Author Archives: Wayne Cloke

Hot flashes are the most common symptom that accompanies perimenopause in women. It’s been estimated that more than 75% of perimenopausal women experience hot flashes.

What Are Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes are abrupt feelings of warmth. Your skin may suddenly flush or get red and splotchy as if you’re blushing. They are generally most intense over the upper body and face. Hot flashes can make you sweat profusely and then leave you feeling chilled. The frequency and intensity of episodes will vary from individual to individual. You may have a few or many hot flashes in a day. They usually subside within a few minutes. Not every woman will experience hot flashes, but most suffer with them for more than a year and up to four or five years.

While women are well aware of the fact that they will someday enter into menopause, many men are unaware of the term andropause. This term refers to a time when their reproductive hormones drop tremendously. It usually occurs between the ages 40 and 60 and is commonly listed under a variety of medical terms. When female menopause occurs, the ovaries cease to function or only intermittently. This means that ovulation and menstruation both end and that the female will eventually begin losing estrogen and testosterone hormones as well. She will be unable to have children at the completion of menopause.

When a man enters andropause, he will begin to see either a gradual or significant drop in his testosterone levels. However, while a woman will no longer be able to have children, this is untrue for a man after andropause. His sperm production will continue and he will be able to father children well into his golden years.Menopause is a natural reaction to a womans body aging. However, there are some variables that can cause early onset in life.

For example, for women who have their ovaries or uterus removed, this will speed up the process of menopause. One of the most common similarities that men and women will experience between menopause and andropause is that they are quickly returned to how they were before they entered into puberty.

The symptoms that they experience through this process are often similar as well. Some of the most common symptoms that have been reported with both men and women are moodiness, depression, brain fog, hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss, low sex drive, weight gain, vaginal dryness in women and erectile dysfunction in men, among many other complaints. Both men and women experience a sense of lack of sexuality and ultimately loss of control of their own bodies.

Mid-life crisis as well as other noted psychological and emotional variations will also be noticed among both sexes as well. Just as in puberty when your hormones were on a rollercoaster, you may feel like you have returned to that crazy ride during menopause and andropause.Both medical phases of life have certain treatments that are available, effective, and that are medically recognized to improve quality of life. One of the most common treatment paths for both conditions is bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). For both men and women this method will help to bring the hormone levels back to the proper levels. Managing the source of the problem delivers great relief in experienced symptons. It is important that a patient is carefully monitored by a doctor while they are undergoing BHRT treatment. The doctor should be experienced, trained, and empathize with what the patient is going through. Make sure your doctor is not just treating symptons, but the hormonal imbalance that both sexes have in middle age.

Educate yourself, men and women can learn a lot if they research the different things that can be expected when experiencing these conditions. If you opt for BHRT make sure you receive quality care and pellets from a verified SottoPelle physician. Not all BHRT pellet treatment is created equally. But, when it comes to aging both men and women have equal issues and can be improved with the appropriate treatment and healthy lifestyle.

Here’s a video featuring Dr. Gino Tutera, creator and founder of the SottoPelle bio-identical hormone replacement therapy method. He explains why our therapy is unique and provides substantial benefits over other hormone therapy methods, it’s only 4 minutes 23 seconds in length so enjoy.

Conventional HRT

Physicians have been advising women to steer clear of long term conventional HRT use since 2002. This was the year when the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) studies were abruptly halted due to the revelation of serious health risks associated with using oral equine estrogen and progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone. The studies focused on use of the pharmaceutical formulations Premarin and Prempro, both of which differ in chemical structure from the natural hormones produced in a woman’s body. Media reports, FDA and physician warnings caused millions of women to be afraid of taking any kind of HRT. It’s been estimated that up to 70% of women who were receiving hormone replacement at that time stopped taking it.¹ It’s apparent that the fear of serious health risks far outweighed the symptoms, suffering and health consequences of living with hormone imbalances.

Scary Data on Synthetic Hormones

The data from the WHI was in fact pretty scary. It linked these synthetic hormone substitutes with a higher risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots. Not long after the 2002 scare other studies also found pharmaceutical HRT increased the risk of Alzheimer’s, asthma and dementia. Likewise, new research in 2010 reported that combined estrogen-progestin therapy heightened the risk for more serious forms of breast cancer as well as a woman’s chances of dying from it or from other causes.² The conclusion reached in each of these research studies was that the use of non-bioidentical hormones does more harm than good.

Positive Data on Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

What the public doesn’t realize is that very often studies, articles, websites and debates do not distinguish whether the hormones they are referring to are synthetic or bioidentical. So it would seem that all hormones are dangerous, when, in fact, they are not. Many doctors now agree that the cultural aversion to hormone replacement therapy has resulted in unnecessary suffering and possibly even led to 50,000 preventable deaths.³ Here are some of the reasons why women shouldn’t be afraid to use bioidentical hormone replacement:

Why Women Shouldn’t be Afraid

1. Bioidentical hormones precisely match hormones produced in the human body. This means bioidenticals can communicate with appropriate cell receptors and perform the tasks the body requires for health and well-being.
2. Bioidenticals have not been associated with the same health risks as formulations using pharmaceutical synthetics.⁴
3. Bioidentical hormones have been safely prescribed in North America, Europe and elsewhere since the 1930s.
4. Bioidentical research data began to appear beginning in the 1940s and revealed positive findings (based on the use of bioidentical hormone therapy in pellet form).^5,6
5. A great deal of research literature supports the use of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy versus synthetic pharmaceuticals.⁷
6. Bioidentical pellet therapy was actually regularly employed in the U.S. from the 1940s to 1970s when pharmaceutical marketing intruded.
7. Evidence continues to mount that bioidenticals, when properly administered, can be virtually side-effect free, safer to use, and healthier in the long run than pharmaceutical versions.⁸

As a patient, the key to taking advantage of the many health benefits of BHRT is to seek out an expert who understands the importance of hormonal balance and knows how to achieve optimum results using the low dose pellet implant method—proven to be the safest, most effective hormone delivery system available.

¹Roumie CL, Grogan EL, Falbe W, Awad J, Speroff T, Dittus RS, Elasy TA. Reducing the Prescription of Hormone Replacement Therapy after the Release of Study Results. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:I-47. doi:10.7326/0003-4819-141-2-200407200-00005
² Chlebowski RT, et al. for the WHI Investigators. Estrogen Plus Progestin and Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Postmenopausal Women. JAMA. 2010;304(15):1684-1692. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1500.
³ American Journal of Public Health. July 18, 2013 http://news.yale.edu/2013/07/18/women-hysterectomies-estrogen-may-be-lifesaver-after-all
⁴ Schwartz E, Holtorf K. Hormones in wellness and disease prevention: common practices, current state of the evidence, and questions for the future. Prim Care Clin Office Pract 2008; 35 (4): 669–705. http://www.holtorfmed.com/pdf/04-Hormones-in-Wellness.pdf
⁵ Salmon U., et al: Use of estradiol subcutaneous pellets in humans. Science 1939; 90:162.
⁶ Mishel D. Clinical study of estrogenic therapy with pellet implantation. Am J Obstet-Gynecol 1941; 41:1009.
⁷ http://www.bioidenticalhormones.org/bioidentical-hormones-research-studies/
⁸ Schwartz E, Holtorf K. Hormones in wellness and disease prevention: common practices, current state of the evidence, and questions for the future. Prim Care Clin Office Pract 2008; 35 (4): 669–705. http://www.holtorfmed.com/pdf/04-Hormones-in-Wellness.pdf

One of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance is fatigue. For many women experiencing the wild roller coaster ride of hormonal ups and downs during perimenopause, it can be utterly exhausting. Men often feel that same weary, lethargic, low energy fatigue when their testosterone levels dip below normal.

Both men and women can also experience what is called crashing fatigue as part of testosterone deficiency or perimenopause. This extreme tiredness and lethargy can hit suddenly and unexpectedly. It can occur at any time of day and is unrelated to recent physical exertion. Crashing fatigue has been described as abrupt overwhelming feelings of weakness, exhaustion and diminished energy level.

Unfortunately, the disruptive saga of fatigue continues. There are generally other symptoms that accompany hormone deficiency-related fatigue. Daytime sleepiness is often followed by nighttime sleeplessness. Night sweats and hot flushes are frequently blamed for the sleep interruptions. Sleep deprivation, in turn, can create mood changes, irritability, depression and difficulty in managing the daily routine. It can also raise the risk of high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and other health issues.

It looks like a bleak picture, but it doesn’t have to be.

Bioidentical Hormone Pellet Therapy Can Relieve Debilitating Fatigue

There is good news for the thousands of men and women who suffer with hormone deficiency-related fatigue and other symptoms. Bioidentical hormone pellet therapy, when properly administered, can help restore hormonal balance and alleviate symptoms, including fatigue.

Estrogen and testosterone are essential hormones that perform hundreds of tasks throughout the body. They work synergistically with other hormones to provide you with the energy and well-being your body needs to perform at its best. The hormone loss and deficiency of andropause and menopause rob you of your vitality, motivation and even your health.

Why suffer when SottoPelle® BHRT can help you regain your life? Our pellet implant therapy provides just the right amounts of humanly identical hormones in a way that your body can work with and utilize. We are experts at tailoring hormone replacement to meet your individual needs. Call us today to schedule a consultation and join thousands of others who can enjoy life again because of SottoPelle®.

BHRT Restores Key Hormones

Once you have chosen bioidentical hormone replacement using pellet therapy, you’ve already gone a long way towards supporting a healthy brain. That’s because your sex hormones—estradiol, progesterone and testosterone—remain essential throughout your life and are especially good for your brain. When they diminish and disappear at menopause and andropause, it changes the way your brain works. You may experience moodiness, negativity, depression, foggy thinking, memory loss, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness and other cognitive issues.

Healthy, youthful levels of hormones, on the other hand, work synergistically to protect brain function and keep your mind sharp as you age. Research studies are ongoing, but considerable data exists to support the important role in cognitive health played by key hormones. ^1,2,3

Maximizing Brain Power as You Age

BHRT is only one piece of the puzzle. The other piece is you. There are known risk factors for what is called age-related cognitive decline. Lack of physical activity, excess body weight, chronic low-level inflammation and uncontrolled high blood pressure are examples. So what can you do that is proactive and possibly preventive?

Diet. Focus on nutrient dense whole foods that are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids and other beneficial substances. Some great brain foods include beets, spinach, walnuts, celery, dark chocolate, apples, cinnamon, chia seeds and turmeric.

Physical Exercise. This is perhaps the best elixir you could take to improve your memory and alertness, and for building new brain cells. Exercise increases circulation and metabolism, lowers stress and elevates mood. Research has shown that physical exercise can both prevent later-life dementia⁴ and improve memory and learning in older adults.⁵

Mental exercise. Like your muscles, your brain needs to be stretched to keep it supple and strong. The best brain boosting activities take you out of your comfort zone to learn something new and unfamiliar. If it isn’t challenging, you aren’t stretching enough. Pick an activity that is mentally demanding, engaging and requires effort.

There are plenty of helpful online resources with many more suggestions on how to keep your brain healthy. For a starting point, check out some ideas at the Open Education Database, http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/100-ways-to-keep-your-mind-healthy/.

¹ Antonella Gasbarri; Assunta Pompili; Maria Clotilde Tavares; Carlos Tomaz. Estrogen and Cognitive Function. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. 2009;5(5):507-520.
² Brinton RD, Thompson RF, Foy MR, Baudry M, Wang J, Finch CE, Morgan TE, Pike CJ, Mack WJ, Stanczyk FZ, Nilsen J. Progesterone receptors: form and function in brain. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2008 May;29(2):313-39. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2008.02.001. Epub 2008 Feb 23.
³ Zitzmann M. Testosterone and the brain. Aging Male. 2006 Dec;9(4):195-9.
⁴ Laura F. DeFina, Benjamin L. Willis, Nina B. Radford, Ang Gao, David Leonard, William L. Haskell, Myron F. Weiner, Jarett D. Berry. The Association Between Midlife Cardiorespiratory Fitness Levels and Later-Life Dementia: A Cohort Study. Annals of Internal Medicine, 5 February 2013, Vol 158, No. 3.
⁵ Gregory MA, Gill DP, Petrella RJ. Brain health and exercise in older adults. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jul-Aug;12(4):256-71. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31829a74fd.

Yes. Perhaps one of the most discouraging parts of approaching menopause is the weight gain. In fact, almost 90% of women between the ages of 35 and 55 gain weight. Total body fat increases, especially around the waistline, while at the same time lean muscle mass decreases. The same is true for men experiencing andropause.

Hormone imbalance makes it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. For women, waning estrogen levels often trigger the body to store fat. According to medical research, hormone loss does even more damage. Diminished estrogen levels or a lessening of estrogen receptor function in women also raises the risk for developing insulin resistance¹, increased belly fat, ^2,3 liver dysfunction, ^4,5 and skeletal muscle dysfunction.^6,7 Low levels of total, bioavailable and free testosterone in both men and women are likewise scientifically linked to increased risk of various diseases including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis and even mortality⁸. Bone mass, muscle mass, strength, libido and sex drive are also negatively impacted by testosterone deficiency.

Combatting weight gain begins with restoring your hormones to youthful levels.

Correctly administered bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be your path to regaining and maintaining a healthy weight and increased well-being as you age. Make sure you see a physician who is expert in balancing hormones. We recommend using the pellet implant method as it is scientifically proven to be the safest and most effective BHRT method available.^9,10,11,12 This technique is the closest thing we have to the way the body works, especially when given in individualized doses. And it is the only delivery system that allows the body to control the release of the hormone so that during vigorous exercise or increased stress when you need more hormone, you’re capable of getting it.

Eating healthy and getting regular exercise must be a priority.

When you combine the pellet method of hormone restoration with a new exercise regime and a healthy diet, remarkable things can happen. Once your estrogen (i.e. estradiol) and testosterone levels are returned to consistent, healthy, youthful levels, you’ll find your motivation to exercise return. Additionally, you’ll begin to notice results from your workouts, lose your foggy thinking and grumpy, apathetic, stay-at-home attitude. Like so many others, you’ll feel like you’ve regained your life!

¹ Gorres BK, Bomhoff GL, Morris JK, Geiger PC. In vivo stimulation of estrogen receptor-alpha increases insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake. J. Physiol. 2011; 589(Pt 8):2041–54.
² Wohlers LM, Jackson KC, Spangenburg EE. Lipolytic signaling in response to acute exercise is altered in female mice following ovariectomy. J. Cell. Biochem. 2011; 112(12):3675–84.
³ Wohlers LM, Spangenburg EE. 17Beta-estradiol supplementation attenuates ovariectomy-induced increases in ATGL signaling and reduced perilipin expression in visceral adipose tissue. J. Cell. Biochem. 2010; 110(2):420–7.
⁴ Jackson KC, Wohlers LM, Valencia AP, et al. Wheel running prevents the accumulation of monounsaturated fatty acids in the liver of ovariectomized mice by attenuating changes in SCD-1 content. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2011; 36(6):798–810.
⁵ Lavoie JM, Pighon A. NAFLD, estrogens, and physical exercise: the animal model. J. Nutr. Metab. 2012; 2012:914938.
⁶ Moran AL, Nelson SA, Landisch RM, Warren GL, Lowe DA. Estradiol replacement reverses ovariectomy-induced muscle contractile and myosin dysfunction in mature female mice. J. Appl. Physiol. 2007; 102(4): 1387–93.
⁷ Sitnick M, Foley AM, Brown M, Spangenburg EE. Ovariectomy prevents the recovery of atrophied gastrocnemius skeletal muscle mass. J. Appl. Physiol. 2006; 100(1):286–93.
⁸ Morgentaler A, Miner MM, Caliber M, Guay AT, Khera M, Traish AM. Testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk: advances and controversies.Mayo Clin. Proc. 2015;90(2):224-251.
⁹ Salmon U, et. al.: Use of estradiol subcutaneous pellets in humans. Science 1939,90:162.
¹⁰ Mishel, D: Clinical study of estrogenic therapy with pellet implantation. Am J Obstet-Gynecol 1941:41:1009.
¹¹ Studd, J: Estradiol and testosterone implants in the treatment of psychosexual problems in postmenopausal women. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1977:84:314.
¹² Greenblatt, R: Indications for hormone pellets in the therapy of endocrine and gynaecological disorders. American J Obstet Gyn, 1949:57:294.

The grip that pharmaceutical companies have on the HRT industry is slowly loosening. Increasing numbers of physicians and their patients are choosing bioidentical hormones over synthetic or animal-derived versions. The reason for the new wave of bioidentical hormone users can likely be attributed to more widespread awareness of the risks and side effects of synthetic hormone substitutes, combined with a public that increasingly demands “natural” products of all kinds.

Research Evidence on the Safety of Bioidentical Hormones

Synthetic hormones are not the same as human hormones. They do not have the same molecular structure, receptor affinity, absorption capabilities or other functional traits. For many years, research has continued to associate these chemical mismatches with increased incidence of breast, endometrium and prostate cancer in addition to a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, blood clots and other maladies.¹

Bioidentical hormones, on the other hand, are identical to those made in your body. They work in synchronicity with one another—which is why BHRT must address multiple hormones, not just one, and strive to achieve hormonal balance. When you restore hormone equilibrium using bioidenticals, you are actually physiologically replacing what is missing. These hormones will communicate perfectly with receptor cells, metabolize properly and perform the tasks the body needs. In a seminal review of research literature published in 2008, Schwartz & Holtorf examined 267 scientific articles regarding hormone replacement using bioidentical hormones versus synthetic and animal-derived hormone substitutes.² In their summary, they stated, “we believe the well-informed use of hormones in wellness and disease prevention will result in symptomatic improvement and should be considered an integral part in the armamentarium of options we offer our patients.”

Research Evidence on the Effectiveness of Bioidentical Hormones

Despite efforts to discredit bioidentical hormones, scientific research continues to accrue in support of the use of these hormones. Bioidentical hormones have been successfully used around the world since the 1930s. They still enjoy widespread popularity in Europe, Australia and, now, in the United States.

So, what does the research say? In a review of scientific literature published in 2006, 138 articles were evaluated for disparities in safety and efficacy between synthetic and bioidentical estrogens, as well as progestins and progesterone.³ Special attention was paid to clinical outcomes in the breast, endometrium, bone, cardiovascular system, and brain. The studies suggested that, “bioidentical progesterone does not have a negative effect on blood lipids or vasculature as do many synthetic progestins, and may carry less risk with respect to breast cancer incidence. Studies of both bioidentical estrogens and progesterone suggest a reduced risk of blood clots compared to non-bioidentical preparations. Bioidentical hormone preparations have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing menopausal symptoms. The author advocates for continued research on bioidentical hormones and concludes there is currently sufficient evidence to support their preferred use over that of their synthetic cousins.”

Likewise, in another important scientific review published in 2008, Schwartz and Holtorf assessed the evidence in 267 studies and came to these same conclusions. “A thorough review of the medical literature clearly supports the claim that bioidentical hormones have some distinctly different, often opposite, physiological effects to those of their synthetic [non-bioidentical counterpart] hormones. With respect to the risk for breast cancer, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke, substantial scientific and medical evidence demonstrates that bioidentical hormones are safer and more efficacious forms of HRT than commonly used synthetic versions.”

The Takeaway

The question is why would you choose a synthetic hormone replacement therapy that puts you at serious risk for health problems? Data and clinical outcomes associate bioidentical hormones with lower risks of breast and prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, as well as a reduced risk of blood clots and osteoporosis. In fact, bioidentical hormones have been shown to have positive effects on overall health and well-being.

When it’s time to consider hormone replacement, chose a physician who is expert in the use of bioidenticals and understands the need for balanced, youthful levels of hormones; one who will offer you individualized treatment based on your unique biochemistry; whose method is grounded in science, not guesswork.

This is precisely what we do at Advanced Hormone Solutions.

¹ Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, et al. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results From the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2002;288:321-333.
² Schwartz ET1, Holtorf K. Hormones in wellness and disease prevention: common practices, current state of the evidence, and questions for the future. Prim Care. 2008 Dec;35(4):669-705. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2008.07.015.
³ Moskowitz D. A comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of bioidentical hormones for the management of menopause and related health risks. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sep;11(3):208-23.

A respected physician tells his diabetic patients that out of the 8,760 hours there are in a year, they see their health care providers on average only 10 of those hours. That leaves more than 99% of the time that they, the patients, are in charge of their own health. After all, it is their health. It’s the doctor’s responsibility to help patients understand how to do the best job possible to manage it.

Great perspective and great advice that is relevant to all of us. We are the deciders when it comes to our well-being.

Here are a few ways to help you take charge of your own health as you age:

1) Educate yourself. The Internet is both a blessing and a curse. You have an unlimited resource at your fingertips, but there’s also a lot of misinformation. Read widely but with a healthy skepticism. Remember, there’s never just one answer to good health and one study does not establish a scientific truth. You are unique and what works for someone else, may not be right for you. Nonetheless, be informed and do your homework.

2) Do some serious soul searching. What are your biggest health hurdles? Do you have any serious conditions or minor ones that could become serious? Are you overweight? Do you exercise enough? Do you see your doctor for regular checkups? Are you worried about your health as you age? What are you willing to do to be healthy? Do you have the discipline to make changes and stick to them? Once you’ve surveyed your status quo, make a checklist and then make a sincere commitment to take steps.

3) Food is your ally. An abundance of long term studies and surveys continue to show a strong connection between diet and disease. In other words, what you eat can influence whether you fall victim to many aging-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and others. Some good reads on the topic include Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes. In this evidence-based book, author and clinical researcher, Dr. Neal Barnard, explains the nutrition-diabetes relationship. Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Jr. presents a strong argument for implementing a plant-based diet in Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. Perhaps the most compelling case for adopting a healthy diet is The China Study, authored by Drs. T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. This comprehensive study of nutrition has been called “one of the most important books about nutrition every written.”

4) Exercise. Science shows that exercise at any age or stage of life will benefit you. And it’s never too late to start an exercise program. Join a gym, sign up for yoga or get together with friends for morning walks. You’ll find that the benefits of exercise are instantaneous and invigorating. Remember, it doesn’t have to be strenuous to be beneficial. When you do something as simple as walking, it raises your heart rate, increases your respiration, burns calories and gives your muscles a workout.

5) Hormonal balance is vital. Your long term health depends on more than just diet and exercise. Hormonal balance is key to maintaining many important internal body functions. As you age, the production of certain vital hormones—i.e. estradiol and testosterone—stops or slows down. You need physiologic levels of these hormones to stay healthy. They impact every system, cell, gland and organ in your body. Your brain, muscles, bones, heart, lungs, and so on, all depend on hormones to keep them healthy. As an essential part of managing your health as you age, see a hormone replacement expert like SottoPelle® to have your hormone health checkup.

If you’ve tried other methods of hormone replacement therapy—for instance pills, patches, creams, gels, suppositories or others—you know they can be inconvenient, messy and pose other issues. Dosing can be tricky too. Oral methods mean you have to take high doses of hormones in order to attain proper blood levels; dosing schedules can get complicated; using gels and creams can result in too much or too little hormone and so on.

Pellet implants, on the other hand, provide biologically identical hormones in a way the body recognizes and can utilize. What makes them so effective are the consistent blood levels of bioavailable hormones. Also, the dosing can be individualized to your own body’s needs. And they last longer than any other hormone replacement method.

1) Pellet BHRT has been prescribed since the 1930s
Hormone replacement using the pellet delivery method (subcutaneous implants) has been widely available for more than three-quarters of a century. In fact, beginning in the early 1940s, it became a very popular HRT treatment in the U.S. for about 30 years. Then, in the 1970s, pharmaceutical manufacturers introduced their newly developed and patented synthetic hormones. Shrewd marketing convinced the public, the medical establishment and the FDA to accept these new drugs as healthy and efficacious despite the long list of side effects, warnings and health risks. That being said, subcutaneous implants have remained accepted and commonly prescribed in Europe, Australia and other parts of the world.

2) Research supports the pellet implant hormone delivery system
Since the early 1940s, reports have appeared in a wide range of respected international journals validating the many benefits of pellet HRT. In fact, there is more supportive data on this method than any other form of hormone replacement therapy. The longevity of this science-based modality attests to the fact that, when properly managed, it is scientifically recognized as the safest and most effective method available for administering hormone replacement therapy. ^1,2,3,4

3) Pellets are made from natural plant sources and are biologically identical to human hormones
The bioidentical hormones in pellets are made from either wild yam or soybeans. They are manufactured to the highest quality standards by facilities that are registered and inspected by the FDA. The hormones are formulated to precisely match human hormones. In other words, bioidenticals are able to fully communicate with receptor cells throughout the body and perform the many important tasks it requires. This isn’t the case with synthetic hormones, which can accomplish some tasks but not all. The intended imperfection of these formulations is the reason that synthetics can be patented, but also why they can cause havoc within the body and why they are required by the FDA to come with warnings about side effects and serious health risks.

4) Pellet implants use very small doses of hormone
Pellets are designed to release small amounts of hormone directly into the blood stream around the clock over a period of months (typically they last 3 to 6 months). This very closely matches the body’s own feedback system for releasing hormones and provides the steady, physiologic blood levels the body is used to.

Because pellets don’t have to pass through the gastrointestinal system or liver, smaller doses can be used to accomplish successful results. This makes pellet implants a much healthier alternative than oral methods like pills, tablets or capsules, which must be given in high doses to achieve any results at all.  Click here to learn more about SottoPelle BHRT Pellets.

1. Salmon, U., et al. Use of estradiol subcutaneous pellets in humans. Science 1939, 90: 162.
2. Greenblatt R. Indications for hormone pellets in the therapy of endocrine and gynaecological disorders. AM J Obstet-Synecol 1949; 57:294.
3. Morris Notelovitz et al. Metabolic & Hormonal Effects of 25mg & 50mg, 17-¬‐B-¬‐Estadiol Implants. Obstetrics & Gynecology, Volume 70, No. 5, Nov 1987
4. Suhonen S1, Sipinen S, Lähteenmäki P, Laine H, Rainio J, Arko H. Postmenopausal oestrogen replacement therapy with subcutaneous oestradiol implants. Maturitas. 1993 Mar;16(2):123-31.