Vaginal Estrogens, The Black Box Warning and You
I was in Rite Aid the other day searching for band aids. The first aid care section is right next to the pharmacy window (nothing awkward there) where a woman was telling the pharmacy tech how excited she was for her new estrogen for “down there.” Since it was a new prescription, she had to talk to the pharmacist who handed her what looked like a huge print out of information and said, “Before I explain how to use this, please know there is a black box warning on it for cancer.” I walked away. I had found my band aids and knew what would come next…
Low Melatonin, Hot Flashes, and Blood Sugar
Melatonin often gets billed as the “sleep hormone,” but that’s just scratching the surface. While it’s made in multiple places in the body, the melatonin produced in your brain’s pineal gland is the one that really gets around—it enters your circulation and influences everything from your temperature regulation to your metabolism. Here’s something fun: your body’s internal clock isn’t perfectly 24 hours. It runs a little short or a little long depending on the person. So every day, you have to reset your circadian rhythm—your internal timekeeper—using light, dark, and hormonal cues…
Your Period Changed by 3 Days and Your Doctor Said 'It's Fine' - Is It?
Let me guess. You walked into your doctor's office with your period tracking app pulled up, ready to talk about how your usually reliable 28-day cycle has shifted to 25 days. You've been paying attention. You know something's different. And what did you hear? "That's still within normal range" or "you're still getting your period, so it can't be perimenopause." I’m sorry what? Your menstrual cycle is a vital sign…
5 Reasons Your Testosterone Is Low
I love testosterone. Sure, too much can lead to acne, chin hair, and other not-so-fun side effects—but too little, and you might find yourself struggling with muscle loss, low libido, and a flat mood. Testosterone isn’t just a "male hormone"; it's a major player in women's health too. And here’s the kicker: testosterone naturally declines with age—but not only because of menopause. I’ve seen women in their 30s with very low levels and women in their 50s holding steady. Yes, it tends to drop with age, but it’s not a clear-cut, one-size-fits-all situation…
Should You Be Taking Testosterone?
Should you be taking testosterone? When’s the right time?Wait… am I on testosterone? These are questions I get all the time—and fair enough, because there’s a whole lot of confusion (and misinformation) floating around about this hormone. So let’s clear a few things up. First Things First: Yes, You Have Testosterone…
Can You Still Have Regular Periods and Be Perimenopausal? Let’s Talk About It.
A few weekends ago, while visiting my parents (and apologies to all my Atlanta friends—this was a very quick trip!), my mom asked me point blank: "Are you menopausal yet?" She didn’t go through menopause until she was 54 years old. Turns out, her mother also went through it later. At the time of this writing, I have just turned 48. My cycles are still regular—but I’m absolutely feeling the perimenopausal symptoms creeping in. I’m sharing this because it’s a question I hear a lot—including recently on…
4+8=12 Things For My Birthday
June is a big month for me because it’s my birthday month. I absolutely obsess over my birthday and always have. I celebrate it ALL. MONTH. LONG. Because, why not? #GeminiEnergy This year I turn 48yo (hence the 4+8) and I wanted to give you some personal insight into where I’m at, what I’m doing, and what I’ve learned.
Where I’m at:
I still have regular periods and I still ovulate! And yes, I still take…
How to Support Your Lymphatic System (Without Buying a $400 Device Off Instagram)
So your lymphatic system might be feeling sluggish—and now you're wondering: What can I actually do about it?Good news: you don’t necessarily need to buy fancy tools, spend hours dry brushing, or commit to a cabbage-only diet. Supporting your lymph system is surprisingly simple, totally doable, and insanely helpful for your energy, skin, hormones, digestion, and inflammation. Here’s what I recommend as your go-to lymph flow toolkit…
Feeling Puffy, Swollen, or Sluggish? It Might Be Your Lymphatic System
Have you been feeling stuck in your health lately? Like... literally stuck—sludgy, swollen, puffy, slow, or just kind of blah? Sure, you could blame your hormones (we often do), but you might want to zoom out and look at your lymphatic system—that under appreciated, unsexy, yet wildly essential part of your health that rarely gets the spotlight. Spoiler alert: it's not just the swollen lymph nodes in your neck when you're sick. The lymphatic system is a whole-body network, and when it’s not working optimally, you feel it everywhere. Wait, What Even Is the Lymphatic System? Think of it like your body's inner drainage and cleanup crew. You’ve got 450 to 800 lymph nodes (yes, really)…
Midlife Acne and Body Odor? It’s a Hormone Thing (and I’ve Got a Secret Weapon)
If your skin and body odor have gone a bit rogue in midlife, you’re not losing your mind. Seriously—welcome to the hormonal chaos that is perimenopause and menopause. Here’s what might be happening. When estrogen drops faster than testosterone, your body may perceive you as having “more” androgens (aka the hormone family that includes testosterone). And when androgens take the lead, you can start feeling like a teenage boy again: Breakouts. Oily skin. Body odor. WTF…
Can Your Hormones Affect ADHD Symptoms?
Yes, They Can. Have you noticed your ADHD symptoms seem to get worse during certain parts of your cycle? Or maybe you’re wondering if your hormones are making you feel a little... ADHD-ish? You're not alone. It turns out researchers used to believe you either had ADHD or you didn’t—no in-between. But when they started studying the menstrual cycle (and even perimenopause), they realized something women have known all along: Changing hormones absolutely play a role. Cue the collective eye-roll from women everywhere. Historically, ADHD research focused predominantly on…
The Facts on Melatonin in Perimenopause
Melatonin is my absolute most favorite antioxidant! She is billions of years old (that’s billion with a “B”) and she’s also a major part of your sleep-wake cycle. Unfortunately, production declines with age, especially in women going through perimenopause. This is a problem because insomnia, which includes struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, seems to be a top symptom in women over 40. While there are many factors that affect your sleep, melatonin might be a key factor. I often say that melatonin is like the moon and cortisol is like the sun. You make melatonin in cells all over your body. However, the pineal gland in your brain makes…
Is it Perimenopause or Aging? Studies show…
If you’re wondering why you can’t tolerate caffeine or alcohol all of a sudden - you’re not alone. Same goes for suddenly having high cholesterol when you’ve never had high cholesterol in your whole life. Scientists took note of this too. The found at certain ages, you somehow fall off a cliff in terms of your health only to stabilize several years and do it again. Specifically, this happens around 40-45yo and then leading up to 60-65 years of age. This honestly made me laugh as my patients would tell me…
Navigating Nutrition Through the Decades: What Every Woman Needs to Know
As women, our bodies are in a constant state of evolution. From the onset of puberty to the transformative stages of pregnancy and menopause, each phase brings about significant hormonal shifts that influence our nutritional needs. How can you keep up and where the heck do you start? A recent study titled "Navigating Nutrition through the Decades: Tailoring Dietary Recommendations for Female Life Stages" sheds light on how we can adapt our diets to support these changes effectively. Let’s discuss!
Uterine Polyps: Small Growths, Big Drama
Uterine polyps—also called endometrial polyps—may be small, but they sure know how to make a scene. From unexpected spotting to bleeding after sex, heavier periods, or irregular cycles that have you raising an eyebrow at your uterus, polyps can stir up a lot of questions (and frustration).These soft, often benign growths develop from the endometrial lining—the innermost layer of the uterus. They can range from teeny-tiny bumps to larger, stalk-like structures that resemble skin tags. Some women have a single polyp; others end up with an entire little family of them. Because they contain glandular tissue and blood vessels, polyps are prone to bleeding—especially when bumped or irritated.
Heavy Periods Making You Tired?
Heavy periods aren’t just inconvenient or messy—they can be absolutely exhausting. While it might feel like you’re losing gallons, the typical amount of blood loss during a period is actually much smaller than most people think. On average, most women lose 20 to 80 milliliters of blood per cycle—that’s about 1 to 5 tablespoons total for the entire period. Let me repeat that: total. Not per day. The National Institutes of Health actually compares it to one and a half shot glasses. (Yes, that’s the official visual. Cheers?) What causes heavy periods?
When Will These Perimenopause Symptoms End?!
Do you ever feel like King Julien from Madagascar yelling, “How long is this going to take?!” Same. Perimenopause can be a wild ride—emotionally, physically, hormonally—and the nonstop stream of conflicting advice on social media doesn’t help. According to researcher Andrea Donsky and her team at Morphus, a 2023 survey of over 3,000 women revealed more than 100 different symptoms reported during perimenopause. Yes, 100. Early symptoms often include insomnia, mood swings, fatigue, and subtle changes to your cycle, thanks to the initial decline of the hormone…
Can You Use Progesterone With An IUD?
There seems to be a lot of controversy around using an IUD and progesterone. Honestly, anything that involves hormones in women creates questions lately. In this article, I will break down the types of IUDs, when a progestin-only IUD is recommended, and if you can use progesterone therapy (such as a capsule or cream) at the same time. Besides birth control, the progestin IUD has a few other uses…
Henrietta Lacks: The Woman Who Changed Medicine Without Her Consent
March is Women’s History Month, so let’s take a moment to celebrate the badass women who have paved the way in science and medicine. But let’s also acknowledge a hard truth—not all women in this history had a choice. Some, like Henrietta Lacks, had their contributions taken without consent. If you haven’t read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot, consider adding it to your list. Published in 2010, it spent nearly a year and a half on the New York Times bestseller list, won multiple awards, and was adapted into a film in 2017. The book tells the true and deeply important story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman in her early 30s who was diagnosed with aggressive cervical cancer in 1951—and whose cells changed the course of modern medicine.
Herbs for Hormonal Balance: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Women
I’ve spent years studying and using herbs for all things women’s health—and let me tell you, they can be game-changers. What I love most is that herbs have been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, long before modern science caught up to their benefits. When it comes to hormones, herbs can be powerful allies. Not all women want, need, or can use hormone therapy, and many are looking for additional support alongside diet, lifestyle, and exercise. That’s where these plant-based powerhouses come in.