Your Go-To Resource for Women’s Wellness

Welcome to the Live Well Collective Blog—where Megan Bendinelli, NP, shares her expertise, practical strategies, and the latest research to empower you on your wellness journey. Whether you're navigating hormonal changes, seeking metabolic balance, or looking for holistic approaches to optimal health, this is your trusted space for knowledge, guidance, and inspiration.

Stay informed. Stay empowered. Live well.

Weight Loss & Metabolic Health, Hormone Health Megan Bendinelli Weight Loss & Metabolic Health, Hormone Health Megan Bendinelli

Get You a Health Optimization Plan That Can Do Both: HRT and GLP-1s

For decades, women in perimenopause and menopause have been told that weight gain is inevitable. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) helped improve hot flashes, sleep, and mood, but the scale often didn’t move. Meanwhile, GLP-1 receptor agonists, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, have made headlines for their powerful weight-loss results.

A growing body of research, including a 2024 study, suggests something important: when used together, HRT and GLP-1s may create greater weight loss benefits than either therapy alone.

This is where medical synergy comes in.

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Megan Bendinelli Megan Bendinelli

It Takes Two: Why Men’s Health Matters for Pregnancy and Baby’s Future

When couples struggle to conceive, the spotlight often shines on women. Hormones, cycles, ovulation tracking, egg quality. It’s all placed under the microscope. But here’s a truth that often goes unspoken: men contribute 50% of the DNA to every pregnancy, and their health directly impacts fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and the lifelong health of their child.

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Metabolic Health Anthony Schmidt Metabolic Health Anthony Schmidt

Future-Proofing Your Health: How to Avoid the Metabolic Slowdown As You Age

Your 20s and 30s are often filled with fast-paced routines, late nights, and a metabolism that still feels “forgiving.” But behind the scenes, the choices you make now set the foundation for your 40s, 50s, and beyond.

It’s easy to assume metabolic health is something you only worry about later in life, when weight becomes harder to manage or energy levels dip. The truth is, future-proofing your metabolism starts now.

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Women's Health, Menopause Megan Bendinelli Women's Health, Menopause Megan Bendinelli

The Menopause Marathon: Start Slow and Build Your Tool Kit

Menopause Isn’t a Sprint

When it comes to menopause, many women hope for a quick fix. But this season of life is more like a marathon than a sprint. Hormones are shifting, symptoms evolve, and your body is adjusting to a new normal. The goal isn’t to “fix everything overnight,” but to build the right tools and strategies that support you for the long run.

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Balanced Digestion in the Colder Months: Strategies for Resilience

Winter changes everything: shorter days, colder weather, heavier foods, more stress, and plenty of holiday indulgence. While these shifts are part of the season, they also place extra strain on digestion and immunity. Since nearly 70% of your immune system is rooted in the gut, supporting your microbiome during this time of year is essential.

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Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli

Your Sex Life After Baby: What No One Told You About the Fourth Trimester

You’re recovering from pregnancy and birth. You’re feeding a human with your body. You’re functioning on minimal sleep. And somewhere in the blur of the fourth trimester, someone expects you to feel sexy again?

It’s no wonder so many women feel overwhelmed, emotionally distant, or even resentful when it comes to intimacy. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not failing.

Let’s break down what’s really happening.

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Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli

Why “Eat Less and Move More” Isn’t the Whole Answer

We don't just hand you generic advice and send you home. We walk with you through a structured, informed plan that evolves with your body’s needs.

You Deserve More Than One-Size-Fits-All Advice

If you're tired of being told to just "try harder," it's time to try smarter with tools, data, and expert support that actually meet you where you are.

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Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli Health and Wellness Megan Bendinelli

What to Expect From a Body Scan and Why It's More Than Just a Number on the Scale

When it comes to your health, weight is just one piece of the puzzle. Whether you’re starting a fitness plan, fine-tuning your nutrition, or optimizing your hormones, a body composition scan offers a deeper look into your progress and helps you set more personalized goals.

What Is a Body Composition Scan

Unlike a regular scale, a body composition scan shows you what your weight is made of. It breaks it down into:

  • Body fat mass

  • Skeletal muscle mass

  • Water balance

  • Visceral fat (the kind that surrounds your organs)

  • Basal metabolic rate (how many calories your body burns at rest)

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Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Megan Bendinelli Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Megan Bendinelli

Why the Scale Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

If you've ever felt frustrated by the number on the scale not reflecting your hard work, you're not alone. The truth is that the number doesn't differentiate between fat, muscle, water, or bone. Understanding the distinction between fat loss and weight loss is crucial for achieving lasting health improvements.

Focusing on fat loss rather than just weight loss leads to better health outcomes and sustainable results. By preserving muscle mass and targeting fat reduction, you enhance your metabolic health, increase energy levels, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

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Hormones & Sexual Health Megan Bendinelli Hormones & Sexual Health Megan Bendinelli

What to Expect From Your HRT Glow-Up

If you’re in the thick of perimenopause and wondering if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might help you feel like yourself again, you’re not being dramatic; you’re being informed.

But it’s not just about glowing skin or a better mood. It’s about restoring balance, reclaiming energy, and feeling like your body and brain are finally working with you again.

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Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Megan Bendinelli Weight Loss & Metabolic Health Megan Bendinelli

The Metabolism–Skin Connection: How GLP-1 Medications Affect Your Skin (and What to Do About It)

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, tirzepatide, and compounded peptides have been game-changers in the world of weight loss and metabolic health. But as more people experience the benefits of these therapies, a common—and often unexpected—question arises:

“Why is My Skin Changing?”

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General Health Megan Bendinelli General Health Megan Bendinelli

Peptide Therapy 101: The Future of Regenerative Wellness, Recovery, and Hormone Support

If you're working on improving your metabolism, energy, recovery, or skin—and feel like the usual approaches just aren’t cutting it—you’re not alone. More and more people are turning to peptide therapy as a way to support their body’s natural healing, hormone production, and repair processes from the inside out.

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Megan Bendinelli Megan Bendinelli

Sexual Health as a Vital Sign of Aging Well

When people think about sexual health, they often limit the conversation to desire or performance. But in our practice, we look at something deeper: your sexspan—the length of time in your life that sex is comfortable, satisfying, and aligned with how you want to feel.

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Megan Bendinelli Megan Bendinelli

Metabolic Health, Made Easier: How We Support Weight Loss Without the Overwhelm

The truth is that sustainable weight loss and metabolic health come down to working with your body, not against it. That means understanding your hormones, your inflammation, your insulin response, and your nervous system. It also means approaching wellness in a way that fits into your life—not one that takes it over.

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Branko Fernandez Branko Fernandez

Reclaim Your Energy at Any Age

“I just can’t hang like I used to.” I am constantly hearing this in my practice. Aging is a natural part of life, but the gradual decline in energy that often comes with it can feel anything but natural. If you’ve noticed a dip in your stamina, focus, or drive as you’ve grown older, you’re not imagining things. Changes in your hormones, lifestyle, and overall health play a significant role in this shift—but the good news is that you don’t have to accept it as inevitable.

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Branko Fernandez Branko Fernandez

The Different Types of Hormone Therapy Delivery Methods

Hormone therapy, a cornerstone in managing a myriad of conditions—from menopause and testosterone deficiency to thyroid disorders—boasts a variety of delivery systems. Each method has its own set of benefits, challenges, and suitability factors that can significantly impact patient experience and treatment effectiveness. Here's a rundown of the most common avenues:

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