Hormones

Three Big Reasons Fears About Hormone Replacement Therapy Are Overblown

Many patients are afraid of hormone therapy too, and some have never even heard of bioidentical hormones. Recent research has shown that many of these fears are overblown and may still be preventing women who could benefit from hormone therapy from getting the help they need.

A friend of mine was having daily hot flashes, unexplained weight gain, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Just one of this trio of symptoms would have been enough to make her cry, but living with all three was devastating.  

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

Hot flashes and night sweats are drenching your clothes and draining your energy. One of your friends is on hormone replacement therapy, and it’s really helping her hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. But you don’t want to put synthetic products into your body, so on you go—flushed and sweaty.  

Hot flashes and night sweats are drenching your clothes and draining your energy. One of your friends is on hormone replacement therapy, and it’s really helping her hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. But you don’t want to put synthetic products into your body, so on you go—flushed and sweaty.

What You Need to Know About Hair Loss

It can feel distressing when you notice an unusual amount of hair in the shower or on your pillow when you wake up. But don’t panic! We all shed some 50 to 100 hairs a day, so it’s completely normal for some strands to come loose. But if the amount of hair loss increases significantly, it would be a good idea to find out why.

What NOT to Say to a Woman in Menopause (and Other Lifesaving Tips)

In that regard, what is proper etiquette when speaking to a woman in perimenopause or menopause? For example, what should you say to a woman who is visibly having a hot flash? Is asking if she’d like a cold towel or a glass of ice water equivalent to saying, “So, how far along are you?”

What Every Woman Needs to Know About Progesterone

Hi friends! In this issue of “Ask Andi Anything,” we’re covering the controversial topic of progesterone. Why is progesterone controversial, you’re wondering? Because so many providers don’t fully understand how to appropriately prescribe this hormone. I realize that’s a bold statement, but you’re going to want to hear me out on this one.

What Are “Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals” and How Do They Affect Human Sexuality, Fertility, and Hormones?

According to the Endocrine Society, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are substances in the environment (air, soil, or water supply), food sources, personal care products, and manufactured products that interfere with the normal function of your body’s endocrine system.

Watch Now! FREE Menopause Webinar

I recently presented this menopause webinar live. I am delighted to post it here so you can share it with everyone who wants to know more about how to “rock your own hormone symphony” before, during, and after menopause.

The Trick to Surviving Halloween (and Beyond) During Menopause 

As Halloween approaches, and well into the holiday season, colorful displays of candy greet you as you walk into grocery stores. And that candy can be a tricky trap, especially during menopause. Did you ever buy candy weeks ahead of time – and then eat the whole bag yourself before there was a trick or treater in sight? You’re not alone.

Solving the Mystery of the Menopausal Middle

I haven’t changed a thing about my diet or activity levels in the last, say…decade?! I walk a couple miles every day with my dogs; I do 20 minutes of yoga three or four days a week; and my diet is healthier than most people I know. And yet…that dreaded “menopausal middle” is becoming quite apparent.

Sleep in or Workout? Menopause and the Importance of a Good Night’s Rest

It’s 6 a.m. and your alarm is going off. What do you do? Hit the snooze button, or get up early and work out like you planned?

Premature Menopause in Your 30s

Being a woman has its joys and thrills, but life can also be quite the roller coaster ride (a total understatement, we know!). Figuring out what is best for you and your body can run the gamut from birth control to menstrual cycles to menopause — and everything in between! And for some women (and we don’t want to shock you here), experiencing premature menopause in your 30s might be part of your story.

Perimenopause, Menopause and Brain Health: Belmar Pharmacy Explains the Role of Hormones and Low Dose Naltrexone

Women are constantly told to take care of their hearts. We are advised to eat healthy, exercise, and avoid stress in order to stay in tip-top shape. But what about our brains?

Perimenopause Party of 12? No, It’s Just Me. 

Dear perimenopausal friend, are mood changes making you feel out of control? Do your emotions shift so often that you no longer recognize yourself? Tears, fear, giddiness, anger, self-doubt, sadness, irritability. It’s like you’re a dozen people wrapped into one.

Not Feeling, “New Year, New You?” Tips for Making Changes That Stick in 2025

If you want to take your self-care to the next level without feeling pressured, try taking baby steps to nurture your body and soul. Start with a small change that you can stick to on most days. What’s one positive way you can be kind to yourself? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Menopause the Musical-A Personal Review

The absence of men waiting to enter the theater for Menopause the Musical was undeniable. Even though the show website emphatically states, “Men love it, too!” and expresses how men in the audience “relate and begin to understand this time in their wives’, sisters’, or mothers’ lives.”

Menopause Retreats: Can You Meditate Menopause Away?

Talking about menopause used to be taboo, so our mothers and grandmothers went through the change silently and alone. But these days, celebrities like Brooke Shields and Oprah Winfrey are talking openly about their symptoms. And so are my friends.

Menopause and You: Dr. Angela DeRosa Explains Why Hormones Aren’t Linear

If you’re a woman nearing menopausal age, there is likely one question at the forefront of your mind: What exactly should I expect? And if you’re already going through menopause, you’re probably wondering: And if you’re already going through menopause, you’re probably wondering: When will my symptoms go away?

Menopause and Cholesterol: Belmar Pharmacy Explores the Estrogen Connection

Cholesterol is an important part of your body. It helps maintain healthy cells, but it can also cause harm if it gets too high, which may be linked to estrogen levels. Let’s take a closer look at the connection between cholesterol, estrogen, and menopause.

Managing Holiday Stress: Avoid Becoming a Grinch (Or at Least, Less of One)

Why are we the ones tasked with everything during the holidays? Maybe it is a self-made issue…our experience with how our family cleans the house has made us weary of how efficiently and accurately others can handle the list of mandatory activities that must be checked off, and purchases that must be made between October 1st and New Year’s Day.

How to Manage Weight Gain During Menopause: A Practical Guide

Dread getting on the scale? Not sure why the numbers are going up despite your best efforts to eat well and exercise? If you’re on the journey to menopause, weight gain can be one of the unwanted side effects..

How To Celebrate Your Body During Menopause: A Body-Positive Approach 

What did you see when you looked in the mirror today? If the words that come to mind are “too much ____” or “not _____ enough”, take a step back and try to view yourself from a new, body-positive perspective.

How Do I Know if I’m in Perimenopause? 

Even though Perimenopause Awareness Month (September) is over, I wanted to address this important topic in “Ask Andi Anything.” Because, unlike September – which lasts just 30 days – perimenopause, for many women, can last from a few months to up to 10 years!

Hormone Replacement Therapy: The Story Behind the Stigma

“Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat! Thank you, Menopause!!” said an early morning text from a friend of mine. She went on to say, “It’s so disorienting to wake up like that, trying to find something dry to put on in the dark!”

Gender Bias in Women’s Healthcare: Why Men Get Viagra and Women Get Antidepressants

As a woman, do you feel you are getting the care you need from your healthcare provider? How do you feel about your practitioner’s approach to perimenopause and menopause symptoms?

Frozen Shoulder and Other Sudden Perimenopause Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

According to the medical experts, more than 50% of women in perimenopause and menopause experience joint pain, and frozen shoulder is MOST COMMON for women at this stage of life.

Every Woman’s Guide to Understanding the Impact of Hormones from Perimenopause and Menopause to Postmenopause

For every woman, knowing what to expect when it comes to her body is vital, especially when going through the transitions of menopause.

Did You Know There Is Gender Bias With Hormone Replacement Therapy Solutions?

Why is it that the hormone replacement industry is dominated by therapies and medications for men? We at Belmar Pharma Solutions believe this inequality is illogical and unjust, knowing that women have to deal with the added health issues associated with menopause that men don’t have to worry about.

DHEA and Hormonal Imbalance: A Guide For Women

Many women experience hormonal imbalances as they age. These changes can affect everything from bone health to mood and energy levels. One hormone that you should be aware of as you move forward is dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) which plays a significant role in the aging process.

Demystifying Menopause: The Art of Training Doctors to Support Women on Their Menopausal Journey

If you are like many women, you probably have mixed feelings or apprehensions about your personal journey through menopause. It can be a challenging time, both physically and emotionally.

Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is it Possible to Reduce the Odds of Dementia?

Dementia. It’s a frightening word and can be worrisome to imagine living with this condition. The good news is that recent research suggests that bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may reduce the risk of women developing dementia.

Menopause at the Office

Thanks to some celebrities, and even mainstream TV commercials, menopause is a hot topic. It’s not just the hot flashes we’re talking about. Dealing with menopause at work can be challenging, frustrating, and even embarrassing. But, it shouldn’t be.

Belmar Pharma Solutions Medical Director, Dr. Angela DeRosa, Teaches Us How to Take Charge of Menopause

Concerned about new symptoms that have just started? Frustrated because you don’t know where to turn or who to trust as you manage your menopausal symptoms? Need an advocate on your journey? Meet Dr. Angela DeRosa, a medical doctor who became an expert on hormonal health when she herself had perimenopausal symptoms begin in her mid-twenties.

Balancing Your Weight and Hormones Simultaneously Could Have Bigger Benefits: Here’s What the Research Says

If you’ve been following the The Change Is Personal blog, you’ve undoubtedly seen some of our articles about hormones and weight management. As a woman experiencing perimenopause or menopause, weight gain is often one of the first (and most frustrating) symptoms of this stage of life.

Ask Andi Anything: Vaginal Dryness & Low Libido 

Welcome back to “Ask Andi Anything!”— a blog series from The Change Is Personal. Here, you get to ask a pharmacist and Belmar’s Clinical Director of Women’s Health (me!), anything about menopause, perimenopause, women’s health, hormones, and other aging wellness questions. In this installment, I’m answering readers’ burning questions about vaginal dryness and low libido and how they can affect your sex life.

Ask Andi Anything: Skin Health & Hormones: Is There a Connection?

Welcome back to “Ask Andi Anything!” As a compounding pharmacist in the women’s health and wellness industry, I get asked a lot of questions about skincare and hormones – especially from women who notice changes in dryness and elasticity (all over their bodies) as they get older. This issue of “Ask Andi Anything!” is dedicated to answering your most common skin health and wellness questions.

Ask Andi Anything: Hormone Creams, Aging & Uterine Bleeding in Menopause

Welcome to the second edition of “Ask Andi Anything!” on The Change Is Personal. I’m going to jump right in answering questions submitted by our readers after our first “Ask “Andi Anything!” blog.

All About Brain Fog and Menopause: What It Is and How to Deal with It

Having trouble thinking more clearly? Feeling tired all the time? You may be nodding your head in agreement right now because we are! Well, what you’re experiencing is probably brain fog.

Aging Gracefully: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

In a survey of women 30 to 79 years young, more than four out of five said they suffer from symptoms associated with perimenopause or menopause. And like you and me, they want to take action to improve their own wellness. Most respondents said they viewed aging as “something to be managed proactively.” Most menopause symptoms affect how we look and feel, from hot flashes and hair loss to dry skin and difficulty sleeping. Let’s look at a few common symptoms and how we can tackle them.

On Balancing Hormones (Yes, Birth Control Is Hormones)

We at Belmar Pharma Solutions are here to share a concern with you: women who take birth control are taking hormones in one form or another. Did you know that? If not, you aren’t alone!

5 Tips for Better Sleep During Menopause 

After a tiring day, you snuggle under the covers, hoping to drift off to dreamland. But instead, you lie awake, and the minutes (or hours) tick by without a dream in sight. Or maybe you fall asleep quickly, but wake up at 3 a.m. and can’t get back to sleep.

5 Sexual Wellness Tips for Menopausal Women

If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, chances are your sex life has changed. But why?

3 Things Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Hormone Replacement Therapy and Menopause

Did you know that a 2013 survey of U.S. obstetrics and gynecology residents found that fewer than one in five receives formal training in menopause medicine, while seven in 10 would have liked to have received the information? The lack of education and training can lead to misinformation.