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Hormone Replacement Therapy – Are You Man Enough?

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As a man, sometimes seeking help for a problem can be overwhelmingly difficult. Men are taught and expected to be self-sufficient, strong, problem solvers. They are supposed to do the heavy lifting, to fix broken things, to be “the rock.”

They aren’t supposed to ask for directions. Or help.

They shouldn’t need a doctor. They shouldn’t need anybody.

But that’s not true.

Sometimes men do need help, and guys, if you are experiencing the symptoms of hormone imbalance due to low testosterone levels, this isn’t something you’re going to be able to fix on your own.

See, testosterone is the hormone that makes men men. Its why men have more muscle mass than women. It’s important for bone health and strength. As a sex hormone, it’s responsible for sperm production and plays a major role in libido.

And while it may get a bad rap, being accused of making men violent, aggressive, Type A or sexually promiscuous, this is simply untrue. Sensitive guys don’t have lower levels of testosterone than their macho buddies. In fact, all men need the right amount of testosterone to look and feel their best.

As men age, a gradual reduction in testosterone naturally occurs, about 1% to 2% each year with a more dramatic drop-off happening after age 45. If levels become too low, however, unpleasant symptoms can begin to manifest.

Senior man exercising at gym.

Some signs you may have low testosterone include:

  • Loss of body and facial hair
  • Inability to build and keep muscle mass
  • Low libido
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Increased breast size (gynecomastia)
  • Brittle bones/bone fractures
  • Dry skin
  • Diabetes
  • Anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Poor concentration
  • Weakness and fatigue
  • Depression

Low testosterone levels may also increase your cardiovascular risk and levels of bad cholesterol.

The good news is there is a safe, effective treatment for hormone imbalance in men available in the form of SottoPelle pellet therapy!

Through simple blood testing, your testosterone levels are assessed, and our doctors can recommend the right amount of testosterone for your needs. Unlike the gels or injections, you might get at your general practitioner’s office, SottoPelle’s therapy consists of tiny implants compounded from natural, bioidentical testosterone that is indistinguishable from the testosterone your body itself makes. Not only that, but the pellets are tailor-made to fit your specific needs– something you won’t get from synthetic gels or injections.

Our male patients are surprised how much more vital and balanced they feel when their hormone levels are where they should be (you can see some of their testimonials here). They feel strong and energized again. Their sex life is back to where they want it to be. They feel more clear-headed, less anxious, with an improved mood. In short, they feel like the men they want to be again.

And so can you.

Take the plunge and call a SottoPelle practitioner in your area today.

Testosterone, Andropause and Men’s Health

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Testosterone, Andropause and Men’s Health

A man’s testosterone (T) is his most vital hormone. It impacts everything from muscles, brain and sex drive, to blood, arteries, organs and glands. Take it away and his well-being goes with it. That’s why low testosterone (Low T) can be so devastating.

Andropause: Every man begins a gradual drop in hormone production around age 30. He loses approximately one to two percent a year until sometime between 40 and 50 years of age, his T levels fall sharply and signify the beginning of andropause. By age 50, most men have lost over half of their T, which can have a major impact on their health. Lifestyle changes alone aren’t sufficient to address hormonal imbalances. Therefore, it’s important for men to be aware of early symptoms and start checking their hormone levels in their 40’s with a simple blood panel – before Low T strikes.

Symptoms: Fatigue, mood swings, poor mental focus, low stamina, sleep disturbances, memory loss, depression, erectile dysfunction, irritability, decreased sex drive, anxiety, bone loss, high cholesterol, loss of muscle mass, weight gain, belly fat, and decreased sense of well-being. Studies show a link between Low T and cardiovascular risk, insulin resistance, high cholesterol and osteoporosis.

Health Benefits: Enhances energy, well-being, memory, concentration, lean body mass, muscle strength, bone density, metabolism and sexual function. Relieves depression, anxiety and fatigue. Helps maintain a healthy supply of red blood cells, cardiovascular function and a normal lipid profile.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT): There are many different forms of TRT and it’s important to distinguish between the synthetic type found in most traditional hormone replacement therapies (HRT) and natural, plant-based compounds used in bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).  Synthetic pills, patches, gels, drops, troches, creams and injections with generic doses often contain harmful chemicals and additives that can pose serious health risks. BHRT uses natural hormones whose molecular structure contains the exact biochemical structure as the human hormone, with no side effects.

The Power of Pellets®: Delivery is key to effective TRT. Studies show that hormone pellets – 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 needed. This approach can restore the body to its normal physiology. Pellets last on average 5 – 6 months for men.

Dosing: Pellets work best when they are precisely dosed and individualized for each patient’s specific needs. Safe and effective TRT involves: accurate testing and analysis; bioidentical hormones, proper dosage and round the clock delivery to sustain hormone levels. Restoring T to normal, physiologic levels. means customizing the dosage to the individual and monitoring patients on a regular basis.

Beyond Andropause: Parkinson’s & Traumatic Brain Injury: A number of retired NFL players have turned to SottoPelle® for relief from a variety of issues related to brain injuries. New studies show that Low T is related to neurodegenerative conditions such as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), concussions, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s and dementia. Since the sex hormones are also closely related to cognitive and neuromuscular function, positive results are being reported in patients with PD, TBI and PTSD.

SottoPelle® has been diagnosing andropause and treating men with Low T for over 20 years. With founder, Gino Tutera MD, being the inventor of the patented BioCalc® method of pellet dosing, SottoPelle® remains the BHRT global leader. We understand the strain that Low T can put on a man’s energy, drive and quality of life and that your body needs a steady flow of testosterone that it may not always be able to produce by itself. We use only the purest pellets and quality plant-based compounds to deliver the right amount of testosterone your body requires exactly when it needs it. This can keep you going and feeling great! Reclaim your life with SottoPelle® — helping people live longer, stronger and healthier!

Bibliography

Cattabiani C, Basaria S, Ceda GP, et al. Relationship between Testosterone deficiency and Cardiovascular risk and Mortality in Adult Men. J Endocrinol Invest. 2011 Nov 8; [PubMed]

Leung-Wing Chu, Sidney Tam, Rachel LC Wong, Ping-Yiu Yik, Youqiang Song, Bernard MY Cheung, John E Morley, Karen SL Lam. Bioavailable testosterone predicts a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in older men. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 2010; 21 (4).

  1. Srinivas-Shankar U, Roberts SA, Connolly MJ, et al. Effects of testosterone on muscle strength, physical function, body composition, and quality of life in intermediate-frail and frail elderly men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010;95:639–50. [PubMed]

Farid Saad,1,* Antonio Aversa,2 Andrea M Isidori,2 and Louis J Gooren3. Testosterone as Potential Effective Therapy in Treatment of Obesity in Men with Testosterone Deficiency: A Review. Curr Diabetes Rev. Mar 2012; 8(2): 131-143.

Moffat SD, Zonderman AB,Metter EJ,Blackman MR,Harman SM, Resnick SM. Longitudinal assessment of serum free testosterone concentration predicts memory performance and cognitive status in elderly men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Nov;87(11):5001-7.

Gino Tutera and R. Don Gambrell Jr. Marked reduction of breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer in users of bio-identical estradiol and testosterone subcutaneous pellets, Maturitas, 2009. Journal of Spanish Society of Anti-Aging Medicine and Longevity, Vol. 18, Sept. 2014, pp 27-33.

  1. Travison TG, Araujo AB, Kupelian V, O’Donnell AB, McKinlay JB. The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92:549
  2. Kapoor D, Goodwin E, Channer KS, Jones TH. Testosterone replacement therapy improves insulin resistance, glycaemic control, visceral adiposity and hypercholesterolaemia in hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes. Eur J Endocrinol. 2006;154:899–906. [PubMed]
  3. Kenny AM, Fabregas G, Song C, Biskup B, Bellantonio S. Effects of testosterone on behavior, depression, and cognitive function in older men with mild cognitive loss. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004;59:75–8. [PubMed]
  4. Marin P, Holmang S, Jonsson L, et al. The effects of testosterone treatment on body composition and metabolism in middle-aged obese men. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992;16:991–7. [PubMed]

Seidel B, Lewis T, Kucer B. The decision to provide testosterone supplementation in patients with traumatic brain injury. PM R. 2013 Nov;5(11):985-6.

Young TP, Hoaglin HM, Burke DT. The role of serum testosterone and TBI in the in-patient rehabilitation setting. Brain Inj. 2007 Jun;21(6):645-9.

  1. Emmelot-Vonk MH, Verhaar HJ, Nakhai Pour HR, et al. Effect of testosterone supplementation on functional mobility, cognition, and other parameters in older men: a randomized controlled trial. Jama. 2008;299:39–52. [PubMed]

Holland J, Bandelow S, Hogervorst E. Testosterone levels and cognition in elderly men: a review. Maturitas. 2011 Aug;69(4):322-37.

¿Qué me está pasando?

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¿Qué me está pasando?

Testosterona, salud y calidad de vida

Ha oído hablar de las mujeres que tienen bochornos y otros síntomas a medida que atraviesan el “cambio”, pero ¿y los hombres?

La verdad es que los niveles hormonales de los hombres disminuyen a medida que envejecen, igual que los de las mujeres. Los niveles de testosterona en el hombre alcanzan generalmente su punto máximo alrededor de los 20 años. En algún momento entre los 30 y 40 comienzan a disminuir a razón de un 1% anual en promedio. Si la disminución en los niveles de testosterona es lo suficientemente severa, un hombre puede experimentar síntomas parecidos a la menopausia. Es lo que se conoce como andropausia.

La testosterona baja puede causar cambios físicos, mentales y cognitivos no solo desagradables, sino también peligrosos para la salud. Los siguientes síntomas indican bajos niveles de testosterona asociados con la menopausia masculina:

  • Disfunción eréctil
  • Reducción del deseo sexual
  • Pérdida de masa muscular
  • Aumento de la acumulación de grasa (especialmente alrededor de la sección media)
  • Baja masa ósea
  • Fatiga
  • Depresión
  • Ansiedad
  • Irritabilidad
  • Insomnio
  • Problemas de concentración

En general, la depresión acostumbra a ser de los primeros síntomas en aparecer en estos casos. La testosterona es una hormona clave que afecta el estado de ánimo tanto en hombres como en mujeres. Niveles bajos pueden provocar sentimientos de tristeza, soledad, ira y/o ansiedad. Puede perder interés en las actividades de las que normalmente disfrutaba. También juega un papel importante en nuestro funcionamiento cognitivo, lo que significa que, si no tiene suficiente testosterona, puede tener problemas para concentrarse o recordar cosas. Además su pensamiento puede ser confuso o borroso.

Físicamente experimenta una reducción en su libido. También puede tener dificultades para lograr o mantener una erección. Los niveles saludables de testosterona nos ayudan a construir y mantener la masa muscular. Si la testosterona es baja, puede desarrollar más grasa alrededor de su área abdominal. Además, como consecuencia de ello, las enzimas en esas células grasas pueden convertir buena parte de la testosterona circulante en estrógeno, lo que se conoce como aromatización, lo cual hace que sus niveles de testosterona libre bajen aún más. Algunos hombres con niveles bajos de testosterona incluso experimentarán también agrandamiento de los senos o reducción del vello corporal.

La buena noticia es que estas deficiencias se tratan perfectamente con la terapia de reemplazo de hormonas bioidénticas. Los niveles insuficientes de testosterona no deben ser parte del proceso en un envejecimiento normal y saludable. Si cree que puede estar experimentando síntomas de baja testosterona, llámenos hoy para una consulta.

¿Por qué SottoPelle® es la mejor opción para la THS bioidéntica?

Nuestros médicos expertos empiezan con pruebas y análisis adecuados de su estado hormonal, además de revisar su historial médico. Nuestros implantes, precisamente por ir directos al torrente sanguíneo utilizan dosis extremadamente bajas en comparación con los otros métodos y consiguen el equilibrio hormonal tan importante para la salud y el bienestar general. Este método seguro y eficaz, logra en horas hormonales niveles fisiológicos que permanecen estables durante meses.

Nuestros pacientes con frecuencia elogian la mejor calidad de vida que están experimentando con la Terapia SottoPelle®. Pérdida de peso, mejor libido y deseo sexual, mejor sueño y mayor agudeza mental son sólo algunos de los beneficios que los pacientes nos reportan.

¡Consulte con su médico!

Consultar con un experto en la Terapia SottoPelle® puede ayudarle a crear un futuro más saludable para usted. Descubra lo que nuestro método extraordinariamente simple y sin complicaciones puede hacer por Vd.

Obtenga más información sobre SottoPelle® en www.sottopelletherapy.com o contacte con nuestros médicos acreditados:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XJxCsVBBeSZWLwTwolU3SzJ57OVw_FGl

Featured Doc – Clark Brittain, DO

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SottoPelle® is proud to showcase one of our providers in our “Featured Doc Series.”  Clark Brittain, DO practices in Bloomington, Indiana and has been a SottoPelle® Trained Provider since May 2007

Practice Name:
Vibrant Life

Location
642 South Walker St ,
Bloomington, Indiana, United States

Phone Number
812-331-9160

 

Clark Brittain, DO has the following qualifications:

  • Board-certified Gynecologist specializing in intimate wellness for both men and women
  • Brittain’s staff offers personalized treatment for conditions such as hormone deficiencies and sexual intimacy concerns/disorders. These procedures treat symptoms that include painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction, and Peyronie’s disease.
  • Brittain is certified to administer SottoPelle® hormone pellets, GAINSwave, CO2RE Intima laser services and Cellular Medicine treatments including the O-Shot and P-Shot. We deal in intimate health matters because Intimate Health Matters.

Please see Clark Brittain, DO’s profile on our directory at: https://www.sottopelletherapy.com/doctors/clark-brittain-do/

Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VibrantLifeBloomington/

Visit his website: http://drbrittain.com/

 

Do you know an amazing SottoPelle doctor? Nominate them here to be a Doctor of the Day!
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Andropause and Aging Athletes 

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 When it comes to aging, most people know about menopause in women. Yet, many have never heard of andropause in men. Andropause is the phase men go through when there is a decrease in the production of testosterone. During this time, men experience bodily changes similar to what women experience. Sex drive is one of the first noted complaints, as well as fatigue, depression, weight changes and general health begins to decline. Illness like heart disease and brittle bones are also signs of andropause in men. 

Male athletes that have worked hard to keep their bodies in shape often find that during andropause, using bio identical hormone therapy can help to prevent medical issues associated with aging.  

 For male athletes that want to increase their testosterone levels naturally, the best line of defense is, and always has been, through a committed exercise program. Exercise, especially when maintained actively can increase testosterone and help men to continue building strength to help with aging bones and muscles naturally.  

An issue that many men facing andropause have included in their battle against aging has been incorporating the use of steroid drugs and synthetics into their system. Not only are these drugs dangerous, but over time they effectively tend to break down the composition of muscles, thus reducing the strength that andropausal men are trying to maintain. 

 Having a diet rich in leafy green vegetables is suggested to help maintain muscle agility and strength. Leafy green vegetables also provide antioxidants and fuel needed for maintaining a strong exercise regimen. As a matter of fact, leafy green vegetables are the primary ingredient in many anti-aging pharmaceuticals because of their natural ability to fight the signs of aging in both men as well as women.  

 Herbal remedies and vitamins like vitamin C and E are exceptional for athletes as they have been shown to reduce post-exercise muscle fatigue and soreness, especially in men that are susceptible to andropause. Aging athletes that try to use performance enhancing drugs (PED’s) often find that they begin feeling the very bodily stresses that they were trying to prevent in the first place.  

Sure, they may lose weight fast or build some muscle mass faster than they would through traditional ways, but those build-ups don’t tend to be long lasting and their health and well-being could end up suffering in the long-run.