Articles & Humor: The Integrative Wellness Center of Irvine

SottoPelle® Hormone Replacement Therapy
What You Should Know

There has been controversy on the topic of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for the last 15 years. Negative attitudes drastically dominate the media since 2002. Combine this with the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study that was halted three years ago because of health risks, it has caused a confusion for women trying to make an informed decisions on their health.

Lets shed a little light on the confusion. First, the WHI study and the subsequent media reports about HRT are based on Commercial HRT only. They are based off findings about the combination of conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone (called PremPro). Thus, when you hear about HRT in the news, this is what they are referring to.

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT)

What are hormones?
Hormones are complex chemicals secreted by our endocrine glands. They stimulate or inhibit the actions of cells everywhere in our body. They are vital for repairing and regulating our bodily functions. The endocrine system includes pituitary gland which is the CEO of the endocrine system, it secret growth hormone (HGH), and controlling hormone of other hormone glands, such as TSH for thyroid hormone regulation, ACTH for adrenal hormones and FSH/LH for ovaries and testicles, then there are thyroid gland, adrenal glands , ovaries in women and testicles in men.

What are sex hormones and their functions?
The sex hormones are estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Both men and women have all three. Estrogen and progesterone are the dominant hormones in women and testosterone is the dominant hormone for men.

The function of estrogen is to make everything grow. It makes the lining of uterus grow, makes the breast tissue grow, keeps the vagina moisturized, other estrogen functions are:

prevent bone destruction thus prevent osteoporosis.
reduce the blood pressure by relaxing the lining of blood vessels, also prevent plague build up thus has a cardiovascular protection effect.
lower insulin level by protecting insulin sensitivity and reduce incidences of diabetes.
protect nerve cells and brain function helps our memory, improves learning abilities and gives a better quality of sleep. It also works as an antidepressant by increasing serotonin level.

The progesterone is made in ovaries after ovulation. Progesterone keeps the estrogen in check by preventing the overgrowth of endometrium, protects against fibrocystic disease, other functions of progesterone are:

serves as a natural antidepressant and helps to restore the normal sleep pattern.

cardiovascular protection.

prevent bone loss.

increase use of fat

natural diuretic.

Testosterone helps to promote muscle strength and exercise endurance. It improves libido, increases energy level, improves bone density and increases body hair and male characteristics, it also has cardiovascular protection effect normalize blood sugar and helps us sleep better.

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-Disclaimer-
This is not a SottoPelle® office. Dr.Karen Sun has only been trained by Dr. Gino Tutera and SottoPelle®
Dr. Tutera bears no responsibility for management of Dr. Sun's patients.