Hormonal management is essential at various stages of a woman’s life, not just during menopause. We now understand that hormonal changes affecting cognitive, physical, and sexual well-being begin long before the final menstrual period. These fluctuations can significantly impact daily life, making once-enjoyable activities feel challenging.
The good news is there’s a lot we can do.
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause, you’ve likely been dealing with:
Your ovaries are winding down. In early perimenopause, ovarian functions shifts and progesterone drops first. Hello lighter, choppier sleep, edgier mood, and stronger PMS. Estrogen then swings high and low (the unpredictability) and later settles lower in menopause. Think hot flashes, night sweats, brain fog, vaginal dryness, bladder changes, and stubborn midsection weight. Testosterone also declines over time, affecting energy, drive, and sexual desire.
At the same time, subtle shifts in thyroid function can slow metabolism, worsen fatigue and brain fog, and make weight changes harder to reverse.
The good news? You don’t have to ride this unpredictable rollercoaster. At Montana Hormone Clinic, we use bioidentical hormone replacement therapy to support estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and in some cases thyroid, bringing them into a range that allows your body to feel steadier, more resilient, and more like itself again. Bioidentical means the hormones are structurally identical to those your body produces naturally, so your cells recognize them and respond as they would your own. Your plan is created using a thoughtful combination of your symptoms, lab results, health history, and personal goals, allowing us to build a clear wellness roadmap that supports informed decisions, measurable progress, and confidence in your care over time.
An extensive review of history and symptoms is essential, and so is looking beyond sex hormones alone. We look at the full picture. That means interpreting comprehensive labs, assessing thyroid function, cortisol, micronutrients, and metabolism, evaluating body composition, and then tailoring dosing with ongoing monitoring over time.
Melissa Lopez, FNP‑C, WHNP‑BC, brings menopause‑specific certification, advanced post‑graduate training in women’s hormones and metabolism, and years of focused practice. She confirms drivers with thorough labs and an InBody body‑composition analysis, individualizes bioidentical hormone therapy, adds thyroid or metabolic support when indicated, and maintains clear safety oversight. She also manages complex cases, including care for women with a history of breast cancer, and explains each step so you understand your options and the path forward.
$350 ($150 due at booking)
Your starting point: fasting labs and an InBody body scan to set your baseline.
We connect the dots: your symptoms, your labs, and what’s happening in your body, and then outline your personalized strategy.
Steady, supported progress with careful adjustments and practical education so changes actually stick.
Much of the hesitation around hormone therapy comes from outdated data that created unnecessary barriers for many women who could benefit from hormone support, especially those over age 60 or more than 10 years past their last menstrual cycle. Today, we understand that hormone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Safety is determined by thoughtful evaluation, individualized dosing, and ongoing monitoring. Every woman deserves an informed conversation about hormones and the potential benefits that may apply to her unique health history, symptoms, and goals.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) uses hormones that are structurally identical to your body’s own. Your cells recognize them, which helps restore a steadier, physiologic signal during perimenopause and menopause.
HRT can improve hot flashes/night sweats, sleep quality, mood steadiness, brain fog, sexual comfort/libido (GSM), and body‑composition trends. We create treatment around the symptoms that matter most to you.
Yes. Perimenopause often benefits from symptom‑led, carefully adjusted therapy. We consider your cycles, contraception needs, and goals to build the right plan.
If you’ve had your uterus removed but your ovaries were preserved, hormone changes can be harder to recognize since you no longer have menstrual cycles to signal shifts. In these cases, symptoms become the most important guide, just as they are for women with a uterus. While progesterone is not required to protect the uterine lining without a uterus, it still plays an important role in sleep, mood, and nervous system support. As a result, with or without a uterus, the overall approach to hormone care is often very similar and guided by symptoms, labs, and health history.
No. We use adjustable, bioidentical options so we can fine‑tune dosing for safety and results. Adjustability matters for comfort, symptom relief, and risk management.
Many people notice relief of hot flashes and improved sleep within weeks; mood, brain clarity, and energy often improve over 1-3 months; sexual comfort and body‑composition trends may take 3-6+ months. We adjust along the way based on how you feel and your data.
Not necessarily. Some choose to continue because they feel better and value bone/genitourinary benefits; others taper later. We revisit benefits, risks, and preferences regularly and decide together.
“Normal” ranges are wide. We use labs wisely, but your symptoms lead the plan. Our approach connects how you feel with physiology, then adjusts treatment based on response and safety.
The initial 15-minute visit is $350 ($150 due at booking) and includes a fasting lab draw and InBody scan. One week later, with a 90-minute visit, we connect the dots: your symptoms, your labs, and what’s happening in your body, and then outline your personalized strategy. HSA/FSA and superbills are supported.
