons to take a closer look at your hormone health. At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, we offer personalized Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) with Biote® for women and men in Wake Forest and the greater Raleigh, North Carolina, area.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a personalized treatment that supplements hormones when clinically appropriate to help bring hormone levels into a range individualized for each patient. Hormones play an important role in energy, sleep, mood, sexual health, muscle mass, metabolism, and overall well-being, and levels can naturally change with age, menopause, and other life transitions.
North Raleigh Plastic Surgery is proud to offer bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) and hormone optimization with Biote® as part of our growing wellness program, serving patients in Wake Forest, Raleigh, North Raleigh, and surrounding communities. Every HRT program begins with laboratory testing and a comprehensive evaluation, so treatment recommendations are based on your symptoms, health history, goals, and individual hormone levels.
What Are the Signs of a Hormone Imbalance?
Common symptoms that may be associated with a hormone imbalance include fatigue, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, and changes in weight, libido, or energy. However, symptoms can look different for everyone, and having them doesn’t necessarily mean you have an imbalance. Laboratory testing and a medical evaluation are important in determining whether your hormone levels may be contributing to how you feel.
Women may experience:
- Fatigue or decreased energy
- Hot flashes or night sweats
- Difficulty sleeping
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes or irritability
- Changes in libido
- Changes in weight or body composition
- Decreased sense of well-being
Men may experience:
- Low energy or stamina
- Decreased libido
- Changes in muscle mass or strength
- Increased body fat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes or irritability
- Decreased motivation or overall well-being
What Is HRT for Women?
HRT for women addresses hormonal changes that can occur throughout a woman’s life and may become especially noticeable during perimenopause and menopause. Sometimes referred to as menopause HRT when used during this stage of life, treatment is individualized based on your hormone levels, symptoms, and health history.
Our team takes the time to understand what you’re experiencing and determine whether hormone therapy may be an appropriate part of your overall wellness plan.
What Is HRT for Men?
HRT for men is a personalized treatment for hormone changes that can occur with age, often centered on testosterone replacement. Rather than a single standard protocol, treatment is built around your specific hormone levels, symptoms, and health history. Men experiencing possible low testosterone may benefit from a comprehensive evaluation at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery that includes laboratory testing and a review of overall health. When medically appropriate, hormone replacement therapy, or testosterone replacement for men, may be incorporated into an individualized treatment plan.
What Is the Biote Method of Hormone Optimization?
The Biote Method is an individualized approach to hormone optimization that may include bioidentical hormone replacement therapy—hormones designed to be molecularly similar to those naturally produced by the human body.
For appropriate candidates, Biote hormone therapy may utilize small hormone pellets containing testosterone or estrogen, about the size of a grain of rice, placed beneath the skin during a brief in-office procedure. Once inserted, the pellet gradually dissolves and releases the hormone over time. Treatment at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery is never one-size-fits-all; your recommended therapy is based on your lab results, symptoms, medical history, and individual needs.
How Does the HRT Process Work?
The HRT process at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery follows 5 steps, from initial lab testing through ongoing monitoring:
- Comprehensive Lab Testing: Your journey begins with bloodwork to evaluate hormone levels and other important health markers.
- Personalized Consultation: We review your results, symptoms, health history, and wellness goals to determine whether HRT is appropriate and discuss your options.
- Customized Treatment Plan: If you’re a candidate for HRT, your plan is tailored to your specific needs. For pellet therapy patients, the appropriate dose is determined before treatment.
- In-Office Pellet Placement, When Appropriate: The treatment area, typically near the upper buttock, is numbed with local anesthetic. A very small incision is made, the pellet is placed beneath the skin, and the area is covered with a small dressing. The procedure itself generally takes only a few minutes.
- Follow-Up & Continued Optimization: Hormone optimization is an ongoing process. We continue to monitor how you’re feeling and may repeat lab testing to evaluate your response and make adjustments when appropriate.
What Are Hormone Pellets?
Hormone pellets are small, compounded preparations containing hormones such as testosterone or estradiol. They’re placed beneath the skin and gradually dissolve over time, eliminating the need to remember to take a daily pill or apply medication every day. Because every patient’s hormone needs are different, pellet dosing and the timing of future treatment are individualized.
When Will I Notice a Difference After HRT?
Every patient responds differently to hormone optimization. Biote reports that some pellet therapy patients notice changes within approximately 4 weeks, while others may require additional time or a subsequent treatment before experiencing their full response.
Hormone optimization is a process, not an overnight treatment. At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, we monitor your symptoms and laboratory values over time and make thoughtful treatment decisions based on your individual response.
Why Choose North Raleigh Plastic Surgery for Hormone Optimization?
North Raleigh Plastic Surgery offers a personalized, medically supervised approach to hormone optimization in Wake Forest, built around comprehensive lab testing and ongoing monitoring—not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Our program includes:
- Comprehensive laboratory testing
- Individualized medical evaluation
- Personalized hormone recommendations
- Biote hormone optimization protocols
- In-office treatment
- Ongoing monitoring and follow-up
- A dedicated team focused on your overall health, confidence, and well-being
Whether your goal is more energy, a better understanding of changes in your body, or simply feeling like yourself again, our Raleigh-area team is here to help you explore your options.
HRT FAQ
What is BHRT?
BHRT stands for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Bioidentical describes hormones that are molecularly similar to hormones naturally produced by the human body.
Does everyone with symptoms need HRT?
No. Many different conditions can cause symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, weight changes, or decreased libido. At North Raleigh Plastic Surgery, that’s why our process begins with laboratory testing and a thorough medical evaluation.
What hormones are available in pellet form?
Biote pellet therapy commonly utilizes testosterone and estrogen, depending on the patient’s individual needs.
How are hormone pellets inserted?
The area is numbed with local anesthetic, and a small incision is made near the upper buttock. The pellet is placed beneath the skin, and the area is covered with a dressing.
How long does the appointment take?
Pellet placement itself is generally a brief in-office procedure. Your initial consultation may take longer because we thoroughly review your symptoms, medical history, laboratory results, and goals.
How frequently will I need HRT treatment?
There is no universal HRT or BHRT schedule. Hormone levels, symptoms, metabolism, treatment response, and individual needs all play a role in determining when additional therapy may be appropriate.
Do I need bloodwork first?
Yes. Laboratory testing is an important part of evaluating your hormone health and developing an individualized treatment plan.
Is HRT only for menopause?
No. Hormone changes can occur in women and men for a variety of reasons. Treatment recommendations depend on your symptoms, laboratory findings, medical history, and overall health.
Start Your Hormone Optimization Journey
You don’t have to accept feeling tired, foggy, or unlike yourself without understanding why. A simple conversation and comprehensive laboratory evaluation can help us better understand what’s happening with your hormones and whether treatment may be appropriate for you.
Schedule your Hormone Replacement Therapy consultation with North Raleigh Plastic Surgery in Wake Forest, NC today. Complete the online form or call us at 919.532.2270 to get started.
Important Medical Information
Hormone replacement therapy is not appropriate for every patient. Treatment recommendations are made following an individualized medical evaluation, review of health history, symptoms, laboratory testing, potential benefits, and potential risks.
Some bioidentical hormone products, including compounded hormone pellets, are compounded medications and are not FDA-approved. Compounded products have not undergone the same FDA review for safety, effectiveness, and quality as FDA-approved medications. Your provider will discuss appropriate treatment options, alternatives, risks, and benefits with you before beginning therapy.
Individual results and experiences may vary.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Juan Ortiz on September 3rd, 2026.