by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Apr 22, 2025 | Menopause, Perimenopause
What’s the difference between synthetic vs. bioidentical hormone replacement therapy? Let’s talk about it. For years, the only choice menopausal women had was prescription synthetic hormones. Fortunately, since the late 80s, bioidentical hormones have been...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Apr 16, 2025 | Menopause
Pellets are hormones pressed into small cylinders that are injected under the skin. Pellets are similar to birth control implants in their delivery mechanism and are usually compounded. Hormone pellets are meant to last three to five months and are inserted during an...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Mar 18, 2025 | Hypothalamus, Menopause, Perimenopause
Is HRT shrinking your brain? Let’s uncover the truth about hormone replacement therapy and cognitive health. Hormone replacement therapy is really the cornerstone for managing the symptoms of both perimenopause and menopause. HRT can alleviate hot flashes,...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Dec 20, 2024 | Gut Health
What’s the connection between digestion and hormones? Let’s talk about it. Your hormones control so many vital systems in your body, including your gastrointestinal tract function. Most women are well aware that female sex hormones affect their GI...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Dec 20, 2024 | Menopause
What is the connection between low estrogen and bone health? Let’s talk about it. Your bones are stimulated by hormones for growth and repair. Now there are two types of bone cells- osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Osteoclasts reabsorb old bone, while...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Menopause, Women's Health
Let’s talk about the estradiol side effect of water retention. Estradiol is a growth-promoting hormone that also has an amazing effect on your cells by keeping them hydrated. If you don’t have enough estradiol on board, you’ll notice that your skin,...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Hypothalamus, Women's Health
Let’s talk about the estradiol side effect of anxiety. Excessive amounts of estrogen, especially unopposed estrogen, may cause anxiety. Without an adequate amount of progesterone to stimulate GABA production, which has a calming effect on the neurological...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Menopause, Women's Health
Let’s talk about the estradiol side effect of breast pain. Estrogen stimulates mammary tissue. If you have excess amounts of estrogen, particularly estradiol, you will have increased stimulation of your mammary tissue, which can cause pain. Pain can be sharp,...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Oct 31, 2024 | Menopause
Estradiol does have side effects. Let’s talk about melasma. Melasma is the darkening of your skin which is caused by an excess of estrogen, particularly estradiol. Estradiol stimulates melanin, which gives your skin color. When you have excess estradiol,...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Sep 30, 2024 | Hypothalamus, Women's Health
How do you manage Estrogen dominance naturally? Let’s talk about it. Estrogen dominance is a condition in which a woman’s body either makes an excessive amount of estrogen or more commonly does not make enough progesterone to counterbalance her estrogen...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Sep 30, 2024 | Menopause, Perimenopause
What home remedies can be used for perimenopause? Let’s talk about it. All women go through the change and most spend 5-10 years in perimenopause. That’s a long time to live with imbalanced hormones. We all want effective remedies to help manage mood swings, hot...
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Jul 3, 2024 | Menopause, Women's Health
What are low estrogen symptoms you may not have known about? Let’s talk about it. You may know the more common low estrogen symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness. But there are quite a few uncommon low estrogen symptoms that can even beguile your health...