Hormone Therapy for Women in Orlando
Understanding Your Hormones Is the First Step
Women across Central Florida have been trusting Hormone Therapy of Orlando with their care since 2014, and for good reason. Our clinical care team has over 50 years of combined experience treating both easy and complex hormonal cases.
Understanding the changes that come along with perimenopause and menopause is the first empowering step toward getting answers and creating meaningful solutions. We know this phase of life can bring many unwanted symptoms that affect both mind and body and how we live and move through life as women.
What Hormone Therapy for Women Addresses
Declining or fluctuating testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone levels may produce the following symptoms:
Perimenopause and Menopause Explained
Perimenopause comes into play many years before menopause and is when we may first start experiencing unwanted changes. During this time, mood, energy, sleep, weight, and libido may fluctuate.
Most women notice these changes in their early to mid-30s; however, increased environmental exposure, nutrient deficiencies, or surgical hysterectomy may cause disruptions earlier in life.
Traditionally, testosterone and progesterone are the first two sex hormones to begin dropping in perimenopause.
Think of progesterone as your cool, calm, and collected hormone, supporting:
- Sleep
- Mood
- Thyroid function
- Balancing estrogen
- Calming the mind and more
Testosterone, too, plays an important role in women, supporting:
- Bone density
- Muscle synthesis
- Energy
- Libido
- Mental clarity, and more
When these hormones decline over time, symptoms present.
As more time passes, estrogen begins declining also, contributing to:
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Mood changes
- Collagen loss
- Urinary issues
- Vaginal dryness
- Hair loss and more
Menstrual cycles become less frequent and later nonexistent. This is when we officially enter menopause.
Hormone replacement therapy simply helps to replenish these important sex hormones that support so many important physiological functions. These hormones bind to receptor sites located throughout the body and play key roles in supporting long-term health and homeostasis.
Thankfully, more studies surrounding women’s health are emerging, and the new studies are promising. Awareness surrounding hormone replacement therapy has improved much in recent years, and hopefully it continues. See the most recent studies here.
Research and FDA Update
01 — The FDA Updated Hormone Therapy Labeling in February 2026
On February 12, 2026, the FDA approved labeling changes to six menopausal hormone therapy products, removing cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia from the boxed warning. Twenty-nine companies have submitted proposed updates. The endometrial cancer warning remains for systemic estrogen-alone products.
The original concerns came largely from a study whose participants averaged 63 years old and used a formulation no longer in common use.
02 — Timing and Selection Matter
Evidence suggests the benefit-risk profile may be more favorable for appropriately selected women who start closer to menopause, generally before 60 or within about ten years of onset. This is not a universal recommendation, and hormone therapy is not appropriate for every woman.
03 — Breast Cancer Research in Women Under 55
A 2025 analysis of more than 459,000 women younger than 55 reported different associations by hormone-therapy type: estrogen-only therapy was associated with lower breast-cancer incidence, while estrogen-plus-progestin therapy was associated with higher incidence. These observational findings do not prove that estrogen prevents breast cancer or determine which treatment is appropriate for an individual patient.
Findings like these belong in a conversation with a provider who knows your history.
How We Evaluate Women's Hormone Health
Your first visit is a relaxed conversation with a wellness coach about your symptoms, health history, and goals. This visit helps determine whether hormone therapy is worth exploring.
If you decide to move forward, the next step is your comprehensive laboratory panel, provider consultation, and medical clearance.
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Your provider reviews your laboratory panel alongside your history, symptoms, and health and wellness goals, then builds your treatment plan with those goals in mind.
Our clinical team operates under the medical oversight of Dr. Luis Martinez, with additional physician guidance available for complex cases when appropriate.
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Most patients begin treatment within about a week, with medications prepared by our licensed pharmacy partners and shipped conveniently to your door.
While your protocol is being dialed in, your care team monitors your progress throughout routine check-ins and follow-up labs. Once you’re optimized, we retest only when clinically necessary, and most follow-ups can be handled by telehealth.
Labs With a Purpose
Real answers start with the real data. Every plan here begins with robust hormone testing, not a standard panel run at your average doctor’s office.
Your labs continue to matter after day one. As treatment progresses, we retest what is clinically necessary, keeping your evaluation precise and purposeful.
Membership plans start at $199 and cover your medication refills, clinician visits, medication management, dose adjustments, and direct access to your care team.
Who Is a Candidate
Many women with bothersome perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms may be candidates for an evaluation. Whether hormone therapy is right for you depends on the indication, medical history, examination, risk factors, and treatment preferences. You may be a candidate if:
Some women should not take hormone therapy. A history of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding, blood clots, stroke, or liver disease may rule it out, as does current pregnancy. Consultation is essential before deciding.
Preparing for Treatment and Aftercare
Before Your Treatment
Review your laboratory instructions provided in your confirmation email. Follow any directions about test timing, medication/supplement holds, or menstrual cycle timing.
Bring a list of all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter products you take.
If you are still having periods, note the first day of your last menstrual period.
After Your Treatment
If your plan includes injectable testosterone, rotate injection sites and follow the technique demonstrated by your care team.
If your plan includes hormone pellets, follow the post-pellet care instructions provided.
Complete your labs as directed and attend all follow-up and lab review appointments. Lab reviews may be done virtually or in person.
Contact us about any unexpected changes rather than waiting until your next appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long before I feel different?
Some symptoms may improve within the first several weeks, while others may take longer. Your clinician should reassess response, adverse effects, and whether another condition or treatment is contributing to persistent symptoms.
Is hormone therapy safe for me?
Hormone therapy has established benefits and risks. Suitability depends on age, symptoms, indication, route, dose, medical history, and personal risk factors. Monitoring supports safe prescribing but does not eliminate risk.
What is the difference between bioidentical and synthetic hormones?
“Bioidentical” generally describes a hormone that is chemically identical to a hormone produced by the human body. Some FDA-approved products are bioidentical, and others are structurally different but extensively studied. Compounded products may have additional quality, potency, and regulatory limitations. Bioidentical does not automatically mean safer or more effective.
Do I still need to be having periods to start?
No. We evaluate women in perimenopause, women who have stopped menstruating, and women who have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy. The plan is designed to meet where you are now.
What if, years ago, I could not have hormone therapy?
Worth asking again. Guidance has changed substantially. We will review the reason you were turned away and whether it still applies.
How often will I come in?
More often at first, less once you are optimized. In the early months, we do regular check-ins and follow-up labs. After that, monitoring moves to standard intervals, and many follow-ups happen by telehealth.
Where are you located?
We are located in Altamonte Springs, a short drive from downtown Orlando. Women come to us from Winter Park, Maitland, Longwood, Apopka, and throughout Central Florida. We build visit schedules around longer drives.