Cincinnati Center for Hormonal Pellet Therapy

Cincinnati Center for Hormonal Pellet Therapy operates as a telehealth-focused practice serving Ohio residents under the medical direction of David M. Barrere, MD, F.A.C.O.G., a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist with specialized training in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. The clinic concentrates exclusively on hormone pellet implantation as a delivery method for testosterone and estradiol, addressing hormonal deficiencies in both women and men experiencing symptoms of menopause, andropause, thyroid dysfunction, and age-related hormone decline. Dr. Barrere's background in obstetrics and gynecology provides a foundation for understanding the complex interplay between reproductive hormones and overall metabolic health, particularly in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who constitute a significant portion of the patient population.

The clinic's treatment protocol centers on subcutaneous hormone pellet insertion, a method that delivers bioidentical hormones—chemically identical to those produced by human endocrine glands—through rice-sized pellets placed beneath the skin, typically in the hip or buttock area. This approach provides steady hormone release over three to six months, avoiding the peaks and valleys associated with oral medications, creams, or weekly injections. Dr. Barrere evaluates patients for pellet therapy candidacy through comprehensive hormone panels measuring estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, thyroid hormones, DHEA, and cortisol levels, correlating laboratory findings with clinical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, and cognitive fog. The pellet dosing is individualized based on body weight, symptom severity, and metabolism rates determined through follow-up testing, with adjustments made at subsequent insertion appointments to optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Dr. Barrere holds certification from the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and applies his surgical training to the minor office procedure required for pellet insertion, which involves local anesthesia, a small incision, and pellet placement using a trocar device. His gynecological expertise proves particularly relevant when addressing hormone therapy in women with histories of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome, or surgical menopause following hysterectomy and oophorectomy. The clinic also treats male patients experiencing low testosterone symptoms, including reduced muscle mass, erectile dysfunction, decreased energy, and metabolic syndrome markers, using testosterone pellets as an alternative to topical gels or intramuscular injections that require more frequent administration and carry transfer risks to household contacts.

Patients initiate care through a telehealth consultation conducted via HIPAA-compliant video platform, during which Dr. Barrere reviews medical history, current symptoms, previous hormone therapy attempts, and contraindications such as active hormone-sensitive cancers or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Following the virtual assessment, patients receive laboratory requisitions for baseline hormone testing at local draw stations throughout Ohio, with results reviewed in a follow-up telehealth appointment where treatment plans are finalized. The actual pellet insertion requires an in-person visit to the Cincinnati office, scheduled after hormone levels are confirmed and pellet dosages calculated. Post-insertion care includes activity restrictions for 48 hours to prevent pellet extrusion, follow-up hormone testing at six to eight weeks to assess absorption and symptom response, and scheduled reinsertion appointments typically every three to five months for women and four to six months for men based on individual metabolism rates.

The Cincinnati Center for Hormonal Pellet Therapy distinguishes itself through its singular focus on pellet delivery systems rather than offering multiple hormone modalities, allowing Dr. Barrere to refine technique and dosing protocols specifically for this method. The telehealth model expands access for Ohio residents in rural areas or those with mobility limitations, reducing the need for multiple office visits while maintaining continuity of care through virtual monitoring between insertion appointments. The clinic provides detailed pre-procedure instructions regarding anticoagulant medications, supplements affecting bleeding risk, and post-insertion wound care, along with 24-hour contact availability for concerns about insertion site complications such as infection, pellet extrusion, or excessive bruising. This specialized approach serves patients seeking an alternative to daily hormone administration or those who have experienced suboptimal results with transdermal or oral bioidentical hormone preparations.