Hormone Replacement
Therapy (HRT)
Discover how science-backed HRT can alleviate symptoms like hot flashes, brain fog, and fatigue, helping you feel like yourself again.
More Than Just Hot Flashes
They influence nearly every system in the body — including how well you sleep, how you burn fat, how sharp your mind feels, and how fast you age.
The Key Hormones in
a Woman's Body
Your body runs on a complex network of hormones. From energy and sleep to skin and mood, understanding their roles is the first step toward optimizing your well-being.
Estrogen
As the primary female sex hormone, estrogen is crucial for everything from regulating menstrual cycles to maintaining bone density and skin elasticity. During menopause, its sharp decline is the main driver behind symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.
Progesterone
Progesterone's main role is to balance estrogen's effects. It is essential for sleep quality, mood stability, and reducing anxiety. A drop in progesterone during perimenopause is often one of the first signs of hormonal change.
Insulin
Released by the pancreas, insulin's primary job is to help your cells absorb glucose from the blood for energy. It's crucial for blood sugar balance and also plays a key role in storing excess energy as fat.
Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid controls your metabolism. Its function is closely linked to female hormones, and symptoms of an underactive thyroid (like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog) can often mimic or overlap with those of menopause.
DHEA
DHEA is a precursor, or "mother" hormone, that the body converts into other hormones like estrogen and testosterone. Its levels naturally decline with age, impacting overall energy, immune function, and the body's ability to handle stress.
Cortisol
Known as the stress hormone, cortisol levels can become dysregulated during menopause. This imbalance can lead to increased belly fat, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, often worsening other menopausal symptoms.
Testosterone
While often seen as a male hormone, testosterone is vital for a woman's libido, energy, muscle tone, and mental clarity. Its decline during menopause can contribute significantly to fatigue and a loss of motivation.
Each hormone is a vital piece of the puzzle. Understanding their interplay is key to a fully optimized system.
Recognizing the Signs of Hormonal Shifts in Women
Common indicators that your hormones may be imbalanced, particularly during perimenopause and menopause:
Hot Flashes & Night Sweats:
Sudden, intense feelings of heat that can disrupt sleep and daily life.
Persistent Fatigue & Brain Fog:
Feeling mentally exhausted, forgetful, or having difficulty concentrating.
Mood Swings, Anxiety, or Irritability:
Unexplained emotional shifts that feel out of your control.
Unexplained Weight Gain:
Stubborn weight, especially around the midsection, despite a consistent diet and exercise routine.
Decreased Libido or Vaginal Dryness:
A noticeable drop in sexual desire, often accompanied by physical discomfort.
Irregular Cycles & Sleep Disturbances:
Changes in your menstrual cycle followed by difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Note: These symptoms can have multiple causes. Always consult a licensed provider before self-diagnosing.
A Holistic Approach to
Hormone Optimization
Achieving hormonal balance involves a comprehensive strategy, starting with precise diagnostics and building through foundational lifestyle changes to targeted medical therapies when necessary.
Lab
Testing
The first step is always to test, not guess. Comprehensive blood, saliva, or urine tests provide a clear picture of your unique hormonal landscape, guiding a precise and personalized treatment plan.
Lifestyle
Foundations
We explore foundational habits that have a profound impact on hormonal health, including sleep optimization, stress management techniques, and tailored exercise routines.
Nutritional
Support
Learn how targeted foods, micronutrients, and specific supplements can support your body’s natural hormone production and metabolic pathways.
Medical
Therapies
When lifestyle and nutrition aren't enough, we explain the science behind clinical treatments like Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), administered safely under medical supervision.
Safety
& Misconceptions
- HRT is a Medical Treatment, Not a Quick Fix
- The Goal is Balance, Not Maximization
- Supplements Can't Replace Medical Therapy
- Therapy Must Be Medically Supervised
Continue
Learning
- Beginner’s Guide to HRT
- Natural Ways to Support Hormone Balance
- Podcast: Hormones & Aging with Dr. Simmons
- Compare Testing Methods: Blood vs Saliva