Women’s Hormone Optimization

Many women are told that severe PMS or cycle disruption is “just part of being a woman.” We disagree. These patterns often reflect hormone imbalance, nutrient depletion, chronic stress, or deeper endocrine shifts.

• Significant mood shifts or irritability before your period
• Breast tenderness, bloating, or headaches
• Heavy, painful, very short, or very long cycles
• Feeling like you “lose yourself” for part of each month

Perimenopause can last several years and is often one of the most misunderstood seasons of a woman’s life. Hormones are fluctuating, not simply “low.”

• Sleep disruption and middle-of-the-night waking
• Hot flashes or night sweats that come and go
• Cycles that become irregular in timing or flow
• Increased anxiety, irritability, or emotional intensity

After menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline. For some women, symptoms are mild; for others, they are life-altering without support.

• Persistent hot flashes and/or night sweats
• Vaginal dryness or discomfort with intimacy
• Brain fog, memory changes, and low motivation
• Joint pain, weight gain, and slower metabolism

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and PCOS-like patterns often involve insulin resistance, androgen excess, and chronic inflammation. They are highly responsive to a layered approach.

• Irregular or absent cycles
• Acne or excess hair growth in androgen-sensitive areas
• Weight gain, especially around the midsection
• Blood sugar swings or labs suggesting insulin resistance

Chronic stress, trauma, and over-responsibility can force your system into survival mode, changing how hormones are produced, metabolized, and perceived.

• Feeling “wired and tired” at the same time
• Crashing in the afternoon or after stress
• Relying on caffeine to function
• Heightened anxiety, emotional reactivity, or overwhelm

Thyroid issues, chronic infections (like Lyme or viral reactivation), mold exposure, and long-standing stress can significantly influence hormone balance and how your body feels day to day.

• Chronic fatigue and cognitive changes
• Temperature sensitivity and metabolic slowdown
• Worsening symptoms with stress or illness
• Feeling dismissed despite “normal” or incomplete labs

The Menopause Method is designed for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or surgical menopause who want a comprehensive, guided experience.

• All-inclusive, structured program for midlife hormone transitions
• Bioidentical hormones in a patented, organic, solvent-free oil-based topical formulation
• Medication cost is built into the Method subscription (no separate pharmacy bill for the core cream)
• Ongoing support with symptom monitoring and dose adjustments
• Education and timing guidance so you understand how and when to use your medication

Some women prefer a more flexible approach, or are better suited to traditional BHRT through the clinic membership model.

• Hormone care provided through your Lowcountry Wellness Center membership (for example, Health Optimizer)
• Medications prescribed and filled through the pharmacy, billed separately from membership fees
• Options may include creams, oral formulations, or other routes when appropriate
• Regular follow-up to review labs, symptoms, and fine-tune dosing

• Gentle nervous system regulation practices to support safety and grounding
• Sleep strategies to encourage deeper, more restorative rest
• Trauma-informed care that honors the emotional and mental load of long-standing symptoms

• Nutrition strategies to balance blood sugar, support metabolism, and reduce inflammation
• Guidance for navigating cravings, energy dips, and midlife weight changes
• Movement and pacing plans that respect your current capacity and nervous system state

• Time and space to tell your story — not just a quick symptom checklist
• Review of your cycles, life stage, mood, sleep, energy, intimacy, and previous treatments
• Assessment of relevant labs and discussion of what additional testing, if any, may be helpful
• Conversation about whether Menopause Method, traditional BHRT, or non-hormonal strategies are the best fit for you
• Your care may be provided by Allison, APRN; Stella, APRN; or Dr. Georgia, APRN — all of whom practice under the direct supervision of Dr. Penni, APRN, and follow her integrative, ILADS-informed framework for complex illness and hormone care.