Tag: Women’s Health

Choosing a Trusted Provider for Your Hormone Health

When it comes to your hormone health, choosing the right provider can make a meaningful difference. Hormones influence many aspects of how you feel and function, and finding the right approach requires more than simply addressing one symptom.

At New Leaf Wellness, our providers take a personalized approach to hormone health. Rather than offering a quick fix, they take the time to meet with patients, understand their concerns, review their individual needs, and develop a treatment plan specific to them.

More Than a Quick Fix—Real Answers

If you’ve been experiencing changes in energy, mood, sleep, metabolism, or other aspects of your well-being, it can be frustrating to feel like you’re simply being told to “get older” or live with it.

At New Leaf Wellness, the goal is to look at the full hormonal picture and determine what may be contributing to how you feel.

Your treatment plan is not meant to stay the same forever. Your body changes, your needs change, and your care should be able to change with you.

Ongoing Monitoring Matters

One of the most important parts of hormone care is ongoing follow-up. New Leaf Wellness providers meet with patients regularly and monitor hormone levels to evaluate how they are responding to treatment.

This ongoing process allows providers to make appropriate adjustments based on your individual needs and progress.

Rather than simply starting treatment and sending you on your way, New Leaf Wellness focuses on continuing the conversation and monitoring your journey.

Personalized Care for Your Individual Needs

There is no single hormone plan that is right for everyone. Your age, symptoms, goals, lab results, medical history, and response to treatment all contribute to determining an appropriate plan.

At New Leaf Wellness, providers work with you to develop a plan specifically for your body and your goals.

With experience helping thousands of patients, our team understands that effective hormone care is about building a relationship with patients and continuing to evaluate their needs over time.

Don’t Settle for a Quick Fix

If you’re looking for more than a temporary solution and want to better understand your hormone health, choosing a provider who listens, monitors your progress, and personalizes your care matters.

You deserve trusted answers—not guesswork.

At New Leaf Wellness, our providers are here to help you understand your options, look at the bigger picture, and create a personalized wellness plan designed around you.

🌿 Your hormones. Your health. Your personalized plan.

Start your wellness journey with New Leaf Wellness today. 💚

Patient Testimonials Like This Are What We Strive For

At New Leaf Wellness, our mission has always been simple: to help people feel like themselves again. We believe that true wellness begins with listening, understanding, and providing personalized care that addresses the root causes of symptoms—not just the symptoms themselves. It is stories from our patients that remind us why we do what we do.

Recently, one patient shared an experience that touched our hearts:

“My husband first heard about New Leaf Wellness on a podcast, and after struggling with my HRT issues for so long, we decided to give them a try. Walking through their doors, I immediately felt welcomed, comfortable, and cared for. The entire staff has been incredible, but Brenda holds such a special place in my heart. She listened, understood, and truly made me feel seen during a time when I was struggling to feel like myself.

For the first time in a long time, I finally feel hopeful and alive again. I cannot express how grateful I am for the compassion, support, and care I’ve received at New Leaf Wellness. Thank you for helping me get my life back.”

Testimonials like this are exactly what we strive for every day—including at our West Des Moines Clinic, as all of our teams are committed to creating a welcoming, supportive experience for every patient who walks through our doors.

Feel Like Yourself Again

Hormones affect nearly every part of how we feel—from energy and focus to mood, metabolism, sleep, and connection. When they become imbalanced, even simple joys can feel harder to reach.

Too often, people are told that fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, and loss of vitality are simply part of aging. At New Leaf Wellness, we believe you deserve better.

At our West Des Moines Clinic, and all our clinics, our providers take the time to listen to your concerns, understand your symptoms, and help you explore personalized options for your health and wellness journey.

Every wellness journey begins with understanding you. Through personalized testing, thoughtful conversations, and individualized treatment plans, our providers walk alongside each patient every step of the way. We never want anyone to feel rushed, overlooked, or left guessing. Instead, we strive to provide clarity, support, and compassionate care.

Personalized Care for the Whole Person

At New Leaf Wellness, we take a natural, whole-body approach to health and well-being. In addition to Natural Hormone Therapy, we offer services designed to support long-term wellness, including:

  • Advanced Weight Loss Therapy
  • Wellness Coaching and Lifestyle Support
  • Nutritional Therapy
  • Food Sensitivity Testing

All of our teams, including our West Des Moines team, is dedicated to helping patients understand their health, explore their options, and create a personalized plan based on their individual needs and goals.

Because health isn’t about treating a chart—it’s about caring for the person behind it. Our goal is to help every patient restore balance, improve quality of life, and move forward with confidence.

Compassion Makes the Difference

We’re especially grateful for our providers and every member of our New Leaf team who embody the values we hold dear. Taking the time to listen, understand, and genuinely care about our patients is what makes a difference.

There is no greater reward than hearing someone say they finally feel hopeful and alive again.

For more than 15 years, New Leaf Wellness has helped over 100,000 patients reclaim their energy, confidence, connection, and joy through personalized care and natural solutions.

To all of our patients who trust us with their health journeys, thank you. Your stories inspire us and remind us that what we do matters.

Because at New Leaf Wellness, we don’t just want to help you manage symptoms—we want to help you rediscover your life, restore balance, and truly Live Life Better.

And patient testimonials like this are exactly what we strive for.

Begin Your Wellness Journey Today

If you’re tired of feeling tired, frustrated, or unlike yourself, know that there is hope. You deserve to feel clear, confident, energized, and connected again.

Ready to take the first step? The New Leaf Wellness West Des Moines Clinic is here to help.

Visit New Leaf Wellness – Wellness Journey or call 888-728-7555 to schedule your free consultation and begin your journey toward becoming the best version of you.

New Leaf Wellness — helping you restore balance, feel your best, and Live Life Better. 🌿💚

Doing Everything Right and Still Gaining Weight? Here’s Why

Last time the dogs went to the vet, they were both slightly overweight. The fix? One less scoop of kibble, a high-protein topper. Within weeks, they’d slimmed down noticeably.

“Look how skinny you are!” I said at breakfast one morning.

Then came the laugh. And the thought: If only it were that easy for menopausal women…

If only.

Because here’s the thing—the routine hasn’t changed. Daily walks. Regular yoga. Healthy meals. And yet that stubborn menopausal middle showed up anyway.

It’s not about willpower. It’s not about trying harder.

When hormones naturally decline, the body changes. What used to work stops working. The scale won’t budge. Sleep gets worse. Energy tanks. And that belly fat? It appears seemingly out of nowhere.

But here’s what most women don’t realize: it’s not you—it’s your hormones.

And once you understand what’s actually happening in your body, you can finally do something about it.

There’s no need to guess.
There’s no need to keep struggling.
And no one has to go through it alone. 💚

✨ New Leaf Wellness specializes in getting to the root cause—helping patients feel like themselves again.

📞 Call New Leaf Wellness today at 888.728.7555 to schedule a FREE consultation and take the first step toward feeling better, stronger, and more confident.

Reclaiming Connection in Menopause: The Emerging Role of Oxytocin in Women’s Health

There’s been quite a bit of research recently on oxytocin and its important role in hormone optimization for women in perimenopause and menopause. Oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone,” has gained attention for its potential benefits beyond bonding, intimacy, and childbirth. Emerging research and clinical experience suggest that oxytocin may play a meaningful role in supporting women during these stages of life.

What is oxytocin?
Oxytocin is a hormone naturally produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. It regulates social bonding, trust, empathy, and sexual satisfaction, and also has important physical effects such as stimulating uterine contractions during labor and aiding in milk let-down during breastfeeding.

Oxytocin doesn’t disappear once childbearing years are over. It continues to influence mood, stress response, sleep quality, and metabolism throughout life.

Oxytocin levels during menopause
As women enter perimenopause and menopause, hormone production shifts significantly. Levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline, and oxytocin may also decrease. Lower oxytocin levels can contribute to symptoms commonly experienced in midlife, such as:

  • Decreased intimacy or sexual satisfaction
  • Mood changes including anxiety, irritability, or sadness
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Feelings of isolation or disconnection

While oxytocin isn’t the only hormone at play, it’s part of the larger hormonal symphony, and imbalances can impact women in subtle but noticeable ways.

Potential benefits of oxytocin for women in perimenopause and menopause
Oxytocin, often compounded as a nasal spray, sublingual tablet, or oral tablet, may provide several benefits:

  • Improving mood and reducing stress: Oxytocin has calming effects on the nervous system, helping lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Many women report feeling more grounded, connected, and content.
  • Enhancing intimacy and sexual satisfaction: For women experiencing vaginal dryness, decreased libido, or difficulty reaching orgasm, oxytocin promotes relaxation, increases blood flow, and enhances feelings of closeness and bonding.
  • Fostering communication with partners: Known as the “social bonding” hormone, oxytocin supports trust and connection, which can improve communication in relationships. Studies show couples using intranasal oxytocin discuss challenging topics with lower stress hormone levels and better understanding.
  • Supporting sleep: Oxytocin helps regulate the body’s stress response, promoting deeper and more restorative sleep—one of the most common challenges of menopause.
  • Aiding weight and metabolism: Early research suggests oxytocin may influence appetite regulation and fat metabolism, offering a promising avenue for women managing midlife weight changes.

Integrating oxytocin into your wellness plan
For women experiencing intimacy, sleep, mood, or feelings of disconnection during perimenopause or menopause, oxytocin can be a valuable option. It is not a replacement for estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone but can complement bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) or serve as a standalone option for women who are not candidates for BHRT.

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it doesn’t have to be endured passively. With tools like oxytocin, women can experience renewed joy in relationships, reduced stress, improved sleep, and enhanced sexual satisfaction. By replenishing this powerful “connection hormone,” women can support their overall well-being and thrive during midlife and beyond.

Feeling Off? It Might Not Be Depression—It Could Be Hormonal Imbalance

Are you constantly exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, or just not feeling like yourself—and being told the solution is antidepressants or stimulants?

Before you settle for a prescription that only masks the symptoms, this new year is time to consider what might really be going on beneath the surface. You could be struggling with a hormonal imbalance.

At New Leaf Wellness, we’ve helped patients discover the root cause of their symptoms for over 15 years. One of the most overlooked—but highly effective—solutions? Natural hormone replacement, specifically bioidentical hormones and targeted thyroid support.

The Hormone-Health Connection

Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers, impacting everything from energy levels and mental clarity to mood, metabolism, and sleep. When they’re out of balance, it can feel like your entire system is off—and no amount of caffeine or medication seems to help.

Many patients are surprised to learn that their symptoms, often misdiagnosed as depression, anxiety, or fatigue, actually stem from:

  • Low progesterone
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Chronic stress or adrenal fatigue
  • Estrogen dominance

Why Bioidentical Hormones Work

Unlike synthetic hormones or blanket prescriptions, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (NHT) uses compounds that are structurally identical to what your body naturally produces. This makes them more effective and better tolerated—helping your body restore its own balance rather than simply masking symptoms.

Targeted thyroid support also plays a vital role. A sluggish thyroid can make you feel drained, foggy, and disconnected. With proper evaluation and care, we help patients rebalance thyroid function naturally and sustainably.

Real Healing. Real Results.

At New Leaf Wellness, we offer personalized care tailored to your unique biochemistry. Our providers work closely with each patient to create a customized plan that helps:

  • Restore natural hormone levels
  • Safely taper off unnecessary prescription drugs
  • Improve energy, focus, and mood
  • Support weight management and better sleep
  • Reignite your sense of purpose and vitality

Patients often tell us they feel like themselves again—only better.

Ready for a New Chapter?

You don’t have to settle for “just getting by.” If you’ve been told the answer is more medication but still don’t feel like you, it’s time to dig deeper.

Let the experienced providers at New Leaf Wellness help you uncover what’s really going on—and guide you back to health, energy, and balance.

It’s not all in your head. It might just be your hormones.

🌿 Start your transformation today with New Leaf Wellness—where real healing begins.

Holiday Stress & Hormone Health: What Your Body’s Trying to Tell You

The holidays can be joyful—but they can also leave you feeling depleted. If you’re experiencing fatigue, mood swings, or trouble sleeping this time of year, it may be more than just seasonal stress. Hormone imbalance could be amplifying how you feel.

When stress levels rise, your body produces more cortisol—your primary stress hormone. Over time, elevated cortisol can disrupt key hormone systems like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. This can lead to energy crashes, irritability, brain fog, and difficulty managing your weight.

If you’re feeling “off” this season, pay attention to these signs:

  • Constant fatigue, even after rest
  • Restless sleep or waking in the night
  • Mood swings, anxiety, or irritability
  • Brain fog or poor concentration
  • Weight gain around the midsection
  • Low libido or motivation

At New Leaf Wellness, we specialize in natural hormone therapy to help rebalance your body and restore your sense of well-being. Through personalized treatment plans, comprehensive lab testing, and bio-identical hormone solutions, we help you feel like yourself again—without guesswork.

Take this season as a chance to invest in your health. Start with a complimentary hormone evaluation at one of our clinics in Tulsa, West Des Moines, or Omaha—and head into the new year feeling balanced, energized, and supported.

👉 Schedule Your Evaluation Today

Is It Ever Too Late to Start Hormone Therapy? Understanding the Benefits at Any Age

The Life-Changing Benefits of Hormone Therapy at Any Age

Remember Linda, the vibrant 80-year-old who once wondered if she was “too old” for hormone therapy? Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to feel better, live better, and thrive.

Let’s explore the incredible changes many people experience when they optimize their hormone levels—no matter their age.

Rediscovering Energy and Vitality

One of the first and most noticeable shifts is a renewed sense of energy.

Many patients report feeling more active and full of life within just a few months. It’s not just about checking things off a to-do list—it’s about having the vitality to play with grandchildren, dive back into beloved hobbies, or simply feel like yourself again.

Enhanced Intimacy and Sexual Wellness

Here’s the truth that isn’t said often enough: intimacy doesn’t have an expiration date.

Hormone therapy can support sexual wellness well into your 70s, 80s, and beyond by helping to:

  • Rekindle desire and interest
  • Restore natural lubrication
  • Heighten sensation and pleasure
  • Rebuild confidence in intimate relationships

This aspect of health is deeply personal—and deeply empowering.

Stronger Bones, Even in Later Years

Linda’s follow-up bone scan told a hopeful story—her bone density had begun to improve.

This highlights a lesser-known benefit of hormone therapy:

  • Slowing or reversing bone loss
  • Supporting stronger, denser bones
  • Reducing fracture risks

It’s never too late to strengthen the foundation of your body.

Sharper Mental Clarity

That frustrating brain fog isn’t just “part of getting older.”

Many report clearer thinking, improved memory, and sharper focus after beginning hormone therapy. You may notice:

  • Better recall
  • Enhanced concentration
  • Quicker decision-making

Feeling mentally sharp again can transform how you engage with everyday life.

A Ripple Effect of Wellness

The benefits don’t stop there. People frequently experience a cascade of positive effects, including:

  • More restful sleep
  • Brighter mood and better emotional balance
  • Healthier, more resilient skin
  • Easier weight management
  • Improved muscle tone

These changes come from a personalized, whole-body approach to care using bioidentical hormone therapy.

When the natural aging curve starts to dip, the right treatment plan can help slow that descent—and even reverse it in meaningful ways. Many find that they don’t just feel “okay” again. They feel better.

No matter your age—whether you’re 55 or 85—it’s possible to reclaim your health, vitality, and joy. Hormone therapy isn’t about turning back time. It’s about making the most of the time you have ahead.

Struggling with Fatigue? Your Hormones Could Be to Blame!

Do you feel tired all the time? Older than your actual age? Lacking the energy to do the things you love?

Fatigue is a common issue, and it can stem from many causes—sleep apnea, heart conditions, anemia, infections, dehydration, poor nutrition, or lung problems. That’s why getting a thorough evaluation is crucial. But what if all your tests come back “normal” and you’re still exhausted?

Many people in this situation are prescribed antidepressants—sometimes necessary, but often not the real solution. If you’re between 35 and 55 years old, or even younger or older, a hormonal imbalance could be the true cause of your fatigue.

Hormones & Energy: What You Need to Know

While many associate low energy with thyroid issues, another major cause often gets overlooked—low Testosterone in both men and women.

✅ Men often aren’t treated until their Testosterone levels are dangerously low, and even then, they’re only offered synthetic replacements that don’t restore optimal levels.
✅ Women are rarely treated for low Testosterone at all, even though they need it—just at lower levels than men.

Why Ignoring Low Testosterone is Risky

Untreated low Testosterone can lead to:
❌ Persistent fatigue & brain fog
❌ Muscle loss & reduced vitality
❌ Increased risk of osteoporosis, dementia, and possibly heart disease

Get Your Energy Back at New Leaf Wellness in West Des Moines!

If you’re tired of feeling exhausted and haven’t found the help you need, New Leaf Wellness in West Des Moines is here for you! 🌿✨ Our expert team specializes in hormone therapy and will help you restore balance, energy, and overall well-being.

Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals: How Our Programs Work Together or Stand Alone

Ready For A Holistic Weightloss Journey?

Weight loss is a journey that requires a personalized and holistic approach. No single solution works for everyone because each person’s body and challenges are unique. That’s why we offer a suite of tools designed to address various aspects of weight management: weight loss injections, food sensitivity testing, wellness coaching, the Boost Program, Metabolic Healing Program, and NLRX Nutrition supplements like Crave Break.

These solutions can be used individually to target specific needs or combined for a comprehensive approach that delivers maximum results. Let’s dive into how each program and product contributes to your weight loss journey.

1. Weight Loss Injections: A Jumpstart to Your Journey
Weight loss injections provide a powerful metabolic boost for those struggling with hunger control, fat metabolism, or hormonal imbalances. These treatments help regulate appetite, enhance fat burning, and improve insulin sensitivity, addressing some of the most common barriers to weight loss.

When paired with other tools like nutrition programs or coaching, weight loss injections can significantly accelerate your progress.

2. Food Sensitivity Testing: Unlocking Your Body’s Preferences
Hidden food sensitivities can cause inflammation, digestive issues, and even weight gain, making it harder to see results. Food sensitivity testing identifies which foods may be sabotaging your progress so you can adjust your diet accordingly.

Eliminating problematic foods helps reduce inflammation, improve digestion, and optimize metabolism, setting the stage for more effective weight loss. Combined with Crave Break, a supplement that reduces cravings, this strategy becomes even more impactful.

3. Wellness Coaching: Personalized Support for Sustainable Success
Creating lasting change requires more than just a plan—it requires support, accountability, and motivation. Wellness coaching provides personalized guidance tailored to your goals, helping you build healthy habits and overcome obstacles.

Whether you’re implementing food sensitivity testing, weight loss injections, or the Boost Program, a coach ensures you stay on track and make the most of these tools.

4. Boost Program: Ignite Your Metabolism and Energy
Low energy and a sluggish metabolism can make weight loss feel impossible. The Boost Program is designed to combat these issues, providing the energy needed to keep you active and motivated.

By addressing fatigue and enhancing calorie-burning efficiency, the Boost Program helps you get the most out of your workouts and daily routine, making weight loss more attainable and sustainable.

5. Metabolic Healing & Dietary Lifestyle Plan: A Holistic Approach to Weight Loss & Wellness
By encouraging wise choices and better nutrition, the plan lays a foundation for balanced eating habits. It emphasizes the importance of quality rest, a supportive environment, regular physical activity, and a positive mental outlook to achieve sustainable results. Additionally, the plan incorporates intermittent fasting when necessary, helping to optimize metabolism and accelerate progress toward weight loss goals. This comprehensive strategy ensures a personalized journey toward health and vitality.

It’s an essential tool for breaking through plateaus and creating long-term success, particularly when combined with other strategies like coaching or the Boost Program.

6. NLRX Nutrition Supplements: Targeted Support with Crave Break
Supplements can provide targeted solutions to specific weight loss challenges. NLRX Nutrition’s Crave Break is particularly effective for reducing cravings and supporting healthy blood sugar levels, making it easier to stick to your plan without feeling deprived.

When used alongside other NLRX Nutrition products, like Stress Reset, Probiotic Leaf, and/or Metabolic Regulation Diet Support, Crave Break enhances the effectiveness of your weight loss efforts. Whether you need help managing cravings or want to supercharge your results, these supplements are powerful allies in your journey.

How These Tools Work Together

For a truly comprehensive plan, these tools can be combined to address every aspect of weight loss:

  • Start with food sensitivity testing to eliminate inflammation-causing foods.
  • Add weight loss injections to enhance fat burning and appetite control.
  • Incorporate the Boost Program to increase energy, support a higher metabolism, lessen stress and improve liver health .
  • Use the Metabolic Healing Program to address wise choices, nutrition, activity, intermittent fasting & reaching goals.
  • Supplement with Crave Break to manage cravings and support healthy habits.
  • Rely on wellness coaching to guide you through the process and keep you motivated.

This integrated approach not only accelerates your results but also ensures they are sustainable.

Standalone Benefits for Tailored Solutions

Each of these tools can also stand alone:

  • Weight loss injections provide immediate appetite support and better blood sugar control.
  • Food sensitivity testing resolves digestive issues and inflammation, identifying trigger foods that cause bloating.
  • Wellness coaching fosters healthy, long-term habits.
  • The Boost Program recharges energy and boosts metabolism.
  • The Metabolic Healing Program supports reaching goals.
  • Crave Break tackles cravings for better dietary control.

In conclusion, whether you’re looking for a targeted solution to overcome a specific challenge or a comprehensive plan for lasting transformation, our programs and supplements offer everything you need to succeed.

Let us help you create a personalized weight loss strategy that works for your body and lifestyle.

Contact us today to get started on your journey to a healthier you!

Hormone Replacement Therapy with Lisa Sykes

Feel, Look, and Live Your BEST!

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