Help us celebrate this amazing accolade again for the fourth consecutive year as your number one Hormone Therapy in Arizona.
We are dedicated to our patients and keeping them healthy and well at all ages!!
SottoPelle Therapy has and is dedicated to helping people find balance in their life. Hormonal balance is a critical and foundational component of healthy aging but there are many other aspects for aging gracefully. Our newest website – SottoPelle Lifestyle supports our mission to educate, entertain, and eradicate misconceptions about aging while highlighting various influencers that support the values of authentic aging and a healthy lifestyle. We hope you find the site interesting with informative programs that support the improvement of health and well being of aging adults. On the site, you will see some of our influencers with advice on fitness, nutrition, care-giving, style and more. Our own authentic aging ambassador and influencer CarolAnn Tutera will be hosting a podcast to discuss important topics to nurture a balanced and healthy lifestyle. One such example of an interesting program is the NYU Aging Incubator.
“The percentage of the world population aged 65 or over is expected to double by 2050. This presents enormous challenges to: health care, the labor force, and the financial health of key institutions, amongst others. The NYU Aging Incubator was established in 2016-17 as a university-wide initiative bringing together faculty and students from across the University from all disciplines who are involved in the study of aging and its impacts. It is hoped that the NYU Aging Incubator will be the resource for the NYU community to find information on research, educational activities, events, and services for the aging community and provide support for the development of innovative and interdisciplinary research, policy and educational endeavors, to improve the health and well-being of older adults.
Read More: https://www.nyu.edu/academics/scholarly-strengths/aging-incubator.html
If your interested in supporting authentic aging or want to become a contributor to SottoPelle Lifestyle please contact us today at AgingMatters@sottopellelifestyle.com
🤔Are your hormones holding you back?@TuteraMedical came in today to talk about how hormones affect us as we age, and how they can help. https://t.co/iblfIbPbDG #abc15sponsor pic.twitter.com/hdT9E1mTBy
— Sonoran Living (@sonoranliving) November 12, 2018
Many women find perimenopause and menopause symptoms take them by surprise. Some don’t go to the doctor until they are in the throes of fatigue, mood swings, low sex drive and hot flashes to name a few. They are remiss to seek treatment because they’ve heard that solutions such as hormone replacement therapy may be hazardous to their health. So they white-knuckle it in silence. We had the opportunity of interviewing an expert, Dr. Gino Tutera, who spent many years investigating ways to help women during menopause feel normal during this tough time in life. Dr. Tutera found hormone replacement methods were the best way to help women during their menopausal years before creating his unique pellet therapy approach. He is SottoPelle® Founder and Medical Director of SottoPelle Hormone Replacement Therapy. Following are his answers to the questions we asked him, to inform our readers. He explained that all hormone replacement therapies are not the same.
You can feel better about yourself again
Viva Fifty.- How and when should women consult a doctor about their peri-menopausal or menopausal symptoms?
Dr. Gino Tutera.- Women should not wait until symptoms strike before checking their hormone levels. As we age, our hormone levels decline. Recent studies show that women are experiencing peri-menopause and menopause at much earlier ages than expected. By age 40, most women are totally depleted of normal levels of estrogen and have lost nearly all their progesterone and more than half of their testosterone. These fluctuating levels can lead to more serious health issues since many diseases are correlated with hormonal imbalances. Estrogen impacts cognitive function and testosterone affects the heart, breast and bones. In order to protect their health, women need to check their hormonal balance regularly starting at age 40.
Viva Fifty.- What are bio-identical hormones in layperson language and how can women benefit from them?
Dr. Tutera.- Bio-identical hormones (BHRT) are natural, plant-derived compounds that have the same molecular structure as those made by the human body – as opposed to other traditional forms of hormone therapy (HRT), which are synthetic, or pharmaceutical. The molecular structure of bio-identical hormones is identical to the hormones produced naturally by the human body, hence the name. Therefore they are better assimilated without the dangerous side effects associated with synthetic hormones.
Viva Fifty.- How many years can women take these hormones and how costly are they?Dr. Tutera.- Hormonal imbalances can strike a woman at any age and are not reserved just for older women in menopause. The need for hormones all depends each individual woman’s levels and a simple blood test is used to measure that. Since bio-identical hormones are natural without the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical hormones, there is no limit to the time frame in which a woman can take them if she needs them. Since our food, water and environment are loaded with toxic chemicals, this disrupts the body’s delicate endocrine system which leads to hormonal balance. Women can protect their health by maintaining proper hormonal balance at any age.
The cost for bio-identical hormone therapy is around $300 with the pellet method and lasts an average of 3-4 months. So the monthly cost is $75. The blood test costs vary depending on what lab is used but generally run less than $100 and is usually covered by most health insurance.
Also Read: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helped me be a better mom
You can kiss hot flashes goodbye
Viva Fifty.- Beyond HRT or BHRT, what else can women do to improve their self-image and self-esteem during perimenopause, menopause and beyond?
Dr. Tutera.- Women can learn to love themselves at any age. The best way for women to improve their self-image and self-esteem is to start with inner health and happiness … the beauty that radiates from the inside out.
Body type and self-image for women are undergoing a rapid shift with the dramatic rise in America’s aging population. Today there are 78 million Americans over age 55 and over half of them are women. And one in every three people is over 50. This means vast numbers of women are facing aging issues and experiencing menopause. So the demand for more reasonable body images and role models is changing to serve the needs of this aging female demographic. There has been a louder voice for acceptance for those who do not meet the weight and image standards we see on TV, magazines, social media and basically everywhere.
Dr. Ivanka Prichard, a behavioral psychologist, is one advocate leading a research team to determine if the new “fit-spirational” trends do women’s body image and psychological health more harm than good. “Healthy is the new skinny!” she declares.
Viva Fifty.- What about women´s fear of cancer due to HRT?
Dr. Tutera.- It’s a misguided perception based on synthetic HRT, not natural BHRT. Some misunderstanding persists around hormones because many people and even doctors don’t realize that there are two different kinds – synthetic and bio-identical.
When the Women’s Health Initiative released a report in 2002 citing the dangerous side effects of synthetic hormones, it gave all hormones a bad reputation. To this day most news reports fail to make this critical distinction between the two different types of hormones and thus all forms of hormones are falsely considered dangerous. BHRT began in Europe in the 1930’s and is backed by over 75 years of research.
Extensive research shows that cancer is associated with synthetic or pharmaceutical HRT. Numerous studies point to the health benefits of BHRT in helping to protect women against breast cancer. Here are four as an example:
Tutera, D. Gambrell, Marked reduction of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer in users of bio-identical estradiol and testosterone subcutaneous pellets, Maturitas, 2013: “Subcutaneous estradiol and testosterone pellets do not increase the risk of development of any of these cancers and, in fact, may be protective.”
Natrajan and Gabrell, American Journal of OB-GYN, 2002: “Bio-identical estrogen does not increase either recurrence of breast cancer or mortality rates.”
Roger Smith and John Studd, British Journal of Hospital Medicine,1993: “Hormone pellet therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer incidence.”
Davelarr Study, 1991: “No increase in the incidence of breast cancer during the use of subcutaneous estradiol in women from 1972-mid-1990s… less cancers overall than the control group on no estrogen therapy.”
HRT and BHRT are not the same thing
Viva Fifty.- What is the key to effective hormone therapy?
Dr. Tutera.- Sex hormones play a much larger role in our health beyond a reproductive purpose. They are the “control panel” of the human body and impact all organs, tissues and neurotransmitters. In fact, they affect every aspect of our physical and mental well-being and can also help prevent illness, disease and premature aging.
The key to effective hormone therapy lies in the delivery method. Pills, patches, creams, gels, troches and other methods often result in roller coaster surges of hormones. Studies demonstrate that hormone pellets, which are about the size of a grain of rice and slipped under the skin, provide the most effective delivery system because they are monitored naturally by the body’s own heart rate for 24-7 distribution exactly when the body needs it most.
Most synthetic hormones and even some bio-identical hormone pellets offer one-size-fits-all generic doses that are not designed to meet each woman’s unique hormone needs. Every woman doesn’t wear the same size shoe; so why would they all choose the same hormone dose? SottoPelle® Therapy is the only method that uses a proprietary web-based BioCalc® system with precision dosing for each patient’s specific requirements and carefully monitored to manage her hormone balance properly.
Hormone therapy is not just about menopause or for women only! Men lose most of their testosterone by age 50 and need hormonal balance when andropause sets in. Like women, they should have their levels checked before symptoms arrive to protect their health.
Source: https://www.vivafifty.com/bhrt-benefits-perimenopause-menopause-2874/
I recently wrote a blog (linked HERE) about my menopause journey, which thanks to SottoPelle® was a short story!
There was a tremendous response from women suffering the effects of menopause, many of whom have not found a solution or are suffering with ineffective solutions. Thank you to all the ladies who contacted me with questions and to share their stories.
Today, I invite you to come along and experience one of my appointments with SottoPelle®. A commitment I have been making every four months for six years without hesitation, because, it enables me to live my best life, no hormone surges, none of the symptoms of menopause, no side effects, just a normal well-balanced human being. Well, hormonally well balanced that is, ha ha!
Reception area of the Paradise Valley AZ office
After checking in for the appointment, the nurse ensures nothing has changed since the last visit, no surgeries, no new medications that type of thing, and once you’ve signed off on the paperwork, you’re ready to receive your pellets.
A quick update with the nurse to ensure the records are up to date.
Just to re-cap, SottoPelle® is a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that uses naturally sourced plant-based, bio-identical hormones in the form of tiny pellets. These are inserted a short way under the surface of the skin in the fleshy part of the butt cheek. Dr Tutera MD, FACOG, founded SottoPelle® in 1992, he was one of the pioneers of this form of HRT which provides the most effective and consistent distribution of hormones throughout the body.
I’ve been seeing Dr Steve for six years but still manage to talk his ear off!
The doctor or physician’s assistant who administers the pellets, checks my file, ensures there have been no changes since the last visit and determines which butt cheek my pellets will be placed on this occasion. Each visit the pellets are placed in the alternate cheek.
This is what my midlife dynamo looks like!
These tiny compounded pellets are the magic formula to feeling as young as I did in my prime with energy, strength and a sense of complete well-being. Remember, this is a very individual approach to HRT, so my prescription is different to other women based on various factors. Every six months, blood work is taken providing extensive hormone panels to ensure each patient is prescribed the correct dosage, which could mean less or more testosterone, estrogen or whatever your individual requirements are, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
All the procedure requires is to lay on my side with relevant butt cheek up, and a local anesthetic is injected to the site where the pellets will be administered. Once numb, a tiny incision is made, and the prescribed pellets are inserted subcutaneously. Waterproof foam tape is placed over the incision which remains in place for three days and that is it. The procedure takes about two minutes! I’m in and out of the appointment in about 15 minutes total, if I can keep the chit-chatting to a minimum!
Pellets inserted, off to the mall! Scottsdale Fashion Square is dangerously close to my SottoPelle® office.
This is an example of what I wear to my appointment, something comfortable and lose fitting. There’s no need to undress for the occasion, an adjustment of clothing enough to expose the insertion site is all that’s required. It takes a while for the anesthetic to wear off, but the prospect of squishing into tight jeans doesn’t appeal right after the procedure!
The Only Restrictions
For three days after the insertion, you should not take tub baths, soaking in hot tubs or swimming and no exercise other than walking, which translated means shopping! You can shower! Exertive exercise that uses the muscles in the hips or glutes could possibly push the pellets from their new home, so it’s strongly advised against.
Always on the go thanks to SottoPelle®
After three days you can remove the waterproof tape and exercise resumes as normal. A month later you cannot see where the incision was made.
The worst I feel is tenderness around the incision once the anesthetic wears off. As a side sleeper, I sleep on the opposite side to the pellet incision for a couple of nights as it feels slightly sore, and sometimes there’s some light bruising around the area. Three days later though, I’m back out on the tennis court or hiking a trail.
The level of activity you engage in will determine how often you need to replace your pellets, the body draws upon them as they’re needed so the more activity you do or stress you deal with, the faster you are likely to power through your hormones.
Over the years I have referred four of my girlfriends to SottoPelle® who were suffering a myriad of symptoms related to menopause. They are all still enjoying the benefits of SottoPelle® therapy to this day just as I do. And, it’s not just for women to enjoy feeling youthful and vibrant again after midlife, men can also benefit from SottoPelle®.
Meet CarolAnn Tutera, CEO and patient of SottoPelle®. CarolAnn’s mission is to carry on the late Dr. Gino Tutera’s passion to improve our quality of life so it can be enjoyed to the full as we age. She has an active role in the company and continues to broaden the coverage with service providers now in multiple locations all over the US.
For me, SottoPelle® doesn’t just eliminate the symptoms of menopause by restoring hormones to normal, but also aids in the ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Because I have more energy I can maintain an active life, which facilitates a healthy weight and sense of well-being. Other symptoms of menopause can cause over-eating or choosing the wrong foods to comfort oneself in times of anxiety or emotional highs and lows. When hormones are balanced, and normal sleep patterns resume, it’s easier to take control of thoughts, maintain focus, and therefore make the right food choices. All in all, it provides a quality of life that also benefits my health as I age.
If you are suffering any of the symptoms of menopause and would like to find out if SottoPelle® therapy is right for you, you can visit their website here: sottopelletherapy.com and click on the “Find a Doctor” button to locate a service provider near you.
As always, thank you for stopping by
Karen xox
This is a sponsored post which I was delighted to write to share my experience of SottoPelle® which has been a faithful partner in restoring my life to normal.
Menopause hit me like a freight train at 50 years old!
It was as though my body had taken on a whole new set of rules that I wasn’t privy to, except to see and feel the miserable effects that resulted. I wanted me back, the version that ran smoothly like a well-oiled engine, not this one that kept back-firing and faltering daily.
Now at 57 years old, I’m blessed that my fifties were not robbed from me by the onslaught of menopause!
Having always led an active life, it came as a shock when suddenly it took me two days to recover from a tennis match. Feeling sore, achy and stiff during and after exertive activity slowed me down, I had less energy and it became increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy weight. I wasn’t doing anything different, but my equilibrium was going haywire.
As for my nightly eight or nine hours sleep that I’d enjoyed my whole life… menopause had other plans for me and decided two hours would be sufficient after which I would toss and turn until daybreak. Lack of sleep was a sure-fire way to guarantee a short fuse in this gal, additionally I began to struggle with concentration, focus, and when the uncontrollable hot flashes began however momentary they were, I realized enough was enough. I was in no mood for this menopause malarkey!
I believe I have SottoPelle® to thank for helping improve my game in my fifties!
As a lifelong proponent of fix the cause rather than mask it, I’m one of those annoying ‘holier than thou’ types when it comes to taking pills and medicine! So, I was apprehensive about hormone replacement therapy and naturally skeptical about claims many companies made for this pill or that cream to help with menopause. Besides, I didn’t want help with menopause, I wanted it annihilated!
I discovered a local company called SottoPelle® where women were filling the waiting rooms to see Dr Tutera MD, FACOG, the founder. As a pioneer in the use of all-natural plant-based bio-identical hormones, Dr Tutera developed his unique method of delivery, placing the pellets subcutaneously therefore providing the most effective and consistent distribution of hormones throughout the body.
The best thing to happen to my midlife… SottoPelle®!
Our body draws upon hormones as and when they are needed such as during sport or moments of anxiety for example. Therefore, digesting pills or rubbing on creams is not the most effective delivery method as it creates surges in the distribution. Having pellets placed just below the skins surface maintains a consistent level in the body and provides for moments when you may need more.
An important quality that sets SottoPelle® above the rest, is that it’s not a one size fits all solution. Everyone has different hormone levels and requirements. To ensure the optimum balance and correct levels are maintained, SottoPelle® regularly performs blood work for extensive hormone panels on each individual.
So, I bit the bullet, since I didn’t have to swallow a pill, and had the pellets submerged in my butt-cheek by way of a tiny incision, which is fully healed in three days and almost invisible in three weeks.
I don’t feel any different to how I felt in my twenties and thirties, and I’m still enjoying the same antics!
Perhaps because I’m very active, circulation of the hormones took effect quickly. In less than a week my hot flushes had subsided altogether, my sleep pattern was returning to normal and an overall sense of wellbeing replaced the chaos and emotional ups and downs that had previously taken hold.
The most noticeable difference was my energy level and strength capability. I could handle the toughest tennis match and be out on a run the next day. With more energy, I decided to take on more exercise and began lifting small weights, something I’d never done before. The results were very encouraging as I developed muscles that I didn’t know I’d ever owned!
During menopause, if I got through a day without one or other of its symptoms, I thought I was having a good day, so after a while I forgot how normal used to feel. This included feeling sexy or wanting to have sex. I never really considered this a symptom of menopause, it had simply waned into a rarity, besides I was rather pre-occupied fanning myself down and trying not to bite someone’s head off to give it much consideration. After beginning SottoPelle® therapy that completely changed, and a normal sexual desire returned and has remained consistent to this day.
I’ll have that smile off his face on the tennis court later ha ha!
It’s been six years that I’ve been using SottoPelle® therapy. I go every four months to have my pellets inserted which is the time interval that keeps my hormone balance stable. It has absolutely extended the best years of my life such that I can enjoy it in every aspect of fulfillment. I whole heartedly believe that it restored a quality of life that menopause was desperately trying to steal from me. It is not the fountain of youth, and as such the body still ages as the years roll on, but the way you feel doesn’t have to.
You can read more about SottoPelle® on their website: sottopelletherapy.com and click on the “Find a Doctor” button to locate a service provider near you. Please feel free to ask me any questions concerning this post or my experience by way of the Contact page and I will respond to you directly via email.
As always, thank you for stopping by
Karen xx
This is a sponsored post which I was delighted to write on account of my experience over the past six years. It is my pleasure to share this company that has been a faithful partner in restoring my life to normal.
Whether you’re a man or a woman, talking with your significant other about their health and hormones with a physician is almost always fodder for an argument. The good news is, “It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way®” if the topic is approached with love, compassion, support and understanding. There are ways you can minimize the chance of upsetting the other person’s feelings if you do a little homework first.
If you’re a man, understand that your wife’s mood swings aren’t always caused by a bad day at work or the stress of dealing with the children or the never-ending list of chores at home. Chances are these everyday stressors can be amplified as a result of hormonal imbalance, premenopausal or menopausal. When a women is in menopause her body significantly decreases its production of estrogen and testosterone. In addition to mood swings, your wife may be experiencing fatigue or loss of libido. Other symptoms can include night sweats, hot flashes, unexplained weight gain and irritability. She may not realize she is suffering from hormonal imbalance and may have a hard time asking for help even if she suspects she might be “going through the change.”
Don’t let her be a stoic and suffer in silence. When you feel an openness in her presence, start by telling her she is greatly loved and valued. That you are bringing up a possibly sensitive topic only out of concern for her health. Reassure her that though her symptoms might have affected your relationship, that you are committed in helping her find answers so she can start feeling better, both physically and emotionally. Offer to read the same material with her, if possible, attend her doctor’s appointments with her, let her know you want to understand her condition, but most importantly, show her your support is consistent and constant.
If you are a woman wanting to talk to your male partner about “the change” you suspect is taking place in him, this topic is equally sensitive. We often hear of stories of men going through “mid-life crisis” when they buy the new sports car, start looking at much younger women and often chase things which help them feel more youthful. Some experts believe this phenomenon may actually be caused by a man trying to over-compensate the very qualities the he believes is slipping away from him: his sex appeal and masculinity. When a man reaches their late 30’s to mid-40s, the male body starts to significantly produce less testosterone which causes the man to have decreased libido and energy, loss of mental focus, decreased muscle mass, increased weight gain and an overall compromise in their sense of well-being. For a man, these symptoms also often cause depression. This “change” is often called “male menopause” or now known as “Andropause.”
When a woman addresses a man’s possible hormonal imbalance, the same concepts in positive communication applies regardless of whom is addressing whom. The woman must reassure the man that he is valued and loved and that this sensitive topic is being brought up out of concern for their health and well-being. Let your partner know that you don’t see him less of a man because his body is going through changes that are not in his control. Reassure him that the changes he is going through are common among men and the clinical term is called “andropause.” Read about the topic together and talk about “next steps” in getting him the medical help he needs.
The bottom line is neither the man nor the woman needs to suffer and feel they have debilitating bodies. Your relationship does not have to suffer because of the distance or walls often built between partners due to misunderstandings as a result of hormonal imbalance and mood swings that often follow. Intimacy in the relationship is possible, again. As well as the renewed sense of hope in a healthy, long future together not hindered by any physical, emotional or mental barricades often produced by hormonal imbalance. Your passion for life and each other will only grow with each passing year. But it all starts with today.
When you know something is not quite right with the person you love, it’s only natural you want to help them. Words have the power to build-up a person or to tear them down. Let’s help build the other person up in letting them know there is hope. For the past 20 years SottoPelle has provided thousands of men and women the ability to feel like their selves again. Let us help you and your loved one rebuild the road to happiness and good health.
Dr. Gino Tutera is a pioneer and leader in the field of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. As a board certified OB/GYN, he has dedicated more than thirty years of his medical career to the clinical study, science and treatment of hormonal imbalance. In 2002, Dr. Tutera founded SottoPelle® Therapy and has since been invited to speak at international medical conventions in front of thousands of fellow physicians. Dr. Tutera has authored three books on the world-renowned methodology of SottoPelle Therapy. His books are sold individually in Spanish and in English in print format or you can download the books electronically. You can purchase them here: https://store.sottopelletherapy.com/shop/books/
Recent studies show that women are experiencing menopause at much earlier ages than expected. By age 40, most women are totally depleted of normal levels of estrogen and have lost nearly all their progesterone and more than half of their testosterone. The average woman can expect her periods to stop when she is just 46.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading killer of women. Research indicates a correlation between declining estrogen levels during menopause and an increase in the risk for cardiovascular problems. Women who have gone through menopause are two to three times more likely to develop heart disease.
Estrogen is shown to support the blood vessels. Results from a 1991 study indicated that after 15 years of estrogen replacement, risk of death by cardiovascular disease was reduced by almost 50 percent and overall deaths were reduced by 40 percent.
At the same time, testosterone supports the cardiovascular system in women as well as men.
While hormone therapy can help protect the heart health of menopausal and aging women, the key to effective treatment lies in the type of hormone and administration method.
Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses natural, plant-derived compounds that precisely match the same molecular structure as human hormones – unlike traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which is synthetic, or pharmaceutical. Bioidentical hormones are better assimilated by the body without the dangerous side effects associated with synthetic type – including heart disease.
Research demonstrates that hormone pellets – about the size of a grain of rice and slipped under the skin – provide the most effective hormone delivery method since the hormone release is monitored naturally by the heart rate. When prescribed and properly administered, BHRT pellets can support heart health and offer relief for menopausal symptoms.
Numerous studies* cite the potential benefits of bioidentical estrogen and testosterone pellets to:
• reduce harmful LDL and total cholesterol
• increase protective HDL
• decrease triglycerides
• assist in retaining the ability of the coronary arteries to dilate and remain pliable
Evidence from a 2013 study by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports the “timing hypothesis,” which shows that women in the early stages of menopause are more likely to experience additional cardiovascular benefits from HRT treatment than women who have been menopausal for 10 or more years.
Another study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that 32 percent of heart attacks and cardiac deaths were reduced in women age 60 or younger who had received bio-identical hormone treatment.
We recommend that women start checking their hormone levels with a simple blood test around ages 35-40 to correct hormonal imbalances. This can help to protect their hearts and avoid many unpleasant health problems that occur during menopause, such as thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, depression, breast cancer, brain fog and fibromyalgia. Bioidentical hormones, taken in early menopause, may actually help prevent coronary heart disease and many of these issues.
*Menopause, Susan Davis, 2000; Obstetrics & Gynecology, Notelovitz, 1987
Adventures In Aging:
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Friday: Closed
