Hormone therapy is one of the most powerful tools available to support women through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond—yet it remains dramatically underutilized. An estimated 85 million women in the U.S. are eligible for hormone therapy and bioidentical hormone therapy, but only about 4 percent receive treatment. Even more concerning, there are fewer than 3,000 physicians nationwide with the training and experience to manage female hormone therapy properly. This gap leaves millions of women struggling with symptoms that are real, measurable, and treatable.
The problem is that hormone therapy for women requires far more than writing a prescription. It demands a deep understanding of physiology, careful interpretation of lab data, ongoing monitoring, and a willingness to adjust therapy over time. That personalized level of care is exactly what defines Dr. Corey Howard's approach. Women choose Dr. Howard because he takes hormone therapy seriously, stays current with advancing science, and remains closely involved in their care. His patients are never left navigating symptoms alone or waiting weeks for answers.
What Is Hormone Therapy for Women?
Hormone therapy for women focuses on restoring balance to key hormones that decline or fluctuate with age, stress, and metabolic changes. These hormones may include estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When managed correctly, hormone therapy supports energy, sleep, mood, cognition, body composition, bone health, and overall vitality.
Rather than following rigid protocols, Dr. Howard evaluates hormone therapy in the context of the whole person, using symptoms, labs, and lifestyle factors together to guide care.
Benefits of Female Hormone Therapy
Women who receive appropriate hormone therapy often experience improvements such as:
- More consistent energy throughout the day
- Better sleep quality
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Stabilized mood and emotional resilience
- Support for bone and muscle health
- Improved sexual health and comfort
Benefits depend on choosing the right therapy, the right dose, and ongoing follow-up.
Candidates for Hormone Therapy
You may be a candidate for hormone therapy if you are experiencing:
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Sleep disturbances or night sweats
- Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
- Brain fog or memory concerns
- Weight changes resistant to diet and exercise
- Changes in libido or sexual comfort
Both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women may benefit when therapy is appropriately prescribed and monitored.
Perimenopause Hormone Therapy
Perimenopause is often when symptoms first appear, even while lab values fluctuate. Hormone therapy during this phase focuses on stabilizing hormonal swings, improving sleep, and reducing symptoms before they escalate. Early intervention can make a significant difference in how women experience the menopausal transition.
Menopause Hormone Therapy
During menopause, consistent hormone support becomes essential for long-term health. Therapy may help protect bone density, support cardiovascular health, and improve quality of life. Ongoing monitoring and dose adjustments remain critical as needs evolve over time.
Your Hormone Optimization Treatment Plan
Female hormone therapy at Howard Health and Wellness usually includes:
- Detailed evaluation of hormone status – Including estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid health.
- Personalized hormone therapy – Tailored to your unique needs and guided by current safety data.
- Supportive strategies – Covering nutrition, movement, and lifestyle habits for lasting results.
Your care plan is individualized—designed to help you feel and function at your best, not just manage symptoms.
Types of Hormone Therapy for Women
Hormone therapy for women is not a one-size approach. Different delivery methods affect absorption, symptom control, and tolerability. Choosing the right option—and adjusting it over time—requires experience, ongoing monitoring, and careful interpretation of data.
Hormone Patches
Hormone patches are one of the most commonly used options for estrogen therapy in women. They deliver hormones through the skin, allowing for steady absorption and more stable hormone levels.
Patches are often well tolerated and tend to have fewer systemic side effects than oral estrogen. They are also relatively affordable and available in multidose formats, making dose adjustments easier as symptoms and lab values change. For many women, patches provide a reliable foundation for hormone therapy, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
Hormone Gels
Hormone gels are most often used for testosterone therapy in women. Dr. Howard offers a testosterone gel specifically formulated for female physiology, which is critical—women require much lower and more precise dosing than men.
When prescribed and monitored correctly, testosterone therapy can support energy, mood, muscle health, and sexual function. Gels allow for fine dose adjustments, which is especially important for avoiding side effects. This therapy requires regular follow-up and lab review to confirm levels remain in a healthy range.
Hormone Tablets
Hormone tablets are commonly used for progesterone therapy and may be taken orally or used vaginally, depending on a woman's symptoms and clinical needs.
Progesterone plays an important role in sleep quality, mood stability, and endometrial protection when estrogen is used. Options include over-the-counter micronized progesterone as well as compounded formulations. Both short-acting and long-acting versions are available, and the choice depends on how a woman metabolizes hormones and how her symptoms respond over time.
Hormone Pellets
Hormone pellets are a longer-acting option that involves placing hormone pellets under the skin, where they release hormones over several months. While pellets may appeal to women who prefer infrequent dosing, they offer less flexibility once placed.
Dose adjustments cannot be made quickly, and hormone levels may be harder to fine-tune if symptoms change. Pellets require careful patient selection, experience with dosing, and close monitoring to avoid over-treatment or prolonged side effects. However, they can be a great option for the right candidates with thoughtful and informed administration.
Regardless of the delivery method, all hormone therapy for women requires consistent lab monitoring and clinical oversight. Interpreting hormone data correctly—and knowing when and how to adjust therapy—is a skill developed through focused training and experience. Dr. Howard remains closely accessible to his patients, responding to calls and texts and staying actively involved as therapy evolves.
Common Barriers to Care
Why is hormone therapy underutilized in America when it offers so many potential benefits? Unfortunately, many women struggle to access hormone therapy because:
- Many providers lack training in female hormone management
- Some clinicians rely on outdated beliefs rather than current research
- Proper hormone therapy requires time, follow-up, and interpretation
- Most insurance-based practices are not structured to provide this level of care
This is why hormone therapy is still difficult to find in many OB-GYN offices. It requires specialized education, continuous monitoring, and physician involvement that goes beyond standard visit-based medicine.
"Women's health is a top priority in my practice. I have specialized training, board certification, and decades of real-world experience helping women navigate perimenopause, menopause, and hormone-related health challenges with clarity, safety, and confidence." - Dr. Corey Howard.
Why Choose Howard Health and Wellness for Women's Hormone Therapy?
Dr. Howard practices within a concierge care model designed for women who want consistent access and thoughtful medical guidance. Patients pay one flat fee that covers all appointments, calls, and texts—without rushing, billing surprises, or fragmented care. If you want someone who will be there to listen to you when you need them, concierge medicine at our clinic is a great choice. The Comprehensive Health Partnership also offers an ongoing individualized health optimization plan characterized by interventions such as advanced diagnostics, hormone and metabolic analysis, and a personalized plan addressing all elements of wellness, including nutrition, fitness, sleep, stress, and longevity.
Hormone consultations are available both in person and via telehealth. Dr. Howard believes in elevating ease of care and access to care.
Feel Better with Hormone Therapy for Women in Naples
If you're struggling with symptoms that feel brushed off or told they're "just part of aging," you're not alone—and you're not without options. Hormone therapy, when prescribed and monitored correctly, can make a meaningful difference in how you feel day to day. Plus, it can be a crucial component of comprehensive plans to improve wellness and longevity.
Dr. Corey Howard provides safe and effective hormone therapy for women in Naples, Florida, with a level of access and clinical involvement that is difficult to find in traditional medical settings. Consultations are available both in person and through telehealth, making it easier to receive consistent care that fits your busy schedule.
If you're ready to explore hormone therapy with a physician who listens, stays involved, and takes the time to get it right, schedule a consultation today at 239-331-2285.
