Women’s hormones & metabolism
It’s not a lack of discipline.
Hormones influence everything from hunger and energy to metabolism, sleep, and weight. Whether it’s PCOS, perimenopause, menopause, thyroid health, or chronic stress, your body is responding to biology - not a lack of effort.
Here, our licensed providers break down the science behind women’s hormones so you can understand what’s happening, and what you can actually do about it.
Complex hormones explained simply
The biggest hormonal shifts women experience and what they actually mean for your body.
01
Menopause & Perimenopause
As estrogen begins to fluctuate and eventually decline, your body changes how it stores and uses energy. Muscle becomes harder to maintain, metabolism gradually slows, and fat is more likely to shift toward the abdomen. Together, those changes can make the same habits produce different results than they did years ago.
Learn why menopause changes metabolism, and what actually helps.02
PCOS & Insulin Resistance
Insulin’s job is to move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. With insulin resistance, your body has to produce more insulin to do the same job. Higher insulin levels make it easier to store fat, increase hunger, and make weight loss more difficult - even when you’re eating well and exercising consistently.
Learn why PCOS affects weight, hunger, and hormones.03
Stress, Cortisol & Thyroid
Cortisol helps your body respond to stress, but when it stays elevated for long periods, it signals your body to conserve energy instead of burning it efficiently. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in nearly every cell. When thyroid function slows, so can your energy, digestion, temperature regulation, and calorie burn.
Learn how stress hormones influence weight and overall health.Is it Hormonal? A Quick Checklist
- Your habits are the same as last year. The number on the scale is not.
- Weight has settled around your middle, and the jeans that fit in March do not.
- The approach that used to work for you stopped working, and no one can tell you why.
- You sleep a full night and wake up as tired as when you went to bed.
- Sugar and carbs stopped feeling like a choice and started feeling like a pull.
- Your cycle changed: heavier, lighter, closer together, or gone.
If you’re experiencing three or more of these symptoms, it may be time to speak with a licensed provider.
From understanding to action
Where medical care makes a difference.
The goal isn’t simply to treat symptoms, it’s to understand why they’re happening. The right care starts with understanding your body, then building a plan that fits it.
Find the root cause. A provider looks beyond the symptoms to understand what’s driving them, whether that’s hormones, thyroid health, insulin resistance, or something else entirely.
Replace guesswork with answers. Lab work and a thorough health history help turn uncertainty into a clear starting point.
Care that’s built around you. If treatment is appropriate, your provider recommends options based on your health, goals, and medical history - not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Support that evolves with you. Hormones change over time. Your care should too, with ongoing guidance and adjustments as your body changes.
How Elara Works
Start with a conversation
A licensed provider reviews your health history, symptoms, goals, and what you’ve already tried - so your care starts with understanding, not assumptions.
A plan designed for you
If treatment is appropriate, your provider builds a personalized plan. If it isn’t, they’ll guide you toward the next best step.
Care that stays with you
Your body changes over time. Your care should too. Stay connected with your provider through ongoing messaging, check-ins, and treatment adjustments, all from home.
Meet Your Providers
Board-certified providers, licensed in all 50 states + Puerto Rico. Your medical review comes first - payment is only processed if you’re approved.
Dr. Michael Wasef, MD
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Founder, Wasef Health
Dr. David Wasef, MD
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Wasef Health Provider Network
Dr. Andrew Sakla, DO
Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician
Wasef Health Provider Network
Real women. Real answers. Real change.
Every woman below started with a free consultation and worked with a licensed provider to create a treatment plan tailored to her body, her health, and her goals.
- 220 lbs 156 lbs5'2
Before 
After “I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life and became obese after two c-sections and ongoing health issues. Elara’s incredible support has transformed my journey. I finally feel confident, healthy and truly happy again.”
Priscilla
- 231 lbs 168 lbs5'4
Before 
After “Before Elara, I felt trapped. Every diet, every plan left me exhausted. When I joined Elara, I finally felt seen. My provider helped me find the right GLP-1 dose, and the team checked in every step of the way. I’ve gained my confidence back. For the first time, I feel safe in my own skin.”
Heather
- 260+ lbs 178 lbs5'8
Before 
After “My confidence had disappeared. I avoided photos, friends, even mirrors. Joining Elara felt different from the start, it wasn’t just about weight loss; it was about self-worth. Losing this weight gave me my life back.”
Elisa
- 370 lbs 286 lbs5'8
Before 
After “I spent years ignoring my health because I thought change wasn’t possible. But Elara changed everything.”
Katelyn
- 247 lbs 173 lbs5'0
Before 
After “I was exhausted, and constantly hungry. My metabolism felt broken. When I joined Elara, my provider explained how GLP-1s work and for the first time, my body started responding. The food noise disappeared. My energy returned.”
Carrie
- 365 lbs 223 lbs5'7
Before 
After “For a long time, I felt stuck in my body and unsure where to start. Elara gave me the support, structure, and encouragement I needed to keep going. As the weight came off, my confidence came back too.”
Elle
- 173 lbs 127 lbs
Before 
After “I wanted a plan that felt realistic and support that actually lasted. With Elara, I felt guided every step of the way. The results gave me more energy, more confidence, and a whole new outlook.”
Brenda
- 407 lbs 325 lbs5'8
Before 
After “I had tried over and over to make a change, but nothing felt sustainable. Elara helped me find an approach that finally worked for me. Now I feel stronger, more hopeful, and proud of how far I’ve come.”
Jassy
- 165 lbs 119 lbs5'2
Before 
After “I wanted to feel healthy, comfortable, and confident again. Elara made the process feel simple and supportive instead of overwhelming. Seeing my progress has been incredibly motivating.”
Torree
- 238 lbs 150 lbs5'4
Before 
After “Before Elara, I felt frustrated and exhausted by doing it all on my own. Having provider support helped me stay consistent and trust the process. I’ve gained confidence right alongside the weight loss.”
Tiffany
- 200 lbs 166 lbs5'4
Before 
After “I needed something that fit my life and actually helped me move forward. Elara gave me guidance, accountability, and results I could truly feel. I’m lighter, more energized, and more confident now.”
Laura
- 220 lbs 156 lbs5'2
Before After “I’ve struggled with my weight most of my life and became obese after two c-sections and ongoing health issues. Elara’s incredible support has transformed my journey. I finally feel confident, healthy and truly happy again.”
Priscilla
- 231 lbs 168 lbs5'4
Before After “Before Elara, I felt trapped. Every diet, every plan left me exhausted. When I joined Elara, I finally felt seen. My provider helped me find the right GLP-1 dose, and the team checked in every step of the way. I’ve gained my confidence back. For the first time, I feel safe in my own skin.”
Heather
- 260+ lbs 178 lbs5'8
Before After “My confidence had disappeared. I avoided photos, friends, even mirrors. Joining Elara felt different from the start, it wasn’t just about weight loss; it was about self-worth. Losing this weight gave me my life back.”
Elisa
- 370 lbs 286 lbs5'8
Before After “I spent years ignoring my health because I thought change wasn’t possible. But Elara changed everything.”
Katelyn
- 247 lbs 173 lbs5'0
Before After “I was exhausted, and constantly hungry. My metabolism felt broken. When I joined Elara, my provider explained how GLP-1s work and for the first time, my body started responding. The food noise disappeared. My energy returned.”
Carrie
- 365 lbs 223 lbs5'7
Before After “For a long time, I felt stuck in my body and unsure where to start. Elara gave me the support, structure, and encouragement I needed to keep going. As the weight came off, my confidence came back too.”
Elle
- 173 lbs 127 lbs
Before After “I wanted a plan that felt realistic and support that actually lasted. With Elara, I felt guided every step of the way. The results gave me more energy, more confidence, and a whole new outlook.”
Brenda
- 407 lbs 325 lbs5'8
Before After “I had tried over and over to make a change, but nothing felt sustainable. Elara helped me find an approach that finally worked for me. Now I feel stronger, more hopeful, and proud of how far I’ve come.”
Jassy
- 165 lbs 119 lbs5'2
Before After “I wanted to feel healthy, comfortable, and confident again. Elara made the process feel simple and supportive instead of overwhelming. Seeing my progress has been incredibly motivating.”
Torree
- 238 lbs 150 lbs5'4
Before After “Before Elara, I felt frustrated and exhausted by doing it all on my own. Having provider support helped me stay consistent and trust the process. I’ve gained confidence right alongside the weight loss.”
Tiffany
- 200 lbs 166 lbs5'4
Before After “I needed something that fit my life and actually helped me move forward. Elara gave me guidance, accountability, and results I could truly feel. I’m lighter, more energized, and more confident now.”
Laura
These are individual experiences shared by real Elara members with their permission. Weight loss results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. Prescription treatment is only provided when a licensed clinician decides it is appropriate for you.