RESOURCE LIBRARY
Women’s Health Research & Resource Library
At Alpenaura Holistic Health, we believe informed patients make empowered decisions. This resource library was created for women and people navigating hormone changes, metabolic health concerns, perimenopause, menopause, sexual health, inflammation, and whole-person wellness.
Educational Resources For Shared Decision-Making
The articles, books, documentaries, and organizations below are meant to support education and shared decision-making. They are not a substitute for individualized medical care, and not every resource or therapy is appropriate for every person. If you have a personal history of breast cancer, blood clots, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, complex endocrine disease, pregnancy, or are using opioids or other interacting medications, please discuss treatment options directly with a qualified clinician.
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1. PMOS, Formerly Known as PCOS
PMOS, formerly called PCOS, is one of the most common hormone and metabolic conditions affecting women and people with ovaries. It can show up as irregular periods, acne, unwanted facial hair, hair thinning, weight changes, insulin resistance, fertility challenges, mood symptoms, and increased long-term cardiometabolic risk. Because symptoms vary widely, care should be individualized and should address more than cycle control alone.
Featured Research & Clinical References
Endocrine Society announcement: PCOS renamed PMOS
Official 2026 announcement describing polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome as the new name intended to improve diagnosis and care.
2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline for PCOS/PMOS
Comprehensive guideline with 254 recommendations and practice points covering diagnosis, metabolic screening, mental health, fertility, lifestyle, and treatment.
Monash PCOS/PMOS Guideline Hub
Patient and clinician tools supporting shared decision-making, diagnosis, metabolic health, and long-term care.
JAHA 2024: Cardiovascular risk in PCOS/PMOS
Review and guideline-linked discussion emphasizing the need for cardiovascular risk awareness and assessment.
2. Hormone Replacement Therapy, BHRT & WHI Context
Modern menopause hormone therapy is more nuanced than the early public interpretation of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).
The Women’s Health Initiative was an important landmark study, but the early public messaging around WHI was often applied too broadly. Today, menopause experts recognize that hormone therapy risk varies based on a person’s age, time since menopause, route of therapy, dose, formulation, and individual risk factors. Hormone therapy is not recommended as a blanket strategy to prevent chronic disease, but it remains an evidence-based treatment option for many symptomatic women when appropriately prescribed and monitored.
Featured Research & Clinical References
The Menopause Society 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
Key guidance: benefit-risk ratio appears favorable for healthy symptomatic women younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, with individualized risk assessment.
The Menopause Society patient education: Hormone Therapy
Patient-friendly resource describing hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for bothersome hot flashes and clarifying common BHRT terminology.
Rethinking Menopausal Hormone Therapy: For Whom, What, When, and How Long?
A 2023 Circulation review summarizing how timing, formulation, route, and patient selection shape cardiovascular risk-benefit discussions.
WHI comments on menopausal hormone therapy
Useful for balanced context: WHI remains important evidence showing oral hormone therapy should not be used for chronic disease prevention, while modern treatment decisions are more individualized.
Breast Cancer Survivors & Hormone Therapy Considerations
For patients with a personal history of breast cancer, hormone decisions require individualized risk-benefit discussion and, when appropriate, collaboration with oncology. Nonhormonal options are generally considered first-line for genitourinary symptoms. When symptoms persist, low-dose vaginal estrogen may be considered for some patients after discussion of risks and benefits. Vaginal DHEA, vaginal testosterone, moisturizers, lubricants, pelvic floor therapy, and sexual health counseling may also be considered depending on the patient’s history and goals. Systemic estrogen and progesterone after breast cancer require much more individualized review and are generally approached cautiously, especially in hormone receptor-positive disease.
ACOG 2021: Urogenital symptoms in people with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer
Nonhormonal methods first-line; low-dose vaginal estrogen may be used after risk-benefit discussion when symptoms persist.
NCCN Survivorship Guidelines Insights 2024
Notes that first-line vaginal therapy for survivors of estrogen-dependent cancers should be over-the-counter options; safety of vaginal hormones is still individualized.
2023 claims-based analysis on vaginal estrogen after breast cancer
Found no increased recurrence risk within five years among women with prior breast cancer using vaginal estrogen for GSM.
3. Testosterone Therapy in Women
Testosterone is an important hormone in women, but current evidence supports systemic testosterone therapy most clearly for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), especially in postmenopausal women, after a biopsychosocial assessment. Therapy should aim for physiologic female-range dosing and should include monitoring for side effects and supraphysiologic levels. Long-term safety data remain limited, so careful patient selection and follow-up are important.
Featured Research & Clinical References
The Menopause Society 2022 Hormone Therapy Position Statement
Key guidance: benefit-risk ratio appears favorable for healthy symptomatic women younger than 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, with individualized risk assessment.
The Menopause Society patient education: Hormone Therapy
Patient-friendly resource describing hormone therapy as the most effective treatment for bothersome hot flashes and clarifying common BHRT terminology.
Rethinking Menopausal Hormone Therapy: For Whom, What, When, and How Long?
A 2023 Circulation review summarizing how timing, formulation, route, and patient selection shape cardiovascular risk-benefit discussions.
WHI comments on menopausal hormone therapy
Useful for balanced context: WHI remains important evidence showing oral hormone therapy should not be used for chronic disease prevention, while modern treatment decisions are more individualized.
Q&A: Testosterone, Libido & Sexual Wellness
Is testosterone the only treatment for low libido?
No. Libido and arousal are multifactorial. Treatment may include hormone support, vaginal health therapies, pelvic floor care, medication review, relationship and communication tools, sex therapy resources, topical compounded arousal support, and FDA-approved or off-label pharmaceutical options when appropriate.
Can compounded therapies support sexual health?
In select cases, compounded topical therapies may be used to support arousal, tissue comfort, or sexual response. These should be prescribed thoughtfully, monitored carefully, and used as part of a broader plan rather than as a one-size-fits-all solution.
What is OMGyes?
OMGyes.com is an online sexual wellness education platform based on research on women’s pleasure. It can be helpful for communication, self-understanding, and partner education.
4. Inflammation, Immune Modulation & Low-Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
Inflammation and immune signaling can influence pain, fatigue, mood, metabolic health, and overall wellbeing. In some cases, we may discuss supportive strategies such as nutrition, sleep, stress physiology, movement, gut health, targeted supplementation, and medications such as low-dose naltrexone when clinically appropriate. LDN is an off-label medication that may be considered for select chronic pain or inflammatory patterns.
Low-dose naltrexone is an off-label use of naltrexone at much lower doses than those used for opioid or alcohol use disorder. It is being studied for chronic pain, fibromyalgia, inflammatory conditions, and immune-mediated conditions. The evidence is promising in some areas but still evolving, and findings are mixed depending on the condition studied. LDN is not appropriate for people using opioid medications unless supervised by a knowledgeable clinician.
Featured Research & Clinical References
2024 systematic review/meta-analysis: LDN for fibromyalgia
Suggests LDN may reduce fibromyalgia pain with a relatively good safety profile, while emphasizing the need for more robust research.
2025 review: Therapeutic uses and efficacy of LDN
Reviews potential uses and the need for more condition-specific, high-quality evidence.
LDN Research Trust patient and prescriber guides
Patient-friendly and clinician-facing guides on LDN education, safety, and research activity.
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Menopause, HRT & Midlife Hormone Health
The Menopause Society Patient Education
Balanced, expert-created menopause education, including hormone therapy, GSM, sexual health, sleep, and MenoNotes.
The Menopause Guidebook, The Menopause Society
Comprehensive patient guide on menopause symptoms, hormone therapy, bone health, sexual health, mood, sleep, and more.
The New Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Accessible, patient-friendly book on perimenopause and menopause care, lifestyle, and hormone therapy discussion.
The Menopause Manifesto by Dr. Jen Gunter
Evidence-focused, myth-busting book on menopause, symptoms, sexual health, and medical options.
Estrogen Matters by Dr. Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris, PhD
Strongly pro-HRT book that reviews WHI interpretation, breast cancer concerns, and quality-of-life considerations. Best paired with clinician discussion.
Next Level by Dr. Stacy Sims
Exercise, strength, nutrition, and performance guidance for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
Documentaries & Media
The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause
Documentary and educational platform focused on menopause awareness, care gaps, workplace policy, and patient advocacy.
The (M) Factor 2: Before the Pause
Follow-up film focused on perimenopause and the decade before menopause; also available through PBS.
Sexual Health & Relationship Resources
ISSWSH
Professional society with resources and publications on women’s sexual health, HSDD, testosterone therapy, sexual pain, and menopause-related sexual concerns.
The Menopause Society: Sexual Health
Patient education on the relationship between menopause and sexual wellbeing.
OMGyes
Research-based online sexual pleasure education tool that may support self-understanding and partner communication.
Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski, PhD
Highly accessible book on desire, arousal, brakes/accelerators, stress, and sexual wellbeing.
Better Sex Through Mindfulness by Lori Brotto, PhD
Evidence-informed book on mindfulness-based approaches to desire, arousal, and sexual distress
She Comes First by Ian Kerner, PhD
Practical, partner-oriented sexual communication and pleasure resource.
PMOS/PCOS, Metabolic Health & Inflammation
AskPCOS App / Monash PCOS Resources
Evidence-based patient education and self-management resources aligned with international guidelines.
LDN Research Trust
Patient and prescriber education on low-dose naltrexone, research activity, and safety considerations.
The Galveston Diet by Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Patient-friendly book focused on menopause, inflammation, nutrition, and metabolic health.
Fast Like a Girl by Dr. Mindy Pelz
Popular patient resource on fasting and hormones; best framed as optional education rather than universal medical guidance.
The PCOS Plan by Dr. Nadia Brito Pateguana and Dr. Jason Fung
Popular metabolic approach to PCOS/PMOS; useful for discussion, but patients should personalize nutrition and fasting recommendations with a clinician.
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