October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Health, Estradiol & the Conversations Women Need to Have

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time to prioritize breast health, understand your individual risk factors, stay current with recommended screening, and have informed conversations with your healthcare provider.

However, breast health is only one part of the conversation. For many women, the hormonal changes of perimenopause and menopause can affect far more than hot flashes and menstrual cycles. Declining estradiol levels can also affect vaginal and urinary health, sexual comfort, intimacy, and quality of life.

One treatment option that deserves more awareness is vaginal estradiol.

What Is Vaginal Estradiol?

Vaginal estradiol is a form of local estrogen therapy used to treat symptoms associated with the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), including:

Vaginal dryness
Burning or irritation
Pain or discomfort with intercourse
Reduced vaginal lubrication
Vaginal tissue changes
Certain urinary symptoms

Unlike systemic estradiol therapy, which delivers estradiol throughout the bloodstream, vaginal estradiol is applied directly to vaginal tissue. It is available in forms such as creams, tablets/inserts, and vaginal rings.

Why Does Estradiol Matter for Vaginal Health?

As estradiol levels decline during menopause, vaginal tissue can become thinner, drier, and less elastic. These changes can lead to discomfort during intimacy as well as urinary symptoms and recurrent urinary tract infections.

And here's something important:

You don't have to simply accept these changes as an unavoidable part of aging. There are treatment options, and the right approach depends on your symptoms, medical history, risk factors, and personal goals.

But What About Breast Cancer Risk?

This is where conversations about estradiol can become confusing.

Vaginal estradiol and systemic hormone therapy are not the same thing. Low-dose vaginal estradiol is intended to deliver a small amount of estradiol locally, and does not increase systemic estradiol levels.

For women who have had breast cancer, the conversation requires additional care. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that if non-hormonal treatments haven't adequately addressed symptoms, low-dose vaginal estradiol may be considered for breast cancer survivors after discussing the potential risks and benefits. For women taking aromatase inhibitors, ACOG recommends shared decision-making involving the patient, gynecologist, and oncologist.

That means the answer isn't simply "estradiol is good" or "estradiol is bad." It's about understanding which type of estradiol, how it is delivered, why it is being used, and what your individual health history indicates.

A Good Read

Estrogen Matters

Avrum Bluming, MD & Carol Tavris, PhD

If you want to learn more about the history and ongoing conversation surrounding estrogen and menopause, we recommend adding Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming, MD, and Carol Tavris, PhD to your reading list.

The 2024 revised and updated edition explores the history of hormone therapy, the Women's Health Initiative, and research surrounding estrogen's potential effects on areas such as bone, cardiovascular, brain, and overall health.

It is an interesting book for women who want to better understand the debate surrounding estrogen and become more informed participants in conversations about their own healthcare.

As with any health book, it should be viewed as educational information—not a substitute for individualized medical advice.

Order Your Book Today!

This October, Know Your Options

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to do more than wear pink.

It's an opportunity to schedule recommended screenings, understand your personal risk, ask questions, and have conversations about the changes you're experiencing.

And if you're experiencing vaginal dryness, discomfort with intimacy, urinary changes, or other symptoms associated with declining estradiol levels, bring it up with your healthcare provider.

These symptoms are common—but you don't have to suffer in silence.

Your breast health matters.
Your vaginal health matters.
Your quality of life matters.

This October, make time for the conversations that matter.

Individual treatment decisions should be based on your medical history, symptoms, risk factors, and discussion with a qualified healthcare provider. Women with a personal history of breast cancer should discuss vaginal estradiol with their healthcare team, including their oncologist when appropriate.

Peptides at Blades Wellness

Personalized Peptide Therapy for Hair, Sexual Health, Recovery & Healthy Aging

You may have heard the word “peptides” everywhere lately—from longevity podcasts and wellness communities to social media and functional medicine practices.

But what exactly are peptides, and why are they generating so much interest?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can act as signaling molecules in the body. Different peptides interact with different biological pathways, which is why they are being explored for a wide range of applications.

At Blades Wellness & Aesthetics, we offer several prescription peptide options that may be considered as part of an individualized treatment plan.

GHK-Cu — Hair & Skin Support

The goal isn't simply to chase a trend—it is to look at the individual and determine whether a peptide-based approach may be appropriate for their particular concerns.

PT-141 — Sexual Health

PT-141, also known as bremelanotide, works through melanocortin receptors and has been studied in sexual health.

The FDA-approved medication Vyleesi (bremelanotide) is indicated for premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). We can prescribe PT-141 (bremelanotide) in a rapid-dissolve tablet (RDT) formulation through a compounding pharmacy.

At Blades Wellness & Aesthetics, sexual health is approached as part of whole-person wellness. Hormones, stress, sleep, medications, relationships, overall health, and other factors can all influence sexual desire and function.

Your provider can determine whether a prescription option is appropriate based on your individual history and goals.

Oxytocin — Connection, Wellness & More

Most people know oxytocin as the hormone associated with bonding and connection, but its biology is much more complex.
Oxytocin is a naturally occurring hormone involved in a variety of physiological processes.

At Blades Wellness & Aesthetics, oxytocin may be considered as part of an individualized wellness plan when clinically appropriate.

Because oxytocin is a prescription medication with specific medical considerations, your provider will determine whether it is appropriate for you and how it should be used.

Sermorelin — Supporting the Growth Hormone Pathway

Sermorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.

Sermorelin has an established history in medicine; the FDA previously approved Geref (sermorelin acetate) for pediatric growth hormone deficiency associated with growth failure.

In the wellness and longevity space, sermorelin is being discussed for its relationship to the body's growth hormone pathway. However, it is important to distinguish research and clinical use from FDA-approved indications.

GLP-1 Therapy — Metabolic Health & Weight Management

You can't talk about peptides in today's wellness conversation without talking about GLP-1 medications.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications that mimic the action of the naturally occurring hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). They can influence appetite, food intake, blood glucose regulation, and digestion.

FDA-approved medications in this category include semaglutide and tirzepatide. For appropriate patients, GLP-1 therapy may be part of a comprehensive approach to weight management and metabolic health, alongside nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and other lifestyle factors.

What Makes GLP-1 Therapy Different?

Unlike some of the newer peptides being discussed in the wellness world, several GLP-1 medications have undergone extensive clinical research and have FDA-approved indications for specific conditions. For example, Wegovy (semaglutide) is FDA-approved for chronic weight management in certain adults, and Zepbound (tirzepatide) is approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition.

The goal isn't simply weight loss. It's creating a sustainable, individualized approach to better metabolic health.

Not every peptide is FDA-approved for every use, and not every peptide is appropriate for every person.

Some peptide products are compounded, and compounded medications are not FDA-approved or reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing. The FDA has also specifically cautioned patients and healthcare professionals about unapproved compounded GLP-1 products and dosing errors.

That's why peptide therapy should begin with a conversation with a qualified healthcare provider—not a social media trend.

At Blades, our providers can evaluate your individual health history, goals, medications, and risk factors to determine whether a prescription option may be appropriate for you.

A Personalized Approach to Peptide Therapy

From GHK-Cu for hair and scalp concerns to PT-141 and sexual health, oxytocin, sermorelin, and GLP-1 therapy, peptides and peptide-based medications represent a rapidly evolving area of medicine.

Curious about peptides? Let's start the conversation.

Prescription medications and peptide therapies are not appropriate for everyone. Individual treatment decisions should be made with a qualified healthcare provider. Individual experiences and results vary.

Your provider can evaluate your health history, goals, and individual circumstances before determining whether a peptide-based approach is appropriate.

Request an Appointment

Nutrient Injections & IV Add-Ons

Targeted Nutritional Support, Personalized to You

Sometimes wellness support starts with the basics—making sure your body has the nutrients it needs to support energy production, metabolism, cellular function, and overall well-being.

At Blades Wellness & Aesthetics, we offer a selection of nutrient injections and IV nutrient add-ons that can be incorporated into a personalized wellness plan based on your individual needs and goals.

Vitamin B-Complex Injection

B vitamins play important roles in energy metabolism, nervous system function, red blood cell production, and numerous cellular processes throughout the body.

Our Vitamin B-Complex injection contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6, providing a convenient way to supplement these essential water-soluble vitamins.

B-vitamin needs can vary depending on diet, absorption, medications, lifestyle, and individual health factors. Your provider can help determine whether supplementation may be appropriate for you.

Vitamin B12 + MIC

Our B12 + MIC injection combines Vitamin B12 with methionine, inositol, and choline (MIC).

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in normal energy metabolism, nervous system function, and red blood cell formation. MIC compounds are involved in normal metabolic processes, including the way the body handles fats.

While these injections are commonly incorporated into wellness and weight-management programs, they are not a substitute for nutrition, physical activity, or an individualized weight-management plan.

Glutathione Injection

Glutathione is a naturally occurring antioxidant made from three amino acids: glutamine, cysteine, and glycine. It is found throughout the body and plays an important role in cellular antioxidant defenses and normal metabolic processes.

Glutathione can be administered as an injection as part of an individualized wellness plan. Your provider can discuss whether glutathione supplementation may be appropriate based on your goals and overall health.

L-Carnitine Injection

L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring compound that helps transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they can be used in cellular energy metabolism.

Because of its role in energy metabolism, L-Carnitine is frequently incorporated into fitness, performance, and weight-management programs.

NAD+ Injection

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a naturally occurring coenzyme involved in cellular energy metabolism and numerous biological processes.

NAD+ levels can change with age and other physiological factors. NAD+ injections are offered as part of our wellness services for patients interested in supporting cellular energy and overall wellness.

Amino Acids — IV Add-On

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and play important roles throughout the body, including muscle maintenance, tissue repair, metabolism, and numerous cellular processes.

Depending on your individual needs and the IV formulation selected, amino acids may be available as an add-on to your IV therapy.

Ask our team which nutrient and amino-acid options may be appropriate for your personalized wellness plan.

Your Nutrients. Your Goals. Your Wellness Plan.

Nutrient injections and IV therapy aren't about taking everything available—they're about identifying what may make sense for you.

Whether your focus is energy, wellness, exercise support, nutrition, metabolic health, or healthy aging, our team can help you explore options that fit into your broader wellness plan.

Ask us about our nutrient injections and IV add-ons at your next visit.

Individual experiences and results vary. Nutrient injections and IV therapies are not appropriate for everyone. Your provider will determine whether a specific nutrient or therapy is appropriate based on your individual health history, medications, and goals.

(These injections are for current patients only)

Request an Appointment

Coping With Holiday Stress: Make Time for You

The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but between busy schedules, shopping, travel, family gatherings, work commitments, and endless to-do lists, this time of year can also leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and depleted.

This season, don't forget to put your own wellness on the calendar. Taking time to recharge isn't selfish—it's part of taking care of yourself.

Longevity Membership

Ways to Reset at Blades Wellness

Our Longevity Membership makes it easier to build wellness into your routine with access to a variety of services designed to support relaxation, recovery, movement, and overall well-being.

Members receive unlimited access to:

BrainTap: guided sessions designed to support relaxation and mindfulness
Compression Therapy: a relaxing recovery-focused experience
Firstbeat Monitoring: insights into stress, recovery, and heart-rate variability
Pulsetto Fit: non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation designed to support relaxation and stress management
Power Plate: whole-body vibration training
Red Light Therapy: a relaxing wellness treatment using red and near-infrared light
Hydrogen Inhalation Therapy: Hydrogen inhalation therapy is a non-invasive wellness treatment involving the inhalation of molecular hydrogen (H₂) gas, usually blended with air or oxygen
EWOT (Exercise With Oxygen Therapy): Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT) is a wellness therapy that combines cardiovascular exercise with the inhalation of oxygen-enriched air.
PEMF Therapy: Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field Therapy improves cellular function and health at the molecular level

And sometimes, your reset can simply mean taking an hour for yourself.

Treat yourself to a Blades Signature Facial for a little quiet time while giving your skin some attention this holiday season. Our customized facial can include cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, a customized mask, facial massage, and optional enhancements such as dermaplaning or red/blue light therapy.

Give Yourself Permission to Pause

You don't have to wait until you're completely exhausted to take a break. Whether it's a longevity session, a facial, an IV, or simply a little uninterrupted time to breathe, make space for yourself this holiday season.

Relax. Recharge. Refresh. Repeat.

Stop by our office and discover the wellness and aesthetic services that can help you make self-care part of your holiday routine.

"Healthcare works best when patients are supported by a team. Coaching, education, and accountability are just as important as medical treatment." — Carrie F. Blades, MD