Learn about bioidentical HRT combined with integrative endocrinology, a holistic approach to balance hormones and enhance vitality.

Hormone Health and Integrative Wellness

Hello, I’m Dr. Alex Jimenez. With my credentials—DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST—I bring a multidisciplinary approach to wellness, combining chiropractic care with functional and integrative medicine. Welcome to this educational post where we will explore the intricate world of hormones and their profound impact on our health and well-being. My journey has been one of continuous learning, guided by the latest scientific research and a deep commitment to treating the whole person. Today, we’ll journey beyond common myths and misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy to uncover the truth, backed by modern science.

As we delve into this topic, remember the words of Hippocrates: “The greatest medicine of all is teaching people how not to need it.” This philosophy is the cornerstone of my practice. My goal is to empower you with knowledge, helping you understand the root causes of health issues rather than simply masking symptoms. We will look at how an integrative approach, including chiropractic care, can support your body’s natural healing processes and optimize your long-term health. This isn’t just about managing symptoms; it’s about restoring vitality and preventing disease from the root cause. We will explore the intricate connections between our hormones, heart, brain, bones, and even our gut, and how a comprehensive, evidence-based approach can transform health.

Abstract: Decoding Hormone Health for Optimal Wellness

This educational post provides an in-depth exploration of hormone optimization from a functional and integrative medicine perspective. I will discuss the critical differences between merely treating symptoms and genuinely healing by addressing the root cause of disease. We will examine the roles of key hormones—testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, vitamin D, and thyroid—in both men and women, debunking common myths perpetuated by outdated studies. I’ll explain why natural, bioidentical hormones are often preferred over synthetic versions, using the “lock and key” analogy to illustrate their function at the cellular level. The post will detail the symptoms of hormone decline associated with menopause and andropause, from mood swings and weight gain to more severe health risks like heart disease and osteoporosis.

Furthermore, we will explore the physiological underpinnings of conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and chronic pain, highlighting how balanced hormones can offer protective and therapeutic benefits. The discussion will also cover the superiority of bioidentical hormones over synthetics and compare various delivery methods, such as pellets, creams, and orals. We will highlight the indispensable connection between gut health and hormone metabolism, known as the gut-brain axis, and how integrative chiropractic care complements this holistic treatment model. Using leading experts like Dr. Rebecca Glaser and real-life patient stories, this post offers a comprehensive guide to optimal wellness by highlighting the foundational role of hormones.

The Crucial Difference Between Treating and Healing

In my years of clinical practice, I’ve seen countless patients who are frustrated with a healthcare system that often focuses on managing symptoms rather than uncovering the underlying cause of their suffering. This brings us to a fundamental question: What is the difference between treating and healing?

• Treating: When we treat a condition, we are typically applying a “band-aid” to a symptom. For example, if you have a headache, you might take ibuprofen. The pain may subside, but the reason for the headache—be it dehydration, stress, a nutrient deficiency, or a structural issue like a spinal misalignment—remains unaddressed. The context of the problem hasn’t changed; you’ve only silenced the alarm bell.
• Healing, on the other hand, involves a fundamental shift. It is a clinical response elicited by a change that removes the cause of the condition. Imagine you have a persistent, sharp pain in your toe every time you wear a specific pair of shoes. Would you continuously take pain medication, or would you take off the shoe to find the pebble that’s causing the discomfort? Healing is about finding and removing that pebble.

Hormones are a significant piece of this “root cause” puzzle. Their influence extends far beyond reproduction and hot flashes. They are powerful signaling molecules that regulate nearly every bodily function, and understanding their role is crucial for disease prevention and achieving true, lasting health. As we see in our clinics, addressing hormonal imbalances is not just about alleviating discomfort; it’s about restoring the body’s innate ability to heal.

Unraveling the Gut-Hormone Connection

In my practice, one of the first areas I investigate, regardless of the patient’s primary complaint, is the gut. When the delicate balance of your gut microbiome is disrupted—a condition known as gut dysbiosis—it can trigger a cascade of systemic problems. The overgrowth of “bad” bacteria can lead to intestinal permeability, commonly called leaky gut. This condition allows toxins and undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream, sparking widespread inflammation.

We now have a deep understanding of the gut-brain axis, a complex communication network that links your digestive system directly to your central nervous system. Research continues to reveal how leaky gut plays a significant role in neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD and depression (Clapp et al., 2017). What might appear as a hormonal imbalance or a psychiatric disorder can often be traced back to a compromised gut.

This is why my approach, and that of my well-trained colleagues, is to look beyond the surface-level symptoms. We are trained to systematically evaluate underlying factors, such as gut health, alongside hormonal assessments. Optimizing hormones without addressing the gut is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in it; you will never achieve the full benefit.

Natural vs. Synthetic Hormones: The Lock and Key Principle

A common point of confusion for patients is the distinction between natural (bioidentical) and synthetic hormones. It’s essential to understand that your body is designed to recognize and use hormones that are molecularly identical to the ones it produces naturally.

Think of your cells as having tiny locks on their surface, known as receptors. The hormones circulating in your bloodstream are the keys.

• Natural, Bioidentical Hormones are like perfectly cut keys. They fit precisely into the cellular locks, turning them to unlock a cascade of beneficial physiological effects. Injured or aging tissue heals with nutrients and proper signaling, and natural hormones provide that precise signal.
• Synthetic Hormones, which are molecularly different from what your body produces, are like poorly copied keys. They might fit into the lock well enough to stop a primary symptom, such as a hot flash, but they don’t fully engage the mechanism. As a result, they fail to unlock the full spectrum of protective benefits—for the brain, bones, heart, and more—that natural hormones provide. In some cases, they can even jam the lock, leading to unwanted side effects.

Leading researchers have shown that natural hormones not only restore optimal health but also help heal many chronic illnesses. Drugs may treat the symptoms of menopause and andropause, but they do not truly balance and optimize your body’s intricate hormonal symphony.

The Key Hormones That Govern Your Well-Being

While the endocrine system is complex, a few key hormones have an outsized impact on how you feel day-to-day. Understanding their function is the first step toward optimization.

• Testosterone: Often mislabeled as a “male” hormone, testosterone is a powerful and vital hormone for both men and women. In my clinical observations, optimizing testosterone levels is frequently the key to restoring energy, mental clarity, and emotional stability in patients of all genders.
• Estrogen: This amazing hormone has over 400 functions in the female body and is also crucial for men’s health, particularly for cardiovascular and brain protection.
• Progesterone: Primarily known for its role in the female reproductive cycle, progesterone is also a calming hormone that protects the brain, promotes sleep, and balances the effects of estrogen. It’s not for men; it’s essential for women.
• Vitamin D: While we call it a vitamin, it has a molecular structure similar to that of a steroid hormone and acts like one in the body. Its influence is vast, impacting everything from bone health to immune function.
• Thyroid Hormone: The master regulator of your metabolism. Sadly, thyroid dysfunction is one of the most undertreated conditions in modern medicine, often because standard testing fails to capture the full picture.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Hormonal Decline

Many of my patients come to the clinic feeling defeated. They describe a collection of symptoms that have crept into their lives, stealing their vitality. Does this sound familiar?

• Feeling bloated, depressed, moody, anxious, and irritable.
• Experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the midsection.
• Struggling with insomnia—often being able to fall asleep but waking up in the middle of the night, unable to return to sleep.
• Lacking focus and mental clarity, often described as “brain fog.”
• Feeling a sudden crash in energy between 2 and 4 p.m.
• Experiencing anger and mood swings that feel uncontrollable and confusing to both themselves and their loved ones.

In a conventional setting, these symptoms are often treated individually with antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills, or even adult ADD medications. However, my position is that anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and irritability are not deficiencies of Xanax, Prozac, or Ambien. They are often signs of an underlying hormonal imbalance. Hormone receptors are present on every single cell in the human body, from your brain to your bones. When hormone levels decline, every system is affected.

This decline can be due to two primary issues: either the body is not producing enough hormones (the gas tank is empty), or the cellular receptors are not functioning properly (the fuel can’t reach the engine). In younger patients, I often see the latter, which is frequently linked to gut health issues and nutrient imbalances. In our integrative assessments, we look at the whole picture to determine the root cause.

Finding Hormonal Harmony- Video

Menopause and Andropause: A Shared Journey of Hormonal Shifts

Menopause in women and andropause (the male equivalent) are natural life transitions, but they don’t have to be periods of suffering. The symptoms can be overlapping and profoundly affect one’s quality of life.

Common Symptoms for Men and Women:

• Mood swings, depression, and anxiety
• Headaches and night sweats
• Insomnia and chronic fatigue
• Weight gain
• Bone loss (osteoporosis)
• Joint and muscle aches

Female-Specific Symptoms (Menopause/Perimenopause):

• Brain fog and hot flashes
• Heart palpitations, often due to fluctuating estrogen
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Vaginal dryness and recurrent urinary tract infections
• Achy joints

Male-Specific Symptoms (Andropause):

• Lack of motivation (the “get-up-and-go has got up and gone”)
• Mild to moderate erectile dysfunction
• Muscle loss (sarcopenia), often seen as a larger belly and thinning legs
• A general feeling of being “blah” or disinterested in hobbies

These symptoms are direct consequences of declining hormone levels. By addressing these deficiencies, we can not only alleviate the symptoms but also protect against long-term disease.

The Heart of the Matter: Sex Hormones and Cardiovascular Health

Let’s delve into the research, particularly concerning the areas that often cause the most apprehension: the heart and breast cancer. First, we will address the connection between sex hormones and cardiovascular health.

It is a stark reality that a woman’s risk for cardiovascular disease increases dramatically after menopause. In fact, heart disease is the number one killer of women, claiming five times more lives than breast cancer. Despite this, research on heart disease in women has been historically insufficient. My background in emergency medicine has shown me this firsthand. Instead of the classic crushing chest pain radiating down the arm, women may experience vague symptoms like nausea, profound fatigue, and general malaise. These symptoms are too often dismissed, and, tragically, by the time a diagnosis is made, significant damage may already have occurred.

This is where hormone optimization becomes a powerful preventive tool.

• Studies have shown that initiating estrogen therapy early in menopause can lead to a 50% reduction in cardiovascular disease (Manson et al., 2017).
• It is crucial to understand that the old guideline of using the “lowest dose for the shortest amount of time” is outdated. In 2017, the guidelines were updated to emphasize an individualized approach, recognizing that there is no valid data to support arbitrarily stopping hormones at age 60 or 65.
• In fact, research suggests that discontinuing hormone therapy can be detrimental. One study indicated that stopping hormones has contributed to nearly 94,000 excess deaths since 2012 alone.

Testosterone also plays a vital, protective role for both women and men. Hundreds of studies confirm that optimal testosterone levels are cardioprotective. The prevailing theory is that some of this protection comes from the conversion of testosterone into estrogen, which is known for its heart-protective properties.

Demystifying Hormones and Breast Issues

Perhaps the greatest fear for women considering hormone therapy concerns potential long-term health risks. This fear stems largely from the misinterpretation of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial, which led many to believe that all hormones cause serious health issues. This is not true.

Let’s clarify the facts:

• The only hormone shown to increase risks is progestin, a synthetic oral progestogen. This is not the same as natural progesterone.
• The WHI study arm that showed increased risk used a combination drug called Prempro, which contains both conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (a progestin).
• Conversely, the arm of the WHI study that used estrogen alone (Premarin) actually demonstrated a reduction in certain risks and was also found to be heart-protective.
• The risk emerged only when the synthetic progestin was added to the regimen (Manson et al., 2013).

It’s also important to distinguish between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. While the synthetic estrogen in the WHI (Premarin) was associated with an increased risk of blood clots, studies on natural, transdermal estradiol show the opposite—it does not increase clotting risk and may even decrease it.

Logic supports the beneficial nature of our natural hormones. Serious health issues are exceedingly rare in young women in their teens and twenties, a time when their levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are at their peak. It is a time of hormonal abundance and cellular health. As practitioners, we need to shift the blame away from hormones and toward the true culprits: toxicity, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction.

Many chronic conditions feed on sugar and thrive in an acidic, inflamed, and fermented state. Rather than fearing our bodies’ natural hormones, we should focus on prevention by addressing diet, inflammation, and environmental toxins.

Optimizing diet, fasting insulin, vitamin D, sleep, and detoxification pathways, and incorporating chiropractic care—which supports spinal alignment and nervous system function and can help reduce systemic inflammation—is fundamental when using physiologic hormone therapy thoughtfully.

Estrogen: More Than Just a Female Hormone

Estrogen is a powerhouse hormone with a profound influence on health. In women, low estrogen is linked to a higher risk of:

• Colorectal Dysfunction: Estrogen plays a role in maintaining colon health.
• Depression: With 80% of serotonin produced in the gut, declining estrogen can disrupt this process and worsen mood disorders.
• Heart Disease: Estrogen helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Estrogen has significant neuroprotective effects.
• Osteoporosis: Estrogen is critical for bone density.
• Tooth Loss, Vaginal and Bladder Issues: The list of its functions is extensive.

What is often overlooked is estrogen’s role in men. Men produce estrogen by converting it from testosterone. This estrogen is what provides many of the cardiovascular and brain-protective benefits associated with healthy testosterone levels.

A fascinating fact that underscores the importance of hormonal balance is that women produce more testosterone over their lifetimes than estrogen. This highlights just how vital testosterone is for female health, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and underutilized therapies for women. This is largely because there is no FDA-approved testosterone product specifically for women, meaning education for medical providers on this topic is scarce. Many practitioners were never taught this information in medical or nurse practitioner school. So, if your doctor is unaware of these benefits, offer them grace; the knowledge often must be sought outside conventional institutions.

Testosterone: The Hormone of Vitality for Men and Women

When I work with patients, one of the most transformative therapies is often testosterone optimization. The tangible benefits go far beyond physical health; one of the biggest impacts I see is on relationship health. When you are no longer irritable, anxious, and sleep-deprived, your interactions with your spouse, children, and friends are restored.

Benefits of Testosterone Optimization:

• Improved energy, stamina, and motivation
• Enhanced mental focus and clarity
• Increased muscle mass and reduced body fat
• Better recovery from exercise
• Improved mood and sense of well-being
• Protection for breasts, bones, brain, and heart

For men, there is a clear, data-supported correlation between testosterone levels and disease risk. As a man’s testosterone level falls further below the optimal range (around 1,000 ng/dL), his risk for various diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, increases. It’s important to note that erectile function is often one of the last things to be affected. A “normal” lab value of 320 ng/dL may be considered acceptable by some, but it is far from optimal. My focus is not just on getting you into the “normal” range, but on optimizing your levels to where you feel your best and are protected from disease.

Many women fear that testosterone therapy will cause masculinization—a deeper voice or facial hair. In a review of the existing scientific literature, “Testosterone therapy in women: Myths and misconceptions,” Dr. Rebecca Glaser, a pioneer in this field, definitively shows that when dosed appropriately, testosterone is not masculinizing (Glaser, 2013). Women feel their best when their levels are in the 100-200 ng/dL range—far from male levels. The “nuisance” side effects, like hair growing a bit faster, are minor compared to the profound benefits for overall health and well-being.

Progesterone: The Great Balancer

Progesterone is another crucial hormone for women, especially as they enter their 40s. This is when progesterone levels often begin to decline, leading to symptoms like heavy periods and increased belly fat.

Progesterone’s Key Roles:

• Protects the Brain and Breasts: It provides a calming effect and has neuroprotective qualities.
• Increases Metabolism: A deficiency can contribute to stubborn belly fat.
• Prevents Uterine Buildup: It protects against dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
• Promotes Sleep: Natural oral progesterone taken at night is a wonderful, non-addictive sleep aid.
• Acts as a Natural Diuretic: Helps reduce bloating.
• Supports Bone Health: It stimulates the production of new bone.
• Prevents Cyclic Migraines: Studies show that a nightly dose of progesterone can be highly effective at preventing these debilitating headaches.

The evidence is clear: progesterone’s role extends far beyond the uterus. The data from numerous medical studies support its use for a wide range of health benefits, challenging the outdated and limited views many providers were taught.

Building Strong Bones for Life with Hormones

Hormones are fundamental to maintaining skeletal strength. Post-menopause, women experience accelerated bone loss, leading to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. This is not exclusive to women; men also experience age-related bone density decline as their hormone levels drop.

Here is what the evidence tells us:

• Study after study confirms that testosterone and estrogen are critical for bone health.
• While each hormone is beneficial on its own, they work synergistically, proving to be even more effective at building bone when used together.
• Androgen (testosterone) replacement in men has been shown to improve bone mass significantly.

Osteoporosis is a preventable disease, yet complications from fractures fill our hospitals. The pharmaceutical drugs marketed for bone building have a questionable track record. Emerging data suggests they do not significantly reduce fracture rates because they can create bone that is dense but brittle. They also come with a host of side effects. The integrative approach gets to the root cause, providing the body with what it needs to build strong, healthy bone: hormones, minerals, and essential nutrients.

Optimizing Brain Health and Cognitive Function

One of my favorite areas of discussion is the profound impact of hormones on the brain. The data is overwhelming and continues to grow.

• Stroke Prevention and Treatment: Estrogen has potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Fascinating research has shown that after a stroke, the brain produces a surge of local estrogen in the affected area as a protective response. Cutting-edge studies are now exploring the administration of natural estrogen immediately following a stroke, with some results showing a complete reversal of damage (Saleh et al., 2021).
• Memory and Alzheimer’s Prevention: Both estrogen and testosterone are crucial for memory. As hormone levels decline, cognitive decline accelerates. A hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Numerous studies have shown that hormone optimization can slow or even prevent this deposition. There is a direct correlation between low testosterone and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and all-cause mortality.
• Chronic Pain and Healing: In light of the opioid crisis, progressive pain clinics are recognizing the link between hormones and pain. Opioids are known to suppress testosterone production, worsening the problem. We now understand that estrogen and testosterone play a direct role in pain processing. It is vital for anyone suffering from chronic pain to have their hormone levels checked and optimized. From a clinical perspective, I have seen many patients with orthopedic injuries who are on testosterone therapy. Their surgeons are often amazed, asking, “What are you doing? You heal so much faster than the average patient.” The answer is optimized hormones.

Choosing the Best Hormone Treatment Options

Now that we understand why hormones are so important, let’s discuss the best ways to replace them.

• Oral Hormones: Natural oral estrogen and, particularly, oral progesterone can be highly beneficial. There are also effective bioidentical testosterone options in the form of rapid-dissolve tablets that are absorbed under the tongue. We generally avoid oral synthetic testosterone and progestins due to their potential for harm.
• Creams and Patches: These are decent options. Creams can vary in absorption but work better when applied to highly vascular areas, such as the genital region. Estradiol patches for women are effective, though they require frequent changing.
• Injections: Testosterone shots for men are widely studied and can be effective in preventing disease. However, they are associated with a higher side-effect profile and are not a first choice for women. A significant issue with long-term injection therapy is the common co-prescription of estrogen blockers. These drugs are problematic, increasing the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and even prostate cancer by depriving the body of estrogen’s protective benefits.
• Hormone Pellets: This is my preferred method. Pellets have been used since the 1930s and are widely studied. They are derived from plant sources (usually yams) and are molecularly identical to human hormones. They are implanted in the fatty tissue and provide a slow, steady release of hormones for 3-6 months, based on cardiac output. This method allows for highly individualized and consistent dosing. Our clinics in Texas have performed over 30,000 pellet procedures, and the results are consistently safe and effective.

The Role of Integrative Chiropractic Care in Hormonal Health

As a practitioner who holds certifications in both chiropractic and functional medicine, I have a unique perspective on how the body’s systems are interconnected. Hormonal balance doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is deeply intertwined with the health of your nervous system and musculoskeletal structure.

The endocrine system, which produces and regulates hormones, is controlled by the nervous system. The brain, specifically the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, acts as the command center, sending signals to the thyroid, adrenals, and gonads. If there is interference in this communication pathway due to spinal misalignments or subluxations, the signals can become distorted.

Here’s how integrative chiropractic care supports hormone optimization:

1. Enhancing Nervous System Function: Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal alignment, which can reduce interference in the nervous system. This allows for clearer communication between the brain and the endocrine glands, potentially improving their function and response to hormonal signals. When we address musculoskeletal imbalances, we are also influencing the endocrine system.
2. Reducing Physical Stress: Chronic pain and structural imbalances are significant physical stressors. This stress elevates cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which can disrupt the entire endocrine system, suppress thyroid function, and deplete the building blocks of other essential hormones, such as progesterone and testosterone. By correcting structural issues and reducing pain, chiropractic care helps lower the body’s stress load.
3. Improving Blood Flow and Cellular Health: Proper alignment and movement facilitate optimal blood flow, ensuring that hormones and nutrients are delivered efficiently to every cell in the body. This supports the health of hormone-producing glands and the responsiveness of cellular receptors. This synergy between structural alignment and biochemical balance is what makes integrative care so powerful.

When I integrate chiropractic care into a patient’s hormone optimization plan, I consistently observe that they respond more quickly and effectively to treatment. By ensuring the body’s structural and neurological frameworks function properly, we create an environment in which hormonal healing can truly take hold. This holistic approach recognizes that symptoms of hormone insufficiency can often mimic other conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and even “normal” lab results for thyroid issues. By looking deeper and treating the whole person, we can finally get to the root cause and restore true vitality.

Clinical Stories: The Human Impact of Hormone Optimization

Data and studies are essential, but patient stories bring the impact of this work to life.

The College Student with “Gas in the Tank”

An 18-year-old college student was brought to my clinic by his mother. He was depressed, anxious, taking ADHD medication, and had no interest in his social life. His mother was convinced he had low testosterone. When his lab results came back, I was surprised to see his testosterone was nearly 1,000 ng/dL—an excellent level. However, he had all the symptoms of deficiency. This was a classic case of having “gas in the tank, but it can’t get to the engine.” His hormone receptors were not functioning properly.

The solution was simple. We started him on Vitamin D, which is crucial for hormone receptor activity, iodine to support his thyroid, and a methylated B-complex vitamin. Two months later, his mother returned. She was ecstatic. Her son was off all his medications, his anxiety was gone, and he felt like a new person. He was even calling her from college asking for more vitamins—a testament to how much better he felt.

Reclaiming a Life and a Marriage

Another powerful story is that of “Bobby,” a 65-year-old woman who came to us suffering from severe depression. Her husband, a retired gynecologist, had taken her off hormones at age 60, following the old guidelines. By the time she saw us, she was withdrawn and disengaged from life. We optimized her hormones, and about six weeks later, I saw her in the clinic. She was crying. “I realize I haven’t liked my husband for 25 years,” she confessed. “And I now know it was me, not him.”

She was lamenting the lost time. A couple of weeks later, her husband came to my office. “Thank you for giving me my wife back,” he said. “Had I known about this therapy when I was practicing, I would have put every single one of my patients on it.” This story beautifully illustrates how profoundly hormone balance can impact not just our health, but our relationships and our very experience of life.

Key Takeaways for Your Health Journey

• Hormone imbalance can occur at any age. Our patients range from their twenties to their nineties.
• Not all hormone therapies are created equal. If you’ve had a bad experience, consider seeking a provider trained in the latest, most nuanced methods.
• “Low normal” is not optimal. A lab value that falls within the standard reference range does not guarantee optimal function. For example, a Vitamin D level of 40 ng/mL is “normal,” but research shows levels above 60 ng/mL are needed for disease prevention.
• A holistic approach is essential. Optimizing hormones, supporting the gut, and ensuring adequate levels of key nutrients like iodine and B vitamins are all vital pieces of the puzzle.

We are not just about helping you stay alive; we are about helping you live—fully, vibrantly, and with purpose. By embracing an integrative, evidence-based approach to health, we can unlock our body’s incredible potential to heal and thrive.

The information herein, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material, is for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

References

• Clapp, M., Aurora, N., Herrera, L., Bhatia, M., Wilen, E., & Wakefield, S. (2017). Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clinics and Practice, 7(4), 987. https://doi.org/10.4081/cp.2017.987
• Glaser, R. (2013). Testosterone therapy in women: Myths and misconceptions. Maturitas, 74(3), 230–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.01.003
• Manson, J. E., Aragaki, A. K., Rossouw, J. E., Anderson, G. L., Prentice, R. L., LaCroix, A. Z., Chlebowski, R. T., Howard, B. V., Thomson, C. A., Margolis, K. L., Lewis, C. E., Stefanick, M. L., Jackson, R. D., Johnson, K. C., Martin, L. W., Shumaker, S. A., Espeland, M. A., & Wactawski-Wende, J. (2017). Menopausal hormone therapy and long-term all-cause and cause-specific mortality: The Women’s Health Initiative randomized trials. JAMA, 318(10), 927–938. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.11421
• Manson, J. E., Chlebowski, R. T., Stefanick, M. L., Aragaki, A. K., Rossouw, J. E., Prentice, R. L., Anderson, G., Howard, B. V., Thomson, C. A., LaCroix, A. Z., Wactawski-Wende, J., Jackson, R. D., Limacher, M., Gass, M. L., Wassertheil-Smoller, S., Ockene, J. K., Cauley, J. A., Hsian, J. K., Johnson, K. C., … Wallace, R. B. (2013). Menopausal hormone therapy and health outcomes during the intervention and extended poststopping phases of the Women’s Health Initiative randomized trials. JAMA, 310(13), 1353–1368. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.278040
• Saleh, M. C., El-Shamarka, M. E., & Gabr, M. M. (2021). Effect of estrogen therapy in acute ischemic stroke. The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery, 57(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-021-00338-9

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