Winona publishes a guide to the regulatory and clinical distinctions women should understand before starting hormone therapy — compounded vs. FDA-approved medications, bioidentical vs. synthetic formulations, and what telehealth care can and can't do.
Austin, Texas — April 11, 2026 — (NewsWire) — As more women research hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for perimenopause and menopause, Winona, a physician-led telehealth company focused on menopause care, is publishing a guide that addresses the questions and distinctions that matter most before starting treatment.
Winona's care model separates technology, medicine, and pharmacy into three distinct parts: Winona, Inc. runs the platform and intake process; Winona’s medical team, made up of independently licensed physicians, reviews patient medical history and makes all clinical and prescribing decisions; and affiliated pharmacies fill and dispense prescriptions. Winona does not guarantee that an individual will receive a prescription. That determination rests entirely between the individual patient and the evaluating physician.
One distinction the guide highlights is the difference between compounded and FDA-approved medications. Most Winona treatments, including its estrogen and progesterone body creams, are compounded formulations prepared by U.S licensed pharmacies according to individualized prescriptions. Individualized compounded medications cannot be reviewed or approved by the FDA as finished products, though their active ingredients come from FDA-registered facilities. Winona's estradiol patch, by contrast, is an FDA-approved finished product. Neither category is inherently superior; the right fit depends on the individual patient’s clinical needs, as determined by their physician.
The guide also unpacks what "bioidentical" means in practice: hormones with a molecular structure identical to those the body produces naturally. Winona uses plant-derived bioidentical estradiol, progesterone, and DHEA. This is distinct from synthetic hormones, which bind to the same receptors but aren't chemically identical to what the body makes on its own. It’s also distinct from FDA approval status, as several FDA-approved therapies use bioidentical estradiol.
Perimenopause receives particular attention in the guide, since it's the stage most likely to be dismissed or misattributed to other causes. Hormone levels during perimenopause fluctuate rather than decline steadily, which can make standard lab testing unreliable. Winona's physicians evaluate and adjust treatment based on reported symptom severity rather than relying solely on lab values. This approach aligns with guidance commonly followed by menopause specialists during this transitional stage.
The guide also outlines Winona’s pricing. The Estrogen + Progesterone Body Cream and Estrogen Body Cream are each priced from $89 per month, while the FDA-approved Estradiol Patch is priced at $149 per month. Additional formulations are available with a physician’s prescription. Physician consultations and ongoing messaging are included in the subscription cost. Winona does not currently accept insurance but accepts HSA and FSA payments at checkout.
The guide closes with a practical framework: Women who've found their symptoms dismissed in traditional care settings, who face limited access to in-person menopause specialists, or who are specifically interested in bioidentical, symptom-based care may find Winona's model well-suited to their needs. Women who have contraindications to hormone therapy or require an in-person physical examination, however, are encouraged to work with their existing care team.
Women can learn more about eligibility, treatment options, and the intake process at https://bywinona.com.
*This release is intended for general educational purposes. It is not medical advice and does not replace an individualized evaluation by a licensed clinician.*