PHLI Hormone Health is an independent resource that explains hormone replacement therapy in plain language. We cover menopausal and perimenopausal HRT for women, gender-affirming hormone therapy, testosterone therapy for men, the different forms and doses, the real benefits and risks, what treatment costs, and how to find a provider. Our goal is simple: give you the same clear picture a good clinician would, so you can have a better conversation about your own care.
The editorial team
Maya Ellison, Managing Editor. Maya Ellison is the managing editor of PHLI Hormone Health. She is a health writer and editor, not a clinician, and has spent more than a decade turning peer-reviewed research and clinical guidance into plain-language explainers. She commissions and edits every article on the site and is responsible for its sourcing standards.
To be clear about what this means: our editor is a writer and editor, not a doctor, and nothing on this site is a substitute for advice from your own clinician. Where a named, credentialed medical professional has reviewed a specific article, you will see them credited by name and title at the top of that page. When you do not see a reviewer credited, the article reflects our editorial research and sourcing standards but has not been individually signed off by a clinician.
How we research and write
Every article starts from the current published evidence and the guidance of recognized bodies such as The Menopause Society (formerly NAMS), the Endocrine Society, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and peer-reviewed journals indexed in PubMed. We read the primary sources, not summaries of summaries, and we write to match the question a reader is actually asking. Where the evidence is mixed or still debated, we say so rather than pretending there is a single answer.
How we source and fact-check
Claims that carry medical weight, especially numbers about risk, benefit, dosing, and cost, are linked inline to the authority they come from, and every article lists its main sources at the end. We favor primary research, official clinical guidance, and recognized medical institutions over secondary blogs. If we cannot source a claim to something credible, we cut it. Prices, product details, and availability are checked at the time of writing and can change, so we note when figures are current as of a given date.
Corrections and updates
We revise articles when guidance changes, when new evidence lands, or when a reader flags an error, and we show honest publish and update dates so you can see how current a page is. If you spot something that looks wrong or out of date, tell us and we will check it against the sources and correct it.
How we are funded
Some links on this site are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you choose a product or provider after clicking. This never changes what we recommend or how we describe the evidence, and it never adds a cost to you. Our reviews are based on the same research standard whether or not a company has an affiliate program, and we point out the weaknesses of products we earn from just as readily as their strengths.
Medical disclaimer
The information here is for general education and is not medical advice. Hormone therapy has individual benefits and risks that depend on your health history. Always talk with a licensed healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any treatment.