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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
What Many Get Wrong About Menopause: A Modern Guide to Feeling Like Yourself Again
Menopause isn’t something to just get through—it’s something to move through with clarity and confidence. But if you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or even a little afraid of what’s happening in your body, you’re not alone.
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?”
The Tired Thyroid Trap: Why You Still Feel Off Even on Medication
You’ve been told you have a thyroid issue. Maybe it was after months of fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, or feeling like a stranger in your own body. You were prescribed thyroid medication, maybe Synthroid or levothyroxine, and told, “This should fix it.”
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.
Zero-Proof, High-Vibe: Why More People Are Rethinking Their Relationship with Alcohol
Whether you’re sober-curious, exploring a dry month, or just trying to cut back, there’s growing awareness around the benefits of reducing alcohol, especially when it comes to inflammation, detoxification, and your overall health.
Brain Health: Hormone, Nutrition, and Lifestyle Optimization to Possibly Shift the Trajectory of Cognitive Decline
Memory loss and cognitive decline are among the most pressing health concerns as we age. The good news is that research shows that optimizing hormones, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing inflammation may help protect brain function.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Let’s Get Started
Your health is your greatest investment. If you’re ready to take control and work with a provider who truly listens, we’d love to support you.
Live Well. Thrive. Feel your best—at every stage of life.