Dr. Tracy Verrico

10/19/2026

This is a clip from my full conversation with Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky, board certified medical oncologist, head of Breast and Gynecologic Medical Oncology at Valley Health System, and author of Beyond the Pink: Navigating Life, Health, and Breast Cancer.

In this clip Dr. Teplinsky shares something I say to my own patients all the time. HRT is one powerful tool in the menopause toolkit. But it is not the whole toolkit. Lifestyle is the foundation that everything else is built on. Movement, sleep, nutrition, stress. Without those pillars in place, no medication or supplement is going to do what you are hoping it will do.

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/8-G7Fbxxuk8

10/18/2026

Today is World Menopause Day. And I want every woman in this season of life to stop scrolling for just a moment and hear this.

You are not dramatic. You are not imagining it. And you are not alone.

Menopause and perimenopause affect every single aspect of a woman’s life. Her sleep, her mood, her body, her relationships, her confidence, her sense of self. And for too long women have been navigating all of that in silence, being dismissed by the very people who were supposed to help them.

That is what today is about changing.

You deserve to feel like yourself again. 💜

10/15/2026

Just started HRT and not sure what to expect? Here is what I tell every single patient before they leave my office.

The two most common side effects in the first three to six months are bleeding and breast tenderness. Both are normal. Both usually resolve with time. And neither one means something is seriously wrong.

Bleeding is by far the most common and the one that causes the most panic. Do not panic. Make note of it and bring it up at your next appointment. It is incredibly common when starting a new dose or after a dose change.

Breast tenderness happens because your breast tissue has receptors for estrogen and progesterone. Some fullness, sensitivity, or discomfort is a completely normal response as your body adjusts.

If either symptom persists, it may simply mean your dose needs to be adjusted. That is a conversation, not a crisis.

Give your body time. Stay in touch with your provider. And know that what you are experiencing is more common than you think.

10/14/2026

10/13/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And as a women’s health provider, this is a cause that sits very close to my heart.

In the U.S., the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) estimates that roughly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced intimate partner violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. And far too many of them are sitting in silence, carrying something they were never meant to carry alone.

If you are in a situation that does not feel safe, please know that you are not alone and that help exists.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call or text 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org

To every woman who has survived, who is still fighting, or who is supporting someone through it, I see you. And I stand with you.

💜

10/12/2026

Can hormone replacement therapy (HRT) cause weight gain?

The short answer: a change on the scale doesn’t necessarily mean fat gain.

When your body adjusts to hormone replacement therapy, you may notice temporary water retention, shifts in fluid balance, or bloating. This can cause the number on the scale to increase slightly, but it doesn’t automatically mean you’ve gained body fat.

The good news? These changes are often temporary. If bloating or weight changes persist, talk to your healthcare provider. Your dose may need adjusting.

Your body is adjusting, and understanding what’s normal can make the process feel a little less overwhelming.

Save this for your HRT journey and share it with someone who needs to hear it!

10/09/2026

🎀 Congratulations to Dr. Eleonora Teplinsky on the launch of her new book, Beyond the Pink!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Eleonora Teplinsky, MD | Cancer Doctor about everything breast cancer survivors can do to improve their quality of life after ringing the bell.

This one is a tribute to every survivor. Ringing the bell is a milestone, not the finish line. Education is power, and when you understand your body and your options, you can take charge of your health and live your best life.

👉 Watch the full interview on my YouTube channel, :
https://www.youtube.com/

Know a survivor who needs to hear this? Share it with her. 💗
DrTracyVerrico

10/08/2026

So much of what women believe about perimenopause and menopause was never based on science to begin with.

And I see the consequences of that misinformation every single day in my practice. Women who waited too long to seek help. Women who were scared away from treatment that could have changed their lives. Women who thought what they were experiencing was normal when it absolutely was not.

If you are ready to separate fact from fiction, I put together a free guide just for you.

Download the Myths and Facts of Menopause at the link below. It is comprehensive, evidence based, and completely free.

Download here: https://www.drtracyverrico.com/menopause-myths

10/07/2026

I am honored to be featured in Reader's Digest!

"Shot in the Dark" by Korin Miller looks at the growing world of gray-market peptides, and I was glad to share my perspective as an OB-GYN and hormone expert.

The big takeaway I shared: we need more data, and you deserve a provider who listens. If you're desperate to feel better, let's figure it out in a safe way.

Full article: https://www.pressreader.com/usa/readers-digest/20260925/281569477614910

10/06/2026

If you are on a GLP-1 and not losing weight, there is a reason. And it is not that the medication is not working for everyone else either.

The research shows that the more insulin resistant you are, the longer you have been managing diabetes, and the more your blood sugar has been out of control, the harder it is for GLP-1 medications to produce weight loss results.

It is not a willpower problem. It is a metabolic dysfunction problem that has often been building for years.

The good news is that patients who are pre-diabetic or in the earlier stages of metabolic disease tend to do really well on these medications. And for those who are not responding, there are deeper conversations to be had about what is actually driving the resistance.

You deserve answers, not just a higher dose.

Book your consultation at Bona Dea Gynecology: https://www.bonadeagynecology.com/appointment-pathway