HRT

What Is The Best Method of Hormone Replacement ????                                                

By Judi Nicely, RNP  *specializing in hormones for over a decade

In the previous issue I discussed the sex hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone and Testosterone.  I told you how important it is that you have the optimal levels and balance of these hormones.  I cannot stress how essential this is to your overall health and preventing dis-ease in your body.  In this issue I will discuss the various routes of administering hormones and the advantages/disadvantages associated with each.

What Properties Would the Ultimate Hormone Replacement Possess?

·         Biologically identical

·         Effective and hassle-free

·         No side effects

·         available when needed 24/7

·         Safe – no liver involvement and no negative effects on other organs

·         Lasts up to 6 months

·         No increase in breast cancer

Let’s take a look at the following types of hormone replacement and see if they meet the above criteria.

I’m sure that most of you with some knowledge about natural hormones are familiar with the topical creams or gels.  You can purchase low dose Progesterone at a health food store, which may help with some PMS symptoms, but is usually not sufficient to treat moderate to severe PMS or Menopause.  Higher dose Progesterone, along with Estadiol, Estriol and Testosterone must be ordered by a medical practitioner at a compounding pharmacy, where they can blend the specific dose prescribed.  The hormones get absorbed into the blood supply and delivered to the cells where they can be taken in and used by the body.   Compounded hormones are excellent for eliminating PMS symptoms each month.  They become more of a challenge for Menopause and Andropause (Male Menopause) which I will discuss later.  The primary drawback of topicals is the compliance issue.  Women/men must be disciplined in applying the creams/gels once or twice a day on a regular basis to deliver the hormones consistently. If you forget a dose, or go away for a weekend without them, you will get the roller-coaster effect and a probable return of symptoms.

Oral hormone pills must also be remembered daily.   The Estrogen pills must be processed in the liver to be activated.  This process can ultimately cause liver damage.  The oral hormone has to be given in such high doses to compensate for the predictable loss of hormone in the liver, and the loss of usable hormone in the intestinal tract from lack of absorption.  These high doses can cause multiple health issues.  Hormone pills, whether natural or synthetic, produce a roller coaster effect.  The pills give high levels of hormones 2 to 4 hours after ingestion, and the levels decrease steadily after that.  Once-daily pills are the furthest thing from the natural rhythm of hormone secretion.  The ovaries and testes are designed to produce hormones 24 hours a day.

Hormone Patches are not biologically identical….they are synthetic.  Pharmaceutical companies include anything made from plants as ‘natural’.  Bioidentical hormones are only made by compounding pharmacies that specialize in their production.    

The primary problem with patches is the adhesive.  It can be irritating to the skin, and can also fail to stick, ending the effectiveness of the hormone.  Also, the majority of the hormone is released within the first 24 hours.   This can lead to the roller-coaster effect, as symptoms may return before it’s time to apply the next patch.

Hormone Injections of Estrogen and Testosterone are synthetic, not bioidentical.    These injections are absorbed in a very irregular fashion and cause very irregular blood levels, thus the roller-coaster effect. These injections are painful and will cause scarring in the muscle over time.

Sublingual Hormones are administered under the tongue.  As all the others, due to the inconsistency of delivery, you get the peaks and valleys and are not able to reach good physiological levels.

The method of delivery profoundly influences the effect of the hormones in the body, yet none of these delivery systems meet the criteria for the properties of the Ultimate Hormone Replacement.   We are looking for a bioidentical hormone that is directly absorbed into the blood stream and gives you hormones when you need them just as the ovaries and testes do. 

With more than 26 years of experience, SottoPelle Therapy is far superior to any other form of bioidentical HRT available.  SottoPelle Therapy consists of placing tiny, bioidentical Estradiol and/or Testosterone pellets painlessly under the skin in the fatty tissue.  These pellets are similar to the size of a grain of rice.  The effects of each implant can last from 4-6 months and even longer.  The hormone levels achieved by SottoPelle Therapy are the closest thing to natural hormone levels produced by the ovaries and testes.  Because SottoPelle is regulated by the heart rate and muscle activity, SottoPelle is always available for the body to access what it wants when it wants it, no matter what amount is needed. This property alone sets SottoPelle Therapy far ahead of a pill, patch or cream usage, recreating a balanced hormone environment.  Our goal is to bring our bodies back to the physiological state of our youth…  To restore our energy, stamina, and motivation, improve our mental clarity, have restful sleep, build muscle and bone, increase our sex drive and bring moisture back to our skin.