Dr. Michele Couri

04/02/2026

Menopause is not just a phase—it’s a major life stage. Learn how hormone therapy, new research, and personalized care are transforming menopause treatment at the Couri Center in Peoria, IL.

03/25/2026

Muscle strength is emerging as one of the most powerful predictors of longevity in women—and the data is compelling.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open followed over 5,400 women aged 63–99 for more than 8 years and found that those with the greatest muscle strength had a 33% lower risk of death compared to those with the lowest strength.

Even more striking—this benefit held true regardless of aerobic exercise levels.

This is especially important for women navigating cancer recovery. Many patients cannot tolerate high levels of cardio due to fatigue or treatment effects—but this study reinforces that strength alone matters.

Muscle strength is not just about fitness. It is about:
• Resilience
• Independence
• Metabolic health
• Long-term survivorship

Simple measures like grip strength or the ability to rise from a chair can give us powerful insight into overall health.

And the good news—strength can be rebuilt.

Even modest resistance training, just 2 times per week, can significantly improve muscle function, reduce fatigue, and enhance quality of life.

At the Couri Center, we have always believed this:
Lifestyle is the foundation. Strength is medicine.

Stronger muscles truly support stronger lives.

https://cancerfitness.org/blog/muscle-strength-longevity-and-cancer-survivorship-why-strength-matters-for-women/

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open provides compelling evidence that muscular strength plays a critical role in longevity among older women. The

03/16/2026

“If you are using, prescribing, or paying for GLP-1 therapy without a nutritional offramp, you are not buying permanent health—you are just renting weight loss, at a cost of thousands of dollars.”
— Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian

I could not agree more.

At the Couri Center, GLP-1 therapy is never used in isolation. It is always paired with our comprehensive lifestyle program so that patients build a strong nutritional and metabolic foundation while they are losing weight. Medications can be powerful tools, but lasting health comes from sustainable nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management.

We are honored that Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian will be our keynote speaker at Empowered Wellness in October 2026, where he will share his groundbreaking work on nutrition, metabolic health, and the Food Is Medicine movement.

03/07/2026

Three days. Countless lectures. One clear message.

The International Gynecologic and Endocrinology World Congress in Rome brought together 3,000 attendees and 106 expert lecturers from around the world to share the latest science in women’s health. The amount of knowledge exchanged over these three days was remarkable.

One thing is clear: there is growing global interest in menopause and midlife women’s health.

After more than two decades of confusion and fear following the initial interpretation of the WHI study, the conversation is finally returning to the science. Women deserve better than outdated narratives. They deserve evidence based, thoughtful care grounded in data and clinical experience.

Hormone therapy should not be feared. When used appropriately, it can be a safe and effective option for many women. At the same time, patients should be cautious about the growing number of social media influencers trying to monetize menopause.

Equally important, lifestyle matters. Diet and nutrition, adequate sleep, regular exercise/strength training, and stress reduction are the foundation of any treatment plan we recommend. Medications and hormones can play an important role, but they work best when built on a strong lifestyle foundation.

This has always been our philosophy at the Couri Center for Gynecology and Integrative Women’s Health.

The path forward is simple:
Stay grounded in science. Use common sense. Continue to put our patients first.

Grateful for the opportunity to learn from so many brilliant colleagues dedicated to improving women’s health around the world.

03/05/2026

I am thrilled to announce that Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian will be the keynote speaker at our Empowered Wellness: A Women’s Health Summit this October.

In this recent article in Newsweek, Dr. Mozaffarian, director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, said it best:

“It’s a treatment system, not a prevention system.”

We are excited to bring one of the nation’s leading voices in nutrition and preventive health to our community. Stay tuned for more details!

Produce prescriptions and hospital food programs are expanding fast. But the real test isn’t medical—it’s financial.

03/04/2026

And here we go!

02/21/2026

Only God could plan a moment like this 🙏❤️

Celebrating Charlie and Caroline’s 18th birthday and we ran into Dr. Renfroe, the doctor who delivered them. What a beautiful reminder of God’s perfect timing. So grateful for His blessing of these two incredible kids—and for the excellent care that started it all. Happy birthday to my babies!!

02/16/2026

Sunshine and smiles -- my heart is full. ❤

01/28/2026

Very interesting data. HRT added to tirzepatide led to 35% more weight loss compared to tirzepatide alone.

Postmenopausal women receiving menopausal hormone therapy lost 35% more weight while taking tirzepatide, a drug for overweight and obesity treatment, according to a new study led by Mayo Clinic.

The findings could lead to research for more personalized weight management for postmenopausal women, who are at higher risk for obesity-related cardiovascular disease.

Read more: https://mayocl.in/3LFYmEO

01/27/2026

This is the estrogen conversation women have been waiting for. I highly recommend listening to this entire podcast with Dr. Peter Attia and Dr. Lisa Mosconi.