Yes, we do hormone therapy.

Traditional hormone replacement therapy uses FDA-approved, commercially manufactured hormones in standardized doses, such as patches, gels, and pills. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones your body makes. Many FDA-approved products are already bioidentical, including estradiol patches and micronized progesterone. BHRT can also be custom compounded by a pharmacy when a standard product does not fit your needs. We offer both, and your provider will explain which approach makes the most sense for you.

This is one of the most common questions we get, and it deserves an honest answer. Bioidentical hormones match your body's own hormones, which many patients prefer, and they allow for more personalized dosing. Current research has not shown that compounded bioidentical hormones are safer than FDA-approved products, and compounded products are not FDA-approved themselves. The best choice depends on your health history, your labs, your symptoms, and your preferences, which is exactly why we start with testing and a real conversation.

Your treatment is prescribed by licensed physicians in our network who specialize in hormone optimization. I personally review lab results with many of our patients, and our team stays with you through the entire process, from your first lab draw to your follow-up care.

No. Hormone therapy can be completed through telehealth, including your provider visit and follow-ups. Labs can be drawn at any LabCorp location. For patients near Mason, in-person visits are available as an added option, but they are not required. Availability can vary by state, so our team will confirm your eligibility during the first step.

Start with our short hormone qualification survey. From there, we order your lab work, review your results with you, and schedule your visit with a prescribing provider. If hormone therapy is not the right fit, we will tell you that plainly and help you find the right next step. Take the hormone qualification survey.

In many cases, yes. If you have recent hormone labs, you can upload them before your visit and your provider will let you know whether anything additional is needed.

Our programs are self-pay, which allows us to offer faster access and more personalized care than most insurance-based models. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

No. All of our programs are month to month, with no enrollment fee.

Every program includes your custom hormone plan, ongoing lab monitoring, and our coaching program, which includes weekly workout plans, follow-ups, group fitness and medical sessions, and periodic body composition scans. Hormones are a powerful tool, but they work best when paired with nutrition, strength training, sleep, and support.

Yes, and many of our patients do. Hormone imbalance and weight struggles often travel together, and addressing both at once may help patients get further, faster. Patients who bundle hormone therapy with a GLP-1 program receive a discount on the combined package.

Hormone therapy is most often used by women in perimenopause and menopause who are struggling with symptoms that affect their daily life. Many women also come to us simply wanting answers after being told their labs are "normal" while they still do not feel like themselves.

Common symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, poor sleep, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, low libido, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, weight gain around the midsection, joint aches, thinning hair, and dry skin. Hormone therapy may also help protect bone density over time.

No. Perimenopause can begin in your late 30s or 40s and last for several years before your final period. Many women feel the biggest changes during this window, and treatment can often begin here.

Choose the HRT symptom survey, answer focused questions about how you feel and your health history, and receive a personalized analysis with a recommended next step. The survey does not diagnose a condition or replace an evaluation by a licensed provider.

Treatment most commonly includes estrogen (estradiol) and progesterone. Women who still have a uterus need progesterone along with estrogen to protect the uterine lining. Some women may also benefit from a low dose of testosterone for libido, energy, and muscle support, which your provider can discuss with you, as it is prescribed off-label for women in the United States.

Hormones can be prescribed as patches, gels, creams, pills, and vaginal products, depending on the hormone and your needs. Your provider will help you choose the option that fits your health history and your lifestyle.

Much of the fear around hormone therapy came from a large study in the early 2000s that has since been reexamined. Current guidance from The Menopause Society indicates that for most healthy women under 60, or within 10 years of menopause, the benefits of hormone therapy generally outweigh the risks for bothersome symptoms. Estrogen applied through the skin may also carry a lower clot risk than oral estrogen. Every woman is different, which is why we review your full history and labs before recommending treatment.

Hormone therapy may not be appropriate for women with a history of breast or uterine cancer, blood clots, stroke, heart attack, active liver disease, or unexplained vaginal bleeding. Our qualification survey screens for these first, and if hormones are not a safe option, we can discuss other paths through our functional medicine care.

Many women notice improvement in hot flashes and sleep within a few weeks. Mood, energy, and libido may take longer, and most women see the full effect of a new plan at around three months. We adjust your plan along the way based on how you feel and what your labs show.

Hormone therapy is not a weight loss medication. That said, better sleep, steadier mood, more energy, and support for muscle mass may make weight loss efforts more effective. Many women pair hormone therapy with our GLP-1 programs and coaching for this reason.

No. Women in perimenopause can still become pregnant, and hormone therapy does not prevent pregnancy. If contraception is important to you, let your provider know.

Yes. Women without a uterus typically use estrogen alone, since progesterone is mainly needed to protect the uterine lining. Your provider will tailor your plan accordingly.

Women in our hormone programs have blood work twice a year, along with regular check-ins with our team so we can adjust your plan as your body changes.

There is no single cutoff that applies to every woman. The length of treatment is based on your symptoms, your goals, and your ongoing health, and it is reviewed with your provider regularly.