When Brad Sodden returned from the Gulf War, he faced an unexpected battle: Gulf War Syndrome. Despite his unwavering strength as a devoted father, husband, and caretaker, Brad was plagued by debilitating symptoms that left him in silent misery. It wasn't until a serendipitous encounter at a Super Bowl party with Dr. Gino Tutera and his wife, CarolAnn, that he found a path to relief. Dr. Tutera, the brilliant mind behind the SottoPelle method of bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), introduced Brad to a transformative treatment using customized pellets made from natural ingredients.

After Dr. Tutera’s untimely passing, CarolAnn Tutera took the helm of SottoPelle, continuing her husband’s legacy with unwavering dedication. Under her leadership, SottoPelle has flourished, training hundreds of doctors and helping over 10,000 patients worldwide reclaim their health and vitality. Today, we have the privilege of interviewing CarolAnn Tutera, whose passion and commitment have touched countless lives, including Brad's.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Could you provide an overview of overview of the SottoPelle Method using BHRT pellets and its unique features or benefits compared to other hormone replacement therapies?

CarolAnn Tutera: Pellets have been around since 1939. But it wasn’t until Doctor Gino Tutera, my late husband, revolutionized the pellet world.  He came up with the idea to individualize the pellets for each patient in the early 90s because at that time everyone was receiving the same size dose. He thought to himself not everyone wears the same size shoe so why the same in dosing. Pellets provide a steady stream and release of hormones 24/7, whereas other modalities such as creams, pills and patches put you on a roller coaster ride. Pellets need to be inserted on average three to four times a year for women and twice a year for men.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What inspired Dr. Tutera to individualize the BHRT pellet, and how has it impacted the lives of patients?

CarolAnn Tutera: Doctor Tutera was taught how to use pellets in 1992 by a physician who approached him while he was developing a birthing center in Rancho Mirage, CA. Dr. Tutera understood the importance that hormones provided. Balancing people’s hormones was one of the keys to helping many patients who were going through menopause or andropause to help them feel physiologically in their 30’s such as feeling rejuvenated, energetic, and full of vitality. He believed the science of BHRT was in its infancy and there needed to be an emphasis on the physiologic restoration that hormones promote rather than just offering relief for symptoms. His work completely changed the way that women and men live as they age. They feel stronger, and motivated to be active.  They think more clearly. They're much happier. The moodiness is gone, and their sex lives improve.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: As CEO and President of SottoPelle ®, how do you ensure the quality and efficacy of the BHRT pellet remains consistent with Dr. Tutera's standards?

CarolAnn Tutera: Being the CEO and president of SottoPelle, I make sure that all of our providers are trained in how to use pellets in the same manner that Doctor Tutera taught everyone. I stand for the importance of education as a former teacher myself and have come to discover that with a good training program and the right staff you can teach providers how to help patients efficiently and more personally. No one’s hormones needs are the same so it’s important that providers give individualized doses to patients to really get them to feel brand new.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Can you discuss any ongoing research or advancements in BHRT technology that SottoPelle is involved in or planning to pursue?

CarolAnn Tutera: Right now, in BHRT we are looking into the positive benefits of pellets and good brain health.  We are currently working with ex NFL players and veterans in dealing with their brain health issues. So far, we are excited about the progress these patients are making. 

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What sets SottoPelle apart in terms of patient care and support throughout their hormone replacement therapy journey?

CarolAnn Tutera: At our offices we provide Stellar 5-star customer service and attention to every patient who comes through the door. We are with everyone on their journey. We pride ourselves in getting to know our patients inside and out through lab work and a plethora of tests so we can personalize their BHRT program and help them feel rejuvenated. Any doctor licensed to use the SottoPelle Method is ensured to provide excellent service as they are taught by our world-renowned staff.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: How does SottoPelle® address common misconceptions or concerns surrounding hormone replacement therapy, particularly regarding safety and effectiveness?

CarolAnn Tutera: BHRT is a constant victim of misinformation campaigns by other companies. We are always providing science and evidence to ensure patients and the population that BHRT is a safe and effective way to deal with hormonal imbalances. Our providers are taught the safety and effectiveness of pellets. There are well over 1000 articles about pellet therapy and patients are educated on the pellets when they sit down for a consultation with their provider.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: What strategies does SottoPelle employ to educate both patients and healthcare professionals about the benefits of BHRT and the use of the pellet?

CarolAnn Tutera: We pride ourselves in educating and training both patients and health care professionals in BHRT. Doctors that want to work with SottoPelle must be trained as they are an extension of our brand and must uphold our reputation as leaders in menopausal and BHRT treatments. We provide training on how to treat women, men, and transgender patients. Dr. Tutera believed that each patient deserves individualized hormonal treatments. One size does not fit all. We provide an extensive training program covering how to use pellets and what they do for a body, how to read lab work, how to do an insertion,  and the overall benefits of BHRT pellet therapy. It is all encompassing to ensure our network of SottoPelle doctors give excellent care to all patients.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: In what ways do you collaborate with medical professionals and practitioners to integrate BHRT pellet therapy into comprehensive patient care plans?

CarolAnn Tutera: We have a dedicated team of medical specialists who work with providers and train on how to integrate BHRT Pellet therapy into their offices. It is a one stop shop for finding everything the medical professionals need from us. It's important to me that all the medical offices run similarly to Tutera Medical offices in the Phoenix area as they represent our brand.

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Can you share any success stories or testimonials from patients who have experienced positive outcomes with the SottoPelle Method?

CarolAnn Tutera: We have so many success stories from both women AND men who stand by SottoPelle and BHRT pellets. Including a 76-year-old woman who has been on the pellets for over 30 years who looks and feels at least 20 years younger than her actual age. Many women emphasize improvements in their brain function, energy levels and sex lives. We have another woman who received the pellets for severe menopausal symptoms. She was prescribed 3 different medications that did not work and only aggravated her more. Along came pellets and the SottoPelle Method and within weeks her night sweats, moodiness and hot flashes all dissipated. She feels reborn and happy again and is enjoying an active sex life again. Another patient is a major retired ex-NFL player. Exhausting his options he turned to BHRT pellets and within days he felt motivated to get off the couch. He is once again fit without having been in a gym and he feels like a young man again. I can go on and on with examples of how we’ve improved patients’ lives. 

Posh Lifestyle & Beauty Blog: Looking ahead, what are your goals for SottoPelle and the BHRT pellet in terms of growth, innovation, and improving patient outcomes?

CarolAnn Tutera: We are constantly growing across the US and internationally. We have been discovering new ways to assist our patients with BHRT pellets too. We have trained over 5000 providers through the years who are providing pellet therapy and have helped more than 100,000 patients worldwide. Dr. Tutera always said that hormones are the control panel to the human body. It stands to say we haven’t even scraped the surface of what we can accomplish with BHRT.

Learn more: Sottopelletherapy on Instagram and follow Cattitudewithcat on Instagram