Forum Health, Cary

10/20/2026

Why is the weight showing up around your middle now?

During perimenopause, changing estrogen levels can shift fat storage toward your abdomen rather than your hips and thighs. That helps explain why a familiar pair of jeans might suddenly fit differently at the waist.

Margaux Cousturian, PA-C, MMSc, discusses the hormone connection behind what her patients call “menopause belly.”

🎧 Comment PERIMENOPAUSE and we’ll DM you the link to the full episode.

10/20/2026

Perimenopause rarely arrives with a clear announcement.

Changes can appear slowly: sleep feels different, periods shift, joints ache, moods change, skin changes, and suddenly you're wondering when all of this started.

Our menopause quiz can help you explore where you might be in the transition and better understand the changes you're noticing.

Take the quiz →

Discover if you're entering menopause with Forum Health's quick and simple quiz. Take action on your health today. Start the quiz now!

10/19/2026

Eight speakers. A wide range of clinical expertise.

At the 2026 Midwest Functional Medicine Symposium, discussions spanned gut-brain health, personalized oncology, thyroid and metabolic care, hormone health, peptides, and emerging treatment protocols.

Thank you to our speakers for bringing their research, clinical experience, and perspectives to the stage:

🔹Folasade Bangali, MBA, DPT
🔹Jim LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N.M.T., DHM, DHPh
🔹Traci Eliszewski, NP
🔹Tyler Jenema, Director of Pharmacy
🔹Anne Hill, ND
🔹Lindsey Berkson, DC, DACBN
🔹Sri Ganeshan, MD
🔹Kristen Reynolds, MD

Presented by Forum Health in partnership with Power2Practice.

10/19/2026

Hormone Pellet Therapy Series | Video 5

There’s no one-size-fits-all dose when it comes to hormone therapy.

Shelly L. Garcia, PA-C, explains how treatment can be personalized based on factors like symptoms, medical history, medications, height, weight, and individual needs.

That may mean pellets, injections, creams, or a combination. And if one approach no longer feels like the right fit, you’re not necessarily stuck with it.

Personalized care means finding the approach that works for you and adjusting as your needs change.

🎙️ Comment “PELLET” and we’ll send you the full episode.

10/19/2026

Tara Scott, MD, FACOG, FAAFM, NCMP is hosting a free Hormone Code Masterclass live on Thursday, October 22 at 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 4pm PT.

So if you didn’t get a chance to make the last one, or you had to drop off early, or you just want to come back through it again and catch the things you missed the first time, come join us!

She’ll be covering which hormones actually get missed and why “normal” on your labs is not the same as optimal for your body.

Here’s the link to save your spot 👉 https://bit.ly/4B9GeYG

10/18/2026

Hot flashes get all the attention. But joint and muscle pain? That's a menopause conversation we need to have more often.

A 2026 review of 37 studies involving 93,021 women found that 57% of women in perimenopause and 59% after menopause reported muscle or joint pain.

Researchers have even proposed a name for the collection of muscle, joint, and bone changes associated with this transition: musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause.

This , we're recognizing Chronic Pain at Midlife and the importance of looking at the whole picture when it comes to women's health.

You deserve to feel heard, understand your options, and have a plan that works for you.

Learn more : https://forumhealth.com/menopause-treatment-lp/

10/18/2026

It's World Menopause Day, and this year's theme is "Chronic Pain at Midlife."

We're putting the lesser-known signs of menopause in the spotlight.

It doesn't always look like a hot flash.

‼️It can show up as ringing in your ears.
‼️Heart palpitations.
‼️Dental changes.
‼️Brain fog.
‼️Changes in your skin.

Or symptoms you never thought to connect to hormones.

See all 15 surprising menopause symptoms and what may help you navigate them →
https://bit.ly/4zzFcDF

Having cognitive issues or vision changes? There is a chance you're going through menopause. Learn about unexpected menopause symptoms in our blog.

10/16/2026

Hormone therapy has spent more than two decades surrounded by headlines, fear and conflicting advice.

Much of that conversation still traces back to the Women's Health Initiative, but our understanding of menopausal hormone therapy has become far more nuanced since then.

Timing matters. The type of hormone matters. Route and dose matter. And most importantly, the individual woman matters.

We're unpacking some of the biggest BHRT myths and the history behind them →
https://forumhealth.com/blog/debunking-top-myths-bioidentical-hormone-replacement-therapy/

Uncover the truth about BHRT myths. Learn HRT myths and facts in this enlightening blog. Gain clarity on hormonal balance and debunk common misconceptions.

10/16/2026

If you fought for that HRT prescription, finally got it, and you still feel the same, then I have news for you.

You are not alone. 1 in 3 women who signed up for my last masterclass was already on hormone therapy, and almost none of them had been retested since the day somebody set the dose.

Join me for my upcoming free Hormone Code Masterclass on Oct 22nd at 4pm PT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET.

I'll show you the three ways women get dismissed, undertested, and misinterpreted when it comes to getting their hormones checked. I'll go through the real numbers you should be looking for, and why "normal" is not the same as "optimal," and that gap between the two can make all the difference in how your body feels on a daily basis.

And I'll give you the next steps to getting your energy back, clearing the brain fog, and calming the rage that comes out of nowhere so you can begin to feel like yourself again.

Here’s the link to save your spot 👉 https://bit.ly/4B9GeYG

10/16/2026

Painful periods? Birth control.
Acne? Birth control.
PMS? Birth control.

But what about understanding WHY these symptoms are happening?

Hormonal birth control can provide relief, but it shouldn't be a substitute for investigating persistent menstrual symptoms and possible underlying conditions.

Forum Health provider Traci Eliszewski, NP, challenges the idea of birth control as a one-size-fits-all solution and explains why hormone health deserves attention long before menopause.

🎥 Save it for your next conversation with your provider.

Learn more about BHRT: https://bit.ly/4i1YCZA

10/15/2026

Turning 65 isn't automatically an expiration date for hormone therapy.

For years, many women were advised to discontinue menopausal hormone therapy simply because of their age.

Today, the conversation is more individualized, and factors like symptoms, health history, dose and route of administration all matter.

Dr. Connie Casebolt breaks down findings from a major study of hormone therapy use after 65 and what women should understand when discussing long-term treatment with their provider.

Watch her explanation and read the findings →
https://forumhealth.com/blog/why-women-over-65-should-not-stop-hormone-therapy/

Stopping hormone therapy after 65 may carry more risk than continuing it. Explore the clinical evidence and expert guidance every woman should have before making that decision.

10/14/2026

Recurring UTIs, bladder pain, or constant urgency?

For many women, the hardest part isn't just the symptoms. It's feeling like no one understands what they're going through.

That's why Jana Rogers, APRN, FNP-C, IFMCP, is inviting women navigating recurring UTIs, interstitial cystitis (IC), and ongoing bladder symptoms to join our private Facebook community.

It's a place to connect with women who get it, learn more about bladder health, and explore possible root causes behind persistent symptoms.

Finding answers shouldn't feel like something you have to do alone. 💙

👉 Tap UTI and IC Relief and request to join our community.

10/14/2026

Wired but exhausted, gaining weight despite eating well, and feeling like your body is working against you?

It's not in your head — it's in your hormones.

Emily Rodriguez, NP joins the Forum Health Podcast to break down how chronic stress disrupts women's hormones and the simple daily habits that can restore balance.

🎙️ Watch, listen, or save for later!

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4xEuFFK

🎧 Spotify: https://bit.ly/4ruZQlx

🎙️ YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TRpX9X

10/13/2026

The 2 a.m. wake-up. Restless nights. Brain fog the next morning.

For many women, sleep changes seem to arrive right alongside perimenopause and menopause.
There are multiple reasons sleep can become harder at midlife, and changing hormones, including progesterone, may be one piece of the picture.

Learn more about the progesterone-sleep connection, plus everyday habits that can support better rest →
https://forumhealth.com/blog/progesterone-and-sleep/

Improve your sleep with Forum Health's integrative approach to progesterone therapy. Discover the benefits today and start your journey towards better health.

10/12/2026

A special thank you to the sponsors who helped make this year’s Midwest Functional Medicine Symposium possible!

Beyond the presentations, our exhibit floor gave providers and industry partners an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the latest tools, technologies, and resources in functional medicine.

We appreciate each organization that supported this year’s event and contributed to bringing our healthcare community together.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors:

XYMOGEN

Microbiome Labs - Makers of Megasporebiotic

Precision Analytical Inc.

Genova Diagnostics, Inc.

Wells Pharmacy

Orthomolecular

Mosaic Diagnostics

Quicksilver

BioTe

Strive Pharmacy

RGCC

BioTek Labs

ReviveRx

EndoAxis

Biotics Research

HRT Academy

Reverra Health

RSM Diagnostics

10/11/2026

Menopause can change desire. Comfort. Confidence.

Even how connected you feel to your own body.

But a changing s*x life doesn't have to mean the end of intimacy.

Hormonal shifts can influence libido, vaginal comfort and s*xual response, and there are more options for support than many women realize.

Our guide takes a candid look at menopause, s*x and ways to feel more like yourself again →
https://forumhealth.com/blog/menopause-and-s*x-how-to-reignite-your-passion/

*xualHealth

Menopause and s*x life CAN go hand-in-hand with ease, despite what you might have heard. Read more about it here!

10/10/2026

That's a wrap on Day 3 of the Forum Health Summit!

Our final day featured expert sessions on the clinical applications of peptides, hormone therapy and breast cancer, advances in ozone and oxygen therapy, and the use of injectable procaine in autonomic nervous system care.

Providers, exhibitors, and industry colleagues had the opportunity to connect, exchange clinical insights, and discuss how emerging approaches could shape patient care.

Here's a look at today's highlights. Stay tuned for our full Summit recap next week.