Bethesda physician outlines who may benefit from pellet hormone therapy

By AI, Created 4:53 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – A Bethesda physician says bio-identical pellet hormone therapy may help patients with fatigue, sleep problems, mood changes and other symptoms tied to low testosterone. The release frames the treatment as a personalized option for both women and men and points patients to a medical consultation for evaluation.

Why it matters: - Mark Richards, MD, says hormone decline can affect energy, mood, metabolism, sleep and overall quality of life in both women and men. - The release argues that restoring testosterone levels may help address symptoms often dismissed as normal aging. - The treatment is presented as a long-term option for patients seeking steadier hormone delivery than other forms of therapy.

What happened: - Bethesda physician Mark Richards released guidance on who may be a candidate for bio-identical pellet hormone therapy. - Richards, who practices in North Bethesda, says he regularly evaluates patients asking whether they may benefit from the treatment. - The release was dated May 14, 2026.

The details: - Candidates often report fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, weight gain, reduced muscle tone, low libido, increased blood sugar, inflammation or sleep disturbances. - The release says these concerns often begin for many women in their late 30s or mid-40s and are nearly uniform by their 50s. - Men are described as losing testosterone at a rate of 1% to 2% per year after age 20. - Bio-identical pellet therapy uses compounds that match hormones naturally produced by the body. - The treatment places small pellets under the skin, where they release testosterone over several months. - The release says this delivery method avoids the peaks and drops associated with other hormone treatments. - Richards says each patient needs a personalized evaluation because physiology varies. - The evaluation typically includes symptoms, medical history and laboratory testing. - The release says blood levels do not accurately reflect tissue cellular levels. - Richards says standard testosterone lab ranges reflect average results from a sick population rather than optimal health levels. - Richards says restored testosterone may support more stable energy and sleep, clearer thinking, improved mood, better bone and muscle density, better cardiovascular function and protection from some cancers.

Between the lines: - The release ties hormone decline to broader chronic disease trends and to endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in plastics and other products. - Richards says male testosterone levels have declined 60% over the past 50 years. - The release says women have experienced internal cell declines of up to 75% over the same period. - Several claims in the release reflect the physician’s interpretation of hormone decline and disease patterns, not independent review.

What’s next: - People with persistent symptoms are encouraged to seek a comprehensive evaluation. - Richards advises prospective patients to schedule a consultation with a qualified medical professional. - The release directs readers to the original source of the release.

The bottom line: - The release positions bio-identical pellet hormone therapy as a personalized option for patients whose symptoms may be linked to low testosterone and related hormone imbalance.