Naples Center for Functional Medicine expanded its hormone replacement therapy services to include bio-identical, plant-derived HRT administered by tiny pellets inserted under the skin. Hormone replacement therapy is a procedure that helps balance testosterone levels in men and testosterone and estrogen levels in women, which help improve libido and decrease fatigue and menopausal mood swings. The use of pellets provides steady, predictable and time-released dosages compared to other methods of delivering HRT, including creams, pills and patches, company officials said. The pellets, which are the size of a cooked grain of rice and inserted under the skin near the hip, contain compounded hormones made from organic plant material with the bio-identical molecular structure of naturally occurring hormones. Direct delivery to the bloodstream can avoid absorption by the liver seen with oral hormone replacement therapy, while eliminating the risk of blood clots. Pellets typically last three to five months in women and four to six months in men. Company officials said patients report improved libido and stamina, higher energy levels, elevated concentration and focus, better sleep and an overall improved sense of well-being.