A broad term used to describe a variety of conditions, a hormonal imbalance occurs when there is either too much or too little of one or more hormones. In fact, even the slightest imbalance in certain hormones can cause major changes in the way you look and feel. While some hormonal imbalances are temporary and go away on their own, others are chronic and longer-lasting, requiring some form of intervention.  

Perimenopause, the transitional phase before menopause, when the ovaries begin producing less hormones, causing a woman’s menstrual cycle to become erratic, is one of the more common causes of hormonal imbalance.  As a woman’s body moves toward the end of its reproductive years, levels of estrogen start to decrease, bringing on menopause-like symptoms, such as hot flashes, dry skin, and irregular periods. Perimenopause can begin as early as the mid-30s and can either pass quickly or last as many as eight years. Menopause is confirmed once a woman goes 12 consecutive months without a period.

During this transitional time, physical changes and symptoms begin to occur as the body adjusts to decreasing hormone levels. Most of these changes are caused by declining estrogen levels. Produced inside of the ovaries, estrogen plays a vital role in maintaining a woman’s reproductive system. Progesterone levels also fluctuate, often resulting in hormonal imbalance. For most women, the first sign of perimenopause is unpredictable menstrual cycles. Other common signs of menopause, like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, begin to surface in the early stages of the menopause transition.

Of the many signs of hormonal imbalance, the most common are tied to estrogen deficiency. Estrogen is responsible for a wide range of functions in the body, from regulating metabolism to sexual health, and when the body stops making enough estrogen, it can affect just about every aspect of a woman’s life. 

• Hot flashes

• Slow or rapid heartbeat

• Fatigue

• Constipation

• Numbness or tingling in the hands

• Inability to tolerate cold or warm temperatures

• High blood cholesterol levels

• Acne

• Irregular menstrual periods 

• Infertility

• Muscle mass loss

• Vaginal dryness

• Loss of interest in sex 

• Unexplained weight fluctuations (either gain or loss)

• Diarrhea

• Depression

• Anxiety 

• Dry, coarse skin

• Dry, brittle hair 

• Hair loss

• Thin, warm and moist skin

• Irregular body fat distribution

• Darkened skin in your armpit or the back and sides of your neck 

• Skin tags 

• Extreme thirst

• Frequent urination

• Frequent UTIs

• Breast tenderness

Winona is a telehealth company, created to advise, educate, and empower women and offer medical solutions throughout the perimenopause and menopause journey. By debunking the myths, removing the stigma, and eliminating the confusion, Winona helps women to embrace this stage of life and see it in a positive light.

Because we know that symptoms of hormone imbalance can adversely impact our patients’ lives, we offer customized, effective, and physician-prescribed remedies like hormone replacement therapy (HRT) shipped directly to your door. Hormone replacement is a safe and natural way to restore proper hormone levels using substances that are bioidentical to those produced by the body. 

The spiking and waning of hormone levels is part of every woman’s life, from puberty to menopause. As women enter perimenopause in their late 30s and early 40s, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone begin to steadily become imbalanced, creating challenging symptoms. 

By boosting hormone levels that naturally diminish with age, HRT is a prescription treatment that addresses the 100+ symptoms associated with this transitional stage of life. Our treatments only use molecularly-identical and plant-based hormones that effectively mimic those produced naturally in the body. 

If you’re like most women who feel perplexed, confused, and overwhelmed by the symptoms of hormone imbalance, you’re not alone. 

Because every woman’s experience is unique, we believe that a one-size-fits-all approach is not efficacious. At Winona, we are committed to offering comprehensive and personalized HRT, driven by each patient’s individual symptom profile. Using a targeted, symptomatic approach, Winona’s team of board-certified physicians trained in menopause determine treatment plans and dosages specifically tailored to each patient’s needs.  

When hormones are out-of-balance, your entire being can feel off-balance as well. You may feel bloated, tired, unmotivated, unattractive, and just not like yourself. Once you start treating the imbalance, you’ll begin to feel healthier and happier. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a customizable treatment that restores hormone levels, taking aim at the core issue to help improve symptoms. In fact, HRT can even reduce the risk of heart disease, bone loss, breast cancer, and future hormonal imbalances.

Many experts agree that hormone replacement therapy is safe for healthy women under the age of 60 experiencing menopause symptoms. There may be potentially serious risks, however, for certain groups. 

Participants in a 2022 research study found that certain women taking HRT faced higher risks of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, urinary incontinence, gallbladder disease, and dementia.   

Potential risks may be more likely for people falling into the following categories:

• Women starting HRT 10 years after the start of menopause

• People with personal or family history of cancer and heart disease

Hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women who fall into these categories:

• Currently pregnant

• Issues with abnormal vaginal bleeding

• Family history of breast cancer, gallbladder disease, heart disease, stroke, blood clots, or liver disease

• Allergy to estrogen or progesterone

Though the benefits of HRT far outweigh the risks for healthy women, it’s important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, so working with a medical professional is imperative.

Winona’s HRT effectively manages 100+ symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause, including:

• Hot flashes

• Night sweats

• Mood swings

• Brain fog

• Vaginal dryness

• Low libido

• Urinary incontinence

• Palpitations

• Sleep disruptions

• Weight gain

• Breast sensitivity

• Irregular heartbeat

• Electric shocks

• Tingling sensation in extremities 

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Allergies

• Dry, itchy skin

• Anxiety and depression

• Decreased mental capacity

• Thinning hair

• Body odor

• Joint and muscle aches

• Digestive issues

• Burning tongue

Rooted in empathy, our aim is to not only help our patients find innovative, research-driven medical solutions, but to provide a safe place to ask questions without embarrassment or judgment. We provide the opportunity to connect with our team of compassionate, knowledgeable, board-certified physicians trained in menopause, who are available right now to address your concerns and design a personalized HRT plan, just for you!

Our free ebook, Navigating Menopause: Your Complete Guide to Hormone Replacement Therapy, answers all of your questions and addresses common concerns about HRT.

This free resource includes everything you need to know to make informed decisions during the menopause transition and beyond. 

Discover the many benefits of HRT, educate yourself about menopause, and empower yourself with knowledge from leading experts.

As women in the prime of life, you take care of your families, your work, and your friends, but all too often, you forget to care for yourselves. From painful sex and unwanted weight gain to wrinkled skin and bothersome hot flashes, imbalanced hormone levels can leave you feeling lethargic, apathetic, listless, and unmotivated. Hormone replacement therapy is effective for re-calibrating your system, treating the symptoms that come with the menopause transition. 

While there is no magic cure to growing older, adding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to a self-care regime can help you regain your energy, bring back your motivation, and boost your confidence from the inside out.