Hormones

The Mental Health Side of Hormones: Anxiety, Brain Fog, and Mood Swings Explained

The Mental Health Side of Hormones: Anxiety, Brain Fog, and Mood Swings Explained

Hormone Therapy, Hormones / By

Hormonal changes—especially during perimenopause and menopause—can significantly impact mental health. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone affect key brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, mood swings, and even depression. Why You Feel “Off” (Even When Nothing Is Wrong) If you’ve been thinking: You’re not alone—and you’re not imagining […]

The Mental Health Side of Hormones: Anxiety, Brain Fog, and Mood Swings Explained Read More »

How Hormone Imbalance Affects Weight Gain in Women Over 40

How Hormone Imbalance Affects Weight Gain in Women Over 40

Hormone Therapy, Hormones, Menopause / By

Hormone imbalance is one of the most common causes of weight gain in women over 40. Changes in estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and insulin can slow metabolism, increase fat storage (especially in the abdomen), and make traditional dieting less effective—often requiring a more targeted, hormone-based approach to weight management. Why Weight Gain After 40 Feels Different

How Hormone Imbalance Affects Weight Gain in Women Over 40 Read More »

“I Don’t Feel Like Myself”: Understanding Identity, Brain Fog, and Executive Function in Midlife

“I Don’t Feel Like Myself”: Understanding Identity, Brain Fog, and Executive Function in Midlife

Hormones, Menopause, Women's Health / By

By Suzanne Elkind | www.suzanneelkind.com It usually starts with a whisper, a subtle shift that you can’t quite put your finger on. You walk into a room and completely forget why you are there. You find yourself staring at a computer screen, unable to muster the focus to begin a task you’ve done a hundred times

“I Don’t Feel Like Myself”: Understanding Identity, Brain Fog, and Executive Function in Midlife Read More »

The Unseen Conversation: How Hormones Impact Wellness & Weight Loss

The Unseen Conversation: How Hormones Impact Wellness & Weight Loss

Hormones, Weight Loss, Women's Health / By

Have you ever felt like you’re doing everything right—eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep—yet your body refuses to cooperate? The scale won’t budge. Your energy is nonexistent. Your mood is unpredictable. You feel like a stranger in your own body. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and you are not broken. The missing

The Unseen Conversation: How Hormones Impact Wellness & Weight Loss Read More »

Spring And Your Hormones

Hormones and the Seasons: A Guide to Your Body’s Springtime Shift

Hormones / By

Spring is a season of visible renewal—trees bud, flowers push through the thawing ground, and the days grow longer. But this external transformation is mirrored by a profound, internal shift happening within us. Our bodies are finely tuned to the rhythms of nature, and the changing light and temperature of spring trigger a cascade of

Hormones and the Seasons: A Guide to Your Body’s Springtime Shift Read More »

Gut Health & Hormones

The Secret Conversation: How Your Gut Microbiome Holds the Key to Hormonal Balance

Hormones / By

For too long, women navigating the hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause have been given a fragmented map. We’re told to manage hot flashes here, address mood swings there, and tackle sleep issues and weight gain as separate, unrelated battles. This piecemeal approach is exhausting and often ineffective because it misses the central command center

The Secret Conversation: How Your Gut Microbiome Holds the Key to Hormonal Balance Read More »

Scent And Hormones

The Unseen Shift: Understanding Menopausal Body Odor Changes Beyond Hormones

Hormones / By

Introduction For many women approaching or experiencing menopause, an unexpected and often distressing change occurs—their body odor transforms. This shift can feel confusing, embarrassing, and profoundly personal. While hormonal fluctuations are widely acknowledged as primary drivers of menopausal changes, the alteration in body odor represents a complex interplay of biological, metabolic, and lifestyle factors that

The Unseen Shift: Understanding Menopausal Body Odor Changes Beyond Hormones Read More »

A symphony of Hormones

The Symphony of Hormones: How Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone Create the Music of Your Health

Estrogen, Hormones, Menopause / By

Introduction: From Soloists to Orchestra Imagine your body as a grand concert hall, and your hormones as the musicians within it. For decades, women’s hormonal health has been discussed as if we were listening to solo performances—estrogen’s aria one day, progesterone’s lament the next. This fragmented perspective has led to misunderstanding, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment. The

The Symphony of Hormones: How Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone Create the Music of Your Health Read More »

Low hormones and urinary incontinence

The Silent Connection: Why Low Hormones Cause Urinary Incontinence

Hormones / By

Hormonal fluctuations affecting bladder control are more common than many realize, with studies suggesting that up to 45% of menopausal women experience some form of urinary incontinence directly related to hormone changes. When you think of menopause symptoms, what comes to mind? Hot flashes, maybe mood swings or night sweats. But there’s a deeply personal,

The Silent Connection: Why Low Hormones Cause Urinary Incontinence Read More »

Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy

The Unspoken Change: Why Do You Smell Different in Menopause (Even Without Hormones)?

Hormones / By

By Suzanne Elkind, Bio-Identical Hormone Specialist | suzanneelkind.com If you’ve walked into a room and suddenly felt self-conscious about a new, unfamiliar body odor, you’re not alone. If you’ve thrown out a favorite shirt because you can’t seem to wash “that smell” out, I hear you. And if you’ve sat in my consultation room, whispering in

The Unspoken Change: Why Do You Smell Different in Menopause (Even Without Hormones)? Read More »

Pocketed Fat And Hormones

How Low Hormones Can Increase Pocketed Fat Production

Fat, Hormones / By

Understanding the hidden connection between hormone deficiency and stubborn fat accumulation Have you ever wondered why some areas of your body seem to accumulate fat no matter how well you eat or how much you exercise? As a certified nurse-midwife and advanced practice registered nurse, I see countless patients frustrated by what I call “pocketed

How Low Hormones Can Increase Pocketed Fat Production Read More »

Menopause VS Perimenopause

Perimenopause vs. Menopause

Hormones, Menopause, Women's Health / By

Understanding the Stages and What to Expect By Suzanne Elkind, CNM, APRNwww.suzanneelkind.com As a functional medicine practitioner specializing in bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, I frequently encounter women who are confused about where they are in their hormonal journey. Many of my patients arrive feeling frustrated, having been told their symptoms are “just part of aging”

Perimenopause vs. Menopause Read More »

Hormone Therapy And Testing

Personalized Hormone Therapy: How Genetic Testing is Revolutionizing Progesterone Treatment

Hormones / By

Personalized Hormone Therapy: How Genetic Testing is Revolutionizing Progesterone Treatment By Suzanne Elkind CNM, APRNwww.suzanneelkind.com The era of one-size-fits-all hormone therapy is rapidly coming to an end. As we advance deeper into the age of precision medicine, genetic testing is transforming how we approach progesterone treatment, offering unprecedented insights into why some patients thrive on

Personalized Hormone Therapy: How Genetic Testing is Revolutionizing Progesterone Treatment Read More »

Hormone Therapy

Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones: What’s the Difference?

Hormones, Women's Health / By

By Suzanne Elkind, NP – Functional Medicine & Women’s Hormonal Health Expert When it comes to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), one of the most common questions I hear from women is: “What’s the difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones?” This is a crucial conversation—especially for those navigating perimenopause, menopause, or hormonal imbalances affecting overall well-being. Let’s explore

Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones: What’s the Difference? Read More »

Hormones And Aging

Understanding Hormonal Decline with Age and How Hormone Therapy Can Help

Hormones / By

Hormones & Aging As we age, our bodies undergo many changes, and one of the most significant is the natural decline in hormone levels. This hormonal shift can lead to a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that can impact quality of life. For both men and women, hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone

Understanding Hormonal Decline with Age and How Hormone Therapy Can Help Read More »

Estrogen And Aging

How Estrogen Impacts Hormone Health in Aging Women

Estrogen, Hormones / By

Estrogen & Aging As women age, their bodies undergo significant hormonal changes, with estrogen playing a crucial role in these transitions. Estrogen is one of the primary female sex hormones responsible for regulating various systems in the body, including reproductive health, bone density, skin elasticity, and even mood. A decline in estrogen levels, particularly during

How Estrogen Impacts Hormone Health in Aging Women Read More »

Bio-Identical Hormones VS. Synthetic Hormones

Understand The Difference Between Bio-Identical Hormones & Synthetic Hormones

Hormones, Women's Health / By

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be a crucial step in restoring balance to your body, especially when you’re experiencing hormone-related symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and fatigue. But one question arises when considering HRT: should you choose bio-identical hormones or synthetic hormones? This article will break down the differences between these

Understand The Difference Between Bio-Identical Hormones & Synthetic Hormones Read More »

Scroll to Top