InHouse Medical LLC

11/06/2026

Menopause: When You Just Don’t Feel Like Yourself

Are you sleeping poorly, feeling more irritable, or noticing changes in your mood?

Menopause may be playing a role.

During perimenopause and menopause, changing hormone levels can affect sleep, mood, and how you feel throughout the day.

Hot flashes and night sweats can interrupt your sleep. Poor sleep can leave you exhausted, anxious, or less patient the next day.

For some women, treating menopause symptoms with hormone therapy may also improve sleep and overall well-being.

But hormone therapy isn’t a treatment for every mood problem, and it isn’t a general treatment for depression.

What should you do?

If you’ve noticed changes in your mood or sleep, bring them up during your menopause evaluation. Don’t focus only on hot flashes.

Your healthcare provider can help determine whether your symptoms are related to menopause, poor sleep, another medical condition, or a combination of factors.

You don’t have to accept feeling miserable as a normal part of getting older. There may be treatment options worth discussing.

InHouse Medical LLC | Waterbury, Connecticut

Educational information only. This post does not replace individualized medical advice.

11/02/2026

Can GLP-1 medications help reduce alcohol cravings?

Researchers are finding something interesting about medications commonly used for weight loss and diabetes.

These medications may do more than reduce hunger. Early studies suggest they may also help some people feel less interested in drinking alcohol.

In a 2026 study, researchers followed 108 adults who had obesity and alcohol use disorder.

Everyone received counseling. One group also received a GLP-1 medication called semaglutide, while the other received a placebo (a treatment with no active medication).

Both groups cut back on heavy drinking, but the group taking semaglutide had a bigger reduction.

Why might this happen?

Researchers think these medications may affect parts of the brain involved in cravings and feelings of reward. But they're still trying to understand exactly how this works.

There are a few important things to know:

- The study was small, and everyone in it had obesity.
- GLP-1 medications are not FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder.
- More research is needed to understand who might benefit.
- People who drink heavily and are physically dependent on alcohol can develop dangerous withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly cut back. Medical guidance is important.

What's interesting is that hunger and alcohol cravings may share some of the same pathways in the brain.

It raises an interesting question:

Could medications that help control appetite eventually help us better understand and treat other types of cravings?

Steven Jeske, APRN
InHouse Medical LLC

Source: The Lancet, 2026

For education only. Not individualized medical advice.

10/29/2026

Low Testosterone and Weight: Understanding the Connection

Low testosterone and increased body fat can influence each other, sometimes creating a cycle that affects metabolic health.

Excess body fat, particularly around the abdomen, can contribute to hormonal changes that lower testosterone production. At the same time, testosterone deficiency may contribute to changes in body composition, including increased body fat and reduced muscle mass.

The important thing to understand is that low testosterone isn’t always an isolated problem.

Weight, sleep quality, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions can all play a role.

That’s why evaluating testosterone levels involves more than looking at a single lab result. Symptoms, repeat morning testosterone measurements, and overall health help determine whether treatment is appropriate.

For men with confirmed testosterone deficiency, testosterone replacement therapy may improve sexual function, body composition, and certain other symptoms. Treatment also requires appropriate monitoring and consideration of potential risks, particularly for men planning to have children.

In some cases, addressing contributing factors such as excess weight, poor sleep, and metabolic health may help improve testosterone levels naturally.

At InHouse Medical, we believe hormone health starts with understanding the whole picture and developing a treatment plan based on individual needs.

Source: Nature Reviews Urology, Update on testosterone deficiency and therapeutic options for testosterone replacement therapy (October 2026). Publication details should be verified before posting.

Educational information only. Not individualized medical advice.

10/26/2026

Does hormone therapy make weight-loss medications more effective during menopause?

A new study presented at The Menopause Society’s 2026 Annual Meeting raises an interesting question.

Researchers reviewed medical records from more than 3,800 women age 45 and older who were taking semaglutide or tirzepatide.

Among women taking semaglutide, those who were also receiving menopause hormone therapy lost an average of 11% of their body weight after 12 months, compared with 9.5% among those not receiving hormone therapy.

With tirzepatide, researchers found a small difference early in treatment, but that difference was no longer statistically significant later on.

So, does that mean adding estrogen will improve weight loss? We don’t know.

This was an observational study, meaning researchers looked at existing medical records. It doesn’t establish that hormone therapy was responsible for the additional weight loss.

Menopause also involves changes in fat distribution, muscle mass, and sometimes sleep quality. All of these deserve consideration when evaluating weight and metabolic health.

Hormone therapy has an established role in treating certain menopause symptoms, but it shouldn’t be prescribed simply to increase weight loss.

For women going through menopause, I think the more useful question is whether we’re addressing all the factors affecting their health, rather than focusing on weight alone.

InHouse Medical LLC

Source: Castaneda et al., The Menopause Society 2026 Annual Meeting.

10/24/2026

Menopause Hormone Therapy: Are the Old Rules Changing?

For years, many women were told that hormone therapy should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest possible time. Some were even told they needed to stop treatment once they reached a certain age.

But is that really what the medical evidence supports?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has released updated menopause guidance that emphasizes a more individualized approach to treatment.

Here are three important points worth understanding.

1. Hormone therapy remains one of the most effective treatments for menopause symptoms.

Estrogen therapy can significantly improve hot flashes and night sweats, which are often responsible for disrupted sleep. For appropriately selected women, the benefits may outweigh the risks.

2. Turning 60 or 65 doesn't automatically mean hormone therapy must stop.

Starting hormone therapy before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause generally has a more favorable benefit-risk profile.

But that doesn't mean every woman needs to discontinue treatment when she reaches a certain birthday. Women who continue to experience symptoms may benefit from ongoing treatment, provided their individual risks are regularly reassessed.

Starting hormone therapy later in life is a different discussion because certain cardiovascular and other risks may be higher.

3. Progesterone is still important if you have a uterus.

This is one point I want to emphasize.

Women who have a uterus and take systemic estrogen generally need a progestogen, such as progesterone, to protect the uterine lining.

Taking estrogen without adequate endometrial protection can increase the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

Women who have undergone a hysterectomy generally do not need progesterone when taking estrogen.

There are exceptions and alternative treatment combinations, but uterine protection remains an important part of safe hormone therapy.

What does this mean for women considering hormone therapy?

Treatment decisions should be based on your symptoms, medical history, age, time since menopause, and personal risk factors.

The type of estrogen, how it is administered, whether progesterone is needed, and how long treatment continues should all be part of that discussion.

And for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy, effective nonhormonal treatments are available.

At InHouse Medical, our approach is to help women understand their options and make informed decisions about menopause care.

InHouse Medical LLC
Waterbury, Connecticut
(203) 518-5232

Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), updated menopause hormone therapy guidance, October 2026.

Educational information only. This post is not individualized medical advice. Treatment decisions should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.

10/21/2026

Can hormone therapy make migraines worse?

Some new research presented at The Menopause Society’s annual meeting in San Diego raises an interesting question about hormone therapy and migraines.

Researchers looked at five studies involving nearly 24,000 postmenopausal women. They found that women using hormone therapy tended to have more frequent migraines, and those migraines lasted longer. However, the researchers didn’t find a significant difference in how severe the migraines were or how much pain medication women used.

So what does this mean if you’re considering hormone therapy?

First, this research doesn’t prove that hormone therapy causes migraines. We already know that changes in estrogen levels can affect headaches, particularly during perimenopause, when hormone levels can fluctuate quite a bit.

Hormone therapy is still one of the most effective treatments we have for hot flashes and night sweats. Having migraines doesn’t automatically mean you can’t use it.

What matters is looking at your symptoms, your medical history, and which treatment makes the most sense for you. The type of hormone therapy and how it’s delivered may also make a difference.

If you’re dealing with migraines around menopause, I would suggest keeping track of when they occur, how long they last, and whether you’ve noticed any changes since starting treatment. That’s useful information to bring to your healthcare provider.

The goal is to treat your menopause symptoms without overlooking other health concerns.

InHouse Medical LLC | Waterbury, CT
Www.inhousemedicine.com

Source: The Menopause Society, October 20, 2026. “Hormone Therapy Use Associated with Greater Migraine Burden in Postmenopausal Women.”

For educational purposes only. Treatment decisions should be individualized with your healthcare provider.

10/19/2026

Testosterone therapy and red blood cells: the lab number worth knowing

Testosterone therapy can raise your red blood cell count. It's one of the most common effects of treatment, not a rare one. The number clinicians track is hematocrit, the percentage of your blood made up of red cells. For men it normally runs about 41–53%.

It matters because thicker blood doesn't move as easily. That's why the Endocrine Society recommends checking hematocrit before starting, again at 3–6 months, then once a year. If it climbs above 54%, the guideline calls for holding treatment, looking for contributors like sleep apnea or low oxygen levels, and restarting at a lower dose once it settles.

The type of testosterone matters too. Injections create a peak-and-trough pattern, with a high level soon after each dose, and those peaks are linked to the biggest rise in red cells. Gels and creams deliver more steadily, with potentially less spikes. For men who already have a higher baseline hematocrit, that steadier delivery is worth talking through with a provider.

Two practical tips: get labs drawn well hydrated, since dehydration can falsely raise the number, and mention heavy snoring or daytime fatigue at your visit, because sleep apnea is a common hidden driver.

Sources: Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline on Testosterone Therapy in Men (Bhasin et al., JCEM 2018) and a 2010 JCEM meta-analysis of 51 trials.

This is general education, not individualized medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.

InHouse Medical, Waterbury, CT — www.inhousemedicine.com

We accept insurance. Weight management, hormone therapy for men and women, and type 2 diabetes care in Waterbury, CT. In-person or telehealth. Book online.

10/18/2026

Good news for women dealing with menopause symptoms.

For years, low-dose vaginal estrogen products carried FDA boxed warnings that caused concern for many women considering treatment.

In November 2025, the FDA announced changes to hormone therapy warnings, and updated product labeling began receiving approval in February 2026.

Why does this matter?

Low-dose vaginal estrogen works mainly where it's applied, with very little estrogen reaching the bloodstream. Research has shown it can be an effective option for many women experiencing menopause-related symptoms.

These treatments may help with:
- Vaginal dryness and irritation
- Discomfort during in*******se
- Certain urinary symptoms, including recurrent urinary tract infections

One thing I want women to understand is that vaginal estrogen is different from estrogen treatments used throughout the body for symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

That doesn't mean it's appropriate for everyone. Your medical history matters, and the risks and benefits should always be considered before starting treatment.

Women deserve accurate information about menopause and the treatment options available to them. Sometimes, an older warning can create unnecessary concern even when newer evidence supports a different understanding.

The goal is to make informed decisions based on current medical evidence, not fear.

InHouse Medical LLC | Waterbury, CT
www.inhousemedicine.com

Educational information only. Treatment decisions should be discussed with your healthcare provider.

We accept insurance. Weight management, hormone therapy for men and women, and type 2 diabetes care in Waterbury, CT. In-person or telehealth. Book online.

10/15/2026

Can low testosterone cause depression, fatigue, and a loss of motivation in men?

If you’re feeling tired, less motivated, or just not quite yourself, it’s easy to assume it’s part of getting older. But sometimes there’s more to the picture.

Research from the UK Biobank involving more than 133,000 men ages 40 to 70 found an association between testosterone levels and the risk of developing depression.

Men with testosterone levels unusually low for their age had a reported 48% higher risk of depression. Interestingly, men with unusually high levels also showed an increased risk.

Does this mean low testosterone causes depression?

Not necessarily.

Testosterone plays a role in several aspects of men’s health, including sexual function, muscle mass, and energy. Low levels can be associated with fatigue and changes in mood, but depression is more complicated than a single hormone level.

Sleep apnea, chronic stress, medications, thyroid disorders, and other medical or mental health conditions can contribute to similar symptoms.

So how do you know if your testosterone is actually low?

A diagnosis of testosterone deficiency generally requires compatible symptoms along with consistently low testosterone levels confirmed by repeat morning blood testing.

A commonly used diagnostic cutoff is a total testosterone level below 300 ng/dL, although the full clinical picture matters.

And here’s something worth understanding: testosterone replacement therapy isn’t automatically the answer to fatigue or depression, even when a testosterone level is low.

When evaluating symptoms like these, I believe it’s important to look at the whole picture rather than assume everything is related to aging or hormones.

Sometimes testosterone is part of the problem. Sometimes it isn’t. The goal is to identify what’s actually contributing to how you’re feeling.

InHouse Medical LLC
Waterbury, Connecticut

Research: UK Biobank, longitudinal study of testosterone levels and depression risk in men.

Educational information only. This is not individualized medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.

10/11/2026

Can testosterone therapy help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

It’s an interesting question, and some research suggests there may be a benefit. But there’s more to the story.

The T4DM study followed men between the ages of 50 and 74 who were overweight or obese and at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Everyone participated in a lifestyle program focused on improving their health. Some also received testosterone treatment.

After two years, fewer men in the testosterone group had developed type 2 diabetes compared with those receiving the lifestyle program alone.

So does this mean men should start testosterone to prevent diabetes? No.

Testosterone isn’t a replacement for proper nutrition, exercise, weight management, or addressing other health risks. And having a low testosterone level doesn’t automatically mean someone needs treatment.

When evaluating testosterone, I think it’s important to look at the whole picture. Are you experiencing symptoms? Are your testosterone levels consistently low? What about your weight, sleep, blood sugar, and overall cardiovascular health?

Typically, that means checking testosterone on two separate mornings and reviewing symptoms before considering treatment. We also need to discuss potential risks and appropriate monitoring.

I find this research interesting because it reinforces something worth understanding: hormones and metabolic health are connected. But treatment decisions still need to be individualized.

The goal isn’t simply to improve a laboratory number. It’s to improve your health while making sure the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

Steven Jeske, APRN
InHouse Medical LLC

Source: T4DM clinical trial and follow-up research presented at ENDO 2026.

This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.