If you’ve been seeing people talk about peptides, peps, peppers, 🌶🌊, Pɛp+ḷꝺΣ or whatever coded little nickname the internet is using this week and you’ve been wondering what everyone is even talking about… this one’s for you.
I wrote a full blog post about it…. here’s the TLDR version👇
A nurse led guide to what peptides are, how they work, what peptides are used for, and what to know before starting peptide therapy.
What are peptides????
The easiest way to think about peptides is to think of them as language. Amino acids are the letters. Peptides are short words or phrases made from those letters. Proteins are the longer sentences, paragraphs, or full instruction manuals your body builds from them.
So when people say peptides are “building blocks,” that’s the part they mean. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and those little chains can act like messengers in the body. Depending on the peptide, that message might be linked to skin, energy, recovery, metabolism, sleep, libido, or cognitive support.
That’s why “I take peptides” doesn’t really tell you much by itself. Peptides are a whole category, not one single thing. Some are talked about for energy and cellular function. Some are being researched for skin health, collagen support, tissue repair, recovery, metabolic support, sleep, libido, or cognitive wellness. The goal depends on the peptide, the person, and the reason someone is using it.
This is also why I’m not a fan of the internet acting like there is one “best peptide” for everyone. The better question is, “What am I actually trying to support, and does this make sense with my health history, medications, goals, and provider review?”
And yes, we also need to talk about safety and sourcing.
A lot of vitamins and dietary supplements people buy every day aren’t FDA approved for safety and effectiveness before they hit the market, so the phrase “not FDA approved” doesn’t automatically mean “bad.” But with peptides, especially compounded options, I care even more about where they come from.
I want provider review. I want a licensed pharmacy. I want clear instructions. I want quality standards. I want support if I have questions or concerns. I don’t want anyone playing mystery vial roulette because a website had sophisticated branding and a price that looked too good to be true.
So if you’ve been peptide curious but also slightly confused, suspicious, overwhelmed, or wondering if this is just another wellness trend with better packaging, I wrote the full beginner-friendly breakdown for you.
In the full post, I explain: What peptides are How peptides are different from amino acids and proteins What peptides are used for in wellness Why women over 40 are suddenly hearing about them What “not FDA approved” actually means How to think about peptide sourcing before you spend money on anything
And honestly, if you’ve been seeing this topic everywhere and wondering if you missed the group text, you didn’t. The peptide conversation just got loud fast.
This is your starting point.
XOXO, NIKI
PMOS. Perimenopause. Metabolic health. The real stuff. Not just “eat less, move more.”
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
You know that thing where your brain understands that something is technically over, but your body absolutely didn’t get the memo?
Like the breakup happened. The hard conversation happened. The scary season happened. The job stress finally calmed down. The family chaos settled a little. Whatever it was, the event itself isn’t actively happening in front of you anymore, but your body is still walking around like it might start again any second.
That is such a weird place to be, because from the outside, you can look completely fine. You’re working. You’re answering texts. You’re showing up. You’re making dinner, folding laundry, pretending you didn’t just reread the same paragraph six times because your brain wandered into a side quest. Very normal adult woman behavior, obviously.
But internally? Different story.
Your chest feels tight for no clear reason. Your stomach drops when your phone buzzes. You’re jumpier than usual. Your thoughts are louder than they need to be. You’re tired, but not sleepy. You’re overstimulated, but also somehow bored. And if you’re an ADHD girlie like me, your brain already came with 900 tabs open, so now it’s 900 tabs open plus one emotional support tornado in the background.
Cute. Love that for us.
If any of that resonated… keep reading…
Selank is a compounded prescription nasal spray through EllieMD, and it’s a synthetic neuropeptide being studied for stress-response regulation, emotional balance, and cognitive function. It may help support the systems that help you feel steady, regulated, and mentally clear when your body has been running a little too “brace for impact.”
And I want to be clear about what I’m not saying here. I’m not saying Selank treats anxiety, fixes heartbreak, replaces therapy, or magically makes life stop being life. If someone is in crisis, having severe symptoms, or feeling like they truly need mental health support, that is a provider conversation, full stop.
What I am saying is that there is a whole group of people who are not in full on crisis, but also don’t feel like themselves. They’re functional, but fried. They’re “fine,” but one unexpected noise away from becoming a feral raccoon in leggings. They don’t necessarily want to be sedated or checked out. They just want their internal alarm system to stop acting like every email, text, memory, or minor inconvenience is a threat.
Your stress response is supposed to activate when it needs to, then come back down when the threat is gone. But after a rough season, a big emotional hit, chronic stress, burnout, grief, or even just a long stretch of “I am handling everything because apparently that’s my assigned role in this lifetime,” sometimes that system feels like it gets stuck halfway on.
Not fully panicking. Not fully relaxed. Just hovering.
Selank is being studied for its potential role in supporting a calmer, more balanced stress response, emotional steadiness, and mental clarity without the goal being “knock me out so I can function less.”
And honestly, I think a lot of women, especially Xennial/Millennial women, are living in that middle ground. Not falling apart enough to call it a crisis, but not regulated enough to call it peace. We’re calling it “busy,” “stressed,” “overwhelmed,” “just a rough season,” or “I’m probably fine,” when sometimes what we mean is: my life moved on, but my body is still standing in the wreckage with a clipboard.
With EllieMD, Selank is reviewed by a licensed provider, and eligibility is determined by your individual health history and intake. It’s compounded, which means it is not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not evaluate compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before use. That is also why sourcing matters, because if I’m talking about a peptide nasal spray that interacts with brain and nervous system pathways, I am not interested in mystery-vendor roulette.
Here’s the question I’d start with: Do you feel like you need more focus, or do you feel like you need your body to feel safe again? Because Selank is more the 2nd one. Not “make me a new person.” Not “erase stress.” More like: can we support the system that helps me feel steady while life is doing life?
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
If you’ve been seeing people talk about peptides, peps, peppers, pepper gardens, or some weird version of the word peptide typed like it came from a ransom note, and you’ve been wondering what in the actual wellness internet is going on, you aren’t alone. It’s come to my attention that a lot of people are watching us talk about peptides like we have two heads because they have no clue what we’re even talking about or why they seem to be everywhere right now. And honestly? Fair.
Before I became more involved in the wellness side of things, I understood the basic science of peptides, but I didn’t fully understand how they were being used in longevity, skin health, energy support, recovery, metabolic health, or the newer wellness conversations happening online. I knew peptides existed in the body. I knew they mattered. But I wasn’t sitting around casually talking about peptide therapy over coffee like that was a normal Tuesday.
Why is everyone talking in code about peptides?
Before we even get into what peptides are, we need to talk about why you might see people calling them peps, peppers, pepper garden, 🌶️🌊, or some bizarre character version like Pɛp+ḷꝺΣ. It can look ridiculous from the outside, and to be clear, sometimes it IS ridiculous. But there’s a reason for it.
Social media platforms are not great at telling the difference between someone in the healthcare or wellness space providing legitimate educational content and someone selling gray market research peptides like they’re selling illegal drugs on the corner. So the people who are trying to talk about this responsibly often end up getting creative with language because platform filters can flag the topic before even getting to the context.
That doesn’t mean every coded post is trustworthy, and it definitely doesn’t mean every person using normal wording is unsafe. It just means the online peptide conversation has gotten weird because the internet made it weird. Shocking, I know.
So what are peptides?
Peptides are already in your body. They’re not some random wellness invention someone cooked up because they ran out of collagen powder to sell. Peptides are short chains of amino acids, and amino acids are the building blocks your body uses to make proteins.
Think of it like language. Amino acids are the letters. Peptides are short words or phrases made from those letters. Proteins are the longer sentences, paragraphs, or full instruction manuals made from those same letters arranged in more complex ways. That’s the simplest way to understand the relationship without turning this into a biochemistry class, which I promise nobody asked for today.
Peptides can act like messengers in the body. Depending on the peptide, that message may relate to skin health, collagen support, recovery, metabolic signaling, appetite signaling, cognitive function, tissue support, immune signaling, or cellular repair. That’s why the phrase “I take peptides” is honestly not very specific. It’s kind of like saying, “I take medication.” Okay… which one? For what? Through what route? Under whose guidance? For what goal?
What Are Peptides Used For? It Depends on the Peptide
This is one of the biggest things people miss when they first start hearing about peptides. Peptides aren’t all the same. They don’t all do the same job, and they aren’t all used for the same reason.
Some peptides are talked about for energy and cellular function. Some are being explored for skin, collagen, and tissue support. Some come up in conversations around muscle recovery, joint comfort, or workout recovery. Some are discussed in cognitive wellness. Others are connected to metabolic health and appetite signaling. Even within the same general category, two different peptides may work through completely different mechanisms in the body.
That’s why I don’t love when people ask, “What peptide should I take?” as if there is one universal answer. The better question is, “What am I trying to support, and what does my health history actually look like?” Because the peptide conversation for a woman who’s exhausted but sleeping fine may look very different from the peptide conversation for a woman dealing with skin changes, hair thinning, workout recovery issues, brain fog, or metabolic changes.
Why Women Over 40 Are Interested in Peptide Therapy for Energy, Skin, and Recovery
A lot of women aren’t peptide curious because they want another trendy wellness thing. They’re curious because something changed, and the old tools aren’t working the way they used to.
Maybe your skincare routine used to be enough, and now your skin still looks tired no matter how consistent you are. Maybe the Botox still smooths the lines, but it doesn’t fix the dullness, the skin laxity, the crepey texture, the volume loss, or the fact that your face still looks tired underneath it all. Maybe you’re working out, eating well, sleeping okay, and still dragging by 2pm. Maybe your recovery from workouts feels slower than it used to. Maybe your hair feels thinner, your body composition is changing, your brain feels foggy, or maybe your skin just doesn’t bounce back the way it used to. It’s annoying as hell because you’re still doing the skincare, the SPF, the appointments, all of it.
Then you go to your doctor, get the usual labs, and hear, “Everything looks fine.” Which is frustrating because “fine” does not explain why you feel exhausted, your skin looks different, your workouts take longer to recover from, and your body responds differently, even though your routine hasn’t changed.
That is where a lot of women start researching peptides. Not because they’re trying to become one of the bodybuilding biohacker bros. Not because they want to chase every shiny wellness trend. They’re trying to understand what’s happening under the surface and whether there are smarter options than just doing more of the same.
Are peptides FDA approved?
This is where we need to be specific, because “peptides are not FDA approved” is too broad.
Some FDA approved medications are peptide based or peptide related, like GLP-1s. But many of the peptides being discussed online in the wellness, longevity, recovery, skin, and performance spaces are not FDA approved medications. Compounded medications are also not FDA approved, which means the FDA does not evaluate them for safety, effectiveness, or quality before use.
That can sound scary, but it doesn’t automatically mean something is bad or unsafe. It means the details matter a lot. It means you need to care about who is evaluating you, where the medication is coming from, whether the pharmacy is licensed and regulated, whether testing is being used to verify quality, whether the instructions are clear, and whether there is actual support if you have questions or concerns.
This isn’t the category where I want anyone playing mystery vial roulette because a website had sophisticated branding and a price that looked too good to be true.
I know “not FDA approved” can sound scary, so let’s put that phrase in context. Dietary supplements, including many vitamins, minerals, and wellness products people buy every day, are also not FDA approved for safety and effectiveness before they hit the market. That doesn’t automatically make them bad, but it does mean the quality, sourcing, claims, testing, and company behind them matter.
The same general idea applies here, but with an important distinction: many peptides being discussed in wellness are not supplements. They are often compounded medications, which means they belong in a more medically guided lane. Compounded medications are not FDA approved, and that is exactly why provider review, a licensed pharmacy, clear instructions, and testing standards matter so much.
How to Choose a Peptide Source: Provider Review, Licensed Pharmacies, and Quality Testing
You can find almost anything online. That doesn’t mean you should put it in your body.
One of the biggest issues with peptides right now is that a lot of people don’t understand the difference between medically guided options and research grade gray market products. Some websites look polished. Some use medical language. Some have branding that feels legitimate at first glance. But clean branding doesn’t automatically mean provider oversight, proper pharmacy standards, clear dosing instructions, sterility, potency, purity, or support.
My green flag list is boring on purpose. I want licensed provider review. I want a licensed and regulated compounding pharmacy. I want third party testing for potency and purity. I want clear instructions. I want actual support if I have questions or concerns. I want transparency around what is compounded and what isn’t FDA approved. I want the process to feel medically guided, not like someone tossed you into the internet wilderness with a vial and a prayer.
That is the difference between “this exists online” and “this is a source I’d actually be comfortable putting my name next to.”
Why I Use EllieMD for Provider-Reviewed Peptide and Wellness Options
I personally use EllieMD, and I’m also a brand partner with them. That means yes, I may earn from qualifying orders through my link. It also means I’m putting my name, my nursing background, and my personal standards next to the company I’m choosing to talk about publicly.
The reason I talk about EllieMD isn’t because peptides are trendy. It’s because I wanted a source that checked the boxes I care about as a nurse and as a woman using some of these tools myself. And I wanted to have a trusted source to be able to recommend when I’m asked questions about peptides. Licensed provider review matters. A regulated pharmacy process matters. Clear instructions matter. Support matters. Quality standards matter. And not making people feel like they have to decode this entire category alone matters too.
For the woman who is already investing in skincare, med spa treatments, wellness tools, supplements, fitness, and better health, this is not about finding the cheapest option. It’s about asking whether the next investment actually makes sense, whether it is medically guided, and whether it is addressing the thing you’re actually trying to support.
Do peptides replace your doctor, labs, skincare, nutrition, or strength training?
No. And anyone making it sound that simple is already making me nervous.
Peptides are not a replacement for medical care. They are not a replacement for appropriate labs, nutrition, strength training, sleep, hormone evaluation, skincare, or an actual provider who understands your health history. They are one category of tools that may be worth discussing depending on your goals, medications, history, labs, budget, and what you are actually willing to do consistently.
The right conversation depends on the person. One woman may be looking at peptides because she’s sleeping fine but still exhausted. Another may be more focused on skin changes, collagen support, hair thinning, slower workout recovery, brain fog, libido, sleep, or metabolic support.
And for some people, peptides may not be the right fit at all. That is exactly why provider review matters.
That is why provider review matters. That is why your health history matters. And that is why I will never be the person telling everyone on the internet to take the same thing because one person had a good experience.
How to Know Which Peptide Might Fit Your Wellness Goals
If you’re new to peptides, I wouldn’t start with, “What is the best peptide?” I’d start with, “What am I actually trying to support?”
Are you looking for help with energy? Skin texture? Collagen support? Hair changes? Workout recovery? Brain fog? Metabolic health? Sleep? Libido? Joint comfort? Inflammation? Are you already taking medications or supplements? Do you have recent labs? Do you have a medical history that needs to be reviewed? Are you willing to give yourself injections, or do you need a nasal spray, capsule, or troche option? What are you actually going to use consistently?
Those questions matter more than whatever peptide is getting the most attention online this week.
Peptide Therapy for Women: What to Understand Before You Start
Peptides are not new. They aren’t magic internet dust. They’re not all the same. And they are definitely not something I’d recommend buying from a random research use only website because the pricing looked shockingly good.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can act like messengers in the body. Different peptides have different jobs, and some are being used or studied in wellness areas like energy, skin health, collagen support, recovery, tissue support, metabolic health, and cognitive function.
But the source matters. The provider matters. Your health history matters. Your goals matter. And whether this actually makes sense for you matters more than whatever the internet is screaming about this week.
This post contains affiliate links and/or brand partnership content. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHO I AM (AND WHO I’M NOT).
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing on this site replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment — this is not something that should be DIY’d. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
TRANSPARENCY.
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links on this site are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
RESULTS + TESTIMONIALS.
Any testimonials or results shared on this site reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
Menopause has been treated like some vague “welcome to aging, good luck with that” situation for way too long. And it’s so much more than hot flashes.
It can be hot flashes that come out of nowhere. Night sweats that have you waking up damp, annoyed, and questioning every life choice. Sleep that suddenly goes sideways. Mood changes that make you feel like you owe your entire household an apology. Brain fog. Low libido. Vaginal dryness. Painful intimacy. Urinary urgency. Joint aches. Fatigue. Body composition changes. Feeling like your body hit a wall and nobody gave you the map.
This is common. But common doesn’t mean “you just have to deal with it.”
EllieMD’s HRT Program offers personalized, physician directed hormone care for menopause support.
A Mayo Clinic study found that more than 3 out of 4 women ages 45-60 reported menopause symptoms, and more than 80% didn’t seek medical care for those symptoms. Only about 1 in 4 were receiving any treatment at the time of the survey.
That’s not because women are fine.
That’s because too many women were either never told there were real options, or they were fear mongered so hard about the risks that they never felt safe asking the question in the first place.
A lot of us were taught one very simple message: HRT = scary.
A lot of the HRT fear traces back to the Women’s Health Initiative, a large study from the early 2000s that looked at hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.
The part that made the biggest headlines followed more than 16,000 generally healthy postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 who still had a uterus. The average age was about 63, so this wasn’t mostly newly menopausal women in their late 40s or early 50s who were looking for help with hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, mood, and quality of life.
That group was given a specific oral combination of estrogen + progestin. That arm of the study was stopped early because, in that group, using that specific hormone combination, researchers saw increased risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and invasive breast cancer.
Which sounds scary. And honestly? It was a big deal. But then the public message basically became: “HRT is dangerous.” PERIOD.
Which is exactly how we ended up with an entire generation of women white-knuckling menopause symptoms because they were scared to even ask.
But the part that got lost? That study was not the same as a 49-year-old woman in perimenopause who suddenly cannot sleep, is sweating through her pajamas, has zero libido, feels like her mood has been hijacked, and is wondering why nobody warned her this could happen.
The WHI included postmenopausal women ages 50-79, with an average age around 63. That matters. Timing matters. Route matters. Dose matters. Medical history matters. Whether someone has a uterus matters. Estrogen alone vs estrogen with progesterone matters.
Basically, the answer was never supposed to be “everyone should take HRT.” But it was also not supposed to be “everyone should be terrified of it forever.” The more accurate answer is: HRT can be incredibly helpful for the right person, at the right time, with the right provider reviewing their health history.
And yes, there are people who should not take it. That is why it should be a real medical conversation, not a Facebook comment section.
What makes me excited about EllieMD adding HRT is that it gives women another way to actually have that conversation instead of being told, “Well, this is just aging.”
Because hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, urinary symptoms, mood changes, brain fog, and feeling like your body changed the rules overnight are not things women should have to just silently survive.
Common does not mean normal. And normal aging does not mean “sorry, no options.”
Menopause care should be individualized, not brushed off or treated like something women just have to deal with.
EllieMD’s new HRT options include things like estradiol, progesterone, vaginal estradiol, DHEA, and pregnenolone options, depending on what someone is looking into and what a licensed provider determines is appropriate.
The initial rollout is focused on menopause and postmenopause support, with perimenopause support coming in a later phase. So if this current rollout doesn’t apply to you yet, that doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. It just means EllieMD is rolling this out in phases, so provider review, safety, and appropriate prescribing stay front and center. And honestly, I respect that. Hormones are not something to casually toss at everyone with a symptom and a credit card. Your history matters. Your uterus matters. Your age, symptoms, risk factors, and goals matter. That’s the whole point of having a licensed provider review everything before prescribing if appropriate.
The goal isn’t to pretend menopause is a disease.
The goal is to stop pretending symptoms that affect your sleep, mood, intimacy, cognition, energy, and quality of life are just some cute little midlife inconvenience you’re supposed to white-knuckle through while still running the whole household and remembering the orthodontist appointment.
Absolutely not.
But y’all!!! I’m so incredibly excited that EllieMD now offers HRT, so even if the doctors you have local access to don’t want to have this conversation, EllieMD providers will!
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
HRT for Menopause Support: What Changed, What the HRT Scare Missed, and What Women Should Know Now
If you’ve ever brought up hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, brain fog, low libido, vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, or the general “why does my body feel like it changed the rules overnight?” situation and gotten the medical equivalent of a shrug, you’re absolutely not alone.
Menopause care has been largely neglected for something that literally affects half the population, and that’s absolutely wild. And when HRT does come up, a lot of women immediately remember the scary version of the conversation they heard years ago. Hormones are dangerous. HRT causes cancer. Just deal with menopause because that’s safer.
Except that should never have been the full conversation.
While menopause may be normal, being brushed off is not.
What Are Common Menopause Symptoms Besides Hot Flashes?
Hot flashes get all the attention, and honestly, fair. Randomly feeling like your internal thermostat has gone feral is hard to ignore. But menopause is not just hot flashes.
Menopause symptoms can include night sweats that wreck your sleep, mood changes that make you feel like you owe half your household an apology, brain fog, low libido, vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, urinary urgency, joint aches, fatigue, body composition changes, and sleep that suddenly acts like it no longer knows you personally.
And what makes this extra frustrating is that many women are told this is “just aging,” as if that’s an actual plan. It isn’t.
A symptom being common does not mean it’s automatically something you have to white-knuckle through. Menopause is a normal life transition, but symptoms that affect your sleep, mood, intimacy, cognition, energy, and quality of life deserve treatment.
Why Are Menopause Symptoms So Undertreated?
A Mayo Clinic study found that more than 3 out of 4 women ages 45 to 60 reported menopause symptoms, and more than 80% didn’t seek medical care for those symptoms. Only about 1 in 4 were receiving any treatment at the time of the survey. (Mayo Clinic)
That isn’t because women are fine.
That’s because too many women were never told there were real options, were dismissed when they asked, or were scared so badly by the hormone therapy conversation that they never felt safe bringing it up in the first place.
Menopause care should be individualized, not brushed off or treated like something women just have to deal with.
Why Did HRT Get Such a Scary Reputation?
A lot of the fear around hormone replacement therapy traces back to the Women’s Health Initiative (aka WHI). This was a large study from the early 2000s that looked at hormone therapy in postmenopausal women.
The part that made the biggest headlines followed more than 16,000 generally healthy postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 who still had a uterus. The average age was about 63. This was not mostly newly menopausal women in their late 40s or early 50s who were asking for help with hot flashes, night sweats, sleep, mood, and quality of life.
That group was given a specific oral combination of estrogen + progestin. That arm of the study was stopped early because, in that group, using that specific hormone combination, researchers saw increased risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, pulmonary embolism, and invasive breast cancer. The original WHI report also noted that the risk-benefit profile didn’t support using that regimen for primary prevention of chronic disease. (PubMed)
And yes, those risks are serious.
Heart events, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer aren’t tiny little side notes. We aren’t pretending they don’t matter. Absolutely not.
But what happened next is where the conversation got flattened into something that hurt a lot of women. The public message became “HRT is dangerous.” PeRIOD.
No timing conversation. No route conversation. No dose conversation. No “who was actually in the study?” No “what exact hormones were used?” No “does this apply to every woman in every stage of menopause?” No “are we talking about symptom relief or trying to prevent chronic disease?”
Just fear. And that fear shaped menopause care for decades.
What Did the Women’s Health Initiative Actually Show About HRT?
It gave providers real safety data. It changed how clinicians evaluate hormone therapy, especially when it comes to age, time since menopause, personal risk factors, and using hormones for symptom support versus chronic disease prevention.
A 63-year-old postmenopausal woman taking a specific oral estrogen plus progestin combination for chronic disease prevention isn’t the same clinical situation as a 49-year-old newly symptomatic woman who can’t sleep, is soaking through pajamas, has vaginal dryness, feels like her libido packed a bag and left town, and wants to know what her options are.
Timing matters. Route matters. Dose matters. Medical history matters. Whether someone has a uterus matters. Estrogen alone versus estrogen with progesterone matters. The reason someone is considering HRT matters.
HRT may be incredibly helpful for the right person, at the right time, with the right provider reviewing their health history. And yes, some people shouldn’t take it. That is exactly why this should be a real medical conversation, not a Facebook comment section.
Is HRT Still Recommended for Menopause Symptoms?
The Menopause Society’s 2022 position statement says hormone therapy remains the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats, and genitourinary syndrome of menopause. It also states that for most healthy symptomatic women who are younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, the benefits outweigh the risks when there are no contraindications and treatment is individualized. (The Menopause Society)
The FDA has also been moving toward updated labeling language for menopausal hormone therapies to better clarify benefit and risk considerations. In 2025, the FDA requested labeling changes to remove broad risk statements about cardiovascular disease, breast cancer, and probable dementia from boxed warnings for many menopausal hormone therapy products, while still keeping the endometrial cancer boxed warning for systemic estrogen-alone products in women with a uterus. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
What Is EllieMD’s HRT Program for Menopause and Postmenopause Support?
EllieMD’s new HRT options include things like estradiol, progesterone, vaginal estradiol, DHEA, and pregnenolone, depending on what someone is looking into and what a licensed provider determines is appropriate.
The initial rollout is focused on menopause and postmenopause support, with perimenopause support coming in a later phase. If the current rollout doesn’t apply to you yet, that doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. EllieMD is rolling this out in phases, so provider review, safety, and appropriate prescribing stay front and center.
Hormones are not something to casually toss at everyone with a symptom and a credit card. Your history matters. Your uterus matters. Your age, symptoms, risk factors, and goals matter. That is the whole point of having a licensed provider review everything before prescribing if appropriate.
EllieMD’s HRT Program offers personalized, physician directed hormone care for menopause support.
What Does Estradiol Support During Menopause?
Estradiol is a form of estrogen, and estrogen was quietly involved in a lot more than most of us were taught. We usually think of estrogen as a period or fertility hormone, but it also plays a role in temperature regulation, vaginal and urinary tissue health, bone support, skin elasticity, mood, sleep, cognition, and metabolic function.
So when estrogen drops during menopause, symptoms can show up all over the body. Hot flashes and night sweats are the obvious ones, but estrogen changes can also be part of the bigger picture with sleep disruption, brain fog, mood changes, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, and body composition changes.
What Does Progesterone Support During Menopause?
Progesterone deserves its own spotlight because it isn’t just estrogen’s quiet coworker.
Progesterone often declines before estrogen fully drops, and a lot of women feel that shift in their sleep and nervous system. This is the kind of sleep disruption where you are exhausted, you want to sleep, you’ve tried the magnesium, the clean sheets, and the “no caffeine after noon” nonsense, and your body is still acting like sleep is an optional hobby.
Progesterone can interact with GABA pathways, which help calm the nervous system. That’s why progesterone is often discussed in relation to sleep quality and nighttime restlessness.
Progesterone also matters for uterine safety when systemic estrogen is used in someone who still has a uterus. If you have a uterus, systemic estrogen without adequate progesterone can stimulate the uterine lining.
What Does Vaginal Estradiol Support During Menopause?
Vaginal estradiol is different from systemic HRT because it is used locally for vaginal and urinary symptoms related to estrogen loss in those tissues.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, is wildly under-discussed. It can include vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, painful intimacy, urinary urgency, urinary frequency, and discomfort that women often assume they just have to tolerate now.
Nope. We aren’t doing “painful intimacy is just what happens after 50” as the whole plan.
Local vaginal estrogen may help support vaginal tissue moisture, elasticity, and comfort where estrogen loss is evident. The Menopause Society notes that GSM can affect vaginal, vulvar, sexual, and urinary symptoms, and unlike hot flashes, these symptoms often don’t just fade away over time without treatment. (The Menopause Society)
That is why vaginal symptoms deserve a real conversation. Not whispering. Not embarrassment. Not “well, you’re not 25 anymore.”
Absolutely not.
What Does DHEA Support During Menopause?
DHEA is a hormone precursor, which means the body can use it as raw material to make other hormones, including estrogen and testosterone.
And because apparently this still needs to be said in 2026, testosterone is NOT just a “man hormone.” Women make and need testosterone, too. It plays a role in libido, lean muscle, motivation, energy, and metabolic function.
DHEA levels decline with age, so DHEA support may be part of the conversation for women dealing with low libido, lower motivation, energy changes, or changes in muscle tone.
What Does Pregnenolone Support During Menopause?
Pregnenolone is another hormone precursor. It sits upstream from several steroid hormones, which means it is part of the raw material conversation.
EllieMD includes pregnenolone capsules as one of its HRT-related options. This may be considered for women looking into hormone support for cognitive function, mental clarity, and neurological wellness.
Can HRT Help With HOT Flashes and Night Sweats?
Hormone therapy is considered the most effective treatment for vasomotor symptoms, which include hot flashes and night sweats. (The Menopause Society)
And hot flashes aren’t just “getting warm.” They are more like the brain’s temperature control system becoming overly reactive as estrogen changes. That is why a normal temperature shift can suddenly feel like your body is trying to host a small electrical fire.
Night sweats are basically hot flashes that waited until you were finally asleep and comfortable.
So if you are waking up drenched at 3am, peeling off your pajamas, flipping the pillow, and then trying to function the next day like you didn’t just spend the night fighting invisible lava, that deserves a conversation.
Can HRT Help With Brain Fog, Mood Changes, and Sleep?
HRT may support brain fog, mood changes, and sleep for some women, depending on what is driving the symptoms and whether hormone therapy is appropriate.
Estrogen receptors are found in areas of the brain involved in memory, mood, and focus. Estrogen also interacts with neurotransmitter systems that help regulate mood and temperature. Progesterone can also have calming effects through GABA pathways, which is one reason progesterone comes up so often in the sleep conversation.
This is why I get a little spicy when women are told, “You’re probably just stressed.”
Sure. You might be stressed. Most women in midlife are running a household, managing work, remembering everyone’s appointments, answering emails, feeding people, and trying not to lose their mind in the Target parking lot.
But if your mood suddenly feels hijacked, your sleep is wrecked, your patience is gone, and your brain feels like it has 47 tabs open with music playing from one of them, hormones deserve to be part of the discussion.
Can HRT Help With Low Libido, Vaginal Dryness, and Painful Intimacy?
For some women, hormone support may help with low libido, vaginal dryness, and painful intimacy, depending on the cause and the treatment option used.
Low libido can be complicated. Stress, sleep, relationship dynamics, medications, body image, pain, and hormones can all be involved. But hormones absolutely belong in the conversation.
Estrogen helps support vaginal tissue health, moisture, elasticity, and blood flow. DHEA may support androgen pathways, including testosterone, which can play a role in sexual desire. Vaginal estradiol may be considered when symptoms are more localized, like dryness, irritation, discomfort, or painful intimacy.
And if sex hurts, that is not something you should be expected to silently tolerate.
Painful intimacy is common in menopause, but common does not mean acceptable. It definitely does not mean “well, that’s your life now.”
Can HRT Help With Weight Gain, Muscle Changes, and Body Composition?
This is where we need to be honest and not turn HRT into something it is not. HRT is not a weight loss medication.
Menopause can absolutely change body composition. Estrogen changes can affect fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, muscle maintenance, inflammation, sleep, and energy regulation. So when a woman says, “I am doing the same things I have always done, but my body is not responding the same way,” I believe her.
Because menopause can change the rules.
That does not mean HRT is automatically the answer for weight changes or body composition. But it does mean women deserve a better explanation than “eat less and walk more,” especially when they are already doing the things and still feel like their body has moved the goalpost.
Who Is EllieMD HRT For Right Now?
EllieMD’s initial HRT rollout is focused on menopause and postmenopause support. Perimenopause support is coming in a later phase.
That means the current HRT options may not apply to everyone yet. It also means eligibility is not determined by vibes, TikTok comments, or whether your friend said something worked for her.
A licensed provider reviews your medical intake and determines whether prescribing is appropriate based on your individual history, symptoms, risk factors, and goals.
That matters, and I’m not going to gloss over it, because “compounded” doesn’t mean “the exact same thing with a different label.” It means a licensed provider can prescribe a customized medication when appropriate, and that medication is prepared by a licensed compounding pharmacy.
For EllieMD, the pharmacy side matters. These medications are dispensed through state-licensed, 503A-compliant compounding pharmacies, which means they are prepared for individual patients based on a valid prescription. EllieMD also states that its medical-grade formulations undergo testing for identity, purity, and potency, and that its pharmacy partners source ingredients from FDA-registered suppliers.
Translation: this isn’t the same thing as ordering research-grade or gray-market products from a site that looks official but doesn’t include real provider review, appropriate prescribing, or pharmacy-level accountability.
Because that’s the part that gets people. Not everything sketchy looks sketchy anymore.
Some of these websites look polished. They have nice branding, medical-looking language, and product pages that feel very “wellness clinic adjacent.” But if there is no actual provider oversight, no valid prescription, no licensed compounding pharmacy preparing medication for you as an individual patient, and no clear quality testing standards, that is a very different situation.
EllieMD’s options are compounded. While they aren’t FDA-approved, they still require provider review, appropriate prescribing, and individual medical decision-making.
But there is a very big difference between compounded medication through a licensed pharmacy with quality standards and provider oversight, and something that only looks legitimate because the website got a Canva upgrade.
Compounded options can be valuable in personalized care, but they require appropriate prescribing, quality standards, and provider oversight. This is why I am picky about where I point people.
FAQ: HRT, Menopause Symptoms, and Hormone Therapy
Is HRT only for hot flashes?
No. Hot flashes and night sweats are some of the most well-known menopause symptoms, but hormone therapy may also be discussed for sleep disruption, mood changes, vaginal dryness, painful intimacy, urinary symptoms, and other symptoms depending on the individual person.
Is HRT safe for everyone?
No. HRT is not appropriate for everyone. Age, time since menopause, personal medical history, family history, uterus status, symptoms, and risk factors all matter. This is why provider review is required.
What is the difference between systemic HRT and vaginal estrogen?
Systemic HRT is intended to affect the body more broadly. Vaginal estrogen is more localized and is often discussed for vaginal and urinary symptoms related to estrogen loss.
Do you need progesterone with estrogen?
If someone still has a uterus and is using systemic estrogen, progesterone is commonly part of the conversation because it helps protect the uterine lining. A provider determines what’s appropriate.
Is perimenopause support available through EllieMD?
EllieMD’s initial rollout is focused on menopause and postmenopause support. Perimenopause support is coming in a later phase.
Is EllieMD HRT FDA-approved?
No. EllieMD’s HRT options are compounded medications, so they aren’t FDA-approved, and the FDA doesn’t evaluate compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before use.
That said, “not FDA-approved” doesn’t automatically mean “random gray-market website with nice branding.” EllieMD’s HRT options are prescribed after provider review and prepared through licensed, 503A-compliant compounding pharmacies, with quality standards like testing for identity, purity, and potency.
So yes, it’s still compounded. No, it isn’t FDA-approved. But it’s also not the same thing as ordering research-grade products from a polished website with no real medical oversight or pharmacy-level accountability.
What makes me excited about EllieMD adding HRT isn’t just that there is a new option on the menu. It’s that more women may finally get to have a real conversation about symptoms they have been told to tolerate for way too long.
The goal isn’t to pretend menopause is a disease. The goal is to stop pretending symptoms that affect your sleep, mood, intimacy, cognition, energy, and quality of life are just some cute little midlife inconvenience you are supposed to white-knuckle through while still running the whole household and remembering the orthodontist appointment.
Absolutely not.
Common doesn’t mean “you just have to deal with it.” Normal aging doesn’t mean “sorry, no options.” And fear-based medical information shouldn’t be the reason women spend years suffering silently without ever getting the full conversation.
If the doctors you have local access to don’t want to have this conversation, EllieMD providers will.
This post contains affiliate links and/or brand partnership content. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHO I AM (AND WHO I’M NOT).
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing on this site replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment — this is not something that should be DIY’d. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
TRANSPARENCY.
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links on this site are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
RESULTS + TESTIMONIALS.
Any testimonials or results shared on this site reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
I just got back from a long Memorial Day weekend in Myrtle Beach, and I have a couple pro tips.
1. Maybe don’t go to Myrtle Beach for Memorial Day weekend unless you are fully prepared for bike week.
Because whew.
The barricades. The traffic. The nonstop noise in the streets because the bikes and cars are literally just riding up and down Ocean Blvd over and over again. And naturally, our Airbnb condo was on Ocean Blvd.
Sooo we purposely went to dinner early and got back to the room early every evening before it got tooo crazy. The barricades and road closures also made driving around almost impossible, so we chose restaurants we could walk to every night. They were all delicious, btw. If you want to know where we ate, just reply, and I’ll send you the list with what we ordered at each place.
2. Turn INTO the wind when you’re spraying sunscreen at the beach.
Because I can literally feel every part of my back where the wind blew my sunscreen away. On day 2, I forgot to turn when I got to my back, so all the hard to reach places got basically zero sunscreen. Love that for me.
Anyway…
This weekend turned into the perfect storm for me to gain weight.
I was cramping all weekend and started my period at the end of the trip. So yay me. And yes, you can still bloat, swell, and see the scale jump with your cycle even while on a GLP-1. It may be less than before, but you still have the hormone changes that cause water retention and cravings and all the other fun little surprises. I even still get some typical PMS cravings, like chocolate. It’s really the only time I crave sweets. The rest of the month, if I’m craving anything, it’s usually savory or salty.
I also still hadn’t fully rebounded from our last trip to Edenton, NC where we ate out and I gained a couple pounds. Which, honestly, wasn’t too bad. It just put me at the higher end of my normal 5 lb fluctuation since hitting my lowest weight. But that also means I went into this weekend already on the higher end. Then we ate out all weekend because, obviously, we were traveling.
And I definitely needed more fiber in my life lol.
My shot was due Sunday while we were gone. I planned on taking it on Monday when we got back. Then I forgot Monday. And Tuesday. So now it’s Wednesday and I’m debating if I take it today and reset my shot day for a while, or if I just hold off and take it on Sunday like I have been. Ok, so I started writing this email on Wednesday, and then I realized how late it was and I had to start getting ready for work today….. so now here we are, Thursday. I’m definitely waiting for Sunday at this point lol.
Decisions decisions.
So here we are now, and I’m up a couple pounds over my usual max fluctuation weight. I’m not immediately jumping to increase my dose. Because right now, I know it’s me. Not in a shame spiral way. Just in a “ma’am, you traveled, ate out all weekend, had your period, needed more fiber, and forgot your shot” kind of way. That does not mean the medication stopped working. It means my body is doing body things.
So I’m going back to the routines I know work for me.
More protein. More fiber. More water. Back to normal meals. Back to my normal movement. Back to weighing once a week instead of once every now and then.
And yes, I’m making sure I’m in a calorie deficit. But no, I do not count calories. I never have on this journey.
That was a decision I made for my own mental health after spending way too much of my life recovering from toxic 90s diet culture. I won’t count every bite. I won’t obsess over numbers. I won’t turn food into a math assignment again.
I weigh once a week like I used to. If I’m losing, I’m in a deficit. If I’m not, then I’m not in a deficit. I’ve counted calories enough over the years to have a pretty good idea where I fall, and I did a pretty dang good job estimating my deficit while losing 94 lbs without tracking every single thing I ate.
So for now, I’m returning to the basics first.
If I don’t see improvement after getting back to the routines that I know work for me, then I’ll have the dose increase conversation. But that’s not my first move.
I’m a huge advocate for staying on the lowest effective dose for as long as possible, when that makes sense for you and your provider. That’s how you can help minimize a lot of the side effects people complain about when they move up too fast. And the providers at EllieMD support that too.
Low and slow, baby.
I’m also a firm believer that losing weight at a slow, controlled speed throughout my journey is part of why I minimized my loose skin.
Yes, I still have some.
But honestly, it’s mostly in the areas where I already had some loose skin from the rapid weight gain and loss with my pregnancies.
That’s a whole separate story time though lol.
All of that to say…
A couple pounds after vacation does not automatically mean you need more medication.
Sometimes it means you need your normal routine back. Sometimes it means you need more fiber. Sometimes it means your period is being personally victimizing. Sometimes it means you ate restaurant food for 4 days and your body is holding onto water like it’s preparing for a drought.
This is the kind of real life stuff I help people sort through as a health coach.
Not just “eat less.” Not immediately “increase your dose.” Not pretending the medication does everything for you.
I’m also opening a few spots for people who are getting their medication elsewhere, like if insurance is covering it, for example, but still want support with the routine side of things.
Protein. Fiber. Side effects. Dose conversations. Scale fluctuations. Travel weeks. The “is it me or is it the medication?” moments.
If you’re in my Wellness Club and want more info about health coaching, just reply to this email, and I’ll send it over.
And if you only want the Myrtle Beach restaurant list, I support that too.
XOXO, NIKI
PCOS. Perimenopause. Metabolic health. The real stuff. Not just “eat less, move more.”
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
Let me save you from doing the absolute most this week.
If you just started a GLP-1 and suddenly feel like you’re supposed to become a protein, water, fiber, meal prep, movement, perfect little wellness machine overnight… please take a breath. That is one of the fastest ways to make this feel overwhelming.
And I get why it happens. Starting a GLP-1 can feel like a fresh start, especially if you’ve spent years feeling like your body was not responding the way everyone said it should.
So your brain starts making a whole list. More protein. More water. More fiber. More steps. Better sleep. Better meals. Track everything. Fix everything. Become an entirely different human by next Tuesday.
Respectfully… that is a lot.
You do not need to become a brand-new person this week. You need one honest starting point.
Ask yourself where you’re weakest right now. Not where the internet told you to start. Not what worked for someone else. Not what sounds the most impressive. Where are you honestly struggling the most?
If you’re getting decent protein but barely drinking water, start with hydration. If you’re drinking water but constipation has entered the chat against everyone’s wishes, fiber and fluids may need more attention. If your food is pretty solid but movement has been nonexistent, start with something small enough that you’ll actually do it. If protein is the thing you keep missing, start there.
The other areas are not unimportant. They may just be good enough for now while you focus on the area that needs the most support first.
That’s the part I wish more people understood about starting these meds. Progress over perfection sounds cute on Instagram, but with GLP-1s, it’s actually practical.
When you change everything at once, it gets harder to tell what is helping and what is making you feel worse. When you work on one thing at a time, you can actually pay attention to your body.
And that matters, especially if you’re already wondering whether your dose is working, whether you need an increase, or whether you’re doing something wrong.
Sometimes a dose conversation with your provider is absolutely appropriate. But sometimes the missing piece is much less dramatic than that. Maybe you’re not getting enough protein. Maybe your hydration is basically iced coffee and hope. Maybe constipation is making everything feel worse. Maybe your body needs more support before you decide the medication itself is the problem.
That is not about blaming yourself. It’s about walking into your next provider conversation with better information.
One habit at a time. One area of improvement at a time. One realistic change you can actually keep doing.
That is how this becomes sustainable.
Not perfect. Sustainable.
And honestly, that’s the goal.
I also made a short video version of this if you’d rather hear me talk through it instead of reading my full thoughts like we’re all pretending our attention spans are thriving.
And if you want the deeper explanation, I turned this into a full blog post too. I go into more detail about why trying to fix everything overnight can make starting a GLP-1 feel way more overwhelming than it needs to be.
If you’re already on a GLP-1 and wondering, “Is it me, or is it the med?” I made a free guide for exactly that. It walks you through the four questions I asked myself before every dose increase conversation so you can go into that appointment with more clarity and less spiraling.
XOXO, NIKI
PCOS. Perimenopause. Metabolic health. The real stuff. Not just “eat less, move more.”
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
I saw the new KLOW blend and was immediately like… hold up, wait a minute.
This has the GHK-Cu that I already LOOOOOVE, plus the BPC-157/TB-500 I had already been contemplating adding… ANNNND the KPV all in one?
Hell yes, sign me up.
If you’ve been around here for more than five minutes, you already know I’m not just casually curious about GHK-Cu. I’m on it. I love it. I have been very impressed by it. I’ve had more new baby hairs with GHK-Cu than I’ve seen with anything else I’ve tried in the last 10 years. My hair is growing faster, and I’ve also noticed improvement in the loose skin on my arms and neck.
So when I saw that EllieMD released a new compounded peptide blend with GHK-Cu in it, I wanted the details immediately. Then I realized it also includes BPC-157/TB-500, which I had already been looking at for recovery and tissue support, plus KPV, which I’ve been curious about for gut and inflammatory balance. It brings together several peptides I was already looking into separately, especially for the stuff so many of us start caring about when our bodies stop bouncing back like they used to…
Skin changes. Recovery. Gut support. Inflammation. Collagen. The “why do I feel like my body needs a system update?” era.
KLOW is one I would absolutely want to know about if you’ve been curious about peptides beyond GLP-1s, especially if you’re thinking more about long-term wellness, recovery, and supporting what your body is already trying to do.
CHECK OUT KLOW HERE
If you’ve clicked a link and can’t see KLOW, it’s because it’s one that requires Exclusive Access to view. Just sign in with your free EllieMD account
OR CREATE ONE HERE
XOXO, NIKI
PCOS. Perimenopause. Metabolic health. The real stuff. Not just “eat less, move more.”
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
You’ve just started a GLP-1, and now it feels like you have to get your protein, water, fiber, and movement perfect right away, or you’re not doing it correctly.
Trying to do everything at once is a quick way to feel overwhelmed.
I’m a nurse who’s been on these medications for over two years and lost 94 pounds. If you’re starting a GLP-1, my main advice is this: you don’t have to fix everything right away. Start by choosing one area to work on first.
Focus on one habit at a time. Pick one area to improve. Make one realistic change you know you can stick with.
Aiming for perfection often makes people feel like they’ve failed before they even get started.
And I get why this happens. Starting a GLP-1 can feel like a fresh start, especially if you’ve spent years feeling like your body wasn’t responding the way everyone said it should. Suddenly you’re trying to hit a protein goal, drink a gallon of water, eat more fiber, move every day, meal prep, sleep better, track everything, and somehow become a calm, organized person who remembers to thaw chicken.
It sounds like a good plan, but it’s a lot to take on and hard to keep up.
You don’t need to become a brand-new person overnight.
You need to ask yourself one honest question: where am I weakest right now?
If you’re already getting enough protein,you don’t have to focus on it first just because the internet is yelling about it. If you’re barely drinking water, start with that. If you’re dealing with constipation, your fiber and fluids probably need attention. If movement has been nonexistent, start with something small enough that you’ll actually do it.
The other areas can wait for now.
Good enough counts, especially when you’re trying to build habits that need to last longer than your first burst of motivation.
Save this if starting GLiPI already feels overwhelming. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when starting this part of their wellness journey is trying to change every habit in the first week. Protein intake. Water intake. Fiber. Movement. Meal timing. Sleep. Supplements. All at once. No wonder it feels like too much. If your appetite is changing, your cravings feel different, or your portions are shifting, that does not mean you need to become perfect at every healthy habit overnight. Start with the area that would make the biggest difference right now. For a lot of people, that might be protein. For someone else, it may be hydration, fiber, or getting more consistent with movement. This matters even more if you’re navigating PCOS, insulin resistance, perimenopause, metabolic health, or maintenance, because sustainable habits matter more than trying to do everything perfectly for two weeks and burning out. For me, it started with protein. Once that felt easier day to day, I moved on to fiber. Then I kept building from there. That is still how I approach maintenance now: one area at a time, not a total personality transplant by Friday. #metabolichealth#pcoswellness#healthyhabits#wellnessjourney#insulinresistance I’m an RN + health coach, but I’m not YOUR nurse. Everything I share is education & encouragement only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, not a promise of results. My job here is to help you understand your body so you actually know what to ask when you talk to your provider. Anything that requires a prescription or medical oversight? That’s between you & your licensed provider. This is not a DIY situation. Some links I share are affiliate links, including my partnership with EllieMD, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share things I personally use, trust, or have found genuinely helpful.
Why Trying to Do Everything Right Away Makes GLP-1s Feel Overwhelming
Protein, water, fiber, and movement are all important. The real issue is trying to get consistent with all of them at once, especially if they’re not already part of your routine.
This is where so many people get stuck. They start a GLP-1 and immediately think, “Okay, now I need to do this perfectly.” So they create a plan that looks amazing on paper but feels miserable by day four.
They try to eat differently, drink more water, increase fiber, exercise more, avoid side effects, track their progress, understand changes in appetite, and not get discouraged when the scale doesn’t move as expected.
That’s simply too much to handle all at once.
When it gets too hard, people start thinking they’re the problem and blame themselves. They think they’re not disciplined enough. They think they’re already failing. They think maybe they’re not using the medication correctly.
But most of the time, it’s not failure. It’s just trying to take on too many new habits at once.
Progress over perfection sounds great on Instagram, I know. But with GLP-1s, it’s actually practical. If you try to change everything overnight, you make it harder to figure out what’s helping and what’s making you feel worse. If you change one area at a time, you can actually pay attention and really notice how your body responds.
That’s the part people skip.
The Better GLP-1 Beginner Question: Where Am I Weakest Right Now?
Before you start adding more rules, ask yourself where you need the most support.
Not where you think you’re supposed to start. Not what someone else said worked for them. Not what sounds most impressive. Where are you honestly weakest right now?
That answer is where you should begin.
If you’re getting enough protein most days but you’re barely drinking water, hydration may need your attention first. If you’re drinking water but constipation is a problem, fiber and fluids may need more focus. If your food is solid but you barely move your body, movement may be the place to begin.
This doesn’t mean the other habits don’t matter. It means they may be good enough for now while you work on the weakest area first.
That’s how you make this less overwhelming. You stop trying to fix everything and start improving one thing.
If Protein Is Your Weakest Area on a GLP-1
If protein is your weakest area, it’s worth paying attention to because GLP-1 medications can lower your appetite. When you’re eating less overall, it’s easy to eat less protein without realizing it.
For me, protein made a huge difference. When I wasn’t getting enough, I felt it. My energy wasn’t great, I didn’t feel as steady, and I didn’t feel like I was supporting my body well while losing weight.
When you lose weight, your body doesn’t only pull from fat. Muscle can be affected too, especially if you’re not eating enough protein or doing any kind of strength-supporting movement. And muscle matters for metabolism, strength, and long-term maintenance.
That does not mean you need to suddenly become a grilled chicken influencer. Please no. We’ve all been through enough.
It means you may need to look at your actual intake and ask whether you’re getting enough protein for your body right now.
And if the answer is no, start simple. Add protein in a way you can actually repeat. That might mean Greek yogurt in the morning, a protein shake when solid food feels like too much, cottage cheese, eggs, tuna, rotisserie chicken, protein coffee, or whatever sits well with your stomach.
The goal isn’t to make your meals look impressive. The goal is to give your body what it needs in a way that works in your real life.
If Fiber Is Your Weakest Area on a GLP-1
If fiber is your weakest area, there’s a good chance your bathroom habits have already made that very clear. GLP-1s can slow digestion, and when digestion slows down, constipation can become a real issue.
Most people don’t talk about it until they’re uncomfortable, and then suddenly fiber becomes important. It’s interesting how things change when you really need a solution.
Fiber helps support digestion and keeps things moving, but this is not your sign to go from zero fiber to chia pudding, lentils, beans, raw vegetables, and three supplements overnight. That’s how you end up bloated and mad at everyone.
Ease into it.
You can add more fiber from foods like beans, berries, oats, vegetables you tolerate well, or whole grains that sit well with your stomach. Some people also use supplemental fiber because it’s easier to stay consistent, but fiber works best when you increase it gradually and drink enough fluids with it.
That’s important. Adding fiber without enough water can make things worse, and no one wants that.
So if constipation is your weakest area, don’t ignore it and assume the medication just isn’t working. Your digestive system may need support before you decide anything else needs to change.
If Water Is Your Weakest Area on a GLP-1
Hydration sounds basic, which is probably why so many people overlook it.
But if you’re on a GLP-1 and you feel tired, headachy, dizzy, foggy, nauseated, or just off, it’s worth asking how much water you’ve actually had. Not how much you planned to drink. Not how much your emotional support water bottle was carrying around for decoration. How much actually made it into your body?
When your appetite drops, you may naturally drink less, too. You may also get less fluid from food because you’re eating less overall. And if you’re dealing with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, hydration becomes even more important.
You don’t have to make drinking water your main focus. Just find ways to make it easier to get enough fluids.
Plain water counts. Flavored water counts. Electrolytes may help some people, especially if they’re eating less or losing more fluid through digestive side effects. Coffee still counts toward fluid intake, too, despite what diet culture has screamed into the void for years.
If water is your weakest area, start there. Don’t build a complicated meal plan while your body is running on iced coffee, half a bottle of water, and determination.
That’s not a good hydration plan.
If Movement Is Your Weakest Area on a GLP-1
If movement is your weakest area, that doesn’t mean you need to start an intense workout plan.
Movement does not have to be impressive to count. It doesn’t have to be an hour. It doesn’t have to be sweaty. It doesn’t have to involve matching activewear, a gym mirror, or a playlist called “beast mode” that makes everyone uncomfortable.
It just has to be something you’ll actually do.
Movement on a GLP-1 isn’t only about burning calories. It can help support digestion, muscle, metabolism, mood, and long-term maintenance. And when you’re losing weight, protecting muscle matters.
But again, start where you are.
Maybe that means walking more. Maybe it’s stretching. Maybe it’s a few minutes of strength training. Maybe it’s doing squats while the dog takes forever outside, which is ridiculous but effective. Maybe it’s dancing around your kitchen for ten minutes because that’s what you can realistically fit into your day.
The best movement plan isn’t the one that looks good online. It’s the one you’ll actually keep doing.
Before You Assume You Need a GLP-1 Dose Increase
If you’re already on a GLP-1 and wondering if it’s time to talk to your provider about a dose increase, I don’t want you to automatically assume the answer is yes or no.
I want you to have better information before that conversation.
Sometimes a dose adjustment really may be the next step. But sometimes the issue is that you’re not getting enough protein, barely drinking water, constipated, or not moving much at all. And no judgment, because I’ve absolutely had moments where I had to look at my own habits and go, “Well. That explains a few things.”
That’s not about blaming yourself. It’s about being honest enough to know what’s actually going on.
Before you assume the medication isn’t working, ask yourself if you’re giving it enough support to do its job. Protein, fiber, water, and movement are not magic, but they are the basics that can change how you feel on these meds.
And when you know where you’re weakest, your provider conversation gets a lot clearer.
Progress Over Perfection on a GLP-1
If you’re starting a GLP-1, you don’t have to change everything in your life right away.
You don’t need to be perfect at protein, water, fiber, and movement by the end of the week. You need one honest starting point.
Ask yourself where you’re weakest right now, and start there.
This isn’t forever, and it’s not because the other areas aren’t important. It’s just easier to build one new habit at a time than to try four at once.
That’s how you make this sustainable. Not by doing everything perfectly, but by doing one thing consistently enough that it becomes part of your real life. Then you build from there.
One habit at a time. One area of improvement at a time. One realistic change you can keep doing.
That’s the goal.
Free GLP-1 Guide: Is It Me, or the Med?
If you’re already on a GLP-1 and wondering whether it might be time to talk to your provider about a dose increase, I made a free guide for exactly that.
It’s called Is It Me, or the Med?
Inside, I walk you through the four questions I asked myself before every dose increase conversation with my doctor. I looked at whether I was getting enough protein, enough fiber, enough water, and enough movement before assuming my dose wasn’t enough.
This is the same real-life checklist I used to figure out whether the issue was my habits or my milligrams.
It’s not about judging yourself. It’s about walking into your next provider conversation with more clarity.
What should I focus on first when starting a GLP-1?
When you’re starting a GLP-1, focus on the area where you’re weakest right now. For some people, that’s protein. For others, it’s water, fiber, or movement. You don’t have to fix everything at once.
Why does protein matter on a GLP-1?
Protein matters on a GLP-1 because your appetite may be lower, which can make it easier to eat less protein without meaning to. Getting enough protein helps support your body while you’re losing weight.
Why does fiber matter on a GLP-1?
Fiber matters because GLP-1s can slow digestion, and slower digestion can contribute to constipation. Adding fiber slowly and drinking enough fluids can help support digestion.
Why is water important on a GLP-1?
Water is important because eating less may also mean drinking less. Hydration can affect how you feel, especially if you’re dealing with headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, constipation, or digestive side effects.
Should I increase my GLP-1 dose if progress slows down?
A GLP-1 dose increase should be a conversation with your provider. Before assuming your dose needs to change, it helps to look honestly at your protein, fiber, water, and movement so you understand what may need support first.
Want to Know Who I Trust for GLP-1 Support?
If you’ve been wondering where I get my GLP-1 medication, who I trust, or what kind of telehealth option I’d actually feel comfortable sharing, I keep that info in one place.
After being on these meds for over 2 years, I’m pretty picky about this part. I want medically guided care, a real intake process, provider review, and no sketchy “wellness shortcut” nonsense dressed up with pretty branding.
As a Brand Partner with EllieMD, I share the option I personally use and trust so you can read through it, see how it works, and decide if it’s something you want to explore.
This post contains affiliate links and/or brand partnership content. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
LET’S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHO I AM (AND WHO I’M NOT).
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing on this site replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment — this is not something that should be DIY’d. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
TRANSPARENCY.
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links on this site are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
RESULTS + TESTIMONIALS.
Any testimonials or results shared on this site reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
Last summer, at 41 years old, I developed new-onset eczema.
On my EYELID. And under my eye. Of all the places on my body, it picked my face. Then, a few weeks later, a patch showed up on my neck like the party needed more guests.
I was furious. I was confused. I was LITERALLY doing everything right.
It would start to clear up… and then come right back. Over and over. For months.
Why would eczema suddenly show up in your 40s when you’ve never had it?
Turns out this is a real thing. And it’s way more common than anyone talks about.
Perimenopause does a number on your skin in ways most of us are never warned about. As estrogen starts to decline, your skin produces less oil, loses ceramides (the lipids that hold your skin barrier together), and the whole barrier function is compromised. Your skin microbiome shifts. Your immune response shifts. And the inflammation that your body used to handle quietly? Now it’s showing up on your face.
Research published in dermatology literature confirms that the drop in estrogen during perimenopause can trigger new-onset eczema or worsen existing eczema, even in women with no prior history. Skin gets thinner, drier, more reactive, and more easily inflamed.
So… cool. One more thing nobody tells you about your 40s.
But wait. Aren’t you on a GLP-1? Shouldn’t that be handling the inflammation?
GLP-1s reduce one type of inflammation, the metabolic kind. The kind driven by insulin resistance, visceral fat, and blood sugar dysfunction. And they do that really well.
But the inflammation driving perimenopausal skin changes is a different beast entirely. It’s hormonal. It’s local. It’s happening in my skin because my estrogen is dropping, my skin barrier is compromised, and my skin’s immune response is reacting to things it never used to.
GLP-1 is putting out the metabolic fire in my body. But the hormonal fire showing up in my skin needed something else.
Enter NAD+
Available in Injection or Nasal Spray through EllieMD
I started NAD+ injections last fall. I wasn’t taking them for my skin, honestly. I was taking them for energy, recovery, and general cellular function. You know, the perimenopausal brain fog. The skin improvement was surprising, but then when I thought about it, it made PERFECT SENSE.
But within a few weeks, I noticed my eczema was staying cleared up. Not in the “it’s better today, let’s see what happens tomorrow” way. In the actually gone way.
And then I did what nurses do, which is make absolutely terrible patients. I got busy. I skipped a week. Then another one.
Guess what came back.
I went straight to my kitchen, pulled my vial out of the fridge, and took my injection. It cleared up again after a couple of weeks. Then I missed another week (I KNOW, I KNOW). Started seeing the early signs creeping back. Back to the kitchen I went. I also bumped up to tier 2 dosing, which is a higher dose, and the skin kept improving. Not getting worse. Which matters to me because it tells me my skin is responding to more NAD+, not less.
But is there actual science behind this, or am I just seeing things?
I want to be honest with you here, because I am not trying to oversell anything.
Research on NAD+ and inflammatory skin conditions is still in its early stages. But what’s out there looks really promising.
NAD+ is a molecule every cell in your body uses to make energy and repair itself. When you’re young, you have a lot of it. As you age, levels drop. When NAD+ drops, your cells can’t handle stress as well, can’t repair damage as well, and can’t calm inflammation as well.
One 2023 study found that boosting NAD+ calmed down one of the main inflammation pathways (called Th17) that drives skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Basically, more NAD+ told the inflammation to settle down.
Another study on a form of NAD+ showed it reduced eczema symptoms, itching, and helped the skin barrier rebuild itself. It calmed the fire AND helped the wall.
And a big review from 2025 on a related form of vitamin B3 (nicotinamide) laid out why this whole family of molecules is already being used by dermatologists for eczema, rosacea, and other inflammatory skin issues.
So no. This is not me seeing things.
It’s me having a body that was inflamed, a skin barrier that was compromised, a hormonal transition nobody warned me was starting, and a cellular molecule (NAD+) that supports the exact repair and anti-inflammation work my skin needed.
It makes sense that it worked. It makes sense that when I stopped, it came back. And it makes sense that when I bumped up my dose, it kept improving.
The full stack from EllieMD. Metabolic, cellular, skin. All working together.
What I want you to hear:
If you’re in your late 30s or 40s and something new is showing up on your skin, whether that’s eczema, rosacea flares, random dryness, or sensitivity you never had before, this is worth paying attention to. Your skin is telling you your hormones are shifting. That’s just physiology.
And if you’re already in the longevity and anti-aging conversation and you’re curious about NAD+ for energy, recovery, collagen, mitochondrial health… all the things… this is one more reason to pay attention. The skin benefits are real, even if the research is still catching up.
NAD+ is not a miracle cure. The research is preliminary. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you something.
But for me? It’s part of the stack now. PERMENANTLY
If you’re curious about NAD+ or want to actually talk to a provider about whether it’s something worth exploring for you, I use EllieMD for my telehealth. The physicians are real, the messaging is unlimited, and you can ask all the questions you need to ask before you start anything. (They work with CloveRX for compounding, which is the pharmacy that actually makes the peptides. Same consistent quality every single time, which is what I wanted when I made the switch.) With EllieMD you now have the option of NAD+ Injections or an NAD+ Nasal Spray (which I will probably try out with my next order).
As always, talk to your own provider, do your own research, and don’t start anything without understanding what it does and what it doesn’t do. I am a nurse, but I am not YOUR nurse, and this is not medical advice. It’s my story, the research I’ve pulled, and an invitation to look into it if it resonates.
Love you, mean it.
XOXO, NIKI, RN
PCOS. Perimenopause. Metabolic health. The real stuff. Not just “eat less, move more.”
I’m a registered nurse and health coach who shares real, BS-free information about metabolic health, PCOS, perimenopause, and weight loss, because y’all deserve better than vague wellness fluff. But here’s what I need you to know: I am not YOUR nurse. Everything I share here is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, it’s not a diagnosis, and it doesn’t create a provider-patient relationship between us. Nothing here replaces the care of a licensed provider who actually knows your full health history. The opinions and content here are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer or the hospital where I work.
Scope of practice
As a nurse health coach, I can recommend over-the-counter products and supplements that may support your wellness goals. I don’t prescribe specific prescription medications. When it comes to GLP-1s and peptides, what I can do is talk about the science, what’s available, and what may be beneficial, so you can have an informed conversation with your licensed medical provider. The decision about what’s right for your body always belongs to you and your provider. Always consult your licensed provider before starting any prescription treatment. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Transparency
I only recommend things I actually trust. Most are products I personally use, some are from partners whose clinical standards I believe in. I will always let you know when it’s something I haven’t tried personally. Some links in this email are affiliate links or part of brand partnerships, which means I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Results + Testimonials
Any testimonials or results shared here reflect individual experiences only. Results are not guaranteed and will vary based on individual circumstances.
