Bridgeport Wellness Center

Bridgeport Wellness Center Health & Wellness

12/17/2025

Causes of Low Progesterone (Outside of Perimenopause)

1. Anovulation (Not Ovulating)

Progesterone is only made after ovulation.
• No ovulation = no corpus luteum = low progesterone
• Very common and often missed
• Cycles may still be regular

Common causes of anovulation:
• Stress
• PCOS
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Insulin resistance
• Postpartum/breastfeeding

⸻

2. Chronic Stress (Cortisol Steal)

Progesterone is the precursor to cortisol.
• Chronic stress diverts progesterone → cortisol
• Leads to low progesterone even with normal estrogen
• Symptoms:
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• PMS
• Short luteal phase

⸻

3. Short Luteal Phase

Ovulation occurs, but progesterone production is inadequate.
• Luteal phase

12/16/2025

Botox Isn’t Just Cosmetic — It May Help Depression 🧠✨

Most people think of Botox for smoothing wrinkles, but research shows it may also help improve symptoms of depression.

💡 How does it work?
When Botox is injected into the frown muscles (between the eyebrows), it limits the ability to form stress-related facial expressions. This interrupts the brain–face feedback loop—meaning the brain receives fewer “distress signals,” which may help improve mood.

🧠 What studies suggest:
• Reduced depressive symptoms
• Improved mood and emotional regulation
• Benefits lasting several months from a single treatment
• Effects seen even in people who failed traditional antidepressants

✨ Why this matters:
Depression isn’t always just a “chemical imbalance.” It’s influenced by inflammation, stress signaling, and neurological feedback pathways—and Botox appears to affect all three.

⚠️ Important note:
Botox is not a replacement for therapy or medication when those are needed—but it may be a helpful adjunctive treatment for some patients.

📍 At Bridgeport Wellness Center, we focus on whole-person care—mental, physical, and emotional health working together.

📩 Curious if this could be right for you? Let’s talk.

12/16/2025

When anxiety hits, don’t fight it—ground it by naming what you know.

🧠 Anxiety lives in “what ifs.”
📍 Calm lives in facts.

Try this ⬇️

✨ Name what you know
• I am safe right now
• I am here
• This feeling is uncomfortable, not dangerous
• I’ve felt this before—and it passed

✨ Name what you can sense
• 5 things you see
• 4 things you can feel
• 3 things you hear
• 2 things you smell
• 1 thing you taste or appreciate

✨ Name what your body is doing
• My feet are on the ground
• My breath is slowing
• My body is protecting me

Slow your breath.
Longer exhales tell your nervous system: you’re okay.

Prebiotics vs Probiotics — What’s the Difference? 🦠🌱Ever wonder why your gut needs both?🦠 Probiotics = the good bacteria...
12/14/2025

Prebiotics vs Probiotics — What’s the Difference? 🦠🌱

Ever wonder why your gut needs both?

🦠 Probiotics = the good bacteria
They help with digestion, immunity, inflammation, and gut balance.

🌱 Prebiotics = food for those bacteria
They help your good bacteria survive, grow, and thrive.

👉 Think of it like this:
Probiotics are the seeds 🌱
Prebiotics are the fertilizer 🌾

You need both for a healthy gut, strong immune system, balanced hormones, and better digestion.

✨ Found in foods like yogurt, kefir, garlic, onions, bananas, oats, and fermented veggies.

💡 Tip: If you’re taking probiotics but still bloated… you might be missing prebiotics.

12/13/2025

💊 Why Was the Black Box Warning Removed from Estradiol?

For years, many women were told estrogen was dangerous.
That fear came from an old warning — and it turns out, it was based on the wrong hormone.

Here’s what you should know 👇

🔍 The original warning wasn’t about estradiol
The black box warning came from a study using:
• Horse-derived estrogen (Premarin)
• Synthetic progesterone (Provera)
• Mostly women in their 60s and 70s, long past menopause

This data was mistakenly applied to all estrogen, including bioidentical estradiol — even though they are not the same.

🧬 Estradiol is different
Estradiol is:
• Bioidentical (the same estrogen your body makes)
• Metabolized differently
• Much safer, especially when used through the skin (patch, gel, cream)

📊 What newer research showed
Modern studies found that:
✔️ Estradiol does not carry the same risks
✔️ Transdermal estrogen has minimal clot and stroke risk
✔️ Starting hormone therapy closer to menopause is protective
✔️ Estrogen helps bones, brain, heart, and metabolism

❌ So why the warning was removed
Because the science was updated — and the fear was misplaced.

The hormone didn’t change.
The understanding did.

✨ Bottom line
Estradiol is not the estrogen women were warned about years ago.
When used correctly and individualized, it can be safe, effective, and life-changing.

📍 Questions about hormone therapy?
We’re here to help you understand your options — without fear.

12/13/2025

Women Need Testosterone Too (Yes—Really)

Testosterone isn’t just a “male hormone.”
Women naturally produce testosterone in their ovaries and adrenal glands—and it plays a critical role in overall health, especially as women age.

As testosterone levels decline (often during perimenopause, menopause, or after stress, illness, or hormonal suppression), many women start feeling “off” without knowing why.

What testosterone helps with in women:

• Energy and stamina
• Libido and sexual satisfaction
• Muscle strength and tone
• Fat metabolism and body composition
• Brain clarity, focus, and motivation
• Mood stability and confidence
• Bone density and fracture prevention
• Insulin sensitivity and metabolic health
• Overall sense of drive and well-being

Low testosterone in women can show up as:
– Fatigue despite good sleep
– Low motivation or brain fog
– Decreased libido
– Loss of muscle and increased body fat
– Mood changes or feeling “flat”
– Reduced exercise tolerance

Important to know:
Testosterone therapy for women is NOT about becoming “masculine.” When dosed correctly and monitored appropriately, it supports how the female body is designed to function.

In fact, healthy testosterone levels in women often:
✔ Improve quality of life
✔ Support heart, bone, and brain health
✔ Work synergistically with estrogen (not against it)

Hormone balance isn’t one-size-fits-all—and women deserve the same thoughtful, evidence-based care when it comes to testosterone.

If you don’t feel like yourself anymore, it may not be “just aging.”
It may be hormones—and there are options.

12/12/2025

❤️❤️ this time last year I was signing my lease, working two jobs, and seeing a handful of patients virtually!

In honor of BWC’s 1 year anniversary- here’s a picture of my original RN school graduation in 2016! It feels so long ag...
12/10/2025

In honor of BWC’s 1 year anniversary- here’s a picture of my original RN school graduation in 2016!

It feels so long ago!
As proud of this picture that I am, I wish I could tell that boy some things… You see, this is actually a picture of someone very insecure of himself and his identity. Hiding behind long hair and a beard to cover the acne scars… He is very proud of his accomplishments, but afraid to say his next goal out loud, because of the chances someone would make fun of him or doubt his abilities… i can picture it now, he’s back in middle school struggling to find a place he fits in.

If I could tell him a few things, it would be to: Stop doubting yourself on everything, just because those people make fun of you for something, doesn’t mean you’re bad at everything. I know it feels like a target to make yourself seen, but tune it out and go for it! You’re a great man Zachary, don’t let a few assoles and a period of time ruin the rest of your life. 🥹 it gets much, much better.

Sorry, back to the real purpose of this post.. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who showed up and helped my dream come true this past year! And thank you to all of our patients, whether you’ve been here since last December, or are just joining, Thank you for choosing us and choosing me! You all know how to make a guy feel special! Can’t wait for another year of taking care of you all and learning more about you 🧑‍⚕️ ❤️

12/08/2025

Already dreaming of a white Christmas… ❄️

The week of Christmas we will be closed Wednesday Thursday and Friday but will otherwise operate with normal business hours this month! 🧑‍🎄

What is brain fog?
12/08/2025

What is brain fog?

12/07/2025

✨ Optimize Your Health with GLP-1 Therapy ✨

Ready to take control of your health from the inside out? Our GLP-1 injectable therapy is designed to support:

✔️ Improved nutrition habits
✔️ Better insulin sensitivity
✔️ Reduced inflammation
✔️ Sustainable long-term health

There is no weight or BMI requirement to begin treatment.
Medication can be shipped directly to your door, and all follow-ups can be completed virtually for your convenience.

At Bridgeport Wellness Center, we make getting healthy simple, safe, and accessible.

📲 Send us a message to get started.
Your wellness journey can begin today.

12/07/2025

🌿 Your Gut Might Be Causing Your Anxiety — Here’s How

Did you know your gut and brain are in constant conversation?
This connection is called the gut–brain axis, and when your gut bacteria are imbalanced, it can directly increase feelings of anxiety, worry, irritability, and brain fog.

Here’s how diet + gut health play a huge role:

💥 1. Sugar & ultra-processed foods feed the “bad” bacteria
This creates inflammation and chemicals that send stress signals straight to the brain.

💥 2. Healthy gut bacteria help produce calming neurotransmitters
Up to 90% of your serotonin — your “feel-good” chemical — is made in the gut.
If the gut is inflamed or imbalanced, serotonin production drops.

💥 3. Food sensitivities can trigger the stress response
Gluten, dairy, dyes, preservatives, and additives can activate the gut’s immune system, leading to anxiety-like symptoms.

💥 4. High inflammation = high anxiety
A disrupted gut increases inflammatory cytokines, which are strongly linked to anxious thoughts and mood swings.

💥 5. Nutrient absorption suffers
If the gut isn’t healthy, you absorb fewer vitamins like B12, magnesium, and omega-3s, all of which help regulate mood.

If you’re struggling with anxiety and want to explore root-cause testing, gut support, or functional lab work, Bridgeport Wellness Center can help.

🧠✨ Your gut health is mental health.

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120 Professional Place STE 103
Bridgeport, WV
26330

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