Yes! Bioidentical means that the hormones in all of our products is molecularly identical to the hormones your body naturally produces.

• Sleep Disturbances: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, not necessarily related to night sweats.

• Mood Swings: Emotional fluctuations, often including irritability, anxiety, or depressive symptoms.

• Vaginal Dryness: Decreased estrogen can lead to a reduction in natural vaginal lubrication.

• Decreased Libido: A reduction in sexual desire is common during this transition.

• Weight Gain: Metabolic changes can lead to weight gain, especially around the abdomen.

• Thinning Hair: Hormonal changes can lead to decreased hair volume or health.

• Dry Skin: Changes in skin texture, including dryness and decreased elasticity due to lower estrogen levels.

• Breast Tenderness: Hormonal fluctuations can cause breast pain or tenderness, particularly in early perimenopause.

• Fatigue: Unusual tiredness, often linked to poor sleep quality.

• Memory Problems: Forgetfulness or difficulties with concentration.

• Headaches: New patterns of headaches or changes in existing headache patterns.

• Joint and Muscle Pain: Aches and pains in joints and muscles without obvious cause.

• Increased Urinary Frequency or Incontinence: Changes in urinary habits, including urgency or increased frequency.

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Increased susceptibility to UTIs.

• Palpitations: Feeling that the heart is pounding or racing.

• Digestive Problems: Changes in gastrointestinal health, including bloating or indigestion.

• Changes in Menstrual Flow: Heavier or lighter bleeding during periods.

• Dizziness: Occasional feelings of dizziness or unsteadiness.

• Allergies: New allergies or changes in existing ones.

• Electric Shock Sensations: Brief, sudden sensations of electric shock, often preceding a hot flash.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, schedule your free Discovery Call Here to discuss treatment options and see if you would be a good fit. 

Perimenopause is the transition period leading up to menopause, often starting in a woman’s 40s but can be earlier in their 30’s. It’s marked by fluctuating hormone levels and symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood changes. Menopause is officially diagnosed when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a period, average age in the US around age 51.

HRT is safe for most women and provides significant symptom relief. The risks depend on individual factors like age, health history, and the type of HRT used. Working with a healthcare provider to assess personal risks and benefits is key.

Yes, declining estrogen can cause vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and painful intercourse. Treatments include:

• Vaginal estrogen (cream, ring, tablet) for dryness

• Moisturizers & lubricants

• Testosterone therapy (in select cases) for libido

• Pelvic floor exercises to improve blood flow & sensation

Estrogen plays a role in regulating fat distribution. Before menopause, women tend to store fat in a more “pear-shaped” pattern (hips, thighs, buttocks). As estrogen declines, fat storage shifts toward the abdomen, leading to more visceral fat (fat around internal organs), which is more metabolically active and associated with increased health risks like insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease.

How to Combat These Changes?

• Increase protein intake and resistance training to maintain muscle mass

• Prioritize strength training over just cardio

• Balance blood sugar levels with whole foods and fiber

• Get enough sleep, as poor sleep can disrupt metabolism

Yes, low estrogen levels can lead to bone density loss, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, and higher LDL cholesterol, raising the risk of heart disease. Prevention strategies include:

• Calcium & vitamin D supplementation

• Weight-bearing exercises (e.g., strength training, walking)

• HRT, if appropriate, to help preserve bone density

Estrogen plays a protective role in cardiovascular health, so when levels decline during perimenopause and menopause, the risk of heart disease, stroke, and metabolic dysfunction increases. Here’s how:

1. Increased LDL (“Bad”) Cholesterol & Decreased HDL (“Good”) Cholesterol

• Before menopause: Estrogen helps maintain higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and lower levels of LDL (bad cholesterol).

• After menopause: LDL cholesterol rises, and HDL drops, leading to more plaque buildup in arteries (atherosclerosis), increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

2. Increased Visceral Fat & Insulin Resistance

• Estrogen helps regulate fat distribution and insulin sensitivity.

• When estrogen declines, fat shifts from a subcutaneous (thighs, hips, buttocks) to visceral (abdominal) pattern.

• Visceral fat is metabolically active and releases inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to insulin resistance, higher blood sugar, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes—a major driver of heart disease.

3. Higher Blood Pressure & Stiffening of Arteries

• Estrogen promotes vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels) by increasing nitric oxide production.

• Without estrogen, arteries become stiffer, leading to higher blood pressure and increased workload on the heart.

• Increased arterial stiffness also raises the risk of aneurysms, heart attacks, and strokes.

4. Increased Inflammation & Oxidative Stress

• Estrogen has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• Lower estrogen levels lead to higher inflammation and oxidative stress, which accelerate arterial plaque formation and heart disease.

5. Autonomic Nervous System & Heart Rate Variability

• Estrogen influences the autonomic nervous system, which regulates heart rate and blood pressure variability.

• After menopause, women often experience higher resting heart rates, more palpitations, and reduced heart rate variability, which can be a marker for increased cardiovascular risk.