Non-hormone options · Virginia & Washington, D.C.
Effective, evidence-based relief — with or without hormones.
Hormone therapy isn’t the right fit for everyone. If you can’t take hormones, prefer not to, or want extra help, there are well-studied options that work — and no woman has to suffer through symptoms just because hormones are off the table.
The basics
What is non-hormone therapy?
Non-hormone therapy refers to evidence-based treatments for menopause symptoms that don’t involve estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone. There are FDA-approved, well-studied medications — along with thoughtful, well-researched non-drug approaches — that effectively relieve symptoms for women who cannot or choose not to take hormones. This is not second-rate care; for the right woman it can be the safest, most comfortable, most values-aligned path.
Is non-hormone therapy for me?
Non-hormone therapy uses evidence-based, FDA-approved medications and well-researched non-drug approaches to relieve menopause symptoms — on its own or layered with other care.
- For women with medical reasons to avoid hormones
- For women who simply prefer not to use them
- Works alone or alongside hormone therapy
The right fit
Who it is best for
Non-hormone therapy is especially important for women who cannot safely take hormones, and equally valid for women who simply prefer not to.
Often a fit when
You’re a breast-cancer survivor, have a history of certain clots or strokes, or have a condition that makes estrogen unwise.
Also a fit when
You’d simply rather not use hormones — preference alone is a perfectly valid reason.
And when
Hormones, even when appropriate, don’t fully resolve a stubborn symptom like mood, anxiety, or sleep.
Why it matters
Why a woman may need it
Sometimes the choice is medical: a personal history makes estrogen unwise. Sometimes it’s personal preference. And sometimes hormones don’t fully resolve a particular symptom — stubborn mood changes, anxiety, or sleep trouble may need their own targeted treatment. Non-hormonal options give us more tools to address each symptom on its own terms.
There’s still help if hormones aren’t the fit.
Let’s build the smallest, smartest combination that gets you feeling like yourself again — with or without hormones.
Whole-person
How non-hormonal care works alongside everything else
Non-hormone therapy is often a powerful adjunct, not just a substitute. Many women do best with a layered plan: hormone therapy for hot flashes and bone protection, plus an SSRI or SNRI for persistent mood symptoms, a sleep-targeted strategy for insomnia, vaginal therapy for genitourinary symptoms, or a weight-and-metabolism medication where indicated. Menopause rarely shows up as a single symptom — the most effective care combines approaches, supported by lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, and coaching.
Answers before you book
Common questions
Who is non-hormone therapy for?
It’s for women who can’t safely take hormones (for example breast-cancer survivors or those with a history of certain clots or strokes), women who prefer not to, and women who want extra help alongside hormone therapy.
Is non-hormonal care less effective than hormones?
No. For the right woman it can be the safest and most values-aligned path. There are FDA-approved, well-studied medications and well-researched non-drug approaches that effectively relieve symptoms.
Can I combine non-hormonal options with hormone therapy?
Yes — they’re often a powerful adjunct. Many women do best with a layered plan, such as hormone therapy plus a targeted medication for mood, sleep, or genitourinary symptoms.
What might a non-hormonal plan include?
Depending on your symptoms: prescription medications, sleep and mood support, vaginal or sexual-health therapy, nutrition, fitness, and coaching — coordinated with your primary care and OB-GYN clinicians.
Do you offer virtual visits?
Yes — telemedicine is available for eligible patients in Virginia and Washington, D.C., alongside the Great Falls, VA office.
Where to next