Menopause, Muscle, and More: Thriving Through the Transition - Series Introduction
- Corey Howard, MD, FACP, FAARFM
- Jun 6
- 4 min read
By Corey Howard, MD, FACP, FAARFM
Menopause is having a moment—and it’s about time.
After decades of silence, this critical phase in a woman’s life is finally being recognized for what it is: a powerful, complex, and deeply personal transition that affects every aspect of health. From energy, mood, and metabolism to sleep, skin, and sexual wellness, the hormonal shifts of perimenopause and menopause deserve real attention and expert care.
Yet despite the growing awareness, most women are still not getting the treatment they need. The reason? Many physicians still don’t understand menopause. It’s either brushed off as a natural part of aging or treated with outdated science and fear-based thinking. Medical schools rarely teach hormone management with any depth, and few providers have the training—or the confidence—to truly evaluate and treat women during this phase of life. The result is a care gap so large it’s staggering there are over 85 million women in the United States over the age of 40 who are eligible for menopause hormone therapy. Fewer than 4% are being treated.
That’s not a gap in care. That’s a public health failure. And it needs to change.
I’m Dr. Corey Howard. I’m a board-certified physician with more than 30 years of experience in internal medicine, and I hold specialized board certification and advanced training in anti-aging, functional, and regenerative medicine—with a focus on hormone management for both women and men. I’ve spent my career helping people take control of their health, using personalized strategies that blend evidence-based medicine with a deep understanding of how the body changes over time. I didn’t set out to become an expert in menopause care. But when patient after patient came in with the same concerns—fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, poor sleep, mood swings, low libido—and no answers from their primary care doctors, I knew something had to change. These women weren’t broken. They were hormonally unbalanced—and being ignored.
That realization pushed me to dig deeper. I studied with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, completed advanced coursework in metabolic and nutritional medicine, and began building comprehensive protocols to help women feel like themselves again—stronger, clearer, and more in control.
This three-part article series is designed to share the essentials:
Why hormone therapy is a safe, effective, and underused tool—and what proper evaluation and treatment really look like
Why resistance training after 40 is one of the most powerful ways to preserve muscle, confidence, and longevity
How smart supplementation can support your skin, your hormones, and your vitality from the inside out
If you’re in your 40s, 50s, or beyond—and something just feels “off”—you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy.
You’re likely in the middle of a transition that deserves real understanding and real solutions.
Menopause is the beginning of a new chapter. Let’s make it your strongest one yet.
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Part 1: The Hormone Conversation — Reclaiming Balance Through Personalized Therapy
Menopause isn’t a pause—it’s a shift. A powerful one. And for many women, it can feel like their body is no longer playing by the same rules. Suddenly, sleep becomes elusive. Weight starts creeping up, even when nothing else has changed. Mood swings, brain fog, anxiety, and low libido start interfering with daily life. Skin becomes dry and less resilient. And worst of all, many women are told this is just how it is now.
It’s not.
What’s happening is a cascade of hormonal changes—primarily a decline in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone—that impact every system in the body. These changes are normal, but that doesn’t mean they should be ignored. Hormone therapy, when properly evaluated and personalized, can make all the difference between simply surviving menopause and truly thriving through it.
Unfortunately, most women aren’t even being offered the option. Despite decades of research and a growing body of evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of hormone therapy, most physicians are still operating from outdated guidelines—or worse, fear. Many don’t run the right labs. They don’t take the time to listen to symptoms. And they don’t understand that the goal isn’t just to treat hot flashes—it’s to protect long-term health.
A proper menopause evaluation should include:
A comprehensive review of symptoms
Medical and family history
Lab testing that goes beyond the basics: estradiol, progesterone, free and total testosterone, DHEA-S, FSH, thyroid function, cortisol, and key micronutrients
These labs help build a full picture—not just of your hormone levels, but how your body is processing, metabolizing, and responding to them.
Treatment options are not one-size-fits-all.
Depending on your needs and goals, we may use:
Transdermal estradiol patches or creams (safe, well-absorbed, and cardiovascular-friendly)
Bioidentical progesterone, often oral, to support mood and protect the uterine lining
Testosterone therapy, when appropriate, to restore energy, libido, strength, and cognitive sharpness
Vaginal estrogen, for local symptoms like dryness, discomfort, and recurrent infections
Pellet therapy, in select cases where longer-term dosing is beneficial
When properly dosed and closely monitored, hormone therapy can do more than relieve symptoms. It can help preserve bone density, support cognitive function, improve metabolic health, maintain skin elasticity, and reduce the risk of chronic disease when initiated at the right time. The key is ongoing follow-up. Hormones are dynamic—and so is life. That’s why treatment must be reviewed regularly, with labs repeated, symptoms tracked, and adjustments made as needed. This isn’t a one-and-done prescription. It’s a therapeutic relationship, designed to evolve with you.
Menopause is not something to suffer through. With the right evaluation and guidance, it becomes an opportunity—to take control, to protect your health, and to feel like yourself again.
Stay tuned for part 2 next month: Why Resistance Training Matters.
My partner noticed how much better I’ve felt since starting Female Hormone Therapy.