If you’ve been standing at a pharmacy counter lately hearing “out of stock,” you’re not alone. Two major manufacturers of estradiol patches are currently reporting shortages, and the causes appear to be a combination of supply chain disruptions, tariff impacts on overseas manufacturers, and a significant surge in demand.

That surge is no accident. In November 2025, the FDA removed its longstanding black box warning from menopausal hormone therapy products — a move that made HRT feel more accessible to both patients and prescribers. The result? HRT prescriptions have surged dramatically since 2021 — and production capacity simply hasn’t kept up.

So what do you do if your patch isn’t available?

– Try a different manufacturer. Not all brands are equally affected. Ask your pharmacist specifically what’s in stock — a once-weekly patch may be available even when twice-weekly options are not.

– Cut a larger dose patch in half. Some patches use an adhesive matrix design, which makes them safe to cut. Always check the packaging or ask your prescriber before doing this, as reservoir-style patches should not be cut.

– Switch to a gel or spray. Estradiol gel is applied daily to the skin and is often in better supply than patches. An estradiol spray is another option, applied to the forearm daily. Both are transdermal, so you keep the same liver-bypass benefits.

– Call independent pharmacies. Many women are finding that small independent pharmacies have stock when the big chains don’t.

The most important thing? Don’t just go without. Even short interruptions in estrogen therapy can bring back hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disruption, and mood changes. Talk to your provider — there are options. 

I hope this helps! I have been getting this question lots recently, it helps to know what to do. I like to envision a world where estrogen replacement has just a robust a supply chain as the erection pills do!  😁

The post Estrogen Patch Shortage? Try This! first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

Your gut and brain talk to each other constantly. When the gut barrier becomes too open or inflamed, the brain often reacts with fogginess, irritability, stress sensitivity, and disrupted sleep. Understanding this connection gives women a clearer path toward feeling better.

What Intestinal Permeability Really Is

Your gut lining is a selective filter. Nutrients are meant to pass through, while irritants are meant to stay out. This filter is controlled by tight junctions, which open and close in response to signals in the body. Zonulin, a key protein, influences how tight or loose these junctions become.

Stress, hormonal shifts, poor sleep, inflammatory foods, and microbiome imbalance can increase zonulin and make the barrier more permeable. This does not mean something is broken. It simply means the barrier is overwhelmed and needs support.

How the Gut Affects the Brain

The gut barrier and the blood brain barrier work in similar ways. When the gut becomes more permeable, inflammatory signals can circulate more easily. For many women, this shows up as brain fog, mood swings, heightened stress response, sleep changes, fatigue, and feeling emotionally on edge.

Hormones Matter Too

As women move through different stages of life, especially perimenopause, fluctuations in estrogen and cortisol can increase intestinal permeability. This is one reason digestive issues, food sensitivity patterns, and mood changes often intensify during hormonal transitions. Supporting the gut barrier becomes an important part of supporting hormonal balance.

Larazotide: Focused Tight Junction Support

Larazotide is a peptide that gently supports the integrity of the tight junctions in the gut lining. It helps regulate zonulin and encourages a healthier, more selective barrier. Women often describe improvements in digestion, bloating, clarity, and emotional steadiness when tight junctions are supported.

Ultimate GI Repair: Top Tier Gut Barrier Support

For women who want the most complete option, Ultimate GI Repair offers a full spectrum formula designed to soothe, rebuild, and nourish the gut lining. It includes zinc carnosine, KPV, BPC-157, GHK-cu, larazotide, tributyrin,and quercetin. This means it supports the structural tight junctions and the mucosal layer that protects the entire gut lining. It is considered the top of the line option because it addresses multiple layers of gut repair at once.

Choosing What Works for You

If you want a straightforward starting point, choose Larazotide. If you want the strongest, most comprehensive support, choose Ultimate GI Repair from LVLUP Health because it includes Larazotide plus a complete blend of restorative ingredients. Both approaches help women feel clearer, calmer, more balanced, and more resilient.

Final Thoughts

A stronger gut barrier supports a stronger brain barrier. When digestion calms, the nervous system follows. As the gut becomes more resilient, hormones often feel more balanced and emotions feel steadier. Supporting the gut is one of the most meaningful investments women can make in their long term well being.

The post The Gut Brain Conversation: Why Intestinal Permeability Matters first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

If you’ve been feeling a bit off or noticing changes in your cardiovascular stamina, this might just be the missing piece of the puzzle you’ve been looking for.

Why Nitric Oxide Matters

I love to connect the dots for you, and this connection is a big one with big implications. Nitric Oxide is a signaling molecule that acts as a master regulator for your vascular system. It tells your blood vessels to relax and open up, ensuring that oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart, your brain, and every other hard-working organ.

When NO levels decline, it’s about more than just hormones; it’s about circulation. Without that healthy circulation, our vascular system feels the strain, which is why cardiovascular support becomes so incredibly vital during the midlife transition.

Supporting Your Circulation Naturally

The beautiful thing about our bodies is their innate ability to heal when given the right tools. There are simple, lifestyle-based ways to give your Nitric Oxide production a natural boost:

• Nose Breathing: It sounds too simple to be true, but breathing through your nose actually releases Nitric Oxide into your lungs and bloodstream.
• Nitrate-Rich Foods: Load up your plate with leafy greens and beets! These are nature’s powerhouses for NO precursors.
• Oral Health: Believe it or not, the good bacteria in your mouth help convert those dietary nitrates into NO. Be mindful of harsh mouthwashes that might strip away these helpful microbes.
• Movement: Regular, enjoyable activity keeps the pump going and encourages healthy vessel function.

A Targeted Approach to Support

I know many of you are doing the work—the movement, the greens, the mindful breathing—but sometimes our systems need a little extra nudge, especially when hormonal shifts are throwing us for a loop.

This is where I often point my patients toward Berkeley Life’s Nitric Oxide Support. What I love about this particular supplement is that it doesn’t try to override your system with synthetic fixes. Instead, it works with your body’s natural pathways to help restore healthy NO levels.

Think of it as a specialized tool in your menopause toolkit—one that supports blood flow exactly when your heart and vascular system need it most.

You’ve Got This

Understanding how our biology shifts during menopause allows us to stop fighting our bodies and start supporting them. Whether it’s through a few more beets at dinner or a targeted supplement like Berkeley Life, restoring your “flow” is a powerful way to reclaim your vitality.

Let’s embrace this journey with the knowledge and the tools to feel our absolute best. You’ve got this!

The post The Unsung Hero of Menopause: Nitric Oxide first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

The Classic Midlife Presentations

Women in their 40s and 50s commonly present with three specific conditions: gluteal tendinopathy (hip and buttock pain), frozen shoulder, and plantar fasciitis (heel pain). While some women experience all three, many present with one or two of these issues. Declining estrogen affects collagen synthesis, joint lubrication, and inflammatory response, making these tissues particularly vulnerable. New-onset pain without prior injury is a direct result of hormonal transition.

How Laser Therapy Helps

Laser therapy stimulates cellular energy production at the mitochondrial level, accelerating tissue repair and reducing inflammation. For midlife women struggling with gluteal tendinopathy, frozen shoulder, or plantar fasciitis, this means faster recovery from everyday activities, improved joint function, and decreased pain.

Why It’s Ideal for This Population

• Targets specific conditions: Particularly effective for the presentations women commonly experience
• Complements chiropractic care: Enhances adjustment effectiveness and extends relief
• Natural approach: Aligns with women seeking non-invasive options
• Quick sessions: Fits busy midlife schedules
• No contraindications: Safe alongside other health management strategies

Real-World Results

Women report improved shoulder mobility, reduced hip and heel pain during exercise, and better sleep quality—often within weeks. Many notice that combined chiropractic adjustments and laser therapy create sustainable relief they haven’t experienced elsewhere.

Reclaim Your Vitality

Midlife doesn’t mean accepting chronic pain. Laser therapy offers a science-backed path to the mobility and comfort you deserve during this transition.

Your best years are ahead—let’s keep you moving pain-free.  Contact Active Sports Therapy to book a treatment with Dr. Lovely.  403-278-1405

The post Laser Therapy: Relief for Midlife Women’s Musculoskeletal Pain first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely speaks with Gerardo Gutierrez – “Guti”, founder of Mitolux, about one of the most overlooked pillars of wellness: sunlight. After facing pre-diabetes, low testosterone, and depression, Gerardo turned away from lifelong medications and toward natural healing. His recovery began with daily sun exposure—a simple shift that dramatically improved his hormone levels, mood, and overall vitality.

Gerardo now educates others on the science of light: how UVB, red, and infrared wavelengths support vitamin D production, hormone balance, mental clarity, and even skin health. He also shares why he created the Mitolux lamp—to help people safely access the benefits of sunlight indoors, especially in modern lifestyles that keep us indoors and afraid of the sun.

If you’ve ever wondered whether sunlight could be more healing than harmful, this episode is a must-listen.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• How Guti reversed chronic health issues using sunlight instead of pharmaceuticals
• Why UVB, red, and infrared light are essential for hormone health, energy, and mood
• The truth about sunscreen and how some types can disrupt hormones
• How light therapy supports skin, collagen, anti-aging, and even libido
• Why Mitolux was born—to safely replicate the sun’s full healing spectrum at home
  

You can learn more at Mitolux.com,  and please follow Guti on Instagram @mitoluxusa.

 Get the Vitamin D book for Free here!!  (PS…Add it to your cart, it becomes free there.)

The post Sunlight’s Healing Power: Finding Health in your own Backyard first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

In this week’s episode,  Dr. Fiona Lovely speaks with Cathy Eason, a certified holistic nutritionist and clinical educator, about nitric oxide (NO), often called the “miracle molecule” for its vital role in blood flow and thus, overall health. 

We talk about the groundbreaking findings from a pilot study on nitric oxide’s impact on women’s sexual health, revealing significant improvements in desire (75%), lubrication (58%), orgasm (83%), and reduced discomfort (83%) among participants who took two capsules of nitric oxide daily for 60 days. Beyond sexual function, we discuss optimal blood flow, facilitated by nitric oxide, which is essential for nutrient and oxygen delivery, waste removal, and hormone transmission throughout the body.

Cathy Eason explains that nitric oxide levels naturally decline by about 50% by age 40, which is concerning for women during perimenopause and menopause.  It impacts cardiovascular health, brain function, and energy levels. You can boost your nitric oxides by eating foods like leafy greens and the Berkeley Life supplements, along with practices like nostril breathing and exercise, can support its production. Cathy shares how to use the Berkley Life test strips which offer a practical way to monitor personal nitric oxide levels. Cathy also shares her personal experience using nitric oxide to support her in recovery from mold exposure, noting its benefits for detox, cellular energy, and immune system health.

You can learn more about Cathy Eason through her LinkedIn profile, or explore her work with Berkeley Life, a company focused on stress resilience and nitric oxide-boosting supplements.

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

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The post Restoring Blood Flow for Brain, Heart and Hormonal Health with Cathy Eason first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Joy Kong shares her pioneering work in stem cell therapy and regenerative medicine. From reversing signs of aging to offering hope for chronic conditions, Dr. Kong explains how ethically sourced umbilical cord-derived stem cells act as the body’s ultimate repair crew.

She shares a moving case study of a child with autism who experienced life-changing improvements after stem cell therapy, and breaks down why we lose stem cells as we age—and what we can do to replenish them.

Dr. Kong also talks about how this cutting-edge science supports women in midlife, with benefits for hormonal balance, cognitive function, and vitality. She even gives us a peek into her personal anti-aging routine, including her potent stem cell skincare line and regular IV infusions.

If you’re curious about the future of longevity, disease prevention, and rewriting the rules of aging, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Hear:

✨ How umbilical cord-derived stem cells regenerate tissues and calm inflammation

✨ A powerful autism case study that shows real-world results

✨ Why stem cells decline as we age—and how replenishing them can prevent chronic decline

✨ How to ensure stem cell sources are ethical and safe

✨ Dr. Kong’s personal anti-aging protocol, from IV therapy to skincare

✨ The emerging promise of stem cells for menopause and healthy aging

Find more about Dr. Kong here

🎧 Listen now and step into the cutting edge of regenerative health!

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

🩵 Protein struggles? Same, friend. But I found a game-changer—KION Aminos! This tasty, mix-in-your-water powder is packed with the essential aminos your body and brain need to feel amazing.  Since adding it to my daily routine, I’ve got more energy, laser focus, and just feel way more like myself. 😍⚡️ Wanna feel the magic too? Snag 20% off your order at getkion.com/lovely—you’re gonna love it! 💃✨🩺 Clinically proven to reduce hunger by 30% and cravings by 40%, Calocurb helps you stay lean and energized through midlife. Visit calocurb.com and use code LOVELY10 for a discount. It’s a Wise Woman-owned and led company with heart. 😍

The post Stem Cell Therapy for Menopause? Let’s talk about it with Dr. Joy Kong first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely sits down with Kim Casaburi, co-founder of Serotonin Centers, esthetician, and passionate menopause wellness advocate, for a powerful and empowering conversation about reclaiming midlife health through hormone optimization and functional medicine.

After facing years of unexplained weight gain, fatigue, and emotional struggles, Kim shares how her search for answers led her to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)—a turning point after being dismissed by traditional medical professionals. She opens up about the medical gaslighting many women face and how she found her vitality again through functional, whole-body care.

Kim also dives deep into the connection between hormones and skin health, sharing why aesthetic treatments like microneedling and HydraFacials fall short when hormones are out of balance—likening it to “pouring water into a bucket with a hole.” She explains why testosterone is not just for men and how it supports women’s confidence, energy, and emotional resilience.

Together, Dr. Lovely and Kim explore the need to shatter outdated medical narratives around menopause, embrace personalized care, and prioritize thriving—not just surviving—in midlife and beyond.

What You’ll Hear:

• Kim’s personal journey through misdiagnosis and healing
• The overlooked impact of hormone imbalance on skin and vitality
• Testosterone: the misunderstood hormone women need too
• How Serotonin Centers blend HRT, aesthetics, and wellness coaching
• The stigma around menopause in conventional medicine
• Why hormone health is a cornerstone of longevity
• A call to action for women to own their needs and advocate for themselves
  

You can learn more about Kim Casaburi and the services offered at Serotonin Centers by visiting www.serotonincenters.com. Offerings include hormone optimization, PRP microneedling, IV therapy, HydraFacials, and more—available at locations nationwide.

Final thoughts from Kim: “Stand up straight. Stop hiding your pain. And own your needs.”

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

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The post Seeking Your Own Gaze: Reclaiming Confidence and Health in Menopause with Kim Casaburi  first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

The perimenopausal weight gain is a real thing, driven by those fluctuating estrogen levels messing with our metabolism, appetite, and fat storage. It’s not just about those extra pounds; it’s about the increased risk for things like heart issues and type 2 diabetes, which, let’s be honest, none of us have time for!

HRT helps to keep symptoms at bay and our systems strong, and daily enjoyable activity as well as being mindful of our calorie intake (because our bodies do change as we age), helps to keep excess weight at bay.  Add in the exciting potential of Calocurb®, that natural supplement from New Zealand hops that works by gently nudging our gut to release those all-important fullness signals called satiety.

But since my podcast episode with Sarah Kennedy of Calocurb and our last conversation, my inbox has been buzzing with your brilliant questions, and a lot of them touch on something I’ve been passionate about: the power of our gut-brain connection and the role of GLP-1.

You see, for years, my clinical observation has led me to suspect that many of us are walking around with a functional GLP-1 deficiency. Think of GLP-1 as one of your body’s natural superheroes for appetite control. It tells your brain you’re satisfied, slows down digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar.

Now, enter Calocurb®. What’s so fascinating is that this all-natural extract actually acts as a GLP-1 activator. It gently encourages your gut’s L-cells to get back in the game and boost your own GLP-1 production. We’re talking about potentially a 600% increase compared to your baseline in studies! This isn’t some synthetic fix; it’s about supporting your body’s innate ability to regulate appetite.

Think about the studies we talked about: that almost 20% reduction in calories consumed after taking Calocurb®, and the impressive reduction in hunger and cravings during fasting windows. And for us ladies, the data even suggests we might be more sensitive to GLP-1’s effects.

Now, some of you have asked how this relates to the buzz around pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications are powerful, and they work by mimicking the effects of GLP-1. However, they’re also prescription medications with potential side effects, and importantly, research suggests that long-term use can sometimes reduce your body’s own natural GLP-1 production.

This is where I see a real potential sweet spot for Calocurb, especially for those of you in perimenopause dealing with that gradual weight creep. It offers a natural way to support your own GLP-1 production without the need for prescriptions or injections. Think of it as “GLP-1 lite” – a gentler approach to help you feel fuller sooner, manage portions, and tame those pesky cravings that can derail our best intentions, especially when hormonal fluctuations are throwing us for a loop.

And for those of you who might have used pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonists in the past, Calocurb may even help your gut’s L-cells “wake up” again (once you decide to stop taking the medication) and start producing more of your own GLP-1. It’s like giving them a little exercise routine!

Now, is Calocurb going to give you the same intense appetite suppression as a high dose of a pharmaceutical GLP-1 agonist? Absolutely not. It’s a different ballgame entirely. But for many of you looking for a natural way to regain control over your appetite during this menopausal transition, and perhaps even support your body after using stronger medications, it’s definitely worth considering.

In fact, for those of you who simply don’t want to go down the prescription route, or who are just looking for a natural way to manage those extra few pounds that seem to have appeared out of nowhere, Calocurb could be a fantastic option to try. (You can use code LOVELY10 for 10% off your first order!)

You’ve got more tools in your perimenopause and menopause toolkit than you might realize. Understanding the hormonal shifts is key, and then exploring options like mindful nutrition, and perhaps a natural GLP-1 activator like Calocurb, can make a real difference in how you feel and how your body navigates this transition.

You’ve got this! Let’s embrace this journey with knowledge and empower ourselves to feel our absolute best.

The post The Science-Backed Way to Tackle Perimenopause Weight Gain first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.

In this week’s episode, Dr. Fiona Lovely is joined by Lisa Kilgour—Registered Holistic Nutritionist, TEDx speaker, and author of Undieting: Freedom from the Bewildering World of Fad Diets—for a compassionate and eye-opening conversation about the gut-brain connection and why most diets are set up to fail, especially for women in midlife.

Lisa shares her personal health journey, from musician to holistic nutritionist, and unpacks the deep relationship between our gut, brain, and emotional well-being. Together, she and Dr. Lovely explore why bioindividuality matters, what cravings are actually telling us, and how to rebuild trust with our bodies after years of diet culture messaging.

You’ll also hear a powerful discussion about the societal pressure on women to be thin, how diet culture often disguises female obedience, and why real health means strength, not shrinking.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

• Why diets fail: your body isn’t broken, just bioindividual
• What cravings really mean—and why they’re not a weakness
• The truth about protein needs and why 150g/day isn’t for everyone
• How carbs support hormones, sleep, and energy in midlife
• The deeper harm of diet culture and why strength matters more than thinness

You can find more about Lisa Kilgour at lisakilgour.com Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @lisakilgournutrition, and grab a copy of her book Undieting—available now.

Love this episode? Share it with a woman who’s ready to ditch diet culture for good. 💛

Thank you to our sponsors for this episode:

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🩵 Protein struggles? Same, friend. But I found a game-changer—KION Aminos! This tasty, mix-in-your-water powder is packed with the essential aminos your body and brain need to feel amazing.  Since adding it to my daily routine, I’ve got more energy, laser focus, and just feel way more like myself. 😍⚡️ Wanna feel the magic too? Snag 20% off your order at getkion.com/lovely—you’re gonna love it! 💃✨

The post Cravings, Hunger, H-angry and Our Changing Food Needs at Menopause with Lisa Kilgour first appeared on Dr. Fiona Lovely.