Monthly Archives: April 2016

Heed the Label Warnings!

If you are taking pharmaceutical HRT, you already know that it comes with a list of serious risks and warnings from the FDA¹. Decades of research dating as far back as the early days of Premarin link conjugated and synthetic hormones with uterine cancer and other life-threatening diseases. One of the most notorious studies was the Women’s Health Initiative sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The estrogen plus progestin vs placebo trial was abruptly halted in 2002 due to health safety issues. It was determined that women taking conjugated estrogen with a synthetic progesterone (progestin) were at greater risk of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks and breast cancer than those taking the placebo. The estrogen-only study was likewise terminated in 2004. As a result of these alarming events, millions of women stopped taking their pharmaceutical HRT.

A follow-up study, reported in the American Journal of Public Health in 2013, assessed the effects of that massive exodus. It was estimated that “over a 10-year span, starting in 2002, a minimum of 18, 601 and as many as 91, 610 postmenopausal women died prematurely because of the avoidance of estrogen therapy (ET).”²

The fact is your body needs its sex hormones to function properly no matter what age you are. Receptors for estradiol (a woman’s most important estrogen), testosterone and progesterone exist throughout your body performing many beneficial roles beyond sexual function, including protecting your bone, cardiovascular, breast and brain health.

But, if synthetic HRT is dangerous and your body still needs hormones, what’s the answer?

Bioidentical Hormones Are Healthier and Safer Alternatives

The grip that pharmaceutical companies have on the HRT industry remains formidable. Despite positive evidence of the benefits of using bioidenticals, many mainstream doctors still prescribe standard-dose synthetics.

Even so, did you realize that bioidentical hormones have been widely used around the world since the 1930s? In addition, a great deal of medical literature attests to the fact that they are safer and more effective than their synthetic counterparts.^3,4 This is because bioidentical hormones are exact molecular matches for those your body makes. And it takes an exact hormone match (whether estrogen—specifically estradiol–progesterone or testosterone) in a precise amount to fully communicate with and command receptor cells. The body recognizes bioidentical hormones in totality and works with them to perform many body functions beyond symptom relief. Synthetics, on the other hand, do not match human hormones and that’s where the trouble begins.

Do Your Homework

Replacing only your estrogen will not result in hormonal balance. You need to find an expert who understands what it takes to achieve that internal balance. One who provides a safe and effective treatment that can restore your hormones to beneficial levels without the health risks, guesswork or trial and error. (Too much of a good thing is still too much, and too little will do little.)

We are all of the above. SottoPelle® is recognized around the world as a leader and expert in science-based, cutting-edge BHRT. Join thousands of other men and women who are enjoying life again. Experience for yourself the SottoPelle® difference!

¹https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601041.html
²http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301295?prevSearch=[Contrib%3A+Sarrel]&searchHistoryKey=&
³http://m.marketwired.com/press-release/Mainstream-Medicine-Stunned-New-Findings-on-Bioidentical-Hormones-New-Analysis-1241283.htm
⁴http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2094168

On average, you need at least 6 hours of sleep to waken feeling fully rested. It’s been shown to encourage sleep if you go to bed at the same time each night, which should be around 10:30 to 11 p.m. It’s also a good idea to rise around the same time each morning. Earlier is better than later.

Most of us experience sleep issues at one time or another during our lives. But as you get older you may find that happening on a regular basis. Your insomnia may even become chronic and take its toll on your health. Let’s take a look at what could be causing you to toss and turn, and some things you can do that will help.

Why You Aren’t Sleeping Well

1) PROBLEM: Too much TV!
Insomnia has been linked to excessive TV watching. It seems that overexposure to the bright light emitted from your TV screen (or your iPad or smartphone for that matter) can negatively affect your melatonin production. It’s thought that using these devices at night tricks the brain into thinking it isn’t time for sleep.

SOLUTION: Cut off the TV or other devices at least an hour before bedtime, preferably two. You might also want to remove all of your electronics from your bedroom and use this room just for sleeping. Instead of watching TV, read an inspirational book, listen to relaxing music, or use this quiet time for meditation or prayer before retiring to the bedroom.

2) PROBLEM: Too much to drink!
Alcohol can make you drowsy and help you fall asleep, but it deprives you of the deep sleep you really need. A glass of wine with dinner won’t put a dent in your slumber. However, consuming several drinks before bedtime can have you waking in the middle of the night, unable to get back to sleep. If you frequently drink before bed, you will find yourself chronically drained and exhausted from lack of deep sleep.

SOLUTION: Alcohol should not be used as a sleep aid. Nor should you depend on medications, which also rob you of REM sleep. Instead, create a new relaxation routine that will encourage sleep. You might want to begin an exercise regime that gets you outside during the day. Merely walking at a moderate pace for a half hour daily can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, help you sleep longer and get better quality sleep.

3) PROBLEM: Not enough hormones!
Problems with endocrine hormones affect both men and women who are experiencing perimenopause, menopause or andropause. At this stage of life, hormonal imbalance prevails. Insomnia is a typical side effect of fluctuating or depleted hormones.

SOLUTION: Get your hormones checked! If you are deficient in testosterone, estradiol or thyroid, you can likely benefit from a safe and effective bioidentical hormone replacement therapy such as SottoPelle®. Not only will it alleviate symptoms of hormone deficiency and help you get better rest, our BHRT is the perfect foundation for a healthier, happier life as you age.