Bioidentical Hormone Therapy … Don’t Give Up!
By Judi Nicely

In my last article I discussed the different routes of bioidentical hormone therapy.  SottoPelle inserts, estradiol for women and testosterone for both genders, are pellets implanted in the fatty tissue of the hip. They’re by far the most convenient and effective and best absorbed; they’re nearly identical to the way the body releases hormones into the bloodstream.

To show you how life-changing these hormone inserts can be, I would like to tell you about Natalie, a 54-year-old business owner who came in for a hormone consultation three months ago. She had gone through menopause three years earlier and was placed on synthetic hormone replacement therapy because of hot flashes, night sweats, lowered sex drive, sleep problems, anxiety and depression, loss of energy, weight gain and poor memory. After using the synthetic hormones for a few months she began having multiple side effects, such as weight gain, breast tenderness, headaches, bloating, hair loss and nausea. She just felt awful overall.

Natalie’s gynecologist adjusted her dose but nothing helped. Natalie finally stopped the medication, hoping to feel better. But once again she felt miserable with the return of her prior symptoms.

Unsure where to go from there, Natalie got a recommendation from a friend to see a doctor specializing in bioidentical hormones who could prescribe topical hormone creams.  Natalie scheduled an appointment with this doctor. After some testing and review of results, Natalie started using estrogen, progesterone and testosterone creams. In the beginning she got relief from her hot flashes and night sweats. She was also sleeping better with an improved sex drive. 

After using the creams for nine weeks, however, her hot flashes and night sweats returned.  The doctor tried raising her estrogen dose a couple of times with no improvement. Natalie gained weight due to the increase in estrogen. She did admit that she may have been partly responsible for the inability of her doctor to stabilize her hormone levels, as she found it very difficult to remember to apply the cream twice a day. After six months of fluctuating results, Natalie decided to come to SottoPelle Wellness Center after reading one of our articles and doing some online research.

Natalie came to our office with most of her original symptoms. She was so tired of feeling lousy and desperate for help. After reviewing her medical history and lab results, Natalie and I discussed her expectations and I answered her questions regarding the procedure and any possible side effects. She was so excited to get started! We inserted her pellets that same visit. 

When I called Natalie five weeks later to review her one-month post-insertion tests, she sounded like a new woman.  She stated that her hot flashes and night sweats were gone in four days and she was sleeping like a baby. She had resumed her exercise regime because her energy had returned. She was cleaning her house and garage – tasks she had put off for years, as she had no motivation to do much of anything. Her husband was very happy that her sex drive had returned and was telling his buddies about this miracle pellet that changed his wife’s life. Natalie was no longer stumbling over lost words or forgetting names and appointments.  She was so happy to have her old self back. 

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy pellets were first introduced to the U.S. from Austria in 1939 and have been in continuous use since. Dr. Gino Tutera began using pellets in his OB/GYN practice more than 20 years ago and has since improved the quality, dosing and delivery methods.

Our analysis of your condition is based on blood test results, symptoms, medical history and an examination. The insertion procedure is simple and nearly painless. The major advantage of SottoPelle Pellets is that they are available to the body 24/7, delivered directly into the bloodstream. By avoiding the “peaks and valleys” of other topical creams and gels, the body can normalize its endocrine functions; the body works like it is supposed to.  SottoPelle pellets last from four to six months without any maintenance or fuss. If your bioidentical hormone therapy is not working as you expect, do some research regarding other hormone delivery methods and don’t give up.

Judi Nicely