
Going through menopause feels like a ride on an emotional and physical rollercoaster. With all the hot flashes, mood swings, and sleepless nights, it is easy to be overwhelmed.
When I was on the brink of my own menopause experience, I was in search of a means of getting real relief.
That’s when I found Winona, a telehealth platform that provides hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women. I can now give an in-depth review of what using it was like after 3 months.
Wondering whether Winona is worth it? Keep reading!
What is Winona?
Winona is a telehealth company that offers personalized hormone replacement therapy plans specifically for women experiencing menopause or perimenopause symptoms.
What I love about them is their focus on bioidentical hormones – these are specially created to mirror the exact hormones our bodies produce naturally. This platform offers a contemporary, accessible approach to managing those frustrating menopause symptoms we all know too well – the hot flashes, emotional ups and downs, exhaustion, and so much more – without requiring those dreaded in-person medical appointments.
Everything happens online, which was such a relief for me. You take an online quiz, connect with a licensed doctor, and receive a customized treatment approach delivered straight to your home. It’s designed to eliminate all those annoying barriers – no more sitting in waiting rooms or scheduling around lengthy office visits.
Key Features
- Personalized Treatment: Every plan is tailored according to your symptoms, needs and health history.
- Bioidentical Hormones: Winona utilizes plant-based hormones that are the same as your own, in terms of molecular identity.
- Telehealth Convenience: All services are virtual and you do not need to leave your home.
- Free Shipping and Unlimited Follow-ups: You get free shipping, and you can request follow-ups at any given time.
- Flexible Subscription: You can pause or cancel your treatment at any time which is a major plus to anyone who needs flexibility.
Ingredients In Winona
The treatments from Winona are made with bioidentical hormones, which means they’re derived from plants and are chemically identical to those your body produces. Some of the main ingredients include:
Estrogen
Estrogen regulates many functions in the body, such as mood, sleep, and bone health. During menopause, estrogen levels drop, leading to hot flashes, sleep problems, and vaginal dryness.
Research in Mayo Clinic shows that estrogen therapy can reduce hot flashes and improve sleep and bone health in menopausal women.
Progesterone
Progesterone balances the effects of estrogen, especially regarding the uterine lining. It also helps with mood regulation and sleep.
A study in Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn found that bioidentical progesterone improved sleep quality and reduced anxiety in perimenopausal women.
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
DHEA
DHEA is a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone. It helps improve energy levels, reduce fatigue, and maintain muscle mass.
A study in JAMA Network showed that DHEA supplementation helped increase energy and reduce body fat in postmenopausal women.
Testosterone
Testosterone is vital for energy, libido, and muscle mass. As women age, testosterone levels decrease, leading to fatigue and decreased sexual desire.
A study in the British Journal of General Practice (2020) found that testosterone therapy improved sexual desire and energy in postmenopausal women.
How Does It Work?
It is simple to start with Winona. You start with an online quiz where you answer a set of questions about your health and symptoms of menopause. After that, a licensed physician analyzes your data and prescribes a treatment plan specifically designed to suit your needs.
Once you approve the plan, Winona will ship the treatments straight to your door, and you can begin using them at once. During your course, you can have follow-up consultations with your doctors to ensure that your treatment is progressing as it should. In case you need to make any adjustments to your plan, you can easily make them.
My Personal Experience with Winona
I have been using Winona now about three months now, and have seen some great changes. Let me walk you through my journey, month by month:
Month 1
The first month was more or less like adjusting to a routine. In my case I was prescribed estrogen patches and progesterone cream. The steps of setting everything up were easy too – it was a quick consultation and everything was explained very well.
To my surprise, I did not feel much of a change at first which is not unusual because hormones require time to adjust. But after nearly 2 weeks, I did feel that I had a little more energy. I was not as tired in the middle of the day, which had been a significant issue previously.
Month 2
In the second month, I could feel a difference. My hot flashes, which had been frequent and uncomfortable, became less intense and less frequent. Also, my sleep improved, and I no longer woke up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat.
To top that, my mood began to normalize. The irritability and the anxiety that had been oppressing me for weeks began to diminish. I was more relaxed, not so worried, and better in control.
Month 3
After three months or so, I really felt like a different person. The brain fog that I had experienced was nearly gone, and I had my energy levels back to normal. I was not just making it through the day — I was enjoying myself. Above all, I felt like myself once more, not the person burdened with menopausal symptoms.
Before and After Using Winona
Before Using Winona
Before I started Winona, I was struggling with classic menopause symptoms:
- Constant fatigue that made it hard to function during the day.
- Hot flashes that disrupted my sleep.
- Mood swings and feelings of anxiety that made everything seem harder.
- Brain fog that made focusing on tasks or having a conversation difficult.
After Using Winona
After three months of using Winona, my symptoms have improved significantly:
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*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
- Increased energy: I feel more awake and alert throughout the day.
- Fewer hot flashes: I rarely experience hot flashes, and when I do, they’re mild.
- Stable mood: I feel calmer and more emotionally balanced.
- Clearer thinking: The brain fog is gone, and I feel more mentally sharp.
Side Effects
Like with any treatment, there are a few side effects to be aware of. I did experience some mild bloating in the first couple of weeks, which is common when starting hormone therapy. However, this went away after the first month. I didn’t experience any other major side effects, like headaches or nausea, which I was worried about initially.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No need for in-person visits, and you get care from the comfort of your home.
- Your treatment plan is customized to fit your unique symptoms and health needs.
- My experience showed that Winona’s treatments can help reduce hot flashes, improve sleep, and boost energy.
- You get access to unlimited follow-up consultations with doctors, so you’re never left in the dark.
- You can pause or cancel your treatment anytime.
Cons
- Initial cost might feel like an investment, especially compared to over-the-counter supplements.
- Hormone replacement therapy isn’t a quick fix. It took me a couple of weeks to start seeing noticeable improvements.
- Winona’s services are currently only available in certain states within the U.S.
How did I use Winona?
I followed the instructions carefully. I applied my estrogen patch once a week and used the progesterone cream as directed by the physician. The routine was easy to stick to, and I found that I didn’t have to change much in my daily life.
Is Winona Worth It?
Personally, I think that Winona is definitely worth it. The comfort, the customized assistance, and the health benefits that I have received make it a valuable choice to address menopause. It does not work as a one-size-fits-all solution, but if you’re searching for something that would fit your lifestyle and actually work, Winona is worth trying.
Conclusion
If menopause symptoms are making life harder and other treatments haven’t worked, Winona could be just what you need.
After using it for three months, I can honestly say I feel like myself again—more energized, balanced, and free from the constant symptoms. The convenience of getting personalized care from home has made a huge difference in my life.
Winona’s hormone therapy is effective and easy to use, and it really does what it promises. For anyone looking for relief from menopause, I definitely recommend giving Winona a try.
It has really helped me, and I’m sure it could help many others feel better and reclaim their lives.
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