Dr. Phillips Specialty Pharmacy at Winter Park

11/13/2025

💥 Now that the FDA has officially removed the black-box warning from hormone therapy, a lot of women are asking: “Should I start HRT?”

Here’s the truth: hormone therapy isn’t for everyone — but for many healthy women in their 40s and 50s, especially within 10 years of menopause, the benefits often outweigh the risks.

This is the window of opportunity when your heart, brain, bones, skin, and metabolism respond the BEST to estrogen support.
✨ Fewer hot flashes
✨ Better sleep
✨ Improved mood
✨ Vaginal comfort
✨ Stronger bones
✨ Better muscle tone

What we learned since the WHI study is that age, timing, and formulation matter. Starting earlier — with the right dose and the right type, like patches, gels, or customized compounded formulas — gives more benefits with fewer risks.

So if you’ve been struggling with perimenopause or early menopause symptoms, don’t let outdated myths or old fears stop you.
Talk with a provider who understands bioidentical and compounded hormones so you can get guidance tailored to your body.

I’m pharmacist Aiha Truong, helping women age strong.
📢 Please share this — women need to know.

11/12/2025

🚨 November 10, 2025 marked a historic day for women’s health.
The FDA has lifted the black-box warning on menopausal hormone therapy — finally acknowledging that the old fears were based on outdated data.

This doesn’t mean HRT is risk-free — but it does mean we can have informed, individual conversations instead of fear-based avoidance.
If you’ve been struggling with menopause symptoms and wondering whether hormones are “safe,” this is your sign to learn the real science.

✨ Let’s talk about personalized hormone care — not one-size-fits-all fear.

11/11/2025

Can I use Premarin on my face?
It’s a popular question — but here’s why the answer is no.
Premarin contains conjugated estrogens (mostly estrone + equilin) — not the gentle, skin-loving estriol your face prefers.
These have higher ER-alpha activity, meaning more risk for pigmentation or unwanted cell stimulation.
✨ If you want skin-safe estrogen, ask about estriol or Bi-Est creams instead.

📍Educational only — not medical advice.

11/11/2025

11/06/2025

Ever wonder how estrogen face creams actually work? 👀
They don’t just sit on top of your skin like a moisturizer — they bind to estrogen receptors deep within your skin to help rebuild collagen, elasticity, and hydration from the inside out. 💫

As estrogen levels drop during perimenopause and menopause, those receptors go quiet… and that’s when skin starts to thin, dry, and lose its bounce.
A gentle estriol cream can help “wake them up” again — reactivating what your skin used to do naturally. ✨

👉 Follow for Part 3 — I’ll break down Estriol vs Estradiol, which one’s safer, and what to watch for if you’re prone to melasma.

11/05/2025

💧 If you’re on the estrogen patch, you might be missing out…

The patch is amazing for many women — it delivers estradiol through the skin, helping ease hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep issues… all while bypassing the liver.

But here’s what most women don’t realize 👇
The patch gives you estradiol, just one form of estrogen.
Your body also benefits from estriol — a gentler form that supports tissues your patch may not fully reach.

So if you’re still noticing:
✨ Vaginal dryness or discomfort
✨ Low libido
✨ Bladder issues
✨ Skin thinning or dryness

…you might not need more estrogen — just balanced estrogen support.
Adding local estriol, or a Bi-Est formula (estradiol + estriol), can help support those tissues more completely.

The goal is to feel balanced — inside and out. 💕

👋 I’m Pharmacist Aiha Truong, and I share hormone education to help women feel like themselves again.
💌 Follow & Save this post for more hormone tips you can actually use.

11/04/2025

✨ The “Estriol Face Cream” everyone is talking about — and here’s why!

I’m pharmacist Aiha Truong, and if you’ve noticed estrogen face creams popping up everywhere, it’s not a trend — it’s science catching up! 💡

Estriol (E3), the gentle estrogen, supports:
• Collagen & elastin production for firmer, plumper skin
• Hydration & dermal thickness — that youthful, dewy glow
• Microcirculation to bring oxygen & nutrients to your skin
• Reducing fine lines & dryness around eyes, mouth, & jawline

During perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen can make skin thinner, drier, and more fragile. Topical Estriol works locally, restoring support where it’s needed most.

Curious if it’s right for your skin? Talk to your provider — it might just be the secret to post-menopausal glow! ✨

10/25/2025

✨Vaginal estrogen is one of the safest and most effective ways to restore comfort and confidence in intimacy after menopause. It works locally — not systemically — to rebuild vaginal tissue, improve moisture, and bring back natural lubrication. 💧💗

Consistency is key — most women notice improvement after a few weeks!

👉 Follow for more tips on hormones, supplements, and skincare to help you feel confident and vibrant through menopause and beyond.

10/24/2025

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10/14/2025

🧬 Comprehensive Lab Panel for Women Considering or Already on Hormone Therapy

Before Starting HRT (Baseline Labs)

To understand where your hormones stand, find the root of your symptoms, and create a safe, effective plan.

⸻

Hormones
• Estradiol (E2): Measures your main estrogen level — too low can cause hot flashes, vaginal dryness, low libido; too high can cause bloating or breast tenderness.
• Progesterone: Balances estrogen, supports sleep and mood, and helps protect the uterine lining.
• Total & Free Testosterone: Supports muscle tone, libido, energy, and focus.
• DHEA-S: A precursor hormone that supports estrogen and testosterone production.
• SHBG (S*x Hormone Binding Globulin): Determines how much estrogen and testosterone are actually free (usable) in your body.
• LH & FSH: Help identify if you’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal and show how your ovaries are functioning.
• Cortisol (AM): Reflects adrenal stress levels; high or low cortisol can affect sleep, energy, and hormone balance.
• Prolactin: Elevated levels can suppress ovulation and lower estrogen/testosterone.

⸻

Thyroid

Your thyroid works closely with your s*x hormones — an imbalance can mimic or worsen menopausal symptoms.
• TSH: The main screening test for thyroid function.
• Free T4 & Free T3: Show how well your thyroid hormones are being produced and converted to their active form.
• Reverse T3 (optional): Can show if stress or inflammation is blocking active thyroid hormone function.
• TPO & Thyroglobulin antibodies: Check for autoimmune thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s that can cause fatigue, hair loss, and weight changes.

⸻

Metabolic & General Health

These tests help assess blood sugar, liver, kidney, and cardiovascular health — all critical for safe and effective hormone therapy.
• CBC (Complete Blood Count): Detects anemia or other blood disorders.
• CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel): Checks liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and overall metabolic health.
• Fasting Glucose, Insulin, and Hemoglobin A1c: Show blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity — key for weight, energy, and hormone balance.
• Lipid Panel: Assesses cholesterol and triglycerides; estrogen often impacts lipid metabolism.
• hs-CRP: Marker of systemic inflammation that affects cardiovascular and metabolic health.
• Ferritin: Measures stored iron; low levels can cause fatigue and hair loss.
• Vitamin D (25-OH): Essential for bone, immune, and hormone health.
• Vitamin B12 & Folate: Support energy, mood, and red blood cell production.

⸻

Follow-Up Labs

(Usually 8–12 weeks after starting or adjusting hormones, then every 6–12 months.)
To ensure your therapy stays balanced and safe.
• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Total & Free Testosterone
• SHBG
• DHEA-S
• CMP
• Lipid panel
• Hemoglobin A1c
• CBC
• Vitamin D

⸻

💡 Why It Matters:
Your hormones don’t work in isolation. They influence — and are influenced by — your thyroid, adrenals, liver, and blood sugar.
Comprehensive testing ensures your HRT is personalized, effective, and safe over time.

⸻

⚠️ Disclaimer:
Educational only — not medical advice. Always consult your provider for individualized testing, interpretation, and treatment.

10/10/2025

Yes — progesterone can cause constipation, and it’s actually more common than most people realize
Here’s why ⬇️
Progesterone relaxes smooth muscles throughout the body — not just the uterus, but also your digestive tract. When your gut slows down, more water gets reabsorbed from stool, leaving it harder and drier.
That’s also why many women get constipated right before their period — progesterone peaks after ovulation and slows digestion.

If you’re taking oral progesterone like Prometrium, this effect can be stronger — especially at higher doses or if you’re sensitive to its calming, sedative effect.

Here are a few simple fixes that help me and my patients:
💧 Stay hydrated
🥤 Add a fiber supplement daily (I mix mine into a protein shake)
🚶 Move your body daily — even short walks after meals help
🌙 Magnesium glycinate or citrate at night (if approved by your provider)

I’m Aiha Truong, compounding pharmacist specializing in anti-aging and hormones.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or supplements.

09/05/2025

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