A Shared Mission for Women
Sisters Maureen and Laurie are on a mission to transform women’s health—starting with menopause. With decades of combined experience in advanced nursing, holistic wellness, and education, they’ve joined forces to empower women to understand their bodies, advocate for their needs, and make informed decisions about their care. Through their work at Vitality Collective, they’re helping women connect the dots between symptoms, hormones, and solutions—offering education, support, and personalized guidance. Their shared passion is rooted in one belief: when women are informed, they are powerful. And it’s time we all had access to the knowledge and resources we deserve.
Trusted Hormone Health Resources
Estrogen Matters
📚 Why Estrogen Matters – A Must-Read for Every Woman Exploring Hormone Health
If you've ever been told that estrogen is dangerous—or that hormone therapy is only a last resort—you’re not alone. In Estrogen Matters, oncologist Dr. Avrum Bluming and social scientist Dr. Carol Tavris set the record straight, challenging decades of misinformation surrounding estrogen and menopause.
This powerful, evidence-based book debunks the long-standing myths that have made millions of women afraid of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). With clarity, compassion, and scientific rigor, the authors explain how estrogen, far from being harmful, can actually protect against heart disease, bone loss, cognitive decline, and even certain cancers when used appropriately.
Whether you're navigating perimenopause, menopause, or simply exploring your options, Estrogen Matters is an essential read that empowers women with knowledge, not fear.
👉 We recommend this book as a trusted resource for women (and their providers!) who want to do their own research and make informed decisions about hormone health. At Vitality Collective Hormone Health, we believe in evidence-based care, individualized support, and advocating for what your body truly needs.
📚 The New Menopause – A Modern Guide to Thriving Through Midlife and Beyond
Hormones. Weight gain. Brain fog. Sleepless nights. If you’ve felt confused, dismissed, or unsupported during perimenopause or menopause, The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver is the empowering, science-backed guide you’ve been waiting for.
Written by a board-certified OB-GYN and fierce advocate for women's health, this book cuts through outdated advice and gives women the real facts about what’s happening in their bodies. Dr. Haver dives into the latest research on hormone therapy, metabolic health, nutrition, mental wellness, and how to reclaim your power in midlife—with clarity and compassion.
Far from being a decline, menopause can be a powerful reset—if you have the right tools.
👉 We recommend The New Menopause for any woman seeking to understand her changing body, advocate for better care, and thrive during this transformational stage. At Vitality Collective Hormone Health, we support women with the education, insight, and personalized support they deserve.
Vitality Collective Blogs
-
Why Your Cholesterol is Climbing in Midlife
Why It’s Not Just About Your Diet
If you’re a woman in your 40s or 50s and your cholesterol has suddenly spiked—even though nothing about your lifestyle has changed—you are not alone, and you are not broken.
-
Understanding Heart Palpitations During Menopause
You’re Not Alone
Heart palpitations during perimenopause and menopause can be unsettling, often causing your heart to race, flutter, or skip beats. These episodes are typically linked to hormonal fluctuations—especially declining estrogen levels.
-
The Power of Magnesium
Why It Matters for Everyone (Especially Women in Menopause)
Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals for human health — yet many people are chronically deficient without even realizing it. It plays a critical role in over 300 enzymatic processes in the body, including energy production, muscle function, brain health, and stress regulation.
Free Hormone Health Email Series
Learn about hormone health and bioidentical hormones with our FREE email series.
The Safety of HRT
Is Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?
Dr. Deborah Matthew's article, Is Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Safe?, challenges longstanding misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and its associated risks. She highlights that initiating estrogen therapy within 10 years of menopause or before age 60 can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and overall mortality. Contrary to widespread fears, estrogen alone has not been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer; in fact, it may decrease that risk. Dr. Matthew emphasizes the importance of the type, timing, and administration method of HRT, advocating for bioidentical hormones and personalized treatment plans. This article is essential reading for women seeking to make informed decisions about managing menopause symptoms and understanding the true benefits and risks of HRT.
Is HRT Safe for Menopause? New Guidelines Say Yes
New guidelines from University Hospitals affirm that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a safe and effective option for many women experiencing menopause symptoms. While a 2002 study raised concerns about HRT's risks, subsequent research indicates that starting HRT before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause can offer significant benefits, such as relief from hot flashes, mood swings, and protection against osteoporosis and heart disease. The article emphasizes the importance of individualized care, encouraging women to discuss the risks and benefits of HRT with their healthcare providers to make informed decisions. This shift in perspective aims to empower women with accurate information and personalized treatment options for managing menopause.
Podcasts That Matter
-
The Hormone Solution with Karen Martel
The Great Estrogen Debate with Dr. Felice Gersh, Dr. Daved Rosensweet, Dr. Lindsey Berkson, Dr. Julie Taguchi & Karen Martel
In this must-listen episode, four of the top minds in hormone therapy—Dr. Felice Gersh, Dr. Daved Rosensweet, Dr. Lindsey Berkson, and Dr. Julie Taguchi—dive deep into the science and strategy behind effective hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women.
They explore the distinct roles of estrone, estradiol, and estriol, the debate between estradiol-only vs. combination approaches, and the importance of maintaining natural hormone rhythms. The conversation highlights emerging research on estrogen receptor beta agonists and their potential in cancer prevention, as well as the impact of inflammation, hormone dosing, and individualized protocols on long-term health outcomes.
Whether you’re a practitioner or a woman seeking answers, this episode offers powerful insights into how personalized, well-informed HRT can support bone, brain, immune, and cardiovascular health—especially when paired with nutrition and lifestyle strategies.
-
The Drive Dr. Peter Attia
Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D.
Rachel Rubin is a board-certified urologist & one of the nation's foremost experts in sexual health. She shares her deep expertise on the topic of women’s sexual health, exploring why this area remains so neglected in traditional medicine & highlighting the critical differences in how men & women experience hormonal decline with age. Rachel explains the physiology of the menstrual cycle, the complex hormonal shifts of perimenopause, & the health risks associated with menopause, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, dementia, & recurrent urinary tract infections. She discusses the controversy surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) & provides guidance on the safe & personalized use of estrogen, progesterone, & testosterone in women. With particular emphasis on local vaginal hormone therapy—a safe, effective, & underused treatment—Rachel offers insights that have the potential to transform quality of life for countless women.
-
The Drive Dr. Peter Attia
Avrum Bluming, M.D. and Carol Tavris, Ph.D.: A compelling case for hormone replacement therapy
In this compelling episode, hematologist and oncologist Dr. Avrum Bluming joins forces with social psychologist and acclaimed author Carol Tavris to unpack their groundbreaking book, Estrogen Matters. Together, they tackle the long-standing confusion and fear surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women in menopause. Drawing parallels between flawed dietary guidelines and the misunderstood science behind HRT, they present a clear, evidence-based argument that postmenopausal hormone therapy—when appropriately prescribed—offers significant benefits without increasing breast cancer risk. The episode explores the history and fallout of the Women’s Health Initiative, while also diving into the latest research on HRT's role in preventing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline.
We’re Here to Help
At Vitality Collective, we offer a comprehensive, whole-body approach to midlife wellness that includes hormone testing, personalized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), metabolic support, wellness coaching, and concierge care. Whether you’re already on a statin, exploring GLP-1s, or just starting to ask questions, we’re ready when you are.
You are not crazy. This is real. And we can help.